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Home » Type » Side Dishes » Colcannon Recipe (Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage)

Colcannon Recipe (Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage)

October 31, 2011 by Faith 34 Comments

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This hearty Colcannon recipe for Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage combines rich, buttery mashed potatoes and cabbage sautéed with onion for a side dish that’s satisfying, nutritious, and delicious.

Irish Colcannon in Bowl on Wooden Table

Colcannon Recipe in Wooden Bowl

Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday. I kind-of see it as a non-holiday holiday that must be endured before the real holiday season can be ushered in (and for this I apologize to my darling Halloween-loving readers!).

But I will admit there are some fun things about it. Costumes, for example. And jack-o-lanterns. Scary movie marathons. And if you’re still young enough to do so, trick-or-treating is always a blast (who would refuse free candy, right?). These are the traditions that I grew up associating with Halloween.

I think it’s interesting to see how people in other parts of the world celebrate the same holiday, which is why I was intrigued when I recently found a recipe for Colcannon, a traditional Irish Halloween dish, in a cookbook called Irish Pub Cooking. This recipe is loosely based on the recipe from that cookbook.

And even though this side dish is traditional for Halloween, it’s delicious enough to enjoy anytime! Pair it with roast chicken, pot roast, grilled meat, or a rich, hearty stew.

Front View of Mashed Potato with Cabbage in Bowl

In This Article

  • The Tradition Behind Colcannon
  • What is Colcannon?
  • Colcannon Recipe
  • What Type of Potatoes Should I Use For Mashing?
  • What is the Difference Between Champ and Colcannon?
  • What to Serve with Colcannon
  • More Delicious Recipes with Some Form of Potatoes:
  • Colcannon Recipe

The Tradition Behind Colcannon

Years ago in Ireland (or perhaps it’s still done to this day?), it was traditional to serve Colcannon for Halloween and hide coins or small charms in it.

If it was coins that were found, the finder would have good fortune in the upcoming year. If charms were used, the particular charm would determine the finder’s future. For example, a button meant the finder would stay a bachelor for the year, and a thimble meant the finder would stay a spinster.

I’ve also heard tales of Colcannon pertaining to marriage. Legend has it that an unmarried woman would put Colcannon into a stocking and hang the stocking on the door. Apparently the next unwitting chap to come through the door was her future husband!  You can read more about Irish Halloween traditions and recipes on IrishCentral.

Colcannon in Pot

I made this lovely dish for dinner with my parents’ a couple weekends ago, and served it with a fantastic Basic Beef Stew Using Pantry Staples. In keeping with tradition, I was tempted to put (thoroughly scrubbed) pennies in it! However, I feared my mom would see even scrubbed pennies as unclean (and no, I definitely do not blame her for that, lol!).

Coins present or not, this is comfort food at its finest.

Close Up Top View of Irish Mashed Potatoes

What is Colcannon?

Colcannon is a rustic mashed potatoes dish with cabbage or kale. It frequently has some kind of onion as well.

The original recipe I found called for scallion, but that just wasn’t enough onion for me! I added a regular cooking onion as well. However, the book said you could substitute leeks if you prefer, so I’m guessing just about any kind of onion will do.

Colcannon has a somewhat obscene amount of butter and half and half, as do so many recipes for mashed potatoes. But in my humble opinion, this tastes so much better than most mashed potato dishes out there, and at least it comes with the added nutrition of cabbage and onion.

Thinly Sliced Cabbage

And it’s no small amount of cabbage! If you think cabbage isn’t your thing, I highly recommend this recipe. Paired with butter and potatoes, you might find that you love cabbage!

Irish Mashed Potatoes with Description

Colcannon Recipe

Colcannon is delicious, and also loaded with vegetables! If you’re trying to eat more real foods, this side dish is a good choice.

And this recipe is easy to make for all skill levels!

Colcannon Ingredients

Ingredients in Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes):

  • Potato
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter
  • Half and half
  • Green cabbage
  • Onion
  • Black pepper
  • Scallion

How to Make Colcannon

First things first, peel the potatoes.

Peeling Potatoes

Chop the peeled potatoes into large cubes.

Chopping Potatoes

Put the potatoes into a pot and cover them with cold water by about 2 inches.

Boiling Potato

Bring them to a boil, cook until tender, drain well, and put them back into the pot they cooked in. Add the butter and salt, and give the potatoes a good mash.

Mashing Potato

Add the half and half a little at at time, mashing between additions. By adding it a little at a time, it ensures that the potatoes absorb all the liquid.

