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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Authentic Irish Colcannon Recipe

    LAST UPDATED: August 27, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: February 26, 2019 By Toni Dash 79 Comments

    Authentic Irish Colcannon Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Irish Colcannon title image

    Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato recipe with kale and scallions. It’s irresistibly delicious and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day too.

    Irish Colcannon title image

    Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato recipe, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

    Try it once and you’ll be hooked!

    With only five ingredients this dish is easy to whip up and a great authentic Irish dish.

    It’s a familiar cousin to the iconic American comfort food, mashed potatoes.

    What is Colcannon?

    Colcannon is a traditional Irish recipe of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage, scallions and butter.

    Some recipes include milk or cream; some do not (this does not).

    It also can contain other ingredients in the onion family such as leeks or chives.

    Like many traditional recipes, there are family or regional variations, such as including boiled ham or bacon.

    It’s a hearty, affordable recipe that is particularly satisfying in the cold weather months.

    Colcannon with bacon
    Colcannon recipes have many variations based on family traditions. The version pictured here includes bacon.

    Colcannon Fun Fact

    Colcannon is traditionally served in Ireland on Halloween with charms hidden in it!

    The charms are simple but with significant meanings foretelling future events!

    How to Pronounce ‘Colcannon’?

    Coal-can-in.

    Authentic Irish Colcannon in a white bowl

    Ingredients in Colcannon

    The ingredients are simple. This Colcannon recipe includes:

    • Yukon Gold Potatoes
    • Curly Kale leaves 
    • Scallions 
    • Unsalted butter 
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    That’s it!

    Yukon Gold Potatoes

    What Type of Potatoes to Use for Colcannon?

    In a traditional Irish Colcannon recipe, ‘floury’ potatoes would be used.

    The closest in the United States would be a russet potato.

    Though Yukon Gold potatoes may not be an indigenous Irish potato variety, their creamy nature makes this traditional Colcannon recipe perfection.

    Colcannon is perfect traditional dish for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

    Irish pewter goblet of beer with Colcannon

    What Does Colcannon Taste Like?

    If you have not enjoyed it before you may imagine a strong taste of kale making it seem like more of a “green vegetable” dish.

    It is not!

    The curly kale is lightly blanched and processed with the scallions before incorporating into the buttery potatoes.

    The heady aroma of the kale and onion when freshly diced coming out of the food processor is truly divine; light, fresh and singing of springtime.

    This Colcannon recipe is truly irresistible.

    Tip for Removing Kale Stems

    There is a trick that makes removing kale leaves from the kale stem a breeze:

    1. Hold the end of the kale stalk (the stem) in one hand.
    2. With the other hand, place the thumb and forefinger at the base of the leaves on the stalk.
    3. Pull the stalk with the first hand (the hand holding the stem), holding the other thumb and forefinger firmly in place.

    Leaves will peel off the stalk easily and are ready for chopping.

     

    Irish Colcannon recipe with scallions and bottles of beer

    How to Make Colcannon – Step by Step:

    Colcannon is very easy to make. There are four basic steps:

    STEP 1: Boiling the potatoes

    STEP 2: Blanching the kale (blanching = quickly adding the kale to boiling water then an ice bath to barely cook it)

    STEP 3: Processing the kale and scallions in a food processor 

    STEP 4: Making the Colcannon

    Specific recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

    STEP 1: Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the potatoes by at least an inch (the potatoes should have plenty of room) and bring to a boil.

    STEP 2: Add a large pinch of salt.

    STEP 3: Place the potatoes into the boiling water until done (about 20 minutes). Drain and return to the pot.

    STEP 4: While the potatoes are cooking….bring a second pot of water to a boil (for blanching the kale).

    STEP 5: Set up a large mixing bowl of cold water and ice.

    STEP 6: Place the kale into the boiling water for 2 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon and place in the ice water for 2 minutes.

    STEP 7: Combine the blanched kale and scallions in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely diced.

    STEP 8: Add the butter to the potatoes and allow it to melt.

    STEP 9: Mash the potatoes and stir in the kale and scallions.

    Potato Ricer and golden potatoes BoulderLocavore.com
    Potato ricers make quick work of mashing potatoes creating a light and creamy texture. This photo is from a different potato recipe but you can see the results when mashing potatoes with the skin on. The skins are filtered inside the ricer leaving just the potatoes.

    Recommended Tool: Potato Ricer

    The Colcannon may be mashed with a traditional potato masher or a potato ricer,which is my preferred method.

    If you have not used a potato ricer, it makes quick work of mashing potatoes and gives them a wonderful texture.

