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Kale Colcannon Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 34 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Irish
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Kale Colcannon is a creamy, comforting Irish-inspired mashed potato dish blended with sautéed kale, cream cheese, and sour cream. Perfect as a hearty side dish, this recipe combines tender Russet potatoes with nutrient-rich Tuscan kale and a touch of garlic for a flavorful twist on traditional colcannon.


Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Seasoning

  • 3 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt, divided

Dairy

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided, plus more for garnish
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 ounces (½ cup) sour cream

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 large bunch kale, preferably Tuscan/Lacinato, ribs removed and chopped into small, bite-sized pieces (3 to 4 cups)
  • 1 medium clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion, divided


Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Remove the cream cheese from the refrigerator and allow it to soften at room temperature while prepping the potatoes. Peel and cut the potatoes into even chunks about 2 inches in size for even cooking.
  2. Boil Potatoes: Place the potato chunks in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Add 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt and enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 to 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat as needed to prevent overflow. Cook until potatoes are easily pierced by a fork, about 15 minutes.
  3. Drain Potatoes: Carefully drain all water and leave the potatoes in a colander to drain completely.
  4. Sauté Kale: Return the empty pot to the stove over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and melt it. Add the chopped kale and cook, stirring often, for 2 to 4 minutes until wilted and dark green. Add the pressed garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the pot from heat.
  5. Mash Potatoes and Kale: Add the drained potatoes back into the pot with the kale. Mash together until desired consistency is reached—slightly chunky or smooth.
  6. Add Dairy and Seasoning: Incorporate the softened cream cheese, sour cream, remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mash or stir until mostly combined. Add 2 tablespoons sliced green onions and gently mix everything together.
  7. Serve: Transfer the colcannon to a serving bowl. Garnish with a few pats of butter and the remaining tablespoon of sliced green onions. Serve warm for best flavor.

Notes

  • If using regular table salt instead of fine sea salt, reduce the quantity slightly and adjust to taste later.
  • You can substitute the kale with chard, collard greens, or cabbage for a different green vegetable variation.
  • For a dairy-free or vegan version, cook the kale in olive oil instead of butter and stir in 1 to 1½ cups vegan sour cream in place of cream cheese and sour cream. Omit the extra butter.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 220 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg