Champ – Easy Traditional Irish Potatoes

Potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables. I would have them for dinner every day If I could. 

I love them, and they are the most versatile vegetables. In celebration of St Patrick’s Day, we are making the traditional Corned Beef, and this year, I am adding a new potato recipe. Champ.

We could not stop eating it. Soft steamed potatoes with lots of butter and scallions. Melting in your mouth with each bite. Pure delight. I have added to my collection of potato recipes. 

Champ, like this wonderful Colcannon recipe, can be a great way of using up potatoes, either fresh or leftover.

This Irish champ recipe shows how easy it is to make it from scratch, even if you do not have leftover potatoes.

The scallions add a wonderful flavor to this dish and decorate the top.

In this Article

What is Irish champ made of?

Originally Champ was made with stinging nettles instead of green onions.

Over time green onions and scallions have been predominant in making this dish. 

Traditional and popular Irish side dish. A straightforward dish made with potatoes mashed with butter and infused with scallions.

Simplicity is packed with flavor with only four ingredients.

What to eat with the champ?

Champ is a great side dish. There are so many ways to enjoy it.

One way is to serve it with a runny fried egg on top.

Excellent served alongside any meats and poultry.

Sausage, bacon or any other vegetables of your choosing, and cabbage. 

How do you make a champ?

As you can see, the amount of ingredients required is a minimum. Very easy to make.

• First of all, start with the potatoes. I recommend washing the skin well. However, do not peel them.
• Please place them in a large pot and add water halfway up the potatoes. 
• Cook cover until the potatoes come to a full boil. Drain, reduce the heat, cover again, and steam them. 
• Meanwhile, place the minced spring onions and milk in a small pan and bring to a boil. Keep a watchful eye as milk tends to boil relatively fast.
• After that, drain the potatoes and peel them when you can handle them.
• Please return them to the same pot and mash them as you add butter, warm milk, and scallions. 
• Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately. 

What is the difference between Champs and Colcannon?

Most of all, two unique traditional Irish mashed potato dishes are, to this day, gracing Ireland’s restaurants and homes. 

More of a typical dish of Northern Ireland, Champs are mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions, lots of butter, and milk.

On the other hand,  the colcannon is also mashed potatoes, including cabbage, kale, and scallions or leeks. It is a more prevalent dish in the south of Ireland. 

A great way to use leftover potatoes, if any are on hand, is to make them fresh from scratch as I have them here. 

Equipment used to create this recipe

Visit my Amazon Storefront for my selection of favorite kitchen essentials. I only recommend equipment that I use and love.

Originally published on March 17, 2020.