Colcannon is pure traditional Irish comfort food at it’s absolute best. Nothing beats a good Irish potato recipe, especially one that combines those potatoes with lots of garlic, leeks, cabbage and spring onions. This is one traditional Irish dish that will make it back to your family table time and time again.
Is Colcannon a St Patrick's Day Food?
I have such fond memories of growing up in Ireland, and the one that stands out the most is enjoying a big steaming hot bowl of colcannon while the rain pelted down outside. Apparently it is a St Patrick’s day favorite, however, as kids we were usually out at the local St Paddie's Day festival and the (family friendly) pubs, so I assume we were eating sausages and chips, rather than anything home-cooked.
For us, Colcannon was more of a comforting meal in itself, and we enjoyed it quite regularly.
I recently realized I have never actually made colcannon for my kids or husband before, which is weird because I ate it SO MUCH growing up, so I was super excited to try it out on them. I am happy to report they shoveled this down after a day out exploring at the park.
Colcannon's Secret Power
Just so you are in the know, Colcannon just so happens to be the perfect hangover food! So if you find you have celebrated a wee bit too much this St Patricks Day, get a bowl of this into you, and you will be set (speaking from a lot of experience in my college years).
I See A Lot of Butter...Can This Be Made Vegan?
If you are vegan, and still want to enjoy some colcannon (and why wouldn't you?), you are in luck! I gave it a bit of an experiment, and if you sub in the butter for 3 tbsp dairy free milk and add 1-2 tbsp nutritional yeast, you can get a similar flavor.
What About The Leftovers?
I mean seriously? Leftovers potatoes...(how is that even possible?)
If you do manage to have any leftovers, they will store well in the fridge for a couple of days. Just use some milk to loosen them up a bit when you reheat and you will be good to go.
If you want to try something different, then check out these Colcannon Tater Tots. They are a quick and easy way to use up those leftovers and I can guarantee that the whole family will devour them hot straight from the oven. Otherwise, they also make some great potato cakes!
Looking for some more Irish food inspiration for your celebrations? Check out these recipes:
- Creamy Irish Mushroom and Potato Soup;
- Instant Pot Potato Soup with Cheddar and Leek;
- Pillowy Potato Biscuits using Leftover Mashed Potatoes
Do you have any plans for St Patrick’s Day this year? Make sure you enjoy some Colcannon with a side of homemade sausages for the occasion 🙂 Happy eating
Colcannon Irish Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs potatoes of choice washed well and cut into large chunks (I used sierra red because I love the flecks of red skin in the dish)
- 2 whole cloves of garlic peeled, not minced
- 4 tbsp good quality butter cubed. Plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 large leek white and light green parts only, sliced thinly
- 1/2 head cabbage sliced thinly
- 3 spring onions sliced thinly including the green bits
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Put the cubed potatoes and whole garlic cloves in a medium pot and cover with cold water by at least an inch. Add 1 tbsp of salt, and bring to a boil. Boil until tender, about 15-20 mins. Once cooked, drain in a colander
- While potatoes are cooking, heat the avocado oil in a medium saucepan. Once hot, add in the leeks and cabbage and cook until wilted, and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 4 mins. Remove from heat
- Pop the drained potatoes back into the medium pot, add in the cubed butter, the cooked greens mixture and the chopped spring onions. Mash with a potato masher until really smooth and creamy. Add salt to taste and serve hot with a small indentation in top and a small knob of butter popped in there
Sandra says
I made these last year for a St Patrick’s Day dinner. They were a huge hit. I thought I had saved the recipe but when I went to use it today I could not find it. I searched over 4 hours. Yes they were that good they were worth the search.
So happy to find it again. I’ve made a couple copies.
Thanks so much for giving us ‘this deliciousness.
Donna says
Haha this comment made my day Sandra!! Hope you saved it this time for next year 🙂
Margaret says
Did the exact same thing! 💚☘️
Jordyn says
Hi there! Do I have to use avocado oil? Can I substitute it? Will it affect the taste if I do? I can't find anything on it. It says that the taste will vary depending on whether or not you use unrefined, or refined avocado oil. Looking forward to trying this. Thanks!
Donna1 says
Hi Jordyn, no you can use any cooking oil of your choice. I just use avocado oil because it has a high heat point, but I have used extra virgin olive oil in this recipe too. Hope you enjoy!
Steven says
I'm planning to try this recipe for an international potluck party. I'm just wondering if I discard the garlic cloves after the potatoes are cooked or do I mash then into the finished product?.
Donna says
Mash them into the finished potatoes. Enjoy!
Julie Ann says
Is it possible to make these a day ahead? I am looking at something for a St. Patrick's Day potluck and wanted to make it simple.
Donna1 says
Yes for sure. When you reheat you will just want to add a little bit more milk or cream to loosen them up again. I always make a huge batch and re-heat the next day and they taste just as good! Enjoy 🙂
Amanda says
I love this recipe. This dish is well loved in many countries, including the Netherlands. I have a friend from there who calls it stamppot or mash up. Such a great comfort food. There the traditional is with sauerkraut or kale. Thanks for the reminder. I have cabbage in the fridge right now!
Donna1 says
Oh yum, I NEED to try some with sauerkraut next time around - that sounds like it would be right up my alley 🙂
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
Oh my word. So delicious!! When I visited Ireland last year, I had so many great dishes, but I missed this one. I can't wait to try it!
Donna1 says
I hope you love it!! It has been a huge hit around here 🙂
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
I love this recipe! I can not wait to try it... it looks so cozy. 🙂 I spent some time in Ireland and this recipe brings back good memories.
Donna1 says
Oh thank you Dominique 🙂 Don't you just love those nostalgic recipes that remind you of awesome times!
Natasha says
Have you tried Makin this with Sweet potatoes? I am trying really hard to live light shade free and regular potatoes are a huge no no for me. Really want to make this for my husband and the family dinners if I can make it work. Have to find a way to hide the leeks lol
Donna1 says
I haven't tried with sweet potatoes, but I can bet it would taste just as delicious!! Let me know how it turns out, I would love to know!
Heather says
Over the last few years I have been trying to incorporate traditional Irish foods in our St. Patrick's Day dinners and I came across this recipe on Pinterest. We just finished dinner and they were a huge hit! Definitely will be making them again, thanks for sharing 🙂
Donna1 says
Oh I am so glad to hear that Heather, it makes me so happy to think of other's enjoying my recipes on special days! Thanks so much for taking the time to pop back and let me know, and I hope you had a lovely St Patrick's Day 🙂
Nancy says
My Nana (whose parents were from Ireland) and my Mum would make these every year for St. Patrick's Day, and I do now too. One tradition we had was to put a coin in the colcannon, and whoever found the coin would have good luck for the next year. I never heard of any other family doing this, so it may have been just our tradition? Love your photos.
Donna1 says
Oh thats a lovely tradition 🙂 We always did the same thing in our apple pie for Halloween, and a special bread my mum would make for New Years Day, but never in the Colcannon! I will have to ask her and see if that's something she did growing up. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Elizabeth says
I love colcannon! I cannot wait to try your recipe.
Donna1 says
Oh I hope you love it Elizabeth!!
CourtneyLynne says
Omg these potatoes look so yummy!!!! I definitely need to give these a try! Definitely pinning!
Donna1 says
Yay, hope you love them CourtneyLynne!
Stacey says
Oh, I miss Ireland! I visited there two summers ago. I am pinning this and making them for St. Patty's day! Thank you.
Donna1 says
It's a beautiful place hey! I so want to get back there with the kids some day, it's been a while! Enjoy St Paddy's day 🙂
Birttany says
These look really delicious! I love anything that has potatoes in it!
Southern Soul
Donna1 says
Thanks Brittany!
Kim says
Those look so yummy! A st. party's day dinner might be fun.
Sarah says
This looks so delicious! Adding it to our St. Patrick's Day dinner menu!
Shelly @ Behind Blue Eyes says
Yum, this dish reminds me so much of home. My grandma always made this, but I never knew how she did it. She past away before I was really cooking for myself so I never had a chance to ask her. Thank you for sharing the recipe! I know what I'm making for dinner tonight!!
Donna1 says
Oh thank you for sharing memories of your grandma Shelly, that makes me happy 🙂 I love how food can trigger such lovely emotions from our past! I hope this version lives up to your grandmas!
Aloma says
I just returned from Ireland ands fell in love with it and it's people. One thing we ate over there everytime we could find it was Irish mushroom soup. Do you have a good recipe for that soup. It was so delicious. Made with potato too. Thx
Donna1 says
How fun, I have been dying to get back to Ireland with the kids...one day!! You know what, I actually do have a great recipe for mushroom soup which we make ALL the time, but I have never thought to put on the blog!! I will whip up a batch and post it for you in the coming weeks 🙂
tp keane says
As a fellow Irish person all I can say is... yum. I love colcannon as do my kids and my husband. I haven't made it in so long though. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Donna1 says
Oh you are so welcome! I hadn't made it in years either, and now I think I am getting to the point of over-making it 🙂 So good though!
Amanda Love says
I've never heard of this dish before. Now I want to try it. I'm all up for trying anything that's different.
Claire says
I've never made anything like this before. Look delicious, can't wait to try!
Debra says
I have actually never heard of this before, but it looks absolutely amazing! I am going to have to try it soon!
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
I think my Indian mother and I must be part Irish, we both LOVE potatoes. This sounds delicious, I'm going to pin it and give it a try for St. Patrick's Day this year. Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte says
I don't think I have tried anything like this before?! but it looks really good (and I love potatoes so I am willing to try anything to do with them :p) and just in time for St Patricks day (since they are irish!)
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I have never had anything like this before, but these potatoes sound awesome. I can't wait to try them.
Ana De- Jesus says
I love every kind of potato possible and this sounds heavenly. I would add some fried Quorn chicken as a side dish and some olive oil salad.
Eileen says
I am an Irish gal! Your recipe is yummy! My nanna would love it!
Donna1 says
Haha I am glad your nanna would approve 🙂
Blair says
My kids aren't typically potato fans either (unless they're fried!!!), so maybe I should give this a try for them! It sounds delicious, and I'm sure my Irish-blooded husband would approve!
Donna1 says
Oh yeah, my kids will eat them if they are in the shape of french fries 🙂 But with these, they just guzzled them - no idea! I was skeptical given the green bits in there, but apparently they didn't even notice!