Diane's Colcannon

4.8
(833)
668 Reviews
56 Photos

While colcannon is associated with St. Patrick's Day, I love the combination of buttery mashed potatoes, tender cabbage, and crispy bacon bits that this dish has all through fall and winter. I attend an annual St. Paddy's Day party, and this is the dish I'm always asked to bring. I'm happy to say that the bowl comes home empty every time!

Submitted by DianeF
Updated on March 3, 2025
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself.
Meet the Allrecipes Test Kitchen
56
Close up on a serving dish of colcannon, with melted butter poured in the center.
56
56
56
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
8
Jump to Nutrition Facts

This creamy colcannon potato dish with bacon and cabbage is full of traditional Irish flavor. It's perfect for St. Patrick's Day and beyond!

What Is Colcannon?

Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish consisting of buttery mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale. This budget-friendly dish makes the perfect side dish to boiled ham or corned beef.

How to Make Colcannon

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Colcannon Ingredients

These are the ingredients you'll need to make this colcannon recipe:

· Vegetables: You'll need cabbage, potatoes, and an onion.
· Bacon: Bacon gives the Irish colcannon irresistible meaty flavor.
· Milk: Mash the potatoes with milk for a rich and creamy texture.
· Seasonings: This colcannon is simply seasoned with salt and pepper.
· Butter: Melted butter ensures a rich and velvety finished product.

How Do You Make Colcannon?

Here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make colcannon at home:

1. Boil and drain the potatoes.
2. Cook the bacon and reserve the drippings.
3. Sauté the cabbage and onion in the drippings.
4. Mash the potatoes with milk and season.
5. Fold the other ingredients into the potatoes.
6. Make a well and pour in the melted butter before serving.

What to Serve With Colcannon

Looking for serving inspiration? Your search ends here! Serve this colcannon with one of our most Deliciously Simple Irish Recipes. These are a few of the recipes you'll find:

· Corned Beef and Cabbage
· Shepherd's Pie
· Cheesy Potato Cakes
· Irish Steaks

Explore our entire collection of Irish Recipes.

How to Store Colcannon

Store your leftover colcannon in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Made this for St. Patrick's Day along with the Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe from this site," says ihateliver. "Delicious and very easy. Will make it again!"

"This is so good," according to Donna White Gregory. "What a nice surprise. I will make this again. I added some garlic for extra zip. And that was perfect."

"This recipe was so simple and easy to follow," raves RCFoodie. "I used red onions to give it extra color. Nice and tasty, and easily modified to suit your taste with extra seasonings. I'll definitely make this again and keep the recipe!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 ½ pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 4 slices bacon

  • ½ small head cabbage, chopped

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • ½ cup milk

  • salt and pepper to taste

  • ¼ cup butter, melted

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients gathered to make colcannon.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place potatoes into a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.

    Potatoes boiling until tender.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. While pototoes are cooking, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels; crumble and set aside. Reserve drippings in the skillet.

    Bacon cooking in a skillet until browned.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Sauté cabbage and onion in drippings in the skillet over medium heat until soft and translucent, 10 to 15 minutes; cover the skillet to decrease cooking time if desired. Remove from heat.

    Cabbage and onions sautéing in leftover drippings in the skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Mash potatoes with milk in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.

    Potatoes mashed with milk and seasoned with salt and pepper.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Fold in bacon, cabbage and onion.

    Bacon, cabbage and onion mixed in with mashed potatoes.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Transfer mixture to a large serving bowl. Make a well in the center of potato mixture and pour in melted butter. Serve hot.

    Colcannon served in a serving dish, with melted butter poured in the center.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
1,048 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

250 Calories
13g Fat
30g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 250
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 13g 16%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 217mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 5g 16%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin C 45mg 50%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 756mg 16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

You’ll Also Love

Instant Pot Colcannon
4 Ratings
Old Irish Scalloped Potatoes
30 Ratings
Irish Stuffed Baked Potato
12 Ratings
Irish mashed potatoes topped with scallions
Irish Champ
177 Ratings
a close up view of a bowl of traditional Irish colcannon served with seared sausages.
Easy Irish Colcannon
46 Ratings
Striker's Potatoes O'Brien
32 Ratings
Colcannon
269 Ratings
Natalie's Amazing Irish Mashed Potatoes
16 Ratings
The Best Irish Potatoes
27 Ratings
Chef John's Colcannon
22 Ratings
Irish Boxty
115 Ratings
Mustard Mashed Potatoes
23 Ratings
Fabulous Colcannon (Mashed Potatoes and Cabbage)
32 Ratings
What Is Colcannon — And How Do You Make It?
close up view of Corned Beef Hash garnished with green onions on a white plate
Chef John's Corned Beef Hash
101 Ratings
Irish Fried Cabbage with Bacon
91 Ratings