Colcannon Recipe with Cabbage and Leeks

My Colcannon recipe combines rich and creamy mashed potatoes with Savoy cabbage, sweet leeks, and a touch of garlic. Drizzle the top with melted Irish butter for an indulgent addition to your St. Patrick’s Day feast!

This time a few years ago, I’d never tasted colcannon. I hadheard about the classic Irish potato dish so many times, and somehow, St. Patrick’s Day came and went every yearwithout any colcannon on my table.

When I finally got around to making it, each buttery spoonful on my plate carried the weight of mixed emotions. (That sounds dramatic, but it’s true.) On one hand, the potatoes were incredible: rustic, hearty, and somehow still fluffy. They were unlike any potato dish I’d eaten.

At the same time, as someone who’s weak in the face of good mashed potatoes, I was thoroughly annoyed with myself for not having made them sooner. To think of all of the St. Patrick’s Day dinners I could’ve zhooshed up with a bowl of colcannon!

I’ve made colcannonseveral times since, testinga couple of different flavor variations. This recipe, with sautéed Savoy cabbage and leeks, has become our favorite. It’s amazing alongside my Beer Braised Corned Beef or Instant Pot Corned Beef,lamb, or even roasted chicken.

Bottom line: whether or not it’s St. Patrick’s Day, if it’s a dinner that deserves a comforting, grab-a-spoon-and-dig-in potato side, colcannon is a recipe to consider!

Exactly What is Colcannon?

Colcannon is Irish for “white-speckled cabbage.” Recipes vary by region and cook, but most combine the potatoes with kale, and/or cabbage.

As I’ve sharedmany times before, I’m something of a leek fiend, so exploring a leek colcannon version was high on my list. In the end, the combination of sweet leeks with the tender cabbage and ultra-creamy potatoes won my heart.

Many traditionalcolcannon recipes call for boiling the vegetables with the potatoes until tender, whilevariationsutilize a sautéing or pan-roasting method. After having tried both, I preferto sautéthe vegetables. Thecaramelization that both the cabbage and leeks develop bring a great depth of flavorto the otherwise blank canvas of the mashed potatoes.

What Kind of Potatoes Are Best For Colcannon?

Traditionally, colcannon is made with either russet or red-skinned potatoes. I like using russet for their higher starch content and lower moisture. In this particular recipe, I find that they produce the fluffiest base for the caramelized vegetables.

Don’t Forget the Irish Butter!

If there’s oneelement of colcannon that’s consistent across recipes (aside from potatoes, of course), it’s butter, and plenty of it.

I incorporate butterboth into the potatoes themselves with the sautéed vegetables, anddrizzle it over the dishbefore serving. As each scoop of colcannon is served, the spoon dips through a well of pooled butter in the center of the bowl.

If you’re able to source it, useIrish butter for an extra boost offlavor, as I did here.It’s a bit softer than other butters on the market with an ultra-fresh, creamy taste, and a beautiful golden color. Many grocery stores are now stockingit regularly in their dairy sections.

Are you hungry yet? Grab a spoon. Thesegorgeous potatoes arewaiting for you.

📖 Recipe

Creamy Leek and Cabbage Colcannon

My Colcannon recipe combines rich and creamy mashed potatoes with Savoy cabbage, sweet leeks, and a touch of garlic. Drizzle the top with melted Irish butterand dig in for an easy addition to your St. Patrick's Day feast!

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds russet potatoes , cleaned, peeled, and cut into 1-inch wedges
▢ 2 leeks (white and light green parts only), cleaned thoroughly and sliced into ¼-inch rounds
▢ 3 cups finely-shredded savoy cabbage (about ¼ of a head), packed
▢ 1 large garlic clove , minced
▢ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , divided
▢ 1 cup half and half *
▢ kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
▢ snipped chives (for garnish)

Instructions

Boil potatoes in a large pot of water with a pinch of salt until tender, about 15 minutes. When cooked, a paring knife can be inserted into the centers and removed without resistance. Drain potatoes well and return to the hot pot. Let stand a few minutes to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate.
While potatoes are boiling, melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet until foaming subsides. Add cabbage, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until cabbage is just starting to brown, 5-8 minutes.
Add leeks and an additional ½ teaspoon of salt. Continue cooking, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, 5-8 minutes more. Add garlic, and cook for an additional minute. Stir in half and half, bring to a simmer, and remove from heat.
Stir vegetables and half and half into the cooked potatoes. Use a potato masher to fully combine and mash to desired consistency. Potatoes will thicken a bit as they stand. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To serve, mound potatoes into a serving bowl, and use a spoon to create a shallow well in the center. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the potatoes, allowing it to pool into the well. Scoop potatoes, catching some of the melted butter with each serving. Garnish with snipped chives.

Notes

*Keep in mind that the potatoes may look loose when the half and half is first added, but will naturally thicken as you mash the mixture, and within about 5 minutes of standing. If you prefer your mashed potatoes stiffer, reduce liquid to ¾ cup.

I love using Irish butter in these rich potatoes. I generally use unsalted in the potatoes themselves so I can better control the saltiness of the dish. I’ll often use salted butter in the melted drizzle on top for an extra-luscious finish.

Nutrition Estimate

About our Recipes:Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.

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Colcannon Recipe with Cabbage and Leeks - Striped Spatula (2024)