If you're craving something classic yet comforting, this Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe—also known as Champ—is just the thing. Creamy, buttery, and infused with the mild zing of tender green onions, it’s a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made these Irish mashed potatoes countless times, and every single time they bring a smile to the table. The subtle sweetness of the green onions paired with creamy buttered spuds elevates your usual mashed potatoes into a memorable side dish.
- Authentic Flavors: This recipe stays true to the traditional Irish Champ, with simple ingredients that pack a ton of flavor.
- Easy to Prepare: Only a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfect Texture: Steaming the potatoes dry after boiling ensures they’re fluffier than your average mash.
- Versatile Side Dish: Pairs beautifully with everything from roasted meats to hearty stews.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference with this Irish mashed potatoes with green onions recipe. I recommend picking starchy potatoes for that fluffy texture and using the green parts of the onions to keep the flavor fresh and bright without overpowering the dish.

- Potatoes: Yukon Gold or Russet are ideal for their fluffy, creamy consistency once mashed.
- Whole Milk: Adds richness and helps infuse the subtle onion flavor into the potatoes.
- Green Onions (Green Parts Only): These bring a tender, mild onion taste and vibrant color to the dish.
- Unsalted Butter: For that luscious, creamy mouthfeel and richness that makes Champ irresistible.
- Salt: Essential to enhance all the flavors naturally.
- White Pepper: Adds gentle spice without the specks black pepper leaves behind, keeping things traditional.
Make It Your Way
Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe is wonderfully simple yet versatile, so feel free to make it your own. Whether you want to tweak the flavors or adjust textures, a little experimentation can go a long way in personalizing this classic comfort food.
- Variation: For a creamier twist, I sometimes swap half the whole milk for a splash of heavy cream—it makes the mash extra rich and indulgent without overpowering the delicate onion flavor.
- Herb Boost: Adding fresh chopped parsley or chives along with the green onions gives the dish a fresh, vibrant note, perfect for springtime dinners.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter and substitute milk with vegetable broth or almond milk for a dairy-free but just as delicious champ.
- Spice It Up: A dash of smoked paprika or a small pinch of nutmeg adds a warm dimension to this traditional Irish side.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe

Step 1: Infuse the Milk with Tender Green Onion Flavors
Start by adding the sliced green onion greens to 50 ml of whole milk in a small saucepan. Gently heat the milk over low heat until it just begins to boil, stirring occasionally to avoid scorching. Then remove the pan from heat and let the green onions steep in the warm milk for a few minutes. This step infuses the milk with a subtle, fresh onion flavor that makes this mash uniquely delicious.
Step 2: Prepare and Cook the Potatoes to Perfection
While the milk is infusing, peel and quarter 6 medium-sized Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes—they work best for that fluffy, creamy texture. Place them in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Let the potatoes cook until they are very tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. This tenderness ensures the mash will be perfectly smooth and lump-free.
Step 3: Drain and Let Potatoes Steam Dry
Drain the cooked potatoes thoroughly in a colander. Then return them to the pot or place them back in the warm pan off the heat for 2-3 minutes to steam dry. This little trick releases excess moisture and helps create a lighter mash that's not watery or gluey.
Step 4: Mash the Potatoes with the Onion-Infused Milk
Pour the hot green onion-infused milk over the steamed potatoes. Using a potato masher or a ricer, mash the potatoes until smooth and creamy. The warm milk helps achieve a silky texture that wraps comfortingly around every bite.
Step 5: Enrich, Season, and Serve
Mix in 100 g of unsalted butter, allowing it to melt evenly into the mashed potatoes. Then season with salt and white pepper to your taste—white pepper is traditional here, as it keeps the mash looking clean and bright, but black pepper is an easy substitute if needed. Serve hot, topped with a few extra sliced green onions for that lovely fresh bite and pretty garnish.
Top Tip
Mastering the Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe is all about little details that make a big difference in flavor and texture. Here are my favorite tips to help you get it just right every time.
- Infuse the Milk Slowly: Gently heating the green onions in milk allows the flavor to develop without scorching or bitterness, which I learned can happen if the milk boils too rapidly.
- Steam Dry Your Potatoes: After boiling, letting the potatoes steam dry for 2-3 minutes helps them absorb the onion-infused milk better and creates a creamier mash.
- Choose the Right Potato: I always pick Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes because their starchiness gives a fluffy, smooth texture that holds the green onion flavor beautifully.
- Avoid Overmixing: Using a masher or ricer instead of a food processor keeps the mash light and airy—something I learned after dealing with gluey mashed potatoes once!
How to Serve Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe

Garnishes
Top your Irish mashed potatoes with an extra pat of melted unsalted butter and a sprinkle of freshly sliced green onions for that authentic look and taste. A dash of cracked white pepper or a few sprigs of fresh parsley make beautiful, fresh garnishes, too.
Side Dishes
This mash shines as a comforting side to hearty Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage, slow-cooked lamb stew, or pan-fried sausages. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for a lighter meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to cool the mashed potatoes to room temperature before sealing to maintain their creamy texture.
Freezing
You can freeze Irish mashed potatoes for up to 1 month. Pack them tightly in a freezer-safe container and leave some room on top for expansion. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in a microwave, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or a bit of butter to revive the creamy texture if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, but for the best texture and flavor, starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet are recommended. They give a fluffy and smooth mash perfect for absorbing the green onion-infused milk.
White pepper keeps the mashed potatoes looking clean and traditional without the dark flecks that black pepper would add. However, black pepper is a fine substitute if you prefer.
Absolutely! Substitute whole milk with a plant-based milk or vegetable broth and use a dairy-free butter alternative to enjoy a creamy, dairy-free version of Irish mashed potatoes with green onions.
Avoid overworking the potatoes. Use a potato masher or ricer rather than a food processor or blender. Also, letting the potatoes steam dry after boiling helps remove excess moisture that can cause glueiness.
Final Thoughts
Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe is a simple, delightful dish that brings comfort and cheer to any table. With tender potatoes flavored by fresh green onions and rich butter, it’s a tribute to classic Irish cooking that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Whether for St. Patrick’s Day or any cozy family dinner, this recipe invites warmth and tradition to your plate. Enjoy every creamy, buttery bite!
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Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Irish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Authentic Irish mashed potatoes known as Champ, featuring creamy mashed potatoes infused with tender green onions and topped with melted butter for a rich, comforting dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 6 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet recommended)
Milk Infusion
- 50 ml whole milk
- 6-8 green onions, green parts only, sliced
Additional Ingredients
- 100 g unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
- White pepper to taste
Instructions
- Infuse Milk: Add the sliced green onion greens to the whole milk and gently bring to a boil over low heat. Remove from heat and allow the green onion to steep in the milk, infusing it with flavor.
- Cook Potatoes: Peel and quarter the potatoes, then boil them in salted water until very tender, about 15 minutes.
- Drain and Dry: Drain the potatoes thoroughly and let them steam dry for 2-3 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Mash Potatoes: Pour the hot onion-infused milk over the potatoes and mash well until smooth and creamy.
- Add Butter and Seasonings: Mix in the unsalted butter and season with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve hot, topped with additional sliced green onions if desired.
Notes
- For best texture, use starchy or floury potatoes like Yukon Gold, Russet, Maris Piper, King Edward, Vivaldi, or Desiree.
- If you prefer a lighter version, substitute whole milk with low-fat milk or vegetable broth.
- White pepper is used for seasoning to keep the mash looking clean and traditional; black pepper can be used as a substitute if unavailable.
- Letting potatoes steam dry after boiling improves fluffiness by removing excess water.
- Use a potato masher or ricer for the smoothest texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg





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