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

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!

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?

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

Colcannon and Champ are two similar and typically Irish uses for potatoes. They both take boiled potatoes, mash them with butter, cream (or milk,) salt, and pepper, and then add something extra for flavor and color. Colcannon adds kale or cabbage and onion, while Champ uses green onions steeped in the milk and cream.

Can you add milk to soup to make it creamy? ›

Milk or Half-and-Half: This is the other magical ingredient that turns your homemade chicken noodle soup into the creamiest soup ever. Use 1 cup of whole milk or 1 cup of half-and-half. If you want to make regular (non-creamy) chicken noodle soup, replace the milk with more chicken broth.

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.

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 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.

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.

Who invented the colcannon? ›

The name comes from the Gaelic phrase “cal ceannan,” which means “white-headed cabbage”. One of the earliest written references to colcannon comes from the diary of William Bulkeley, who wrote on October 31, 1735 while on a visit to Dublin: “Dined at Coz. Wm.

What is the national food of Ireland? ›

Irish Stew

An easy and flexible meal that's commonly considered the national dish of Ireland, says Amy Lawless, an Irish American and co-owner of The Dearborn in Chicago. Though generally made with mutton, onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes, Irish stew can also be created with beef or chicken, she explains.

What cream is best for soup? ›

Use what you love! Cream: Half and half, heavy cream, light cream or thickened cream all yield similar results, however heavy cream adds richness. Flour: We need flour to create that delicious, creamy texture mushroom soup is loved for.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

Does evaporated milk help thicken soup? ›

Keep in mind that this evaporated milk will make your dish taste richer, but it won't actually thicken the soup. You can always use a bit of flour or cornstarch if you're missing that added texture. Otherwise, you'll find evaporated milk the best dairy addition for your classic slow cooker favorites.

Why is Irish stew different? ›

The main difference between an Irish stew and classic beef stew comes down to the protein. Traditional Irish stew is usually made with lamb, while beef stew is always made with beef. Our version includes beef chuck, which is less traditional, but easy to make and equally delicious.

What is Irish potato soup made of? ›

Put potatoes into a soup pot with water, onions, and bay leaf. Simmer covered for 45 minutes. Puree soup in batches. Add half and half, salt, and pepper.

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.

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