What is Colcannon?
Colcannon is a delicious and hearty Irish traditional dish made with mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, butter, and cream or milk.

The name “colcannon” actually comes from the Gaelic word cal ceannann, which means “white-headed cabbage.”

And its typically served as a side dish and is often paired with bacon or ham.

I love adding corned beef and cabbage to colcannon. It turns would be average leftovers, into a unique and flavorful dish that the whole family loves.

The corned beef adds a salty and savory flavor, while the cabbage provides a nice crunch and texture.

And speaking of crunch..

You’ll probably want to use fresh cabbage rather than leftover. You know.. to keep it crunchy.

To make colcannon with corned beef, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Potatoes: What would colcannon be without potatoes? Go with red or russet potatoes to provide a creamy texture and neutral flavor that pairs well with other ingredients.

Cabbage: Cabbage is a traditional ingredient in colcannon and provides a slightly sweet and earthy flavor that complements the potatoes. Cabbage is also high in fiber and vitamins, making it a healthy addition to the dish1

Corned beef: Corned beef is going to add savory and salty flavor to the dish and is a traditional ingredient in Irish cuisine. It is typically made from brisket that has been cured in brine, giving it a distinctive flavor and texture.

Butter: Butter is a key ingredient and makes everything better. It also helps to make the mashed potatoes creamy and smooth.

Beef broth: Beef broth adds an extra layer of flavor to the mashed potatoes and helps to enhance the savory flavor of the corned beef. It also helps to keep the potatoes moist and prevents them from becoming too dry.

Milk: Milk helps to make the mashed potatoes creamy and smooth, while also adding a slightly sweet flavor. You can use cream instead of milk if you prefer a richer and creamier texture.

Garlic powder: To give the potatoes a little “ooomph” add garlic powder in your colcannon recipe. It adds to the savoryness of the dish, and will help it stand out above other recipes.

Aged white cheddar: While any cheese will do, I recommend aged white cheddar. Go with Dubliner if you want extra credit. It adds a tangy and slightly sharp flavor to the dish and helps to create a delicious crust on top when baked in the oven.

Don’t overcook the potatoes.
Make sure to check them with a fork after 20-25 minutes to ensure they are fork-tender but not mushy.

Mash the potatoes well.
You want the potatoes to be smooth and creamy, so make sure to mash them well with a potato masher.


If you want creamy potatoes like the narrative says, use a variety like yukon gold or norland.

Both russets & the red potatoes from the supermarket give you fluffy mashed potatoes, rather than creamy potatoes.


Mix and match your cheese.
If you love cheese, feel free to add more shredded cheddar on top of the colcannon before baking. Try mixing it with parmesan or another style of cheese to make it stand out!

Variations:
Vegetarian colcannon: If you don’t eat meat, you can omit the corned beef and use kale instead of cabbage for a vegetarian version of colcannon.

Sweet potato colcannon: Instead of using regular potatoes, try using sweet potatoes for a unique and slightly sweet twist on this classic dish.

Colcannon with bacon: If you don’t have corned beef on hand, you can use bacon for a smoky and savory flavor.

Colcannon soup: If you’re looking for a warm and comforting soup, try making colcannon soup by blending the mashed potatoes, cabbage, and other ingredients with some chicken or vegetable broth.

colcannon with corned beef is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day of the year.

By combining mashed potatoes, cabbage, corned beef, and cheese, you can create a unique and flavorful dish that will warm you up from the inside out.