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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Rice & Potato Sides

    Published: Mar 1, 2021 · Modified: Jun 2, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Dairy-Free Colcannon Potatoes

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    dairy fre colcannon recipe for pinterest

    This is the BEST traditional colcannon recipe. And it just happens to be allergy friendly. These dairy-free colcannon potatoes are my favorite classic Irish recipe.

    The potatoes are creamy, the cabbage is half soft and half crunchy thanks to our secret cooking method and the presentation is elegant and homey at the same time. What is not to love?

    We love colcannon paired with our nitrate-free corned beef but it is also great with braised pork or grilled chicken.

    close up of mashed potatoes with cabbage
    colcannon potatoes

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾Ingredients and Substitutions
    • ⏲️How to Make Colcannon
    • 🌡️How to Store Leftover Colcannon
    • 🥘Tips and Tricks
    • 🥗Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Dairy-Free Colcannon
    • ⭐Reviews

    What do we love about this recipe? I mean, other than it tastes great and is easy to make. Well for starters this colcannon recipe is...

    • Vegan
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Nut Free

    🧾Ingredients and Substitutions

    colcannon ingredients on counter
    • Potatoes- You can use russet or Yukon gold, both work equally well.
    • Vegan butter- My preferred brand is Earth Balance.
    • Onion- I usually use white onions in this recipe but you can also use leeks.
    • Garlic
    • Cabbage- You can any type of green cabbage. While savoy is my favorite, it is hard to find. So for this recipe, I typically use napa cabbage because of its mild flavor. Not a fan of cabbage? Try curly kale instead.
    • Nondairy milk- I prefer oat milk or almond milk for this colcannon recipe.
    • Nutmeg- Not a traditional colcannon recipe ingredient but I love a dash of nutmeg in cream sauces and mashed potato recipes. It adds a special touch.
    • Kosher salt and black pepper
    • Parsley- Just a little sprinkle for a bright green pop.

    ⏲️How to Make Colcannon

    Some colcannon recipes have you steam the potatoes, or boil whole. And you absolutely can do them either of those two ways. They will turn out great.

    However, I choose to peel and cut my potatoes before boiling. This speeds up cooking by 45 minutes between the extra cooking and cooling time. I don't find that the potatoes get water down as long as you drain them well.

    The potatoes will boil in under 15 minutes in salted water. While the potatoes are boiling you can make the cabbage filling.

    mashing potatoes on pot

    To start the cabbage, melt your dairy-free butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add your onions and cook, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Cook until the onions are soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.

    Stir in the garlic and cook, stirring constantly until the onions are just beginning to brown around the edges. Add half the cabbage and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted. Pour in the oat milk and add the nutmeg, bring to a simmer.

    Drain the potatoes and add the potatoes and remaining cabbage. By cooking half and stirring in half raw we get the best of both worlds. great texture and great flavor!

    Use a potato masher to coarsely mash the drained potatoes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Transfer the colcannon to a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining vegan butter and sprinkle with parsley.

    dinner plate of Irish meal

    🌡️How to Store Leftover Colcannon

    Colcannon is best eaten the day it is made. The cabbage can breakdown making leftover colcannon watery.

    However, you can store leftover colcannon in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.  

    🥘Tips and Tricks

    • For a drier mash, reduce the oat milk by ¼ to ½ cup.
    • For a sweeter colcannon recipe, cook the onions until they are fully caramelized.
    • Don't add the potatoes to the water after it is heated. Always start with cold waters and bring them to a boil together.
    • Don't overwork the potatoes. Colcannon is typically a chunkier mash.
    • Not interested in keeping them vegan? Try adding cooked bacon bits in at the end.
    traditional colcannon in white serving bowl

    🥗Related Recipes

    Want to make it a full Irish dinner? Check out these recipes for a full St Patrick's Day menu that is gluten free and dairy free!

    Nitrate- Free Corned Beef

    Easy to make nitrate-free grassfed corned beef. Needs approximately 7 days to cure before cooking.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    sliced corned beef brisket on a white plate

    Gluten Free Soda Bread

    A gluten free take on the classic Irish soda bread. This savory soda bread is perfect for everyday, and with your traditional St. Patrick's day dinner.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    soda bread on cutting board with slices cut

    Gluten-Free Spice Cake

    Soft and moist gluten-free molasses spice cake with hints of ginger, cinnamon, and clove. The perfect balance of sweet and spice. Dairy-free.
    go to recipe Pin for later
    gluten free spice cake decorated with candied oranges

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    dairy free colcannon potatoes in a white serving bowl

    Dairy-Free Colcannon

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Every Irish family has their special colcannon recipe. I converted my husband's tried and true traditional Irish recipe to a dairy-free version.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Irish
    Servings 6
    Calories 217 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stockpot
    • Large suacepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
    • 3 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 6 tablespoon vegan butter divided
    • 1 small white onion cut into thin quarter round slices
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
    • 1 ½ cups oat milk
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • black pepper
    • Parsley chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Cover potatoes with water in a small pot; season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until 12 to 15 minutes until fork tender. Drain the potatoes.
      potatoes in stockpot
    • While the potatoes are boiling. Melt 4 tablespoons of vegan butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until very soft, 8–10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and onions are just beginning to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes longer. Add 1 cup cabbage and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted. Add oat milk and nutmeg bring to a simmer.
      cabbage being cooked with onions in pot
    • Add potatoes and remaining 1 cup cabbage, then coarsely mash with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper.
      mashing potatoes on pot
    • Transfer colcannon to a large serving bowl. Top with remaining 2 Tbsp. butter and sprinkle with parsley.
      dairy free colcannon potatoes in a white serving bowl

    Video

    Notes

    Store leftover colcannon in a tightly sealed container. Colcannon will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 217kcal | Carbs: 29g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Fiber: 3g
    Keyword dairy free colcannon, gluten free colcannon, vegan colcannon
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

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    • Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon
    261 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Roger says

      December 05, 2021 at 12:55 am

      5 stars
      Nice to have, because I'm allergic to milk.

      Reply
      • Jen says

        December 05, 2021 at 4:03 pm

        5 stars
        Thanks for the review!

        Reply
    2. Maria says

      March 05, 2021 at 9:06 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow these look like the most amazing side dish ever - so flavourful and the texture is on point! Thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      March 05, 2021 at 8:55 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious and perfect for my daughter! Can't wait to show her this recipe! So excited!

      Reply
    4. Jenn says

      March 05, 2021 at 7:52 am

      5 stars
      I loved that this recipe uses napa cabbage which melts into the potatoes so much more nicely than regular cabbage would. It was delish and I especially loved that it was dairy-free!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        March 06, 2021 at 12:41 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you for the review!

        Reply
    5. Dannii says

      March 05, 2021 at 7:50 am

      5 stars
      I love potatoes and cabbage together. Super hearty and comforting.

      Reply
    6. Shashi at SavorySpin says

      March 05, 2021 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      I love colcannon - such a versatile dish and I'm so loving your dairy-free version because I cannot tolerate dairy!

      Reply
      • Jen says

        March 05, 2021 at 7:29 am

        Thank you for the review!

        Reply

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    Welcome Friends!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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