Colcannon Soup: A Flavorful and Comforting Creamy Irish-Inspired Potage Recipe
Introduction
Colcannon Soup is a warm, comforting twist on the classic Irish side dish. This creamy and flavorful soup brings together potatoes, cabbage, and kale for a hearty meal perfect for chilly days.

Ingredients
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup green cabbage, finely chopped
- 1 cup kale, stems removed and chopped
- 1 medium leek, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
- 4 tablespoons butter (or vegan substitute)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced leek, sautéing until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add the diced potatoes to the pot and stir, cooking for another 3 minutes. Then, pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped cabbage and kale. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Step 4: Using an immersion blender, puree the soup until smooth. If you prefer some texture, you can leave a few chunks of potatoes.
- Step 5: Stir in the milk and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat the soup gently until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, use full-fat milk or add a splash of cream instead of plant-based milk.
- Try swapping kale for spinach or Swiss chard for a different leafy green.
- To add extra texture, reserve some sautéed leek and onion to stir in after blending.
- Use vegan butter and plant-based milk to make this recipe completely dairy-free.
Storage
Store leftover Colcannon Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup thickens too much, thin it out with a little extra milk or broth.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, Colcannon Soup can be prepared a day in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator and reheat before serving. It may thicken upon standing, so add additional milk or broth when reheating if needed.
Can I use a regular blender instead of an immersion blender?
Absolutely. Transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender and puree until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids and allow steam to escape to avoid pressure buildup.
PrintColcannon Soup: A Flavorful and Comforting Creamy Irish-Inspired Potage Recipe
This Colcannon Soup recipe brings the comforting flavors of traditional Irish colcannon into a creamy, warm soup perfect for chilly days. Loaded with potatoes, cabbage, kale, leek, and onion, and enriched with butter and milk, it’s a hearty and flavorful meal that’s easy to make and sure to please.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup green cabbage, finely chopped
- 1 cup kale, stems removed and chopped
- 1 medium leek, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Liquids
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
Dairy & Fats
- 4 tablespoons butter (or vegan substitute)
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sliced leek, sautéing until they become soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, to develop their sweet, mellow flavors.
- Add potatoes and cook briefly: Add the diced potatoes to the pot, stirring and cooking them for an additional 3 minutes to lightly coat them in butter and aromatics before adding liquid.
- Simmer with broth and greens: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and add the chopped cabbage and kale. Let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the greens are softened.
- Puree the soup: Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup until smooth. If you prefer, leave a few potato chunks for added texture.
- Finish with milk and seasoning: Stir in the milk and season the soup with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Heat gently for about 5 minutes until warmed through, without boiling, to keep the milk from curdling.
- Serve: Ladle the warm soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, mild bite.
Notes
- You can substitute plant-based milk and vegan butter to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- For a richer soup, use whole milk or half-and-half.
- To vary the greens, try substituting kale with spinach or Swiss chard.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
- Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed after blending.
Keywords: Colcannon soup, Irish soup, potato soup, kale soup, comfort food, creamy soup, vegetarian soup

