Instant Pot Colcannon is an easy, comforting mixture of savory mashed potatoes, cabbage and kale. Make it as green as you like for St. Paddy's Day by increasing the kale, and serve it with a good Irish Stew. Whole 30 compliant.
Typically, Irish Colcannon is made on the stove by first boiling the potatoes in one pot, sautéing the greens in a second pot and then mashing them in a mixing bowl. The Instant Pot combines those two steps for a creamy, no-fuss potato side dish.
Plus, the potatoes will stay warm in the IP while you are taking your stew and other side dishes out of the oven.
Recipe/eating plan adjustments
- Colcannon is naturally gluten-free because potatoes are a gluten-free food.
- This recipe is milk-free because the potatoes' extra creaminess comes from coconut milk.
- If you use butter and omit the bacon, the colcannon is vegetarian. With non-dairy butter, it would be vegan.
What is the origin of colcannon?
- Traditionally, it is an old Irish peasant recipe made from leftovers. Before the great potato famine that started in 1845, an Irish person would eat about 5 pounds of potatoes a day in various forms, and this was one variation.
- Although colcannon originated in Ireland, it found its way to Scotland. There it is sometimes referred to as rumdlethumps, though it typically contains cheese - not included in colcannon.
- Instant Pot Irish Colcannon is great to use the next morning for breakfast like the English do. Fry up the colcannon and serve it along with meat or eggs. It is called “bubble and squeak.”
Cooking tips about colcannon
- If your potatoes seem very starchy, as Russets often do, soak your cubed potatoes in water for about 30 minutes before cooking them. Drain off the soaking water and starch before placing them in the instant pot.
- Colcannon combines mashed potatoes and kale or cabbage and even sautéed leeks. Any type of cabbage will work, including the Napa cabbage I had on hand here.
- You can use butter for this recipe, although in 1840's Ireland, butter was expensive and bacon fat was more likely used.
Steps in making Instant Pot Colcannon
- Saute the chopped onions in butter or bacon fat in the Instant Pot - just about 5 minutes.
- Add the cabbage and stir it to coat and tenderize, another 2 minutes.
- Stir in the ribbons of kale.
- Add the potatoes, seasonings, water and coconut milk. Cover the Instant pot and cook.
- After allowing the cooked potato mixture to cool a little, mash the colcannon, adding a little more liquid if you want to make the potatoes creamier. Adjust the seasonings.
- Serve! Colcannon is delicious with bacon or without.
Why use the Instant Pot for colcannon?
As is also true for my garlic mashed potatoes, using the instant Pot takes the guesswork out of knowing when the potatoes are done enough to mash. It also reduces any "cabbage-y" flavor from the cabbage and kale. This gives you a mash that is as smooth as you want to make it.
I love the instant pot for mashed potatoes because I never have to worry about having added too much or too little water. I like not having to add more water because they are sticking, or cook them down because they are too runny!
Other potato recipes you may enjoy
Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes; Gluten-Free
Instant Pot Seasoned Salt Potatoes
Sloppy Joe Air Fryer Stuffed Potatoes
If you like the recipe, leave a comment, rate it, or pin it! If you make this or any of the recipes on A Meal In Mind, please let me know! Post pictures on Facebook or Twitter. Hashtag a photo #amealinmind on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with. Thank you so much!!
Beth
Instant Pot Colcannon - Gluten-Free
Equipment
- Sharp good knives
- Angled masher
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon rendered bacon fat or unsalted butter
- ½ head green cabbage sliced
- ¼ cup or more kale cut into ribbons
- ½ small sweet onion diced
- 2 pounds Russet potatoes peeled, diced
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup coconut milk plus more after cooking, to mash
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Some minced parsley optional, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons Chopped cooked bacon optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to saute. Add bacon fat or butter and let melt, and add onions. Cook 5 minutes or until starting to soften.
- Add cabbage. Cook 1-2 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
- Add the kale.
- Add potatoes, ½ cup coconut milk and water and season with salt and pepper.
- Place lid on Instant Pot and set valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure 5 minutes (Instant Pot will take 10 minutes to come up to pressure before counting down). When done cooking, carefully quick-release pressure.
- Mash with potato masher, adding more coconut milk if you wish to make it creamier. Garnish with chopped parsley and optional bacon pieces.
Notes
Please pin for later - more pins behind pin button!
Relle
This sounds so good. Can't wait to try it.
Beth
Thanks, Relle, I hope you enjoy it!
Angela
I could eat this all the time but so perfect for St Paddy's day dinner with some corned beef. Potato side dishes are a favorite since they are grain-free.
Beth
Thanks so much Angela, I can't imagine leaving out the cabbage now that I've tried this colcannon. I agree it would be great with corned beef!
Cooking Coders
Coconut milk is certainly an interesting addition to colcannon. I never would have thought to add that, but I am looking forward to trying it now!
Beth
We are so used to converting everything to dairy-free the coconut milk is nearly automatic around here. And we don't notice any coconut flavor in the colcannon, so I hope you'll enjoy the switch!
Sonila
What a great dish Beth!! I hadn't heard of colcannon before so I read carefully all the details and the history behind it. It's a lovely post, besides a great recipe!! Can't wait to try it!! I love potatoes, kale and cabbage so I can imagine it's a great combination.
Beth
Thanks for those kind words, Sonila! We really enjoy the greens in the potato dish, it really makes it special.
Shikha
Thanks for your gluten-free recipes, Beth. I would love to try this one too.
Beth
You are so welcome, Shikha. It's both simple and tasty!
LaRena Fry
I love cabbage. This recipe looks like it hits it out of the ballpark.
Beth
Thanks, LaRena, the cabbage and the kale are really delicious combined with the potatoes, and such an easy addition!
Jacqueline Debono
I've never made colcannon before but I remember having bubble and squeak as a kid in UK! Since today is St Patrick's day, I'm planning to make your colcannon recipe for dinner with some beef stew! I'm sure it's going to be delicious!
Beth
Glad to hear you are going to make this colcannon today! I think I had only heard of bubble and squeak before in a murder mystery, so it's always good to learn what something with such an intriguing name really is.
Deborah
I just learned about colcannon recently so I'm very interested in making this recipe. It looks so yummy! I do not own an instant pot but I'm hoping to make this the old-fashioned way. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
Thanks, Deborah, colcannon is a great variation on the mashed potatoes I've made for years. I'm sure your old-fashioned way will work great, since this recipe has been around since long before the Instant Pot!
Anindya Sundar Basu
Any instant pot meal is so refreshing. Have never heard about this one. Will definitely try this. at home. Thanks for sharing the recipe
Beth
Anindya, I had never heard of it until recently either, which surprised me since my family has Irish roots! Hope you enjoy it.