Loaded Colcannon
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Traditional Irish Colcannon…bumped up several flavor notches! We’re making these mashed potatoes with lots of butter, cream, sauteed cabbage, kale, and leek, green onions, bacon and Irish white cheddar – it’s absolute heaven! This BEST Loaded Colcannon recipe is sure to be a total smash hit!
Ah, potatoes. What would life be without them? Yet for the longest time everyone in the world did just that – lived without them. All except the residents of southern Peru, that is, where the potato originated. While it’s hard to imagine Irish cuisine without potatoes, they weren’t introduced to Ireland until the late 1600’s. But the Irish embraced them with such enthusiasm that they have forever remained an integral part of Irish fare.
Historically potatoes, cheap and filling, were considered the food of the peasants. But when combined with kale, cabbage, butter and cream, the Irish were able to create a taste of heaven after a hard day’s work. This dish became known as Colcannon, first recorded in 1774 though likely much older, and became a satisfying staple food that was traditionally eaten all year round. It has remained one of Ireland’s most iconic national dishes. And we’re just crazy about it!
A treasured dish for generations, Colcannon has even been praised in verse and in song like in the traditional Irish folk song, “Colcannon” (aka “The Skillet Pot”):
Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?
Yes you did, so you did, so did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the nearer I’m to cry.
Oh, wasn’t it the happy days when troubles we had not,
And our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot.
The “Ultimate” Colcannon
Today we’re making a “loaded” version of traditional Irish colcannon.
Colcannon traditionally combines the potatoes with either kale, cabbage or leek. We’re using all three to get the best of each flavor (leek especially adds an incredible flavor). Traditionally cream and butter are used – we’re also adding bacon and folding in some Irish white cheddar!
Combine that all together – mashed potatoes with lots of butter, cream, sauteed cabbage, kale, and leek, green onions, bacon and Irish white cheddar – and you’ve got a bowl of absolute heaven! And so we present the BEST Loaded Colcannon recipe!
Loaded Colcannon Recipe
Let’s get started!
Chop the kale, shred the cabbage and chop the leek (be sure thoroughly rinse and drain the leek in a colander).
Fry the bacon until crispy then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate until ready to use. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
Add the chopped greens to the pan and saute them in the bacon grease until soft, 7-8 minutes.
Boil the potatoes in salted water until soft. Very thoroughly drain all water from the potatoes.
While the potatoes are still piping hot, add 2/3 of the butter, warm milk and cream. Use a manually masher to mash the potatoes.
Add the cooked greens, bacon, green onions and white cheddar (reserving a little bacon and green onions for garnish). Stir to combine. Add the salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt according to preference.
Spoon into a serving bowl, make a small well in the center and add the remaining 1/3 butter in the well. Garnish with the reserved bacon and green onions. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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Loaded Colcannon
Ingredients
- 4 pounds moderately starchy potatoes (e.g. Yukon gold), peeled and cut into large chunks (you can use a higher starch potato like russets but medium starchy will give you the best texture)
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 medium leek, chopped, thoroughly rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup quality unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 4 ounces Irish white cheddar, shredded
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fry the bacon in a large pan until crispy then use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a plate until ready to use. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.
- Add the chopped greens to the pan and saute them in the bacon grease until soft, 7-8 minutes.
- While the greens are cooking, start the potatoes boiling. Boil the potatoes in salted water until soft. Thoroughly drain all water from the potatoes.
- While the potatoes are still piping hot, add 2/3 of the butter, warm milk and cream. Use a manually masher to mash the potatoes.Add the cooked greens, bacon, green onions and white cheddar (reserving a little bacon and green onions for garnish). Stir to combine. Add the salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt according to preference.
- Spoon into a serving bowl, make a small well in the center and add the remaining 1/3 butter in the well. Garnish with the reserved bacon and green onions. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet on March 10, 2018.
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Made this to serve with the stew for a dinner party, even though I usually don’t like kale and my husband doesn’t like cooked cabbage. But both of us (and our guests) just loved it. I think we all had thirds! A tiny bit leftover for my lunch, not really enough, so I added chicken broth and made it into soup. Best potato cheese soup ever! So that makes this recipe a double winner. Next time, will double the recipe!
Awesome, I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Pam, and what a great idea for using leftovers! Thanks so much for the feedback!
takes longer to prep and cook than the stated 35min. but, it’s yummy.
My first experience with Colcannon and I’m in love. Easy to follow recipe and delicious. Amazing how a few basic, inexpensive ingredients can come together, visually appealing too. I think my Irish Grandma would approve and my German Grandma would be a wee bit jealous! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe. Love new experiences with food.
I’m so glad, Elizabeth, thank you for the feedback!
This was so delishes!!!!
Thank You !
Hi again Kimberly,
just tried this awesome dish yesterday!!best colcannon by far. Been making this for years, a couple of fried eggs on top don`t go amiss
BEST Bob
Fantastic, Bob, thanks so much for the feedback!
My mother always made this at Halloween- it was traditional in Ireland when I was a child to hide fortune telling items inside it wrapped in tinfoil or greaseproof paper: a coin for rich, a rag for poor, a ring for marriage and believe it or not a stick to beat your wife! Maybe that meant unhappy marriage. Looking at all the recipes online they all seem very “white” to me. ie too much potato. My mum’s version was much greener ie much more curley kale and no other ingredients just potato, curley kale and butter. I loved it and still do- it’s my favorite way to eat green veg.
We grew up on leftovers. Our loving Irish Mother would make it for breakfast with last night’s mashed potatoes and a couple of farm fresh eggs on the side with some toasted soda bread and good sweet Irish butter
Another fantastic dish. This is the forth or fifth dish I have made from your site and once again it’s a family favourite.
I’m so happy to hear that, Jeff, thank you!
Absolutely wonderfully and incredibly delicious, the BEST colcannon I’ve ever had! Will definitely be making this again!
This looks totally AHH-mazing! I can’t wait to give it a try!
I made this today, and it was amazing. Any way we can incorporate greens into our meal without salad is always a win :)
Wonderful, Mallory, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Is it alright to make this ahead of time?
Hi Tara, yes they can. Be sure to add that last 1/3 stick of butter just before serving and that will “freshen” up the potatoes.
This needs to be made at my house this weekend!
Craving for this! Can’t wait to give it a try!