Print

Colcannon Recipe

Colcannon Recipe

4.9 from 17 reviews

Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish made from creamy mashed Yukon gold potatoes mixed with sautéed leeks and tender kale, enriched with butter and white cheddar cheese for a comforting, savory side dish perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes

  • 2 pounds peeled and diced Yukon gold potatoes
  • Salt to taste

Vegetables

  • 2 large leeks, chopped (2 1/23 cups)
  • 4 cups lightly packed thinly sliced kale

Dairy & Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup butter, divided
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
  • Pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 – 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken stock

Instructions

  1. Prepare Potatoes: Peel and roughly chop Yukon gold potatoes into evenly sized pieces. Place them in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
  2. Wash Leeks: While potatoes are cooking, thoroughly wash the chopped leeks to remove any grit or dirt.
  3. Sauté Leeks: In a skillet with relatively high sides, melt part of the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté until soft and slightly caramelized, about 20-25 minutes. Deglaze frequently by adding a splash of vegetable or chicken stock to prevent burning.
  4. Add Kale: Once leeks are done, add thinly sliced kale to the skillet. Season with salt and stir well. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes until the kale is wilted and tender.
  5. Drain and Mash Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and then mash or rice them until smooth.
  6. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the remaining butter, shredded white cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and milk into the mashed potatoes until well combined and creamy.
  7. Mix in Vegetables: Fold in the cooked leeks and kale mixture into the mashed potatoes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired. Garnish with extra butter and optionally chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Use Yukon gold potatoes for their creamy texture and buttery flavor.
  • Deglaze the leeks frequently to avoid burning and add extra flavor.
  • You can substitute kale with cabbage or spinach for a variation.
  • Adjust milk quantity to achieve your preferred mashed potato consistency.
  • For a richer flavor, use whole milk or cream instead of regular milk.
  • Colcannon is traditionally served as a side dish but can be enjoyed on its own.

Nutrition

Keywords: Colcannon, Irish mashed potatoes, kale and potatoes, leek recipe, traditional Irish side dish, creamy mashed potatoes, comfort food