A plant-based spin on a traditional Irish dish, this vegan colcannon is the perfect side to make on St. Patrick’s Day or any time you’re feeling particularly Irish.
If you’re looking for a delicious, vegan, hearty side dish for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ve come to the right place!
I love colcannon. According to AllRecipes.com, 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. It’s a traditional Irish dish made with potatoes and cabbage.
This version uses kale instead of cabbage and uses almond milk and vegan butter to make it vegan friendly! If you’re not vegan or craving a plant-based dish, just substitute regular milk and butter!
I also included instructions below for how to substitute cauliflower for potatoes if you want to pack in more veggies!
This side dish is easy to make in just under 30 minutes. Serve it alongside my Irish Vegetarian Stew and you’re set for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner!
Almond milk: Unsweetened almond milk is my non-dairy milk of choice for recipes but feel free to use another unsweetened nondairy milk instead. I like that almond milk is more flavor neutral, which lends itself well to cooking and baking.
Potatoes OR cauliflower: Choose one or the other – you don’t need both!
Kale: Grab a small bunch but you won’t use it all. You could also substitute cabbage for kale if you want to go the more traditional route or happen to have cabbage on hand.
How to Make Vegan Colcannon
Step 1: Boil the potatoes until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
Step 2: Drain the potatoes in a colander.
Step 3: In the same pot, sauté leeks in olive oil until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in kale and water. Cover and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Remove cover and turn down heat to low. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Let kale cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 6: Add potatoes, almond milk and vegan butter to the pot and mash potatoes until creamy and combined with kale. Serve with more vegan butter.
If you’re using cauliflower instead of potatoes…
Step 1: Steam the cauliflower until fork tender, about 6-7 minutes.
Step 2: Meanwhile, sauté leeks in olive oil until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in kale and water. Cover and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Remove cover and turn down heat to low. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Let kale cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Transfer cauliflower to a food processor.
Step 6: Add almond milk and vegan butter and pulse until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Transfer to a bowl and fold in kale mixture. Serve with more vegan butter.
Recipe FAQs
What do you eat colcannon with?
Colcannon is traditionally served with boiled ham or Irish bacon but I think it would be delicious alongside my Irish Vegetarian Stew!
I’m vegetarian. How can I make this dish not vegan?
You can use regular cow’s milk instead of almond milk and regular butter instead of vegan butter!
What greens can I use instead of kale?
You can substitute cabbage or any leafy green for the kale.
What’s the difference between colcannon and champ?
Champ is mashed potatoes with green onion and colcannon adds in kale or cabbage!
I don’t like leeks. Can I use something else?
Yes! You can use green onion instead.
For more Irish recipes, check out mine below!
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A plant-based spin on a traditional Irish dish, this vegan colcannon is the perfect side to make on St. Patrick’s Day or any time you’re feeling particularly Irish.
5 small to medium russet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cut into large chunks (about 5 cups)*
Salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 leek, trimmed and thinly sliced (about 2 cups sliced)
1 clove garlic, minced
3 lightly packed cups kale, finely chopped
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup vegan buttery spread, divided
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Add potatoes to a medium pot. Cover with cold water so potatoes are covered by an inch of water. Salt the water (about 1 tablespoon).
Bring potatoes to a boil and boil until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in colander.
In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add kale and toss to coat. Add water, cover and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove cover and reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally. Cook until kale is tender, about 5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Add potatoes back to pot along with vegan buttery spread and almond milk and mash until creamy and combined with kale mixture. Season with more salt and pepper, to taste.
Transfer to a serving dish and create a well in the middle of the potatoes to add remaining 2 tablespoons buttery spread to.
Serve immediately.
Notes
If substituting cauliflower for potatoes…
You’ll need 1 medium head of cauliflower or 6 cups cauliflower florets. Use 1/3 cup almond milk instead of 1/2 cup.
Place cauliflower in a steam basket or colander in a pot. Add enough water to pot to cover bottom about 1/2 inch. Cover cauliflower with lid and bring water to a simmer to steam until cauliflower is fork tender, about 6-7 minutes.
Meanwhile, sauté leeks in olive oil until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Stir in kale and water. Cover and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove cover and turn down heat to low. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Let kale cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Transfer steamed cauliflower to a food processor. Add almond milk and 2 tablespoons buttery spread and pulse until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Transfer to a serving bowl and fold in kale mixture.
Create a well in the middle of cauliflower to add remaining 2 tablespoons buttery spread to.