Home » Side Dish » Traditional Vegan Irish Colcannon (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free, Paleo)

Traditional Vegan Irish Colcannon (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free, Paleo)

Name: Traditional Vegan Irish Colcannon (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free, Paleo)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 3.5 lbs of White Potatoes (cubed); 1.5 lb Green Cabbage (about 4-5 cups shredded); 1 Cup Chopped Scallions (or white onion); 1 Stick Vegan/Soy-Free Butter; 1 Tsp Minced Garlic; 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper; Salt (to taste); 1 Cup Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk*; Fresh Parsley (optional, to serve)

Published: Mar 6, 2019 · Modified: Mar 8, 2021 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Who doesn't love some mashed potatoes? This traditional recipe for Vegan Irish Colcannon is gluten-free, allergy-free, paleo, made with cabbage, but without the dairy! A cheap and easy staple Irish side dish that will quickly become a comforting family dinner staple!

Calling all potato lovers! One way to know you have the Irish blood running through your veins is if you have an unwavering love for all the spuds in the world! And how about mashed potatoes? They're like a soft, pillowy pile, or creamy fluffy clouds. How could you not like mashed potatoes?! Did you know that the Irish have their own version of mashed potatoes? Irish mashed potatoes are called "Colcannon" and they contain a little something extra along with those spuds!

What is colcannon made of?

Irish colcannon is made of mashed white potatoes with shredded cabbage (or kale), cream, and butter. Additional ingredients can include a type of onion, either scallion, leeks, chives or simple white onion. A little garlic, salt, and pepper to taste; finished with some parsley to tie it all together.

How do you make colcannon?

You can make colcannon all in one pot! You start by boiling your potatoes (unpeeled!), then drain them in a colander. In the pot you used, add the shredded cabbage, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and butter. Saute the veggies for about 5 minutes, then add in the boiled potatoes. Give them a rough mash with the sauteed cabbage before pouring in the milk, and using a hand blender to get the mashed potatoes to your desired consistency.

Why is it called colcannon?

The "col" of colcannon comes from the Irish word "cál", which means cabbage. The "cannon" is a bit more debated, but may come from the Irish "ceann-fhionn", meaning "white head" (i.e. white head of cabbage). It can also be summed up entirely by the Gaelic term "cal ceannann", meaning white-headed cabbage. Either way, colcannon is through and through Irish and should be made with cabbage.

Should you use cabbage or kale in colcannon?

This is where things get muddy and you start to see all the different regional variations come in. You'll see many recipes for Irish colcannon calling for kale which is totally acceptable. However, if we look at the etiology of the word "colcannon", we clearly see that cabbage is the green veggie that should be used in the mashed potatoes! So if you want a truly traditional, by the books, Irish colcannon, use cabbage! Don't get me started, but some recipes say to use green chard.

What do you eat with colcannon?

Typically, Irish colcannon is served with some type of meat, like corned beef, sausage (bangs and mash!), bacon, or ham. So, if we want to veganize this entire meal, a nice lentil loaf, whole roasted cauliflower, or cauliflower steaks would be fantastic!

What are some great St. Patrick's Day recipes?

While colcannon is a staple in Irland because it's just such an easy and cheap dish, you may find it perfect to add to your St. Patrick's Day menu! Along with this vegan colcannon, you may want to whip up some vegan shepherd's pie and the BEST gluten-free Irish soda bread you will ever taste! Talk about some comfort food! End it off with a little something sweet like Irish Potato Candy!