Slow Cooker Colcannon Potatoes


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This Irish-inspired recipe for Slow Cooker Colcannon potatoes is a must-try! A mixture of creamy potatoes and cabbage is a match made in heaven and makes a perfect side dish.

If you are looking for a potato dish to go with my classic corned beef recipe or my maple corned beef recipe, this is the recipe to make!

Colcannon potatoes with green onions on top. With wooden spoon in them.
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What are Colcannon Poatotes

This recipe may come to you as a shock if you have never heard of it! Try this Irish recipe for colcannon potatoes as a side dish for your corned beef or any St. Patrick’s day meal.

Colcannon potatoes are mashed potatoes with cooked cabbage (or kale) in them. An Irish Halloween tradition is to hide a ring and a thimble in the potatoes, though it seems like a choking hazard, I would warn guests first.

Another version of potatoes like this is called “Champ” which is potatoes with scallions (green onions).

How to make colcannon potatoes in the crockpot:

Ingredients

ingredients for colcannon potatoes on a table

Step by Step Directions

Step One – Gather russet potatoes, cabbage, chicken bouillon cubes, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step Two – Add to the slow cooker. Add enough water to cover the potatoes. It is fine to leave some cabbage above the waterline.

Step Three – Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4.5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.

colcannon potatoes in slow cooker before cooking

Step Four – Drain the cabbage and potatoes. Add melted butter and heavy cream, mash the potatoes using a potato masher, you can use a handheld mixer but using a potato masher will keep some of the cabbage intact.

Step Five – Next, add cooked bacon crumbles and green onions. Stir to combine. Serve and enjoy!

Drained potatoes and cabage

Can I use kale instead of cabbage?

Kale is often used in colcannon potatoes. If you want to use kale in this recipe instead of cabbage you will need to wait to add it. Add 4 cups of chopped kale for the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Kale doesn’t take long to soften in the slow cooker.

Can I use red or gold potatoes?

Yes! In fact, if you use red or gold potatoes you do not need to peel them, just cube and add to the slow cooker.

Finished colcannon potatoes with bacon and green onion on top

What goes good with Colcannon Potatoes?

colcannon potatoes on plate with maple mustard corned beef

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Colcannon potatoes with green onions on top. With wooden spoon in them.

Colcannon Potatoes Recipe

5 from 14 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12
A mashed potato recipe made in the slow cooker with cabbage and bacon!

Ingredients 
 

  • 2.5 lbs. russet potatoes (peeled and diced), (doesn't need to be exact, I usually use about a half a 5 lb. bag).
  • 1/2 head cabbage (rough chopped)
  • 4 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • water to cover
  • 1/2 cup half and half, (or milk) plus more if needed
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onion

Instructions 

  • Add the peeled potatoes and chopped cabbage to the slow cooker. Add the chicken boullion cubes, garlic powder and onion powder.
  • Pour over just enough water to cover the potatoes and most of the cabbage. It is okay if some of the cabbage isn't under water. Don't fill your slow cooker to the tip top, or you risk it overflowing during the cooking time.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4.5 hours.
  • When the cooking time is up, drain the water off the potatoes and cabbage.
  • Pour over the melted butter, half and half, salt and pepper.
  • Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes. If needed add a touch more half and half if the potatoes look dry, don't over do it though! After you have mashed the potatoes, add the cooked bacon and green onion.
  • Stir and serve!

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use kale instead of cabbage?
Kale is often used in colcannon potatoes. If you want to use kale in this recipe instead of cabbage you will need to wait to add it. Add 4 cups of chopped kale the last 30 minutes of cooking time. Kale doesn’t take long to soften in the slow cooker.
Can I use red or gold potatoes?
Yes! In fact, if you use red or gold potatoes you do not need to peel them, just cube and add to the slow cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 356IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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7 Comments

  1. KC says:

    Am I able to cook this on LOW and if so, for how long?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You will most likely need about 7 hours on low. It’s hard to say without testing it.

  2. Susan says:

    4.5 on high is too long and that is before I added anything before mashing. I then added very little butter and milk.

  3. Deb Houston says:

    5 stars
    So delicious! We make this recipe on the day we make butter and substitute the buttermilk for the half and half.

  4. Mariann S. says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely excellent! Thank you for the recipe! So easy. Last year I did it by scratch and took forever in the kitchen. I was exhausted. So grateful for the recipe. Will make again and again.

  5. Nancy says:

    How much bacon, and green onions

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      thank you, I added that. 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup sliced green onion.