Colcannon is a classic St. Patrick's Day recipe. This Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage or Kale has surely found a way in our St. Paddy's Day Brunch because of its buttery, hearty, creamy, and comforting taste which is quintessential of a nostalgic holiday brunch flavor. This Irish Colcannon Recipe with Cabbage is easy, simple, and quick. The perfect side to your other Traditional St. Patrick's Day recipes.

What is Colcannon?
Colcannon is creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes that are usually made with greens like Kale or Cabbage. Alternatively, you can also add Leeks or Green Onions to the Colcannon. You can also garnish with some crispy fried Bacon bits or Green Peas.

Irish Mashed Potatoes with Greens
St. Patrick's Day is marked by some amazing Green Recipes. And this traditional Colcannon is one of the classics which is served beside Corned Beef and Cabbage.
Mashed Potatoes are combined with milk or heavy cream. It is then tossed with Sauteed Kale or Cabbage for the greens.
Finally, a knob of butter is added to the Colcannon by making a small depression in the center.
This is generally garnished with green onions and chopped Cilantro or Dill Leaves.

How to make Colcannon
Boiling the Potatoes
- Grab some Russet Potatoes, peel them up, and chop them into small 1 inch cubes.
- Place them in a pot.
- Fill the pot with salted water.
- Bring it to a boil and cover cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
Cooking the Cabbage & Shallots
- Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a large saute pan
- Add chopped Shallots and Cabbage.
- Season it with salt & pepper.
- Stir well and cook on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes or until the Cabbage tenderizes & shallots get translucent (do not brown them)
- Take it out in a bowl.

Mash Potatoes & stir in the sauteed Greens
- Now, after the Potatoes are fork-tender, drain the water using a colander.
- Melt butter in a saute pan.
- Add the boiled potatoes along with cream, salt & pepper.
- Use a spatula to mash the potatoes. You can also use an immersion blender to mash the potatoes easily.
- After the potatoes are mashed and creamy, add the sauteed Shallots & Cabbage
- Stir in the Shallots & Cabbage.
Garnish & Serve
- Garnish with freshly chopped Cilantro or Parsley or Dill Leaves.
- Make a well in the center of the Colcannon and Add a knob of butter to the Colcannon.
- Serve.

Other Alternatives to Colcannon Recipe
- You can also add Kale. Remove the stem of the Kale Leaves, chop it finely and saute it with the Cabbage and Shallots. Later on, toss it with the Mashed Potatoes.
- You can replace Cream with Milk for the Mashed Potatoes.
- You can also include some Leeks and Green Onions. Saute the Leeks with the veggies and garnish with the Green Onions.
- You can also add some crispy Bacon. After you have fried the veggies, wipe the pan clean using a paper towel and fry the Bacon until they are crispy. Cool it down and break them into bits. Do not wipe the pan clean of the Bacon drip. Just add the stick of butter and the Potatoes. Finally, just garnish with the Crispy Bacon bits.
Have a look at the video for Colcannon
Other favorite St. Patrick's Day Recipes:
- Leprechaun Veggie Tray
- Irish Flag Veggie Tray
- Mint Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Fudgy Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Swirl Brownies
- Mint Chocolate Wafer Cookies Treats
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Colcannon [Irish Mashed Potatoes with Cabbage]
INGREDIENTS
- 4 Large Russet Potatoes peeled and chopped
- 1½ cup Chopped Cabbage
- 1 medium-sized Shallots finely chopped
- 1 stick Butter divided
- salt & pepper
- 1 cup Cream or Milk
- chopped Cilantro or Parsley or Dill Leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
- Peel and chop the Potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Place them in a pot and fill them with salted water. Bring it to a boil, cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Heat 1/2 stick of butter in a saute pan. As the butter melts, add chopped Shallots and chopped Cabbage. Add salt & pepper. Saute for 2-3 minutes until the Cabbage tenderizes and the Shallots get translucent (do not brown them). Keep them aside and wipe the pan clean.
- After the Potatoes get cooked, drain the water using a colander. Heat 2 tablespoon of butter in the same pan. As the butter melts, add the Potatoes, along with Cream, Salt & Pepper. Mash the Potatoes using a Potato Masher or an Immersion Blender or just use your spatula. Toss in the sauteed Cabbage and Shallots. Stir to combine.
- Make a well in the center of the Colcannon and add the butter cubes to it. Garnish with chopped Cilantro or Parsley or Dill Leaves. Serve
Video
Notes
- You can also add Kale. Remove the stem of the Kale Leaves, chop it finely and saute it with the Cabbage and Shallots. Later on, toss it with the Mashed Potatoes.
- You can replace Cream with Milk for the Mashed Potatoes.
- You can also include some Leeks and Green Onions. Saute the Leeks with the veggies and garnish with the Green Onions.
- You can also add some crispy Bacon. After you have fried the veggies, wipe the pan clean using a paper towel and fry the Bacon until they are crispy. Cool it down and break them into bits. Do not wipe the pan clean of the Bacon drip. Just add the stick of butter and the Potatoes. Finally, just garnish with the Crispy Bacon bits.
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