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21 Creamy Colcannon Recipes That Elevate Any Meal

January 5, 2026 by Emily Rae Harper Leave a Comment

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Introduction

Colcannon is simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Made with mashed potatoes and greens, it’s a classic Irish side that works just as well for quiet family dinners as it does for special gatherings. These creamy colcannon recipes offer plenty of ways to enjoy this cozy dish with small twists that keep it interesting.


1. Classic Irish Colcannon

The traditional version that never goes out of style.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g), peeled and cubed
  • Green cabbage: 3 cups, finely chopped
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup (120 ml)
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper: ½ tsp

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes in salted water 15–18 minutes until tender.
  2. Simmer cabbage in water 5–7 minutes, drain well.
  3. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  4. Fold in cabbage, season to taste.

How to Serve It
Add an extra pat of butter on top.


2. Colcannon with Green Onions

Fresh green onions add a gentle bite.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Green onions: 1 cup, sliced
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Salt: 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Boil and mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Stir in green onions.
  3. Season and serve warm.

How to Serve It
Great with roasted chicken.


3. Colcannon with Kale

Kale gives a hearty texture and deep green color.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Kale: 3 cups, chopped
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Salt: 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes until soft.
  2. Blanch kale 4 minutes, drain well.
  3. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  4. Fold in kale.

How to Serve It
Serve alongside sausages.


4. Colcannon with Bacon

Bacon adds smoky richness everyone enjoys.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Bacon: 6 slices, cooked and crumbled
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Prepare mashed potatoes and cabbage.
  2. Stir in bacon just before serving.

How to Serve It
Serve with extra bacon on top.


5. Colcannon with Leeks

Leeks bring a mild onion flavor.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Leeks: 2 cups, sliced
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Sauté leeks in butter 6–8 minutes until soft.
  2. Mash potatoes with milk.
  3. Fold in leeks.

How to Serve It
Nice with baked fish.


6. Colcannon with Garlic Butter

Garlic butter adds bold comfort flavor.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Butter: 5 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Cook potatoes and cabbage.
  2. Melt butter and sauté garlic 1 minute.
  3. Mash potatoes with milk and garlic butter.
  4. Fold in cabbage.

How to Serve It
Serve with roasted vegetables.


7. Colcannon with Cheddar

Cheddar adds richness and color.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Cheddar cheese: 1½ cups (170 g), shredded
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Stir in cabbage and cheddar until melted.

How to Serve It
Serve hot while cheese is soft.


8. Colcannon with Cream

Using cream makes it extra smooth.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Heavy cream: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and cream.
  2. Fold in cooked cabbage.

How to Serve It
Pair with roasted meats.


9. Colcannon with Spinach

Spinach adds color and softness.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Spinach: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Wilt spinach in a pan 2–3 minutes.
  2. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  3. Stir in spinach.

How to Serve It
Serve with grilled chicken.


10. Colcannon with Sour Cream

Sour cream adds a gentle tang.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 3 tbsp
  • Sour cream: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and sour cream.
  2. Fold in cabbage.

How to Serve It
Top with chives.


11. Colcannon with Parsley

Parsley keeps it fresh and bright.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Parsley: ¼ cup, chopped

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Fold in cabbage and parsley.

How to Serve It
Serve warm as a side.


12. Colcannon with Mustard

Mustard adds savory depth.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Dijon mustard: 1 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter, milk, and mustard.
  2. Fold in cabbage.

How to Serve It
Great with sausages.


13. Colcannon with Chives

Chives add a mild onion note.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Chives: ¼ cup, chopped

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Fold in cabbage and chives.

How to Serve It
Serve with baked salmon.


14. Colcannon with Onion Butter

Sweet onions add comfort flavor.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Onion: 1, sliced
  • Butter: 5 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Cook onion in butter over low heat 15 minutes.
  2. Mash potatoes with milk.
  3. Fold in cabbage and spoon onion butter on top.

How to Serve It
Serve warm.


15. Colcannon with White Pepper

White pepper gives gentle warmth.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • White pepper: ¼ tsp

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Fold in cabbage and white pepper.

How to Serve It
Pair with roasted pork.


16. Colcannon with Butter Pool

A simple classic presentation.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 6 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with milk and 4 tbsp butter.
  2. Fold in cabbage.
  3. Add remaining butter on top.

How to Serve It
Serve immediately.


17. Colcannon with Mashed Turnips

Turnips add traditional Irish flavor.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 1½ lb (680 g)
  • Turnips: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes and turnips until tender.
  2. Mash together with butter and milk.

How to Serve It
Serve with roast meats.


18. Colcannon with Cream Cheese

Cream cheese makes it extra smooth.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Cream cheese: 4 oz (115 g)
  • Butter: 2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and cream cheese.
  2. Fold in cabbage.

How to Serve It
Serve hot.


19. Colcannon with Nutmeg

Nutmeg adds subtle warmth.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup
  • Nutmeg: pinch

Instructions

  1. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  2. Fold in cabbage and nutmeg.

How to Serve It
Serve as a cozy side.


20. Colcannon with Savoy Cabbage

Savoy cabbage gives softer texture.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 2 lb (900 g)
  • Savoy cabbage: 3 cups
  • Butter: 4 tbsp
  • Milk: ½ cup

Instructions

  1. Cook potatoes and cabbage separately.
  2. Mash potatoes with butter and milk.
  3. Fold in cabbage.

How to Serve It
Serve warm.


21. Simple Family-Style Colcannon

Perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

  • Potatoes: 3 lb (1.36 kg)
  • Cabbage: 4 cups
  • Butter: 6 tbsp
  • Milk: ¾ cup

Instructions

  1. Boil potatoes until soft.
  2. Mash with butter and milk.
  3. Fold in cabbage and serve family-style.

How to Serve It
Place in the center of the table.


Conclusion

Creamy colcannon is simple, comforting, and easy to enjoy in many ways. Try one of these versions for a weeknight dinner, holiday table, or cozy weekend meal. Save your favorites, share them with friends, and enjoy a dish that always feels warm and familiar.

Emily Rae Harper

Filed Under: St Patricks Day Recipes

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