5best2buy
The Recipe · No.635 · Colcannon

Colcannon, and where to source it

Colcannon — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Colcannon Irish 5best2buy.com

Colcannon is mash with greens, so the potatoes must be dry and fluffy or the whole thing goes gluey. Cook the cabbage or kale just until it collapses so it stays green, and pour a well of melted butter in the center to serve.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook25 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineIrish
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains  dairy
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Potatoes
Floury russets mash light and absorb the butter; waxy ones turn sticky.
2.5 lb
Butter
Generous butter in the mash plus a melted well on top; this is where the flavor lives.
6 tbsp
Milk
Warmed and worked in a little at a time to loosen the mash.
1/2 cup
Kale or cabbage
Shredded and wilted in butter until tender but still bright green.
4 cups
Scallions
The white and green sliced thin and softened for a mild onion note.
4
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. Boil potatoesBoil the peeled potatoes until a knife slides through easily, then drain and dry over low heat.
  2. Wilt greensCook the shredded cabbage or kale and scallions in butter until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. MashMash the dry potatoes with warm milk and butter until fluffy, then fold in the greens.
  4. ServePile into a bowl, make a well in the center, and fill it with more melted butter.
The Toolkit

Potato masher · Large pot · Skillet · Colander · Wooden spoon

Straight Answers
Can you make Colcannon in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Colcannon? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Colcannon ahead of time? — Partly

The components hold — prep the parts ahead and finish it close to serving for the best texture.

Is Colcannon gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Colcannon vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Irish recipes
Irish Soda BreadIrish Soda BreadBoxtyIrish Stew
All Irish recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.635

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →