My Colcannon recipe combines rich and creamy mashed potatoes with Savoy cabbage, sweet leeks, and a touch of garlic. Drizzle the top with melted Irish butter for an indulgent addition to your St. Patrick’s Day feast!
This time a few years ago, I’d never tasted colcannon. I had heard about the classic Irish potato dish so many times, and somehow, St. Patrick’s Day came and went every year without any colcannon on my table.
When I finally got around to making it, each buttery spoonful on my plate carried the weight of mixed emotions. (That sounds dramatic, but it’s true.) On one hand, the potatoes were incredible: rustic, hearty, and somehow still fluffy. They were unlike any potato dish I’d eaten.
At the same time, as someone who’s weak in the face of good mashed potatoes, I was thoroughly annoyed with myself for not having made them sooner. To think of all of the St. Patrick’s Day dinners I could’ve zhooshed up with a bowl of colcannon!
I’ve made colcannon several times since, testing a couple of different flavor variations. This recipe, with sautéed Savoy cabbage and leeks, has become our favorite. It’s amazing alongside my Beer Braised Corned Beef or Instant Pot Corned Beef, lamb, or even roasted chicken.
Bottom line: whether or not it’s St. Patrick’s Day, if it’s a dinner that deserves a comforting, grab-a-spoon-and-dig-in potato side, colcannon is a recipe to consider!
Exactly What is Colcannon?
Colcannon is Irish for “white-speckled cabbage.” Recipes vary by region and cook, but most combine the potatoes with kale, and/or cabbage.
As I’ve shared many times before, I’m something of a leek fiend, so exploring a leek colcannon version was high on my list. In the end, the combination of sweet leeks with the tender cabbage and ultra-creamy potatoes won my heart.
Many traditional colcannon recipes call for boiling the vegetables with the potatoes until tender, while variations utilize a sautéing or pan-roasting method. After having tried both, I prefer to sauté the vegetables. The caramelization that both the cabbage and leeks develop bring a great depth of flavor to the otherwise blank canvas of the mashed potatoes.
What Kind of Potatoes Are Best For Colcannon?
Traditionally, colcannon is made with either russet or red-skinned potatoes. I like using russet for their higher starch content and lower moisture. In this particular recipe, I find that they produce the fluffiest base for the caramelized vegetables.
Want to read more about choosing the best potato variety for your recipes? Check out How to Pick a Potato from Kitchn.
For the best texture, make sure your boiled potatoes are drained well before combining them with the rest of the ingredients. I like to return the potatoes to the hot cooking pot after draining, to give them a few minutes to rest and evaporate any residual moisture.
As you mash the potatoes with the half and half, the texture might look too thin at first. It takes a couple of minutes for the liquid to soak in and create that swoon-worthy, creamy consistency.
If you do prefer a thicker, sturdier potato base for your colcannon, you can reduce the half and half to ¾ cup and adjust to taste as they stand. The colcannon photographed in this post was made with well-drained potatoes and a full cup of half and half.
Don’t Forget the Irish Butter!
If there’s one element of colcannon that’s consistent across recipes (aside from potatoes, of course), it’s butter, and plenty of it.
I incorporate butter both into the potatoes themselves with the sautéed vegetables, and drizzle it over the dish before serving. As each scoop of colcannon is served, the spoon dips through a well of pooled butter in the center of the bowl.
If you’re able to source it, use Irish butter for an extra boost of flavor, as I did here. It’s a bit softer than other butters on the market with an ultra-fresh, creamy taste, and a beautiful golden color. Many grocery stores are now stocking it regularly in their dairy sections.
Are you hungry yet? Grab a spoon. These gorgeous potatoes are waiting for you.
Creamy Leek and Cabbage Colcannon
Ingredients
- 2 pounds russet potatoes , cleaned, peeled, and cut into 1-inch wedges
- 2 leeks (white and light green parts only), cleaned thoroughly and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 3 cups finely-shredded savoy cabbage (about ¼ of a head), packed
- 1 large garlic clove , minced
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
- 1 cup half and half *
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- snipped chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil potatoes in a large pot of water with a pinch of salt until tender, about 15 minutes. When cooked, a paring knife can be inserted into the centers and removed without resistance. Drain potatoes well and return to the hot pot. Let stand a few minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate.
- While potatoes are boiling, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet until foaming subsides. Add cabbage, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until cabbage is just starting to brown, 5-8 minutes.
- Add leeks and an additional ½ teaspoon of salt. Continue cooking, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 5-8 minutes more. Add garlic, and cook for an additional minute. Stir in half and half, bring to a simmer, and remove from heat.
- Stir vegetables and half and half into the cooked potatoes. Use a potato masher to fully combine and mash to desired consistency. Potatoes will thicken a bit as they stand. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- To serve, mound potatoes into a serving bowl, and use a spoon to create a shallow well in the center. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the potatoes, allowing it to pool into the well. Scoop potatoes, catching some of the melted butter with each serving. Garnish with snipped chives.
Melanie says
Love it! I used Gold potatoes because I love their creaminess, and added a little bacon fat to the butter, but otherwise everything was the same. Excellent recipe, great instructions, and a good way to use our produce— resulted in a lovely dish for our gathering, Slainte!
Brian says
This recipe was a huge hit for us today! I upped the amount of leek and cabbage against the amount of potato just to make it a little healthier, and it was fantastic! I think we will be adding this to our normal rotation.
Liz says
I made this over the weekend as a pre-test for my St. Patty’s party next weeekend and WOW! Delish. I thought like you said that maybe they were too loose at first, but nope. The potatoes soaked it all up and were creamy and perfect. Thanks for the great recipe! I’m serving it with your beer braised corned beef that has the whisky glaze.
J says
Okay, I need Irish butter in my life it sounds amazing. I’ve never had colcannon before but it sounds like I need to try it. What a great dish for St. Patrick’s Day! Looks so creamy and savory!
Sean says
I’ve made colcannon a few times over the years and always enjoyed it, but I must say I’m very interested by the use of leeks here, and the way you’ve caramelized the ingredients. Cabbage and potatoes can be so good together (especially with all that melted Irish butter!) but it’s nice to add some depth and complexity to the dish. Your shots are gorgeous too, especially for such a hard-to-photograph recipe! Well done!
Latrisa says
I made this using buttermilk (I had soaked onions in for another recipe) instead of the half and half. Reminded me of my childhood. This is a great recipe that I’ll be making again very soon!
Sarah says
I have never ever heard of this before- but I LOVE the idea of adding cabbage to the mashed potatoes! I kind of adore mashed potatoes, but forget to make them very often. I’m going to try this!!!!
Beth "Birdie" says
Love the idea of shredding the cabbage first for fast cooking great tip and this looks yummy def adding to my St. Patricks Day dinner! Chirps xo
Joanie says
I love colcannon and haven’t made it in ages. Yours looks so creamy and sounds so flavorful. Definitely bookmarking your recipe to make very soon.