Mashing Potatoes with Half and Half

Just look at how rich and creamy these mashed potatoes are!

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Now it’s time to make the cabbage component of this recipe. Start by thinly slicing green cabbage.

Slicing Cabbage

Peel and chop an onion. I love the savory flavor it adds here.

Chopping Onion

Thinly slice a few scallions. Don’t skimp out on the scallion! They bump up the freshness and add a subtle burst of savory flavor.

Slicing Scallion

Sauté the cabbage and onion in butter with salt and black pepper until it’s tender, and then stir in half of the sliced scallion.

If you think cabbage isn’t your thing, taste it at this point! It will have a rich, buttery flavor with a hint of savoriness and should be tender enough to almost melt in your mouth, but with just a little touch of al dente texture. Careful, you’re about to become a cabbage lover.

Sauteed Cabbage

Add the cabbage mixture to the mashed potatoes.

Adding Sauteed Cabbage to Mashed Potatoes

Give it a good stir to combine.

Pot of Colcannon

Transfer the Colcannon to a serving bowl. Top with a little more butter and a little more scallion, because why not?! Serve it up, and revel in the fact that you have unlocked the secret to the world’s best mashed potatoes.

Colcannon Recipe with Vintage Spoon in White Bowl

What Type of Potatoes Should I Use For Mashing?

To make mashed potatoes, I like to use either Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes.

Russets yield a light and fluffy mash with a creamy white color. Yukon Golds result in a rich and dense mash with a buttery yellow color.

I used Yukon Gold potatoes to make this Colcannon recipe, but you can use whatever you prefer.

What is the Difference Between Champ and Colcannon?

Both Champ and Colcannon are mashed potato-based dishes. However, the main difference lies in the additional ingredients.

Champ is mashed potatoes with scallion.

Colcannon is mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale.

I’ve also found that Champ is mashed to a much smoother consistency than Colcannon, which is commonly somewhat of a rough mash.

Close Up Overhead View of Irish Colcannon Recipe

What to Serve with Colcannon

If you’re wondering what to eat this Colcannon recipe with, know that it’s delicious with anything you’d eat mashed potatoes with! Here are a few ideas:

  • Homemade Irish Sausage with Onion Stout Gravy
  • Guinness Beef Stew
  • Pan-Seared Ribeye with Garlic Butter
  • Garlic Herb Butter Roast Chicken
  • Instant Pot Chicken Sausage Guinness Stew

More Delicious Recipes with Some Form of Potatoes:

  • Garlic Roasted New Potato and Asparagus Salad
  • Vegetable Beef Guinness Casserole Topped with Champ
  • Creamy Dijon Potato Salad
  • Chicken Pot Pie Topped with Garlic and Herb Potato Mash
  • Maple Pecan Potato Chip Cookies

Irish Mashed Potato Recipe

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

Irish Colcannon in Bowl on Wooden Table

Colcannon Recipe

By: Faith Gorsky
This hearty Colcannon recipe for Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage combines rich, buttery mashed potatoes and cabbage sautéed with onion for a side dish that’s satisfying, nutritious, and delicious.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Irish
Servings 10 servings
Calories 253 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 pounds potatoes peeled and cubed (about 4 medium-sized potatoes)
  • 2 3/4 teaspoons salt divided
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 pounds green cabbage quartered, core removed, and thinly sliced (about 1 small head)
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 scallions white and green parts, thinly sliced, divided

Instructions
 

  • Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover by 2 inches with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn heat down and simmer until tender, about 7 to 10 minutes; drain. Put the drained potatoes back into the pot they cooked in, and mash them with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 5 tablespoons butter (leaving lumps if you like). Gradually mash in the half and half a little at a time so the potatoes absorb it all.
  • Add 5 tablespoons butter to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage, onion, remaining 11/2 teaspoons salt and the black pepper. Cook until tender, about 10 to 14 minutes. Stir in half of the sliced scallion, and cook 30 seconds more.
  • Stir the cabbage mixture into the mashed potatoes. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  • Serve hot, with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and remaining scallion on top.

