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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Add butter and onions to soup pot. Cook over medium heat until soft.
Add cabbage and cook until wilted.
Add potatoes, broth and black pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.
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

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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

Yield: 6 Bowls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

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

In large pot add butter and onions. Cook over medium heat until soft. Add cabbage and cook until cabbage wilts.
Add potatoes, broth & black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
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.
Add milk to pot, bring to simmer and serve with Irish Soda Bread.

Did you make this recipe?

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FAQs

What is Irish soup made of? ›

Unlike a chunky vegetable soup commonly found in the US, Irish Vegetable Soup is a blended soup made of potatoes, leeks, carrots, and onions that feels creamy and comforting without any cream!

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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?

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What is colcannon soup Wikipedia? ›

Description. Colcannon is most commonly made with only four ingredients: potatoes, butter, milk and cabbage. Irish historian Patrick Weston Joyce defined it as "potatoes mashed with butter and milk, with chopped up cabbage and pot herbs".

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Which country would you be in if you ended up eating colcannon and champ? ›

Colcannon: If there is any truly traditional Irish dish, this is it. It's made from mashed potatoes, cabbage, and butter, it may not seem like much but it is the perfect comfort food for cold winter nights and makes a great side dish. Champ: Native to Northern Ireland, Champ looks similar to Colcannon.