Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes With Cabbage)

By
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone
Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/3/21
Colcannon-1500.jpg
irish Colcannon Photo © Elaine Lemm
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 Calories
8g Fat
18g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 18g 7%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 34mg 172%
Calcium 63mg 5%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 499mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Potatoes and cabbage have been sustenance foods in Ireland for ages—during Medieval times these ingredients were readily available to the common man. This classic Irish dish combining these two ingredients into a rich and satisfying side may have originated as early as 1735, but the first reference to "colcannon" is known to be in Cassell's Dictionary of Cookery in 1875.

There are many variations—some including kale instead of cabbage, some with leeks in addition to the greens, and some recipes baked in a casserole. But no matter how it is prepared, colcannon is so common that a recipe is often printed on the back of a bag of potatoes.

In this recipe, mashed potatoes, along with milk and butter, are added to cabbage that has been cooked with onion until tender. The result is a bowl of comfort, perfect alongside a corned beef dinner. Or, if you add some chopped corned beef to the colcannon, you will have a traditional English dish known as bubble and squeak.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup water

  • 6 potatoes, cooked and mashed, or 4 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes

  • 1/4 cup milk

  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted, butter, or margarine

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Place cabbage, onion, and water in a saucepan or Dutch oven and quickly bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 8 minutes until tender. Do not overcook.

  3. Add mashed potatoes, milk, butter or margarine, salt, and pepper. Mix well, stirring often until heated through. Serve warm as a side dish.

  4. Enjoy!

Tip

  • A traditional way to serve colcannon is to mound it on a plate, create a well in the center, add a pat of butter to the indentation—the butter will quickly melt—and then pour cream around the mound of colcannon. 

Recipe Variations

  • Being such a simple dish, there really isn't much variation—but you will find other recipes that include kale instead of cabbage with green onion for additional flavor, as well as a vegan version which uses soy milk.
  • You can also add cooked bacon if you like.