Faith's Tips

  • Recipe adapted from the recipe for Colcannon in Irish Pub Cooking published by Parragon Books Ltd.
  • If desired, you can substitute Savoy or Napa cabbage for the green cabbage in this recipe. Just be sure to decrease the cooking time accordingly (or if you prefer, you can use kale instead).
  • To make the mashed potatoes for this recipe, I like to use either Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes. Russets yield a light and fluffy mash with a creamy white color. Yukon Golds result in a rich and dense mash with a buttery yellow color. I used Yukon Gold potatoes to make this Colcannon recipe, but you can use whatever you prefer.
  • If I have it on hand, I like to add 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram to this dish.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Colcannon Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 253 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 45mg15%
Sodium 674mg29%
Potassium 605mg17%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 668IU13%
Vitamin C 41mg50%
Calcium 86mg9%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Colcannon, Colcannon Recipe
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Colcannon Recipe Pin

This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on October 31, 2011. I updated it with more information on March 12, 2021.

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items. Thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Side Dishes Tagged: Cabbage, Colcannon, Irish Halloween Traditions, Kale, Mashed Potatoes, Onion, Potatoes, Recipes, Side Dishes

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    October 14, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Colcannon is lovely – serve it up with a bit of boiled bacon for ultimate Irish comfort food!
    I’ve never had a coin hid in mine though – there is a traditional heavy Irish cake called a barn brack in which a ring is hidden. The person to find the ring in their piece will be first the marry. This is something that we always had at Halloween and you can buy them in the shop or make your own.
    Halloween is celebrated a lot in Ireland, it has roots in the ancient pagan festival of Samhain and we’ve basically never stopped celebrating it!
    Sorry for the long comment, I just loved your recipe and thought I’d add my tuppence worth. :)

    Reply
  2. Cyndi says

    November 17, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    LOVE this – and I’ve basically made it before, and many variations of it, but never realized the history of the combination of these ingredients! I’m with you on the sauteed cabbage for sure, and I just adore leeks. (tried to grow them this year, but I’m never successful there!)

    Reply
  3. LeQuan says

    November 7, 2011 at 9:34 pm

    What an interesting dish. I’ve never heard of this before and enjoyed learning about the different types of items you could put in this and what the items signified. Thank you for sharing that, Faith. Colcannon sounds like a dish I’d surely enjoy.

    Reply
  4. Chaya says

    November 5, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    I have made versions of this and always loved it. Yours is making me think, I should make it again.

    Reply
  5. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    November 3, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Happy Halloween!
    I’ve never had Colcannon before – but that doesn’t mean those photos didn’t left me drooling!

    Reply
  6. Susan says

    November 3, 2011 at 7:50 am

    I’ve made Colcannon for St. Patrick’s Day but I never realized it was a traditional Irish Halloween dish! Yours look delicious!

    Reply
  7. Lori Lynn says

    November 3, 2011 at 4:18 am

    Sounds delightful. Cabbage and mashed potatoes, ultimate comfort!
    LL

    Reply
  8. FOODESSA says

    November 1, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I’m a potato junkie…hence, this will certainly be one more recipe to put on my to-do list ;o)

    Faith, have a great week and looking forward to what you do for the next non-pleasurable holiday. LOL

    Ciao,
    Claudia

    Reply
  9. nancy at good food matters says

    November 1, 2011 at 2:01 pm

    Faith, I like your addition of marjarom to the colcannon, and increased onions of any variety! leeks would be especially good.

    Reply
  10. Steve @ HPD says

    November 1, 2011 at 11:42 am

    I have nothing against Halloween … but as a Freakonomics devotee, I’m fascinated by the things we do and how they compare to the things we say we do. And the one data point that stands out is: if we love dressing up so much, why do we only do it once a year? Whatever happened to the non-Halloween costume party?

    Cheers!

    Reply
  11. Samantha says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:34 am

    This looks unbelievable! To make it a little more Irish, could you serve it up with some cod…. I’m looking for a way to get some protein in there somewhere to go with this dish!

    Reply
    • admin says

      November 1, 2011 at 10:00 am

      Samantha, Oooh, I think it would be wonderful with cod! I served it with a very easy beef stew, which was also quite tasty (recipe coming soon!). :)

      Reply
  12. Anna says

    November 1, 2011 at 9:33 am

    There is wisdom in the folktale. I am looking at Halloween with a different perspective now. I am happy to have experienced a little of Irish Halloween by just reading your blog. I just feel a little weird about finding coins in a dish. I am guessing those are pretty big coins or any other stuff just to be on the safe side, you do not want to be doing Heimlich manuever to your guests after serving Colcannon on Trick or Treat Night. Right? Just a thought…Thanks for the post!!!

