Home Holidays Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon

Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon

by Ann
12 comments

Irish Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon ~ Sumptuous Spoonfuls #Irish #Potato #Cabbage #Recipe

A skinnier version of the traditional Irish dish, with the addition of red onion and a bit of (lean) bacon.


I have a fascination for Ireland and all things Irish … every year for St. Patrick’s day for sooo many years, I have been making corned beef and cabbage. It was only recently I discovered that corned beef and cabbage is not really what the Irish make for St. Patrick’s Day, so each year since this discovery, I’m trying to make something a little more authentic. Last year it was Irish Cabbage & Potato Soup with Ham (the Irish use bacon, but their bacon is more like our ham).

Calcannon IS a traditional Irish dish, traditionally made with lots of butter and kale or cabbage, and sometimes bacon, leek or onion is tossed in. I slimmed it down by using less butter (while preserving that wonderful buttery taste) and tossing in extra cabbage and a goodly amount of red onions. One taste and I was wondering why ever did I took SO long to make this … did you know there’s even a song written about this marvelous dish? I found this on Wikipedia:

“Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?

Yes you did, so you did, so did he and so did I.
And the more I think about it sure the nearer I’m to cry.
Oh, wasn’t it the happy days when troubles we had not,
And our mothers made Colcannon in the little skillet pot.”

After just one taste of Colcannon, I totally understand why they would sing this … and I so wish I had discovered this dish earlier, to make for my children when they were little, so they would feel the same way. Personally, I am so in love with Colcannon. I could eat this for breakfast, lunch or dinner … or maybe, all three. Just Colcannon, nothing else, and feel like singing because the taste of Colcannon is comforting, like your favorite childhood memories.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Irish Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon ~ Sumptuous Spoonfuls #Irish #Potato #Cabbage #Recipe

Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: about 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • About 1 lb. red or golden potatoes, peeled
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 slice lean bacon, cooked but still floppy, chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded cabbage (about 1/4 of a small head)
  • 2 Tablespoons milk or fat free half & half
  • Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Peel the potatoes and put them in a saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain off the water and put the potatoes in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Cut a pat of butter off for the top, then put the rest of the butter in the saucepan over medium heat to melt. Add the onion and bacon, cover and cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft. Add the cabbage and cook for about 3 – 5 minutes longer, again covering the pan, but lifting it to stir every minute or so, until the cabbage is wilted and partly tender but still has a bit of crunch.
  3. Now, using a fork, mash the potatoes with a fork or potato masher, adding milk or half & half to moisten as needed. Stir in the cabbage mixture and season to taste with salt & freshly ground pepper. Serve hot, making a well in the center for the reserved pat of butter.

Notes

RECIPE SOURCE: http://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/

© Copyright 2015, Sumptuous Spoonfuls. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to publish any of my images, please ask first. If you want to republish this recipe as your own, please re-write the recipe in your own words or link back to this post for the recipe.

Irish Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon ~ Sumptuous Spoonfuls #Irish #Potato #Cabbage #Recipe

This recipe was shared at Weekend Potluck, Munching Monday, Treasure Box Tuesday, Simple Supper Tuesday, Wine’d Down WednesdayThe Gathering Spot, Moonlight & Mason Jars and Hearth & Soul Bloghop.

You may also like

12 comments

» Shrimp, Pork & Chicken Egg Rolls Sumptuous Spoonfuls March 16, 2015 - 10:41 pm

[…] I’ve made Havarti cabbage soup and Irish cabbage potato soup and my latest favorite Colcannon (oh man that stuff is good!), but there is only one way I have found (so far!) to get my daughter […]

Reply
swathi March 23, 2015 - 4:15 pm

Delicious that is only word I can say about this. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning.

Reply
7 marvelous mashed potato recipes | creative gift ideas & news at catching fireflies November 9, 2015 - 11:23 am

[…] had never heard of this last dish, but it sure sounds delicious. Colcannon is a traditional Irish recipe for mashed potatoes with lots of butter and cabbage or kale. Ann […]

Reply
» Blue Potato Colcannon with Ham Sumptuous Spoonfuls March 29, 2016 - 9:06 pm

[…] have made Colcannon before, with golden potatoes and American-style bacon (and loved that version too) …but did […]

Reply
Sumptuous Moments of 2018 | Sumptuous Spoonfuls January 1, 2019 - 4:29 pm

[…] Colcannon. (The angels should totally sing for breakfast colcannon! There’s already a colcannon song … but add an egg for breakfast and I’m in heaven) … oh and there was also a Hot […]

Reply
Cauliflower Colcannon | Sumptuous Spoonfuls March 17, 2019 - 5:25 pm

[…] Colcannon with Red Onion and Bacon […]

Reply
Irish Butter & Bacon Braised Cabbage | Sumptuous Spoonfuls March 16, 2020 - 7:54 am

[…] then I discovered Colcannon and my love for cabbage was renewed with a vengeance. Cabbage not only adds a little welcome crunch […]

Reply
Over 50 Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Ham | Far From Normal March 15, 2021 - 4:08 pm

[…] Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon– A skinnier version of the traditional Irish dish, with the addition of red onion and a bit of (lean) bacon. These savory flavors go so well with a delicious holiday ham! […]

Reply
Sue Neiers March 15, 2021 - 8:05 pm

My husband and I just received our 2nd covid-19 vaccines and celebrated with grass
fed buffalo steaks and your recipe for Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon. Delicious and so satisfying!

Reply
Ann March 21, 2021 - 5:17 pm

What an awesome way to celebrate! Congrats on your vaccinations … I can’t wait to get mine!

Ann

Reply
How to Make Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) and a Call for Peace | Sumptuous Spoonfuls March 6, 2022 - 4:18 pm

[…] Colcannon with Red Onion & Bacon […]

Reply
5 Make-Ahead Sides to Make Thanksgiving a Little Easier this Year | Sumptuous Spoonfuls November 19, 2022 - 4:28 pm

[…] Colcannon makes mashed potatoes better […]

Reply

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More