Description
Authentic Colcannon with Cabbage & Bacon is a cozy Irish-style side dish made with fluffy mashed potatoes folded with tender sautéed cabbage, sweet onion, and crispy bacon bits. It’s hearty, rustic, and perfect for winter dinners or holiday meals. For a pork-free option, swap bacon for turkey bacon or beef bacon.
Ingredients
2 1/2 lb (1.1 kg) potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet), peeled and cut into chunks
1 small head green cabbage, cored and finely chopped (about 5–6 cups)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (or turkey/beef bacon for pork-free)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for serving
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk or cream, warmed (as needed for texture)
1 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
1. Add the potatoes to a large pot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender, about 12–15 minutes. Drain well and return to the hot pot to steam-dry for 1–2 minutes.
2. While the potatoes cook, crisp the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble. Reserve 1–2 tablespoons of the drippings in the skillet (optional).
3. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion in the reserved drippings (or 1 tablespoon butter) until soft, 4–5 minutes. Add the chopped cabbage and cook, stirring often, until tender and lightly sweet, 8–10 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Mash the hot potatoes with butter. Gradually add warmed milk/cream until fluffy and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper.
5. Fold the cooked cabbage-onion mixture and crumbled bacon into the mashed potatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Serve warm with an extra pat of butter on top, if desired.
Notes
Pork-free: Use turkey bacon or beef bacon, or substitute sautéed mushrooms for a savory bite.
Make-ahead: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk to loosen.
Texture tip: For rustic colcannon, mash lightly and leave a few potato chunks.
Serving idea: Great alongside roast chicken, beef, or hearty vegetable mains.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boil, Sauté, Mash
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg