Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe
Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato dish that also happens to be a hearty, comfort food classic in Ireland. If you love mashed potatoes and cabbage, this is a simple-to make-dish you will want to try!

Colcannon is a year-round staple, although it also makes special appearances at holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, and most especially at Halloween where sneaky chefs conceal lucky charms or coins within its body.
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Traditionally, Colcannon incorporates cabbage or kale into the mashed potatoes.

So loved is Colcannon that it has inspired a traditional Irish song by its own name or by the name, “The Skillet Pot,” and has been recorded by many artists.
LYRICS
“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?”
The chorus:
“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.”
Click here to hear Mary Black sing this tune on YouTube.
So loved is Colcannon that it has inspired a traditional Irish song by its own name or by the name, “The Skillet Pot,” and has been recorded by many artists.
LYRICS
“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?”
The chorus:
“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.”
Click here to hear Mary Black sing this tune on YouTube.
Colcannon Ingredients
Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need to make Colcannon. The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Russet potatoes (Yukon Gold potatoes work well too)
- Butter
- Whole milk or half and half
- Green cabbage or small bunch kale
- Scallions
- salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Colcannon
Cover peeled and chopped potatoes with water and add salt. Bring a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook until fork-tender; 15 minutes or so.
Once cooked, remove the potatoes from the pot and add cabbage and scallions to the potato water. Simmer until softened; 1 to 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, mash potatoes, season with salt and pepper; stir in butter, milk, cabbage and scallions.
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Traditional Irish Colcannon Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 4 servings 1x
Description
Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato dish, and is a hearty and comfort food classic in Ireland.
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes (Yukon Gold potatoes work well too)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2/3 cup whole milk or half and half
- 1/2 small green cabbage or small bunch kale, shredded
- 4 scallions, sliced diagonally
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into large chunks and place into a large saucepan. Cover with water and add salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and allow to cook about 15 or 20 minutes or until fork tender.
- Remove potatoes from the simmering water and put into a bowl, and add the shredded cabbage and scallions to the simmering water. Allow it to simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, or until tender.
- Meanwhile, mash potatoes with a hand masher, add salt, pepper (to taste), butter and milk until desired consistency. Then add drained cabbage or kale and scallions. Stir well until light and fluffy. Serve immediately.
Equipment

Lodge Enamel 6-Quart Dutch Oven
Buy Now →- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
Keywords: colcannon, colcannon recipe, Irish Colcannon, potatoes and cabbage
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Delicious!
Thank you, Terra! I love it too!
so so yummy. a new favorite for sure.
Thank you, Darlene ❤️❤️!
Thank you! Love the Colcannon too – mashed potatoes and cabbage – you can NEVER go wrong with that! ? – The apple cake is one of our favorites too ?