Champ
Buttery mashed potato studded with spring onion. · Ireland
Buttery mashed potato studded with spring onion.
About Champ
Mashed potato is beaten with milk, plenty of butter and chopped spring onion, then served with a melting well of more butter on top. It is a simple, cherished Irish comfort dish.
🏛️ History & Culture
Champ is a traditional Irish dish rooted in the country's deep history with the potato, which became a staple after its introduction in the 16th century. Its origins are closely tied to the northern province of Ulster, where it was a common farmhouse meal made from inexpensive, readily available ingredients like scallions, milk, and butter.
Regional variations exist, with colcannon (which adds cabbage or kale) being the better-known southern cousin, while champ typically uses spring onions or chives. The dish holds cultural significance as a symbol of Irish comfort cooking, often served with a well of melted butter in the center, and it remains a beloved staple in homes and pubs across the country.
🍳 How to make Champ
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedChamp (Irish Mashed Potatoes with Spring Onions)
A classic Irish comfort dish of creamy mashed potatoes blended with chopped spring onions and enriched with plenty of butter and warm milk, traditionally served with a melting well of butter in the center.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 900 g (2 lb) floury potatoes, Golden Wonder or Maris Piper work best; russets are a close substitute
- 200 g (7 oz) spring onions, use the white and most of the green tops, finely sliced
- 150 ml (5 fl oz) whole milk, or use a mix of milk and cream for extra richness
- 80 g (⅓ cup) salted butter, divided; plus extra to serve
- 1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more for the cooking water
Steps
- 1 Peel the potatoes and cut into roughly 3 cm (1¼ in) chunks so they cook evenly. Place in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a generous tablespoon of salt, and bring to a boil.
- 2 Reduce the heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender and a knife slides through without resistance (internal temperature about 95 °C / 203 °F). Drain well and return to the hot pot for 30 seconds to dry off.
- 3 While the potatoes cook, gently warm the milk with 50 g (3 tbsp) of the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the sliced spring onions and simmer very gently for 3–4 minutes until just softened but still bright green. Keep warm.
- 4 Mash the potatoes using a ricer or potato masher until smooth. Pour in the warm milk, butter, and spring onion mixture and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for 1–2 minutes until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust salt.
- 5 Pile the champ into 4 warmed bowls. Use the back of a spoon to make a well in the center of each and place a generous knob (about 1 tbsp) of the remaining butter into each well. Serve immediately so the butter melts into the potatoes.
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Champ — frequently asked questions
What is Champ?
Mashed potato is beaten with milk, plenty of butter and chopped spring onion, then served with a melting well of more butter on top. It is a simple, cherished Irish comfort dish.
What is Champ made of?
Champ is made with potato, spring onion, butter, milk and salt.
Where does Champ come from?
Champ comes from Ireland, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Champ is a traditional Irish dish rooted in the country's deep history with the potato, which became a staple after its introduction in the 16th century.
Where can I eat Champ?
An Irish home, a pool of butter melting in the centre.
How do you make Champ?
Making Champ at home takes about 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe on this page serves 4 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
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- 🇮🇪 Colcannon · Ireland
- 🇮🇪 Irish Stew · Ireland
- 🇮🇪 Boxty · Ireland
- 🇮🇪 Cashel Blue · Ireland
- 🇮🇪 Soda Bread · Ireland
- 🇮🇪 Irish Mist Honey · Ireland
- 🇻🇳 Cháo Lòng · Vietnam
- 🇲🇦 Zaalouk · Morocco
- 🇪🇹 Genfo · Ethiopia
- 🇬🇪 Pkhali · Georgia
- 🇨🇴 Papas Chorreadas · Colombia
- 🇧🇪 Stoemp · Belgium
- 🇦🇹 Gailtaler Speck · Austria
- 🇩🇪 Jägerbomb · Germany
- 🇨🇭 Hörnli Und Kartoffeln · Switzerland
- 🇳🇱 Rundvleeskroket · Netherlands
Travel guides for Ireland
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