Nothing beats the comforting charm of a classic side, and this Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe brings that homestyle magic right to your plate. It’s a simple, flavorful twist on your usual mash, and trust me, once you try it, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m absolutely smitten with how this recipe elevates everyday mashed potatoes. The subtle onion-infused milk elevates the flavor without overpowering, making it irresistibly creamy and comforting.
- Authentic Irish flavor: Uses green onions steeped in warm milk for a gentle, fresh taste.
- Perfectly fluffy texture: Carefully chosen starchy potatoes ensure a light, creamy mash every time.
- Simplicity meets elegance: Minimal ingredients with maximum flavor impact.
- Versatile side dish: Pairs beautifully with everything from hearty stews to grilled chicken.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When it comes to crafting the perfect Irish mashed potatoes, selecting the right ingredients is half the fun. Here’s why each component earns its spot in this creamy delight—and a few tips to shop like a pro.

- Potatoes: I always lean toward starchy or floury varieties because they mash up silky and fluffy without becoming gluey.
- Milk: Heating milk with the green onions infuses lovely sweetness and a subtle onion flavor that feels comforting and fresh.
- Green onions: Use just the green parts chopped finely—they add a beautiful mild bite without overwhelming the potatoes.
- Unsalted butter: This ensures you can control the saltiness perfectly while enriching the mash with creamy richness.
- Salt and white pepper: Essential seasoning that rounds out the dish—white pepper keeps the mash looking pristine without black specks.
Make It Your Way
One of the joys of the Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe is how wonderfully adaptable it is. Whether you're aiming for a comforting classic or want to sneak in a twist, feel free to make it your own.
- Variation: For a richer, indulgent touch, I sometimes swirl in a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche at the end. It adds a lovely tang that complements the sweetness of the green onions beautifully.
- Make it vegan: Swap the butter for a good-quality vegan margarine and use a plant-based milk like oat or almond milk. Just make sure the milk is warmed with the green onions to capture that iconic flavor.
- Seasonal flair: In spring, I chop fresh herbs such as chives or parsley to toss in along with the green onions for a fresh herbal lift.
- Smoother mash: Using a potato ricer really takes the texture from simple to silk in seconds, perfect if you love your mash velvety smooth.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe

Step 1: Infuse the milk with fresh green onions
Start by slicing the green parts of 6 to 8 fresh green onions thinly. Pour 50 ml of milk into a small saucepan and add the sliced green onions. Warm the milk gently over low heat until it just comes to a gentle boil—this helps release the mild onion flavor. Once boiling, remove the pan from the heat and let the green onions steep in the hot milk. This infusion is what gives your mash that lovely subtle onion aroma and unique Irish twist.
Step 2: Cook the potatoes to fluffy perfection
While the milk is infusing, peel 6 medium potatoes and cut them into quarters for even cooking. Place them in a large pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Let them simmer gently until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a fork—this usually takes around 15 minutes. Once done, drain the potatoes well, then let them sit in the colander or pot for 2 to 3 minutes so they steam dry. This step helps evaporate excess moisture, ensuring your mash will be creamy and not watery.
Step 3: Mash and season to taste
Pour the hot, green onion-infused milk over the drained potatoes. Using a potato masher or ricer, mash thoroughly until the potatoes are smooth and fluffy. Next, add 100 g of unsalted butter and stir it in until melted and fully incorporated. Finally, season with salt and white pepper to taste. I recommend white pepper here because it blends in invisibly, keeping your mash pristine-looking while adding just the right amount of gentle spice.
Serve immediately for the creamiest texture, topped with an extra pat of butter and a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions for garnish. Enjoy this comforting, traditional Irish side dish with your favorite mains!
Top Tip
These tips come from my personal kitchen adventures, helping you get that perfect creamy texture and fresh green onion flavor every single time with your Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe.
- Milk Infusion Magic: Letting the green onions steep in the warm milk truly brings out their delicate flavor. Don’t rush this step—it makes a big difference!
- Steam, Don’t Dry: After draining your potatoes, let them steam dry for a few minutes instead of patting them dry. This keeps them fluffy and ensures your mash isn’t watery.
- Mash While Hot: Pour the hot onion-infused milk over the potatoes right away and mash while everything is warm for the creamiest, smoothest consistency.
- White Pepper Over Black: Using white pepper avoids little black flecks that can distract from the dish’s beautiful pale color, keeping your mash looking as inviting as it tastes.
How to Serve Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe

Garnishes
A simple knob of melted butter drizzled on top adds that classic finishing touch to your Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe. For a little extra pop of color and texture, sprinkle with freshly chopped chives or parsley. If you’re feeling indulgent, a light dusting of smoked paprika or a handful of crispy fried shallots can elevate this side even further.
Side Dishes
This creamy, comforting mash pairs beautifully with traditional Irish dishes like corned beef, Irish stew, or shepherd’s pie. It also complements roasted chicken or grilled salmon for a more modern twist. And don’t forget a side of steamed greens or sautéed cabbage to keep the meal fresh and balanced.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days—perfect for quick lunches or side dishes during the busy week.
Freezing
You can freeze the mashed potatoes, but because of the fresh green onions and butter, texture may slightly change upon thawing. Pop them into a freezer-safe container and enjoy within 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Stir occasionally to warm evenly and avoid drying out. If needed, add a small knob of butter to refresh that rich texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Green onions are preferred for their mild, fresh flavor which infuses nicely into the milk without overpowering the potatoes. Regular white or yellow onions have a stronger taste and firmer texture that might alter the traditional delicate balance of this dish.
Starchy or floury potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet are ideal because they yield a fluffy, creamy texture perfect for mashing. Avoid waxy potatoes as they tend to be gummy.
White pepper maintains the light color of the mashed potatoes, avoiding the specks of black pepper that some find visually unappealing. However, black pepper can be used if you don’t mind the appearance.
You can prepare the potatoes and milk infusion ahead, but it’s best to mash and serve them fresh for the creamiest texture. Leftovers store well in the fridge for a few days and reheat nicely.
Final Thoughts
Making this Creamy Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onions Recipe always feels like a warm hug from the Irish countryside. It’s simple, comforting, and full of heart—perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions alike. I hope it brings a little bit of that charm to your table. Happy cooking and Sláinte!
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Creamy 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
Traditional Irish mashed potatoes known as Champ, featuring tender green onions infused in warm milk, combined with butter and fluffy potatoes for a creamy, flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Potatoes
- 6 medium potatoes
Milk and Onions
- 50 ml milk
- 6-8 green onions, green parts only
Butter and Seasoning
- 100 g unsalted butter
- Salt to taste
- White pepper to taste
Instructions
- Infuse the milk: Add sliced green onions to the milk and bring it to a gentle boil over low heat. Remove from heat and let the green onions steep in the hot milk to infuse their flavor.
- Cook the potatoes: Peel and quarter the potatoes. Boil them in salted water until very tender, approximately 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes well and allow them to steam dry for 2-3 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Mash everything: Pour the hot onion-infused milk over the drained potatoes. Mash the potatoes thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Add the unsalted butter, then season with salt and white pepper according to taste. Mix well to combine.
Notes
- Use starchy or floury potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet for the best fluffy texture.
- Green onions should be sliced thinly and only the green parts used for authentic flavor.
- If desired, use a potato ricer or masher to achieve a smoother consistency.
- White pepper is preferred to avoid black specks in the mashed potatoes, but black pepper can be substituted.
- This dish is best served immediately for the creamiest texture but can be gently reheated if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg


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