Traditional Irish Colcannon is a delectable combination of creamy mashed potatoes and pan-fried cabbage lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper. It is truly a match made in heaven and a must-try for those who have not experienced this tasty dish.
It is one of my personal favorites, and I love to serve it with Pan Fried Chicken, Corned Beef, and Turkey Meatloaf. This tasty side dish comes together quickly and easily with no complicated techniques or ingredients.
We are just a few weeks away from the big St. Patrick’s day celebrations. Perhaps you are cooking a big Irish feast. Whatever you decide to do, these potatoes should be a part of your celebration. As a matter of fact, they are so amazing they are sure to become a part of your regular meal rotation.
What is Colcannon?
So inquiring minds want to know. Colcannon is simply a traditional Irish dish of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale. So easy to make yet so darn delicious. Even the novice cook can successfully make this dish with confidence. If you can mash potatoes and fry cabbage, then you can master this recipe.
How do you make Colcannon?
Oh my goodness, you won’t believe how incredibly easy this really is. Basically, you are making buttery, creamy mashed potatoes and adding pan-fried cabbage with a little bit of pan-fried onion and crisp bacon. It is lightly seasoned with just salt and black pepper. The recipe is so simple, and you won’t believe how marvelous it tastes!
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- I use a mixture of Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe, but you can use one or the other if desired.
- For aesthetic purposes and for the tradition of the recipe, stick with green cabbage.
- Are you always pushed for time? Then cook the bacon up to 3 days in advance and store it in a sealed zipper bag in the fridge. The potatoes can be peeled and soaked in cold water up to 4 hours in advance of boiling them.
- If cooking the bacon at the same time, whether it be in the oven or the skillet. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and use it in place of 2 tablespoons of butter for pan-frying the cabbage and onion.
- For even more flavor, add leeks, green onions (scallions), or chives to the potato mixture.
- This delectable dish reheats very well in the microwave at reduced power.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- You can freeze these potatoes in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Because of the high moisture content in both potatoes and cabbage, you may need to rework the mash with some butter, sour cream, or cream cheese to get it back to its original texture and consistency.
So my food-loving friends, don’t let another week pass by without trying this Traditional Irish Colcannon Potatoes and Cabbage. It is delicious, easy, and dependable every time. You will be so happy that you tried this amazing recipe!
More delicious potato recipes you will love!
Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe
This traditional Irish Colcannon side dish is made with creamy mashed potatoes, swirled with fried cabbage, onions, and crisp bacon, and seasoned with salt and pepper. It’s the perfect addition to any comfort food meal.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Side
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients
- 3 large russet potatoes peeled and cut in to large chunks
- 3 large Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and chunked
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 head green cabbage chopped
- 6 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped
- kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan with enough lightly salted water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain well, making sure to remove excess water. Add 4 tablespoons butter and cream. Cover the pot and let the butter melt.
- Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add cabbage and cook until tender and lightly browned on the edges: approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Mash potatoes with a potato masher and gently stir in the cabbage mixture and half of the chopped bacon. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. Top with the remaining chopped bacon. Transfer to a serving bowl. Cut the remaining tablespoon of butter into pats. Make a small well on top and add the remaining butter.
Notes
- I use a mixture of Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe, but you can use one or the other if desired.
- For aesthetic purposes and for the tradition of the recipe, stick with green cabbage.
- Are you always pushed for time? Then cook the bacon up to 3 days in advance and store it in a sealed zipper bag in the fridge. The potatoes can be peeled and soaked in cold water up to 4 hours in advance of boiling them.
- If cooking the bacon at the same time, whether it be in the oven or in the skillet. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and use it in place of 2 tablespoons of butter for pan-frying the cabbage and onion.
- This delectable dish reheats very well in the microwave at reduced power.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- You can freeze these potatoes in a heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Because of the high moisture content in both potatoes and cabbage, you may need to rework the mash with some butter, sour cream, or cream cheese to get it back to its original texture and consistency.
Keywords: cabbage and potatoes, fried cabbage and potatoes, Irish mashed potatoes, what is colcannon
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
Tammy
I LOVE colcannon, actually! It’s such a hearty and delicious way to prepare mashed potatoes, and I make it like this quite often actually not just for the holiday. Your recipe was delicious!
★★★★★
Rhian Westbury
I’ve never heard of this dish before. But as someone who isn’t the biggest cabbage fan, this sounds like a good way to incorporate it into my diet, as it’s mixed with potatoes.
Samantha Donnelly
This is one of my family’s favorite side dishes. It is so easy to make and it goes with so many main courses. It is delicious with brats or grilled kielbasa.
★★★★★
Kimberly C
Your blog just made me super hungry. This reminds me of a traditional Dutch dish we ate a lot in Holland. It’s especially popular during winter. If this taste anything like that, it’s a winner for sure!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kimberly! I sure hope you enjoy it!
Doris Rubin
I tried your colcannon recipe for the 1st time about a month for my family. I have to say it was a huge hit! I’m making it for the 2nd time today! Thank you so much for posting it!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Doris! So glad that you and your family like the recipe. The pleasure is all mine.
Jen
Thank you so much fir the recipe! I love trying traditional recipes from other countries!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jen! Me too!
gunjan
What a delicious looking recipe. Can’t wait to try it. I have listed all the ingredients my shopping list.
★★★★★
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Love the addition of bacon. I served this with sausages and it was devoured. So creamy!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amanda! We love it too!
Sandra
The whole family loved it! No leftovers which is always a good sign!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sandra! That is good news!
TAYLER ROSS
I made this colcannon for St. Patrick’s Day last year and it was perfect! Definitely making them again this year!