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    November 1, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Oooh, nice..I love butter and cream :) I bet it tastes amazing!
    I’m with you…halloween is something I put up with, but just can’t get excited about!

    Reply
  14. Jay says

    November 1, 2011 at 4:51 am

    omg..I’m droooooooooling over this wonderfully flavored dish..;)
    Tasty Appetite

    Reply
  15. Von says

    November 1, 2011 at 4:47 am

    wow…I always thought Halloween was just about dressing up and trick-or-treating! haha…..To be honest, I never used to like Halloween either, because I never had any friends who would go trick-or-treating with me so i would always be at home whilst other people were celebrating- and sometimes, kids who knock on doors aren’t that nice :S But I actually like Halloween now, with all the cute and creative foods that food bloggers come up with ;) Putting coins in foods reminds me of those movies where the guy tries to propose to a girl by putting the ring in food but the girl ends up eating it…lol But it sounds like a really fun thing to do! This looks very delicious- I love mashed potatoes, and this sounds even better than any mashed potatoes I’ve ever had!

    Reply
  16. Carolyn Jung says

    November 1, 2011 at 1:46 am

    You can’t go wrong with potatoes any time at all. And colcannon is a big ol’ bowl of comfort.

    Reply
  17. Biren @ Roti n Rice says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    It certainly has a lot of butter but it sure looks tasty with the cabbage! I would not put in the coins either.

    Reply
  18. Priti says

    October 31, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    Happy Halloween and this looks so yum …love the clicks. .I have tagged you in 7 link game …check out my blog :)

    Reply
  19. sophia says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    I’m going to make this with kimchi. Why not? Both are with cabbage. :D

    As a Christian, I’m not enamored with Halloween either…I do like the candy sales though! hee hee

    Reply
  20. [email protected] says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    This looks so interesting, I’ve never heard of anything quite like it. Cabbage in mashed potatoes, who would have thought. What exactly does it taste like? Cabbage? Potatoes? Spices? I am intrigued.

    Reply
  21. Cathy @ Savory Notes says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I love seeing non-candy related posts for Halloween :) Especially ones with legends and history. This looks and sounds delicious; I’ll be making this soon, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Julie M. says

    October 31, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    This sounds so hearty and delicious! Those legends are really interesting. It reminds me of the baby in the king cake. :) Another fabulous recipe Faith, thanks for sharing1

    Reply
  23. ursula says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    I love hearing about Halloween! We don’t celebrate it in Australia, so it’s fun to see what other people celebrate.

    Reply
  24. Stephanie says

    October 31, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    Irish myths and legends are so fascinating! Thanks for sharing! These potatoes look delicious…but you’re right. That IS a lot of butter and cream!

    Reply
  25. BeadedTail says

    October 31, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    I haven’t heard of colcannon before but it does sound good! I don’t like Halloween either except for the candy of course and now maybe the colcannon!

    Reply
  26. Tori @ eat-tori says

    October 31, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Completely agree on Halloween-I find it infuriating- but this colcannon is exactly the kind of thing that would calm me down. Beautiful stuff- as always.

    Reply
  27. Mimi says

    October 31, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Yummy recipe. I always associate colcannon with St. Patrick’s day. It nice to know when the Irish like to enjoy it.
    Mimi

    Reply
  28. Jessica says

    October 31, 2011 at 1:53 pm

    Faith, thank you for showing us halloween in different parts of the world! I’ve made calcannon before but never knew it had anything to do with this holiday! I’m with you and also am not a fan of halloween… much more excited for the ones to come, but with a dish like this, I would find any excuse to celebrate!!

    Reply
  29. Erica says

    October 31, 2011 at 7:06 am

    What a fun dish! Who knew the irish had halloween specific dishes!

    Reply
  30. Rosa says

    October 31, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Happy Halloween!

    That is a wonderfully comforting recipe!

    Cheers,

    Ros

    Reply
  31. Barbara says

    October 31, 2011 at 6:39 am

    I adore pub food! It’s comfort food personified. This looks wonderful, Faith, and you stayed true to the dish, too.
    Halloween is such fun; it may not be your favorite holiday, but I love how everyone gets so creative and their sense of humor shines through.

    Reply
  32. Blond Duck says

    October 31, 2011 at 6:14 am

    I just like to dress up. Happy Halloween! :)

    Reply
  33. purabi naha says

    October 31, 2011 at 5:52 am

    Yummy Colcannon! I loved this dish and the folklore! Whether I find a coin in it or not, I would love to eat this up! HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

    Reply

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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