Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (2024)

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Irish Colcannon Soup is a hearty version of a classic Irish recipe. Made with potatoes, cabbage, onions, cream and butter, this piping hot soup will keep your insides warm and your spirits high this Winter.

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (1)

This soup is a manifestation of my Ireland withdrawals. Symptoms include buying a 50 lb bag of potatoes, cooking Irish food, listening to Irish music as well as the RTE Ireland podcast. There is only one cure that I know of. I must go back. I may have left Ireland, but Ireland did not leave me.

The memories of the bucolic farms dotted with sheep will always be in my heart. The little villages where the ranchers live are like quaint pockets of Irish beauty. When you visit Ireland, the beauty and history will settle in your bones so that when you close your eyes at night, you will be transported back to that special place.

We should all go to Ireland. It’s really easy, especially if you already have a passport. If you don’t have one yet, shame on ye. For tips on how to travel to and around Ireland, check out my article on Planning a Trip to Ireland and start planning. A journey of a thousand miles… begins now.

Find out more about what you will find in an Irish Pantry.

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (2)

why i love this soup

It’s the potatoes. I’m a raving fan. There is not a potato dish that I don’t like. Buying a 50 lb bag of potatoes when it’s just me and my husband was not daunting.

This simple soup is easy to make and allows the ingredients to really shine through. There aren’t any heavy spices or overpowering ingredients that cover up the simple beauty of potatoes, onions, cabbage and butter.

This lovely soup only requires the most basic of cooking skills. Chop veggies and stir a pot. I used an immersion blender at the end, the most technical skill that is needed.

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (3)

Winters here in Utah are long and sometimes harsh. There is definitely a lot of snow and cloudy skies. Savory soups simmering away on the stove is always a welcome sight for me. The coziness of a steamy bowl of hearty soup is somehow very comforting here. I am definitely on team soup six months out of the year.

When our lovely daughter visits from Texas, we usually go skiing. The adventures on the slopes followed by a hearty bowl of soup is something that we treasure. Of course there’s hot chocolate too. I have many fond memories of skiing and soup with this kid. What are some of your favorite soup memories?

What is the Difference Between Colcannon & Champ?

Colcannon uses cabbage instead of scallions. Champ uses scallions. It you love mashed potatoes, you are going to love both Colcannon and Champ. They are the next level mashed potatoes.

What Do You Eat With Colcannon?

Savory sausage known as bangers are traditionally served with colcannon. Another great entree to eat with Colcannon is Beef and Guinness Pie, a rich and meaty savory pie that goes great with a side of potatoes.

Step-by-Step

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (4)
  1. Add butter and onions to soup pot. Cook over medium heat until soft.
  2. Add cabbage and cook until wilted.
  3. Add potatoes, broth and black pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Process with immersion blender. Add milk. Bring to a simmer and serve with crusty bread.

What people are saying about this recipe

“We all loved this. I did sauté the cabbage in butter and I would add even more cabbage next time. Delicious!

-Shelly

“I used about 1/2 a head of cabbage and added garlic to the potatoes. So tasty!!!

-Jenna

“That’s how my Irish grandma feed me. Everything in one bowl. Miss you grandma ☘

-Diane

“This is so yummy! I love this with ham, pork chops, for breaky too.”

-Carla

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below! Take a picture and tag us @FusionCraftiness #FusionCraftiness on Instagram for a chance to be featured in our Insta Stories:)

If you are making your own broth, you will need to check out this post on How to Make Broth. It also gives you clues as to when homemade broth is a must or if you can get away with store bought broth.

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (5)

Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe

Yield: 6 Bowls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Irish Colcannon Soup is a hearty version of a classic Irish recipe. Made with potatoes, cabbage, onions, cream and butter, this piping hot soup will keep your insides warm and your spirits high this Winter.

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbs salted butter
  • 1 large onion, peeled & diced (2 cups)
  • 1/2 lb chopped cabbage
  • 4 medium starchy potatoes (1 1/2 lb) peeled & chopped
  • 5 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half & half
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In large pot add butter and onions. Cook over medium heat until soft. Add cabbage and cook until cabbage wilts.
  2. Add potatoes, broth & black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
  3. With an immersion blender, process soup until thick but slightly chunky. You may use a food processor instead. If you have a small food processor, you may need to do this in batches.
  4. Add milk to pot, bring to simmer and serve with Irish Soda Bread.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 121Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 729mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 3g

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Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (8)
Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (9)
Irish Colcannon Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is colcannon important in Ireland? ›

Colcannon is a hearty dish that has been eaten on Halloween night for years. Traditionally, a ring was hidden in the dish, and whoever was to find it would be likely to marry in the upcoming year! Colcannon was even paired with a little poem: Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?

