16 Classic St. Patrick’s Day Recipes for Colcannon and Boxty
Get ready to taste the magic of Ireland on St. Patrick's Day! You're about to explore two super cool Irish dishes that are easy to make and yummy to eat. Colcannon and Boxty are the stars of the show, and they're waiting for you to try them out. These classic recipes are a big part of Irish tradition and are loved by people all around the world.
Colcannon is a tasty side dish made with mashed potatoes, kale, and onions, while Boxty is a delicious potato pancake filled with meat, vegetables, or cheese. Whether you're Irish or just love Irish food, you'll have a blast making and eating these yummy dishes!

Article Includes
1. Authentic Irish Colcannon Recipe
Authentic Irish colcannon is a creamy mashed potato dish with kale or cabbage.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of kale, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- While the potatoes are cooking, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in butter until softened.
- Add the chopped kale to the onion mixture and cook until wilted.
- Drain the cooked potatoes and mash with milk or heavy cream until smooth.
- Add the cooked kale and onion mixture to the mashed potatoes and stir until combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions or chives if desired.
2. Boxty Pancake Secrets Revealed
Crispy Irish boxty pancakes filled with savory fillings.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes and onion, and squeeze out excess moisture.
- In a bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, garlic, flour, salt, pepper, and baking soda.
- Add the melted butter, cheese, and scallions to the bowl and mix well.
- Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop the mixture into balls and flatten slightly.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook the boxty pancakes for 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Serve the boxty pancakes hot with your favorite filling, such as sour cream, bacon, or corned beef.
3. Traditional Colcannon Ingredients
Traditional Irish colcannon is a side dish made from mashed potatoes and kale.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 head of kale
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- Remove the potatoes from the water and mash in a bowl.
- Chop the kale and onion, and sauté in butter until softened.
- Add the milk, salt, and pepper to the mashed potatoes and mix.
- Combine the mashed potatoes with the kale and onion mixture.
- Serve hot.
4. Cooking Boxty Like a Pro
Traditional Irish boxty is a delicious potato pancake dish.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, grated
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- Sour cream or applesauce for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Squeeze out as much moisture from the potato mixture as possible.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, pepper, and baking soda.
- Add the dry ingredients to the potato mixture and stir until just combined.
- Add the melted butter and eggs to the potato mixture, stirring until a thick batter forms.
- Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop the batter into balls and flatten slightly into patties.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and cook the boxty for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the boxty warm with sour cream or applesauce.
5. Easy Colcannon Side Dish
Traditional Irish colcannon is a creamy side dish made from mashed potatoes and kale.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of kale, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash with butter and milk until smooth.
- In a separate pan, cook the chopped kale with a little water until tender.
- Add the cooked kale to the mashed potatoes and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot as a side dish.
6. Classic Irish Boxty Fillings
Savory Irish boxty fillings made with meats and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the filling mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve the boxty filling hot, spooned into the center of pan-fried boxty cakes.
7. Colcannon With a Twist
Colcannon gets a modern twist with crispy bacon and scallions.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of cabbage, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 slices of bacon, diced
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- In a separate pot, boil the chopped cabbage until tender.
- In a pan, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy.
- Drain the potatoes and cabbage, then mash the potatoes with butter and milk.
- Add the cooked cabbage, crispy bacon, and chopped scallions to the mashed potatoes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
8. St Patrick's Day Boxty Ideas
Traditional Irish boxty dish made with pan-fried potato pancakes.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, grated
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Sour cream or applesauce for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well to combine, squeezing out as much moisture as possible.
- Divide the mixture into 4-6 portions, depending on desired size.
- Shape each portion into a ball and flatten slightly into a pancake shape.
- Heat butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the boxty pancakes and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot with sour cream or applesauce.
9. Hearty Colcannon for a Crowd
Hearty Colcannon for a crowd is a delicious side dish made with potatoes and kale.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of kale, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them in a large bowl.
- In a separate pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.
- Add the chopped kale to the pan and cook until wilted.
- Combine the cooked kale mixture with the mashed potatoes.
- Stir in the milk and butter until well combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the colcannon hot, garnished with chopped scallions if desired.
10. Simple Boxty Recipe for Beginners
Traditional Irish boxty is a pan-fried potato pancake dish.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, grated
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, egg, flour, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
- Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the potato mixture.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal parts and shape each part into a ball.
- Flatten each ball into a pancake shape.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add the melted butter.
- Add the boxty pancakes to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite filling, such as bacon, sausage, or sour cream.
11. Irish Colcannon Variations
Classic Irish colcannon recipe with creamy mashed potatoes and kale.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of kale, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash with butter and milk.
- Sauté the chopped onion and kale in a pan until the kale is wilted.
- Combine the mashed potatoes, sautéed kale and onion, and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the colcannon hot, garnished with chopped scallions if desired.
12. Delicious Boxty Topping Ideas
Savor the flavor of Ireland with delicious boxty topping ideas, perfect for St. Patrick's Day.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of diced corned beef
- 1 cup of shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add diced corned beef and cook until heated through.
- Stir in shredded cabbage and cook until wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top cooked boxty with the corned beef and cabbage mixture, then sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese.
13. Making Colcannon From Scratch
Traditional Irish side dish made from mashed potatoes and kale or cabbage.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 head of kale, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash with butter and salt.
- In a separate pan, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until softened.
- Add the chopped kale to the pan and cook until wilted.
- Combine the mashed potatoes, sautéed onion and kale mixture, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions or chives if desired.
14. Authentic Boxty Cooking Methods
Traditional Irish boxty dish made with grated potatoes and onions.
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and grated
- 1 large onion, grated
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 large egg
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, and garlic.
- Squeeze out as much moisture from the potato mixture as possible.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, pepper, and baking soda.
- Add the dry ingredients to the potato mixture and stir until just combined.
- Beat in the egg until the mixture is well combined.
- Heat a large frying pan with about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop the potato mixture into the hot oil and flatten slightly.
- Cook the boxty for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the boxty from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve the boxty hot with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream or applesauce.
15. Colcannon and Boxty Pairing Suggestions
Traditional Irish colcannon and boxty pairing for a delicious St. Patrick's Day meal.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup of grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, then drain and mash.
- In a pan, sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened, then add the chopped cabbage and cook until wilted.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, cooked cabbage mixture, and grated cheese, and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, and egg to make the boxty batter.
- Heat a non-stick pan with a small amount of vegetable oil and pour in the boxty batter to make thin pancakes.
- Cook the boxty for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the colcannon alongside the boxty and enjoy.
16. Timeless Irish Colcannon and Boxty Traditions
Traditional Irish colcannon and boxty dish made with potatoes and cabbage.
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 head of cabbage
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes until they are tender, then drain and mash.
- Finely chop the cabbage and sauté it in butter until it's softened.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the cabbage and cook until the onion is translucent.
- Combine the mashed potatoes, cooked cabbage mixture, and milk in a large bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.
- For the boxty, grate the raw potatoes and squeeze out excess moisture.
- Mix the grated potatoes with flour and egg to form a batter.
- Fry the boxty batter in a pan with oil until it's crispy and golden brown.
- Serve the boxty with the colcannon and enjoy.
Conclusion
You'll be a St. Patrick's Day master, whipping up colcannon and boxty that'll make Irish grandmothers jealous - it's a game-changer, a life-altering experience that'll leave everyone begging for more, with these ridiculously easy, incredibly authentic recipes that are so good, they'll become a yearly tradition, no, a necessity, that's utterly indispensable.