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+ servings

Colcannon

One of my St. Patrick’s Day’s favorites, Colcannon is Ireland’s best-known potato side dish. My version features creamy mashed potatoes, leeks, kale and bacon. Simple but so flavorful!
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Ingredients  

  • 2 ½ pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • Kosher salt
  • 5 thick-cut bacon slices, diced
  • 1 leek, rinsed and sliced
  • 1 bunch kale, rinsed, stems removed and chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 Scallions, chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions 

  • Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Season the water generously with salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well in a colander and place in a large bowl.
  • While the potatoes are cooking, heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove and place in a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve.
  • Drain most of the rendered fat from the pot, leaving only a couple tablespoons in the pot. Add the leeks and scallions, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the kale and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Mash the potatoes with 3 tablespoons butter, using a potato masher. Then, add the greens and continue mashing until smooth.
  • Stir the heavy cream and bacon, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish with the remaining butter and some scallions.
  • Serve immediately!

Notes

Substitutions:
  • Kale: You can substitute it for savoy cabbage or Swiss chard.
  • Bacon: You can omit the bacon if you prefer.
  • Heavy Cream: Half and half or whole milk can be used instead.
Storage:
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge, for 3-4 days.
Reheating:
Reheat on the stove, over medium-low heat, adding a few splashes of heavy cream as needed to bring it back to the original consistency.
Freezing:
Place the cooled colcannon potatoes in a large freezer bag or container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
You can also portion out into one-cup servings, onto a parchment-lined baking sheet covered with plastic, until completely frozen. Then, transfer the individual servings to a large freezer bag or container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 511kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 36g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 99mg, Sodium: 232mg, Potassium: 970mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 2144IU, Vitamin C: 25mg, Calcium: 82mg, Iron: 2mg