Bring a bit of the Irish to your soup bowl with this Irish Colcannon Soup! This potato and cabbage soup is inspired by Irish Colcannon for a hearty bowl any time.

colcannon soup in white soup pots

Inspired by Irish Colcannon, which is mashed potatoes and cabbage, this soup features cabbage, leeks and big chunks of red potatoes, garnished with some bacon and green onion. It’s lovely and creamy, even though it doesn’t have a ton of cream in it.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Heavy cream – aka whipping cream (35% b.f.) or you can use a lighter cream/milk mixed with 1 tsp. cornstarch

Potatoes – I’ve used mini red potatoes, cut into quarters or sixths, depending on their size. You could use a diced russet (baking) potato, if you don’t have or want to get red potatoes. The splash of red in the soup is very pretty though, if those things matter to you :)

colcannon soup in white soup pots

Recipe Tips

  • Be sure to taste test your cabbage to make sure it’s tender before adding the flour. It may take longer than 10 minutes.
  • Be sure to taste and season well with salt and pepper at the end of cooking and before serving. A well-seasoned soup is a delicious soup!!
  • This soup keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days. Due to the cream, it isn’t recommended for freezing.
colcannon soup in white soup pots

Get the Recipe: Irish Colcannon Soup

Inspired by the Irish dish colcannon, this soup is hearty, comforting and delicious. Featuring leeks, cabbage and potatoes, it’s filling enough for a meal!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • 2 cups leeks, prepared per instructions below
  • 3 cups cabbage, prepared per instructions below
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 cups red potatoes, diced
  • 4 – 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, or lighter cream/milk mixed with 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • green onion, diced, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the leeks: Cut the root end from the leek and discard. Cut off the dark green tops and reserve to use for another purpose. With the remaining white and light green piece, cut down the leek lengthwise, into two parts. With each part, slice into thin slices. Place into a fine-mesh strainer and using your fingers, separate the leek slices into individual pieces, then rinse well with cold water. Set aside to drain until needed. You will need one or two leeks, depending on their size.
  • Prepare the cabbage: Cut cabbage into quarters and remove the core. With each quarter, slice into thin slices, and then in half again if necessary, into thin slices no longer than 2 inches long. Remove any tough pieces. You will only need about 1/2 a head of cabbage. Set aside until needed.
  • In a large pot, over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon to a paper-towel lined bowl, leaving the rendered fat in the pot and the heat on under the pot.
  • Add the onions, leeks and cabbage to the pot and cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, an additional 30 seconds or so. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Add the chicken broth and potatoes and bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. If soup seems like it doesn’t have enough liquid, add a bit more chicken broth.
  • When potatoes are tender, remove pot from heat and stir in heavy cream. Taste, season with salt and pepper, as needed. Spoon soup into bowls and garnish with bacon and green onion.

Notes

Be sure to taste test your cabbage to make sure it’s tender before adding the flour. It may take longer than 10 minutes.
I used mini red potatoes, cut into quarters or sixths, depending on their size. You could use a diced russet (baking) potato, if you don’t have or want to get red potatoes. The splash of red in the soup is very pretty though, if those things matter to you :)
Be sure to taste and season well with salt and pepper at the end of cooking and before serving. A well-seasoned soup is a delicious soup!!
Cuisine: Irish
Course: Soup
Author: Jennifer Maloney
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 397kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 58mg, Sodium: 240mg, Potassium: 1067mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1230IU, Vitamin C: 40.6mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 2.8mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @seasonsandsuppers on Instagram or tag #seasonsandsuppers.

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