This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please visit the disclosures and privacy policy page.
Feb 23, 2020

Irish Champ

Champ is a delicious Irish side dish made with mashed potatoes. scallions, chives, and lots and lots of melted butter. You can't go wrong serving this traditional Irish dish on St. Patrick's Day.


Irish champ





Like colcannon, champ is a traditional Irish potato dish. It's an easy way to combine mashed potatoes with greens, in this case green onions and/or chives. Also like colcannon, champ was traditionally served on Halloween. You were supposed to leave a bowl under a bush for the fairies, according to The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook.

While colcannon includes kale or cabbage, champ is made by warming chopped green onions in milk and adding the mixture to mashed potatoes and topping the whole thing with lots of melted butter.

In addition to green onions or scallions, variations include the addition of leeks or chives. In this version, I used 1 1/2 bunches of scallions along with a 1/4 cup of chives.


Irish champ mashed potatoes





According to Wikipedia, champ is more common in Ulster (Northern Ireland), while colcannon is more common in the rest of the island. In Irish, it's called brúitín, and in some areas, it's called "poundies."

To make champ, instead of adding milk and butter to the mashed potatoes, you infuse the milk with green onions before mixing it into the potatoes, and then you top the hot mashed potatoes with butter and then mix it in at the table.


Irish champ ingredients and prep





How to Make Irish Champ:


First, peel and cut starchy potatoes such as russets or Yukon golds into 1 inch cubes. Next, bring the potatoes to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender. 

While the potatoes are simmering, cook the scallions in some milk for five minutes to infuse the milk with the onion flavor.

After that, mash the potatoes with the milk and then stir in the scallions and some chives.

Finally, place the potatoes in a serving bowl and pour melted butter in the middle. At the table, mix the butter into the potatoes.


Irish champ mashed potatoes with the butter mixed in





My Top 10 Irish Food Recipes: 


If you are having a St. Patrick's Day party, here are some tasty Irish dishes. 




Irish champ mashed potatoes with butter





This recipe for Irish champ also makes great leftovers that you can reheat in the microwave.








This week, the group From Our Dinner Table is posting Irish recipes!

Easy St. Patrick's Day Recipes




  • Beef Stew with Guinness by That Recipe
  • Colcannon Hash with Fried Eggs by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
  • Irish Champ by Karen's Kitchen Stories
  • Instant Pot Guinness Beef Stew by Cheese Curd In Paradise
  • Low-Carb Reuben Soup by Art of Natural Living
  • Salted Caramel Irish Coffee by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks



  • We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes. While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!



    Irish Champ


    Make champ by mixing scallions or green onion infused milk with creamy mashed potatoes, and then add the green onions into the potatoes. Serve hot with lots of melted butter.


    Champ is a delicious Irish side dish made with mashed potatoes. scallions, chives, and lots and lots of melted butter. You can't go wrong serving this traditional Irish dish on St. Patrick's Day.





    Irish Champ


    Irish Champ
    Yield: 6 servings
    Author:
    Champ is a delicious Irish side dish made with mashed potatoes. scallions, chives, and lots and lots of melted butter. You can't go wrong serving this traditional Irish dish on St. Patrick's Day.

    ingredients:

    • 2 pounds starchy potatoes such as russets or Yukon golds, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
    • 1 1/2 bunches of scallions/green onions, chopped
    • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
    • 1/4 teaspoon white peppercorns
    • 1/4 cup chopped chives
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted

    instructions:

    How to cook Irish Champ

    1. Place the potatoes in salted water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. 
    2. Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan, and cook over low heat until the excess water has evaporated, about 2 to 3 minutes. 
    3. Simmer the milk, scallions, and peppercorns in a saucepan for about five minutes. Strain the scallions from the milk, reserving both separately. 
    4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Add enough of the scallion infused milk until the potatoes are creamy. 
    5. Add the scallions and chives and season with salt and pepper to taste. 
    6. Place the potatoes in a serving bowl and create a well in the middle of the potatoes. 
    7. Pour the melted butter into the well in the potatoes. Mix the butter into the potatoes at the table before serving. 
    Calories
    337.66
    Fat (grams)
    17.58
    Sat. Fat (grams)
    10.92
    Carbs (grams)
    40.38
    Fiber (grams)
    4.07
    Net carbs
    36.32
    Sugar (grams)
    5.33
    Protein (grams)
    6.62
    Sodium (milligrams)
    518.84
    Cholesterol (grams)
    46.77
    potatoes, champ
    Side dish, potatoes
    Irish

    Did you make this recipe?
    Tag @KarensKitchenStories on instagram and hashtag it #KarensKitchenStories
    Created using The Recipes Generator



    How to stay up to date with Karen's Kitchen Stories? 


    Check out my recipe index for more amazing recipes.

    Be sure to follow me on Facebook. Do you like taking photos of the food you make? You can also join my Facebook food photo sharing group (you don't have to be a blogger).

    While you’re here please take a minute to follow me on Pinterest. I’m always pinning great recipes from fellow bloggers.

    Finally, please follow me on Instagram. It’s a great way to stay up to date on all the latest and greatest blog recipes.


    Would you like to comment?

    1. I'm just call these really awesome mashed potatoes! They look so good, can't wait to try them!

      ReplyDelete
    2. I'd heard of colcannon, but never champ. Can't wait to try this version!

      ReplyDelete
    3. Chives and scallions go so nicely with potatoes, add in plenty of melted butter and this Irish girl's heart is ready to melt.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. They totally are perfect for your Irish heart.

        Delete
    4. I love the green onion and chives in these potatoes! This sounds like an amazing side dish!

      ReplyDelete
    5. You know me and potatoes. We're thick as thieves! Totally making this for dinner for St. Patrick's Day.

      ReplyDelete

    I would love to hear from you! If you comment anonymously, be sure to leave your name in your comment.