How to Make Colcannon Recipe

I learned how to make a Colcannon recipe and the Dublin coddle which are two of the traditional Irish recipes made made their popular potatoes.


The first recipe is my version; like all recipes, each person has their own way of preparing them. This one is my favorite; I prefer the kale over the cabbage and I love the sausage with the mashed potatoes. (I have to say the potatoes and cabbage are also very good.) It seems that all the traditional Irish recipes of this dish contain potatoes and some kind of greens. From these basic ingredients, many other ingredients can be added and the preparation can vary. I start mine with a delicious mashed potato recipe. I have never tasted this dish made by an Irishman, but I do think mine is delicious!


I don’t know about you, but I love anything with potatoes in it whether it is Irish appetizers, lamb stew or even Irish cookies. Every Irish meal must have Irish potatoes. I could be Irish! The Germans are like that too. Mom use to say if she had a little meat and lots of potatoes, she could always cook a meal. I think this is so true. I learned how to make the colcannon recipe before the Dublin coddle, but both have been favorites in Ireland for many generations. It is like an Irish stew but usually made with sausage, ham or a combination of pork. It is seasoned with onions and of course it must have lots of chopped potatoes. These hot dishes, especially thick hot Irish stews are a welcome sight on cold damp days.


NOTE: As a point of interest, I have been told that colcannon traditionally is a “community” dish. Instead of each person at the dinner table having their own dish, all will eat from the same dish.

COLCANNON RECIPE (made with kale)

How to Make a Colcannon RecipeHow to Make a Colcannon Recipe
  • 3 Pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • Water
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 4 Cups fine chopped kale (stuff and pack measuring cup)
  • 1 Large chopped onion
  • ½ Cup butter
  • Salt/ pepper to taste
  • 1 Pound smoked sausage links (Cut into 6 pieces)

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Cover potatoes with water in a large heavy sauce pan. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until potatoes are tender. (Check by sticking potato with a fork and potatoes should be soft.)

While potatoes are cooking, bring water to a boil in another pan. Dump the chopped kale into the boiling water. Boil for three minutes. Drain all the water off thoroughly and set aside. Melt butter in a skillet. Dump into the butter the chopped onion. Sauté onion until it is tender and set aside.

When potatoes are finished cooking dump into a colander to thoroughly drain off the water. Dump potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Slowly beat the potatoes until broken down. Increase speed of mixer and gradually add the butter and onion to the potatoes. Whip the potatoes until fluffy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove bowl from mixer and add the drained kale to the mixture. Blend in with a large spoon. Spoon mixture into a baking casserole dish. Arrange sausages on top of the potato mixture, pushing them slightly down into the potatoes. Place dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until top begins to slightly brown. NOTE: This recipe is great warmed over. It is easier to cut when cold and the flavor is stronger when warmed up. Just throw it in the microwave for a couple minutes.

COLCANNON RECIPE (made with cabbage)

  • 3 Medium Irish potatoes peeled and cut up
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 Teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ Pound chopped cabbage
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • ¼ Cup chopped onion
  • Butter

Cook potatoes in boiling salted water about 20 minutes or until tender; drain well.

Cook chopped cabbage until tender about 8 minutes; drain.

Place potatoes in mixing bowl and mash; on low speed beat as adding milk, salt and pepper until fluffy.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet; sauté chopped onion about 5 minutes until tender.

Combine cabbage and onion mixture with the whipped potatoes.

Pile mashed mixture in a heated serving bowl; drizzle melted butter over top and serve.

COLCANNON RECIPE (Also made with cabbage)

Colcannon Recipe made with CabbageColcannon Recipe made with Cabbage

This colcannon recipe is very similar to the one above. I still want to share it with you because it includes bacon and is very good.

  • 2 Pounds potatoes (Peel and quarter)
  • Water
  • 2 Teaspoons salt (Divided)
  • 2 Cups shredded cabbage
  • ½ Cup butter
  • 1 Cup half and half cream (Heated just to hot NOT boil)
  • 6 Green onions (Chop fine)
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley (Chop fine)
  • Black pepper
  • 8 Slices bacon
  • ¼ Cup melted butter

Place bacon strips on broiler pan; broil until brown and crisp turning over 1 time.

Drain bacon on paper towels; set aside and keep warm.

Place potatoes in sauce pan; add 1 teaspoon salt and cover with water.

Cover potatoes with lid and cook until tender.

Place cabbage in another saucepan; add only enough water to keep from sticking.

Add 1 teaspoon salt to cabbage, cover and cook about 5 minutes; drain and keep warm.

When potatoes are tender, drain thoroughly and place in mixing bowl.

Mash the potatoes and add ½ cup of butter; whip on high speed slowly adding hot cream.

Beat potatoes until whipped; stir in cabbage, green onion, pepper and parsley; TASTE for seasoning.

Pile potato cabbage mixture high on a serving platter; using back of spoon make a well in the center.

Cut cooked bacon in bite size pieces; arrange around the pile of potatoes.

Drizzle the melted butter in the well and on top of the potato mixture; serve immediately.

Serves 6.

DUBLIN CODDLE RECIPE

After I learned how to make the colcannon recipe, this  is the Dublin coddle recipe that I learned to make.

  • 1 ½ Pound cubed ham
  • 8 Pork link sausages
  • 2 Sliced onions
  • ½ Cup parsley
  • 6 Medium potatoes cut in pieces
  • 1 Quart water
  • Salt/pepper to taste

Boil ham and sausage for 5 minute and drain; skim fat off liquid and reserve.

Add potatoes, sliced onions, parsley, salt and pepper to meat; pour remaining liquid over vegetables.

Cover mixture with lid and simmer 1 hour. Servings 6

GRILLED IRISH POTATOES RECIPE

You will like these potatoes almost as much as the colcannon recipe.

  • 3 Large Irish potatoes cut in half lengthwise
  • 1/3 Cup butter cut up
  • Sour cream or sour cream flavored sprinkles

Cut six pieces 12 X 10 inch pieces of foil; place a piece of potatoes in center.

Dot top of potato with butter and seal foil.

Grill over high heat 400F to 500F degrees with lid closed for 25 to 30 minutes or until tender.

Top with sour cream or sprinkles.

COLCANNON SOUP RECIPE 

This is a hearty colcannon recipe for a hot delicious soup to warm you up on cold days. I would double the recipe!

  • 2 Ounces diced bacon
  • 1 Finely chopped small onion
  • 1 Medium diced potato
  • 1 Thinly sliced leek
  • 1 Cup thin shredded cabbage
  • 3 Cups chicken stock
  • Salt/pepper
  • 2/3 Cup heavy cream
  • 3 Tablespoons softened butter

Sauté bacon in a large pan about 3 minutes; stir in onion, potato, leek and cabbage.

Cover pan with lid and simmer over medium low heat until vegetables are tender about 10 to 12 minutes.

Increase heat and add chicken stock to the mixture; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; stir in cream and season with salt and pepper.

Stir over medium low heat until hot; DO NOT BOIL.

Serve hot.