    Potato Ricers come with a few disks with different sized holes which are fitted into the end of the cylinder.

    How Does a Potato Ricer Work?

    Add potatoes to the main cavity fitted with disk.

    Pull the handles together which depresses a solid metal piece forcing the cooked potatoes through the perforated disk.

    Potato Ricer and golden potatoes

    Adding Milk

    Milk (or cream in some cases) is another variable ingredient in Colcannon.

    The type of potatoes used may affect how moist the Colcannon recipe turns out.

    If desired to make a lighter, creamier Colcannon, feel free to add a bit of warm milk in the last step.

    white plate of Colcannon

    More Irish and St. Patrick’s Day Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Dublin Coddle 
    • Irish Potato Champ
    • Cottage Pie
    • Authentic Irish Coffee
    • Irish Potato Soup
    • Instant Pot Corned Beef Brisket cooked in Guinness 
    • Irish Chocolate Mousse with Baileys
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Authentic Irish Colcannon

    Colcannon is a traditional dish for St. Patrick’s Day, combining the beloved potato, kale, scallions and butter. Try it once and you’ll be hooked!
    5 from 50 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Irish
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 6 ample side servings
    Calories: 233kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 1 pinch Kosher Salt
    • 4 ounces Curly Kale leaves (about 6 ½ ounces with stem)
    • ½ cup Scallions trimmed, white and lower green of stalk rough chopped
    • 1 stick (8 TB) Unsalted butter cut into 4 pieces
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Garnish with scallion slices (about ¼ cup needed for whole recipe)

    Instructions

    Cooking the potatoes

    • Fill a large pot of water with enough room to cover the potatoes by 1 inch (with plenty of room for the potatoes). Bring to a boil.
    • Add a large pinch of salt to the boiling water.
    • Place potatoes in boiling water until done (about 20 minutes; poke a fork in them to ensure they are no longer hard and are cooked through). Drain and return to cooking pot.

    Preparing the Kale (blanching)

    • While potatoes are boiling, bring a second pot of water to boil for blanching the kale and fill a large mixing bowl of ice and water. 
    • Place the kale leaves into the boiling water for two minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure they all become submerged. 
    • Remove from boiling water, and place immediately into ice water bath. Allow them to remain there for two minutes then place them in the bowl of a food processor.
    • Add the rough chopped scallions to the bowl of the food processor. Pulse for 10-15 seconds until kale and onions form a finely diced mixture.

    Making the Colcannon

    • Add the stick of butter to the potatoes; mix together to allow butter to melt. 
    • Once the butter is melted, mash the potatoes with a masher. NOTE: if using a ricer, rice the potatoes first then add the butter.
    • Add the diced kale and scallion; stir to fully combine. 
    • Serve hot garnished with scallion slices.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 593mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2438IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published March 8, 2013

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Catalina says

      March 04, 2021 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      The perfect side dish for St. Patrick’s dinner! Sounds so easy to make too!

      Reply
    2. Beti says

      March 04, 2021 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      This is SO GOOD! We all loved it.

      Reply
    3. Erin says

      March 03, 2021 at 10:18 pm

      5 stars
      I love this Colcannon! It’s delicious.

      Reply
    4. Eden says

      March 03, 2021 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      wow, best mashed potatoes ever! These were fantastic!! Super flavorful and easy to make.

      Reply
    5. katerina @ diethood.com says

      March 03, 2021 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      These are incredible!! I absolutely love the addition of kale!! Fantastic!

      Reply
    6. Natalie says

      March 03, 2021 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      What a great dish!! I love mashed potatoes in any way & the kale & scallions add great flavor!

      Reply
    7. Keira says

      February 09, 2021 at 10:07 am

      Could the kale be swapped for cabbage?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        February 09, 2021 at 11:38 am

        Yes! Just follow the recipe as directed and use cabbage instead of kale.

        Reply
    8. Larraine says

      August 27, 2020 at 8:28 pm

      How can the nutrition information be correct?! No fat or cholesterol when there’s a whole stick of butter in the recipe?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        August 27, 2020 at 10:26 pm

        Lol! Wouldn’t that be great if it WERE true?! Thanks Larraine for the head’s up. The nutritional calculator miscalculated and it has been updated.

        Reply
    9. Suzy says

      February 25, 2020 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      Love the potatoes and kale together! So tasty! Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

      Reply
    10. Lindsay Cotter says

      February 25, 2020 at 7:10 am

      5 stars
      These are so delicious! Love the healthy addition of kale!

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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