Colcannon | Irish Mashed Potatoes with Kale

Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato dish, typically made with kale, cabbage, leeks, or assorted chopped greens, along with butter and milk.

This version of colcannon is loaded with kale, but still totally tastes like mashed potatoes. It's a great way to get a serving of leafy greens in your favorite comfort food.

This colcannon dish is really easy to make and incredibly flavorful. Even your favorite veggie hater will love it.... just get them to close their eyes if they have an aversion to green.

I've read that colcannon is traditionally served at Halloween in Ireland. A ring or a coin is hidden in the dish, and the recipient is supposed to be blessed with marriage or wealth in the following year.

In the U.S., we love our adopted and adapted Irish traditions, even if they are not celebrated across the pond. For example, St. Patrick's Day, which, until recently, was much more popular in the Irish diaspora than in Ireland. Just ask Mr. Kitchen, who is Irish born and raised. He totally didn't understand the big deal, although lately, he has gotten on board. 

That being said, this colcannon would be a wonderful dish to serve on St. Patrick's Day... or any day. It's loaded with greens, and not loaded with calories.... and Mr. (Irish) Kitchen approves.

While this recipe is fairly low fat, the traditional way to eat these potatoes is with a big pat of melted salted butter in the middle of the dish to dip each forkful of potatoes. I could get behind that.

Ingredients you will need to make colcannon with kale:

Russet potatoes: These are the starchiest and lend themselves to making the best mashed potatoes. 

Onion, finely sliced.

Bunch of kale, stalks removed.

Butter and milk. 

How to make this colcannon:

First, boil the potatoes in salted water until they are softened. 

Drain the potatoes and add them back into the saucepan. Meanwhile, cook the onions in milk until soft. Strain the onions from the milk, reserving the milk.

Next, simmer the kale in salted water until the kale is tender. 

Finally, mash the potatoes with a potato masher with butter and add the onions and kale. Add the milk and mix until the mixture is creamy and dot with lots of butter.

If you have any leftovers, be sure to make colcannon potato pancakes. They are delicious! And, if you love garlic, be sure to try garlic mashed potatoes. 

Welcome to this week's Sunday Funday, hosted by Amy's Cooking Adventures. We are celebrating recipes for St. Patrick's Day! 

Check out these recipes for more ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

• Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Irish Soda Bread & Leprechaun Traps
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Dingle Pie
• Our Good Life: Irish Nachos
• Palatable Pastime: Bangers and Mash
• Sneha’s Recipe: Irish Scrambled Eggs With Chaffles
• Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Irish Stout Tea-Infused Truffles
• Food Lust People Love: Ham and Split Pea Soup (Instant Pot)
• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Colcannon | Irish Mashed Potatoes with Kale
• Mayuri’s Jikoni: Irish Potato Farls
• The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen: Easy Irish Soda Bread

First published March 7, 2017, updated March 13, 2022 with new instructions and a printable recipe card. 

Colcannon with Kale Recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Colcannon is a traditional Irish mashed potato dish, typically made with kale, cabbage, leeks, or assorted chopped greens, along with butter and milk.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 medium onion, finely sliced
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 bunch of organic kale, stalks removed, and roughly chopped
• 4 tablespoons of salted butter, plus more to serve
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 10 to 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot.
2. In another pan, simmer the onion slices in the milk until the onion is soft. Strain the onions from the milk, reserving the milk.
3. In a four quart saucepan, bring one inch of salted water to a boil. Add the kale, cover, and let simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, until the kale is tender but still bright green. Strain.
4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher with 3 tablespoons of the butter. Add the onions and kale, and mix with a spoon. Add the milk and mix until the mixture is creamy. Salt to taste. Dot the top of the potatoes with the rest of the butter, and serve with more butter.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

288.85

Fat (grams)

9.29

Sat. Fat (grams)

5.64

Carbs (grams)

46.55

Fiber (grams)

3.26

Net carbs

43.29

Sugar (grams)

4.25

Protein (grams)

7.34

Sodium (milligrams)

136.73

Cholesterol (grams)

24.14

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2017/03/colcannon-irish-mashed-potatoes-with.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

Potatoes, kale

Side dish

Irish

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Adapted from Community Table