Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes) with Bacon

Colcannon is the perfect comfort food recipe for St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll love these classic Irish mashed potatoes with cabbage (or kale) and the addition of crispy bacon!

What’s colcannon?

It’s a traditional Irish and Scottish dish made with potatoes and cabbage that are typically boiled and then mashed together. There’s plenty of variations out there (including replacing cabbage with kale). This version adds bacon and scallions!

Colcannon with bacon is a good idea. It reminds me of my favorite comfort food growing up – my mom would fry up some bacon pieces and then mash boiled potatoes into it until it’s all nice and fluffy and the bacon fat is all soaked up. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried it. I still occasionally eat it. It’s probably the most comforting thing on the planet. I think I actually requested it for my birthday dinner this year. I will never grow out of it. 😀

Making colcannon is really easy… it’s basically just mashed potatoes with some extra yummy stuff added. I seriously can’t believe it’s taken me so long to put this recipe on my blog.

You may also like my bacon ranch mashed potatoes.

How to make colcannon

Boil your potatoes until very tender; drain. Meanwhile, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, then add the kale or cabbage to the skillet and cook until tender. Add the scallions and cook for a minute or so.

Mash the potatoes with the butter and cream. Add the skillet contents and season as needed. Serve with plenty ‘o butter.

Ok, so we’re a bit naughty here and we don’t discard that bacon grease… but damn, does it make those mashed potatoes taste GOOD. 😉

Looking for more easy St. Patrick’s Day recipes? You may also like my Irish whiskey pork chops, matcha cookies (they’re naturally green), Instant Pot Irish stew, or my grapefruit Irish Mule recipe.

I really hope you will enjoy this loaded up Irish colcannon recipe! 🙂 I also have an Instant Pot colcannon recipe that’s vegetarian if you’re interested.

Questions? Ask me in the comments below.

5 from 5 votes

Colcannon (Irish Mashed Potatoes) with Bacon

By Natasha Bull

Colcannon is the perfect comfort food recipe for St. Patrick's Day. You'll love these classic Irish mashed potatoes with cabbage (or kale) and the addition of crispy bacon!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

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Ingredients 

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• ▢ 2.5 pounds Russet potatoes cut into chunks
• ▢ 1/2 pound bacon cut into small pieces
• ▢ 3 cups kale or green cabbage chopped
• ▢ 1/2 bunch scallions (green parts only) chopped
• ▢ 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter + extra for serving
• ▢ Salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions 

• Cook the potatoes in a large, salted pot of boiling water until they're good and tender. Drain when they're cooked.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon until it's just crispy over medium-high heat in a skillet.
• Once the bacon is about done, add the kale to the skillet. Cook it until tender (about 4-5 minutes).
• Add the scallions to the skillet and cook for a minute or two (just enough to take the sharp edge off).
• Mash the potatoes with the cream and butter. Add the kale mix to the potatoes and mash it in until it's completely incorporated. If needed, add some salt & pepper.
• Serve with a generous pat of butter on top. Enjoy!

Notes

• Servies 4-6.

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