★★★★★
Andrea
This Irish Colcannon is fabulous. It is one of my favorite dishes.
★★★★★
Anjali
I hadn’t heard of this dish before I came across your recipe, but I’m so glad I tried it!! It was comforting, creamy and totally delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Anjali! So glad that you liked it. It is one of my favorites!
Beth
This recipe is great! I love making an Irish dish for St Patricks Day and with all that bacon, it’s a hit!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
I agree 100%
Mahy
Amazing! Great recipe and truly one of our favorites. I always add a little more bacon and butter.
★★★★★
Shelby
This recipe is perfection. It’s comfort food at its best! Yum!
★★★★★
Shannon O’Brien
I’m proud to be Irish and I’m always proud serving this Colcannon recipe! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine Shannon!
Cindy
I made these last night and the flavor was out of this world. I made it with 3 russets and 1 small red potatoe. Came it very thick so I’d add a little milk on top of it to make it creamy. Out of this world flavor with everything.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Cindy! I am glad that you enjoyed it! This is one of my favorite dishes.
Bhaskar Dutta
Delicious! How about a recipe for Irish lamb stew?
Mindy
I just made this and it is the best I have ever had. Thanks for the recipe
Beth Pierce
Thanks! So glad that you enjoyed it We love it too!
Dennis and Judy Warne
Sounds great, will try. curious about portions, recipe says 10, and Nutrional statement say 6 servings.
Beth Pierce
Sometimes I rework a recipe and miss something. Go by the nutritional information please.
Yvette Lennon
We totally love this recipe & will be recommending to others. Thanks again for the great recipes!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Yvette! The pleasure is all mine!
Patty Morris
I LOVE ALL IRISH FOOD DELICIOUS THANK YOU FOR SHARING
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Me too! You are most welcome!
Wai
I’m diabetic and I cook Keto only for me. I would switch out potatoes for cauliflower and leave the rest. My family will get the original.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Sounds like a great plan! Enjoy!!
kushigalu
I have never tried this before. Looks delicious plus I love combination of ingredients. Thanks for sharing
★★★★★
Brianna
Comfort food at its best, perfect with beef stew!
★★★★★
Biana
Love Colcannon, and you are taking it to a whole new level with all that bacon. Yum!
★★★★★
Anjali
I love this twist on a traditional mashed potato recipe! Can’t wait to add it to our dinner spread for tomorrow night!
★★★★★
Emily Liao
This colcannon recipe was a hit! So creamy and full of flavor.
★★★★★
Jean
I have cooked this twice now and I just love it! I live alone but I refrigerate leftovers and eat for a couple of days. It reheats well in the microwave. Delish!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Jean! So glad that you like it! I love it too! Such great comfort food!
kim
I am using hickory smoked salt instead of regular salt for the mashed potatoes. it makes the potatoes so yummy and would probably go well with the bacon! 🙂 Thank you for this recipe. My family is Irish and I was looking for Irish foods to try and make and Pinterest led me to your post. I am making this for a mother’s day meal with a meatloaf. Have a good day!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Kim! That sounds like the perfect meal. Delicious!!
Katie Newman
2021: Oh my! This was so delicious!! It was a huge hit around the table! The only small revision I made was to add a quarter cup or so of milk, to make the mashed potatoes creamier– this will vary depending on personal taste and the pounds of potatoes used, I should think! Thanks for posting! Yumm!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Katie! So happy that everyone liked them. They are one of my favorites.
Jolene McRae
I made this for our St Patrick’s Day dinner instead of the traditional corned beef & cabbage, which my husband doesn’t like. We both really like the Colcannon. We made some brats to go with it.& had Irish soda bread. YUM!!
Beth Pierce
The whole mean sounds scrumptious! I am so glad that you liked the colcannon.
Andrea
Can you use the instant potatoes
Beth Pierce
Yes you can.
Andrea
OH my does this sound amazing! I can’t wait to make this and devour it!
★★★★★
Alison
Mashed potatoes and cabbage! Why have I never made this before! Putting it on my St. Patrick’s Day menu!
★★★★★
Aimee Mars
I’ve never had colcannon before, but it sounds amazing! It’s a super hearty but flavorful side dish. I’m going to make this for dinner on St. Patrick’s Day.
★★★★★
Biana
Yum! This looks so delicious, and perfect for St Patrick’s Day!
★★★★★
Katie Beck
This was a huge hit with my family – we had never tried before! Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Tezrah
This works well with red skin potatoes. No peeling needed.
Alisa Infanti
I have never heard of this dish before so the adventurer in me gave it a try last night and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Alisa! So glad that you liked it! I love it as well. It is so delicious!!
Angela Allison
This recipe is heavenly!! So flavorful, creamy, and delicious. The combination of potatoes and cabbage is perfection. Thanks so much for sharing.
★★★★★
Alisha Rodrigues
I like how you’ve combined simple ingredients to make a creamy and delicious salad. Would definitely make a good side dish on my dinner table
★★★★★
Michelle
This made me incredibly homesick! This is just like my Mum makes it! And perfect any time of the year.
★★★★★
Tonje
This was way easier than I thought, and what a great way to add vegetables to mashed potatoes!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
This couldn’t look any more perfect!
Sara Welch
Loved how perfectly smooth and crisp this was! Made a great side dish with dinner; hands down delicious!
★★★★★
Vikki
Incredibly delicious! Family loved it
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Vicki! Enjoy!
Kimberly
One of my all-time favorites, it’s the ultimate comfort dishes for potato lovers!
Amanda
This looks so amazing I cannot wait to try!
★★★★★