Last Updated on May 3, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish that is made with potatoes. Learn how to make Paleo Colcannon. It’s one of my favorite Paleo Irish recipes.
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Colcannon Recipe – Paleo Style
Since I enjoy eating traditional Irish foods around St. Patrick’s Day, it’s a dish that I used to make regularly.
Now that I am on the Paleo diet, potatoes are no longer something that I eat. When I received a copy of the cookbook, (affiliate) The Paleo Effect, I was excited to find out that there was an Irish Colcannon recipe that had been modified to fit the Paleo diet.
The Paleo Effect contains 150 natural recipes that are suitable for a grain free, dairy free lifestyle.
What is colcannon?
Colcannon can be a side dish when you serve corned beef and cabbage or you can enjoy it as an entree on its own. Parsnips are loaded with vitamins and minerals and are a great source of fiber.
They are in season between November and April. Have you tried my fried parsnip sticks recipe? Kale is high in iron, Vitamin K and antioxidants and is also high in fiber.
It is also anti-inflammatory and is a great choice for those trying to fight inflammation. It’s a great detox food to help keep your liver clean.
Have you ever tried an Irish Colcannon recipe with or without potatoes?
Related Reading
Colcannon is a traditional Irish dish that is made with potatoes. Learn how to make Paleo Colcannon. It's one of my favorite Paleo Irish recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb parsnips
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 2 cups kale
- 3 strips bacon (omit for vegan)
- 1 small white onion
- 2 tbsp chicken stock (use vegetable stock for vegan)
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- sea salt & black pepper to taste
- green onions (I used leeks)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Peel and roughly chop the parsnips into 1/2" pieces, discarding the tops and tips. Toss with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. We use roughly 1/2 tsp of each. Then spread out on a baking sheet and bake in the middle rack for about 20 - 25 minutes or until fork tender.
- As the parsnips are cooking, dice the bacon and cook in a pan over medium high heat until desired crispiness is achieved.
- Once the bacon is crispy, remove if from the fat and set aside for later. Save the bacon fat.
- Place the pan with the fat back on the burner and add the diced onion.
- Cook the onions till browned and caramelized. Then remove them from the pan and set aside with the bacon.
- Remove the ribs from the kale, dice kale into small pieces and add it to the pan. Turn the heat down to medium low, cover and cook until the kale is tender (about 5 minutes).
- Add the kale, any leftover bacon fat, coconut milk and stock to the bacon and onions. When the parsnips are ready, add the chicken stock to the bacon and onions and mash until it is the consistency that you want.
- Season with sea salt and black pepper and garnish with green onions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 138Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 173mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
I didn’t make this recipe only because there was a run on parsnips the past weekend, and I couldn’t find any, but what I did make was totally inspired by this recipe, and I have to thank you for that. I gave you a mention and thank you on by blog post. Thanks again, I couldn’t have done it without you. http://peacefulfoodie.com/recipe/root-vegetable-colcannon/
So glad you enjoyed it. Hope you can try it with parsnips some day!
I hadn’t realized that potatoes were not allowed in the Paleo diet. But I do love parsnips if they’ve overwintered, so I think I’ll try this if the snow ever melts!
Some days I don’t think the snow will ever melt!
This looks so tasty, I like the use of parsnips and I have plenty of kale in my garden right now that needs to be used. I’ve been Paleo for about 3 months now and love how I feel, I’m adding this recipe for dinner one night. Thank you.
Oh I wish my garden was growing right now!
I have never tried this…sounds healthy and a great idea for St Patricks day
Definitely! I love making traditional dishes for St. Patrick’s Day.
Thanks for sharing, this looks delicious.. I’m moving into the paleo direction and love all the tips I can get on your blog, keep up the great work..love reading them
Always glad to share & it’s great to know you’re enjoying them!
You always have such amazing recipes, this looks delicious. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy! That is so great to hear!
This looks so good! I don’t follow the Paleo diet but I’ve been looking in to it.
Thanks, Katy! It was delicious and a great choice even if you aren’t paleo.
This is great! I love that it is adapted to a paleo lifestyle. We are huge fans of Irish food.
Thanks, Tammilee! I am too especially corned beef & cabbage!
I haven’t tried this dish before but I love trying different types of vegetables. I need to add parsnips to my list.
I’m really enjoying parsnips now, Nicole! I wish I had discovered them sooner.
This looks like a great recipe. Full of flavor and veggies! Yum.
It really was, Melissa! The bacon was yummy too!
I have been researching Paleo. Im thinking about trying it out. : )
This looks so wonderful, I love anything packed full of veggies!
Me too, Kristin! So healthy!
we are going to try to make this on sunday, ellen. cross your fingers I can swing this.
You can do it! Let me know how you like it, Brett!
I would definitely miss the potatoes but I have to tell you, that looks pretty amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Ashley, it really is a good alternative when you are not eating potatoes.
This looks great Ellen! So doesn’t look like it would be Paleo! What a nice well balanced meal!
Thanks so much! Paleo can be yummy!
i’ve never heard of this dish before. looks super yummy. i just love new recipes to try. maybe i’ll give it a try!
It definitely was delicious!
I’ve never heard of this, but I’m so curious now. I’ll have to make it sometime, thanks!!
I really enjoyed it! If you try it, let me know!
This looks absolutely amazing! It looks so rich tasting.
Thanks, Candace! It was rich and delicious!
This looks awesome! I love finding paleo recipes because they are gluten free so my daughter can enjoy them too.
Thanks, Pam, and yes, gluten free too!
I really like leeks but have never ever ever tried parsnips. This sounds really good!
Parsnips are really good, Nicole! Leeks are one of my favorites as well!
I love that this has parsnips. They are one of my faves. Looks delicious!
I love parsnips too, Mindy! Yum!
I have never had Paleo, this looks interested. I would love to try it, it seems easy to make and looks yummy.
It definitely was easy & delicious, Susan!