What is Irish soup made of? ›

Irish Vegetable Soup is a simple and rustic soup consisting of potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks and broccoli cooked in broth and pureed until smooth. Serve topped with lots of freshly ground black pepper and snipped chives and alongside sliced Irish brown bread.

Where is colcannon eaten? ›

Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish consisting of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale. This budget-friendly dish can be served as an entrée or side dish, often alongside boiled ham or corned beef.

How do you thicken potato soup? ›

Combine cornstarch and a little bit of water—or the chicken stock from the soup—in a small bowl. With the soup simmering over medium-low heat, whisk in the slurry. The soup should start to thicken almost immediately.

What does colcannon mean in English? ›

Colcannon is a mixture of cooked and shredded cabbage and mashed potatoes. The word colcannon is derived from the Gaelic term cal ceannann, which means "white-headed cabbage" — the vegetable most commonly mixed with potatoes in this dish.

Why did the Irish only eat potatoes? ›

Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.

What is the national soup of Ireland? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland.

Why do Irish people eat Irish stew? ›

The origins of Irish stew are somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it's believed to have originated in the 17th or 18th century. At that time, the dish was often made by shepherds and rural farmers who had access to only a few ingredients but needed a nourishing meal to sustain them through long days of work.

What is Irish stew called in Ireland? ›

Irish stew (Irish: Stobhach Gaelach) or Stobhach is a stew native to Ireland that is traditionally made with root vegetables and lamb or mutton, but also commonly with beef. As in all traditional folk dishes, the exact recipe is not consistent from time to time, or place to place.

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? ›

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? Both Irish dishes, Champ is mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions (scallions) and milk. Colcannon is Champ with the addition of cabbage and sometimes some herbs.

What is Ireland's famous dish? ›

To many across the country, Irish stew is the national dish of Ireland. The methods and flavour of an Irish stew vary from person to person and have evolved over the years. Previously, it all depended on which ingredients were cheaper and more common at that time.

Do Irish people eat mashed potatoes? ›

Mashed potatoes are a staple food in almost every Irish household, but the side dish has a long and storied history that has little to do with Ireland. Where did mashed potatoes originate? Imported from South America in the 16th century, potatoes initially failed to take off in Europe as a delicacy.

What type of potato is best for soup? ›

Russets or all-purpose baking potatoes are high in starch and low in moisture. In soups, they will soak up the liquid and lose their shape. This makes them the ideal choice for making creamy soups or thickening a runny soup. Try using Russet potatoes to create the perfect Loaded Potato Soup.

Can you simmer soup too long? ›

Does simmering soup longer make it taste better? If you're simmering a thing for hours, you will intensify the flavor by cooking off some of the liquid. This might make it taste better, but if cooked too long, it may end up too salty or otherwise be over-seasoned.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

Why do people associate potatoes with Ireland? ›

As other respondents have outlined, the predominance of the potato in the Irish diet can be traced back to farming practices that grew up in the 18th and 19th centuries, associated with the tiny holdings held by small tenants and the ease with which potatoes, particularly the 'lumper' variety thrived in Irish ...

What vegetables are historically important in Ireland? ›

Immus (celery) were grown extensively. Foltchep a kind of onion chive or leek were also grown. Meacan and cerrbacan believed to be carrots and parsnips were also cultivated. A type of wild cabbage and kale were also cultivated.

How important are potatoes in Ireland? ›

Potato is often considered synonymous with Ireland, due to the great Irish famine in 1845, and remains the most important primary food crop in Ireland.

What is Ireland's history with potatoes? ›

However, the potato was not a native of Ireland. It had been found by Spanish conquistadors in south America in the 1500s was shipped to Europe, and reached Ireland around 1590. For the next 80 years it was grown in small numbers, mainly in Munster, as a garden crop or stand-by.

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