Mashed Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

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Mashed Cauliflower-a delicious low-carb side dish that is flavored with garlic, herbs, and butter. This easy cauliflower mash will remind you of mashed potatoes! Serve along side your holiday meal or any meal!

Mashed Cauliflower Recipe (1)

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower is one of my all-time favorite vegetables. I love it roasted, in salads,in grilled cheese, in chowder, in tacos, and the list goes on. Cauliflower is a wonderful vegetable because is can be used in SO many ways! It is kind of a magic vegetable, you can even use it to make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes. Yes, cauliflower mashed potatoes! It’s a thing and it’s a VERY good thing. Cauliflower turns into a creamy cauliflower mash that will remind you of mashed potatoes. If you don’t believe me, ask my boys. They love cauliflower mashed potatoes…and they claim they don’t like cauliflower:)

Mashed cauliflower is not as starchy as potatoes, but you still get a creamy and delicious texture that is similar to mashed potatoes. This low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes is a great healthy side dish to serve at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any meal!

How to Make Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed Cauliflower is so easy to make. You only need five ingredients:

  • cauliflower
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • herbs
  • butter

To make cauliflower mash, you need to steam the cauliflower. I like to use our Instant Pot to steam the cauliflower. It steams in no time and turns out perfect every time. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can use a steam basket and steam the cauliflower on the stove for 6 to 8 minutes. It is really important that you steam the cauliflower instead of boiling it. If you boil the cauliflower, the cauliflower will hold too much moisture and the mashed cauliflower will not have the same texture of mashed potatoes, it will be more of a puree.

While the cauliflower is steaming, cook the garlic in a little olive oil. When the cauliflower is done steaming, pour it into a large bowl. Add the garlic, herbs, and butter. Mash the cauliflower with a handheld immersion blender or potato masher. I prefer the blender, it gets the cauliflower nice and creamy. Be careful to not over blend the cauliflower or you will end up with a puree instead of a cauliflower mash.

Adding Flavor to Mashed Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a bland vegetable so it is very important that you add flavor to the mashed cauliflower. The flavor add-ins will bring the mashed cauliflower to life and give it that mashed potato taste. Here are some flavor ideas:

Garlic-garlic is a MUST! The garlic adds lots of flavor to the mashed cauliflower. I sauté the garlic in a little olive oil before adding it to the steamed cauliflower.

Herbs-I like to use a mixture of thyme and rosemary. You can also add in sage, parsley, or chives.

Butter-Adding butter will make the mashed cauliflower creamy and will give it that mashed potato flavor. I like to use salted butter. You can use 2 to 3 tablespoons, depending on how buttery you want the cauliflower mash to be. If you want to go all out, you can brown the butter and add browned butter to the mashed cauliflower. The flavor is amazing!

Cream Cheese or Sour Cream-I don’t add cream cheese or sour cream, but you certainly can!

Cheese-If you want a cheesy cauliflower mash, you can add in shredded cheese. Parmesan, cheddar, or Gouda.

Bacon-I don’t think anyone will complain if you add cooked chopped up bacon! It adds a ton of flavor to the mashed cauliflower.

Easy Holiday Side Dish

I love making this mashed cauliflower recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. It is the perfect holiday side dish. It can be made in advance and everyone will appreciate a healthier side dish…but they really won’t know it is a healthier option because it is SO good! They won’t believe they are eating cauliflower! And if you can’t wait for a holiday, make this mashed cauliflower to go with any meal. We make it all of the time because it is an easy side dish to any meal and I am always happy my boys are getting their veggies in. They never complain when mashed cauliflower is on the dinner menu. They love it and I think you will too!

If you like this mashed cauliflower recipe, you might like:

  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Roasted Cauliflower
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Roasted Broccoli

Mashed Cauliflower Recipe (2)

Mashed Cauliflower Recipe (3)

Side Dishes

Mashed Cauliflower

This easy cauliflower mash will remind you of mashed potatoes! Serve this easy side dish with any meal!

4 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 minutes mins

Total Time 11 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons minced fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, sage, chives)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • To steam the cauliflower in the Instant Pot, place the steam basket inside the Instant Pot. If you don't have the steam basket, you can use the wire rack that the Instant Pot comes with.Pour 1 cup water in the Instant Pot.Place cauliflower in the basket or on top of wire rack.

  • Put the Instant Pot lid on and turn until locked.Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes and then do a quick release.Carefully unlock the lid and place the cauliflower in a large bowl.

  • Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Pour the cooked garlic into the bowl with the steamed cauliflower. Add the butter and herbs.

  • Use a hand held immersion blender to mash the cauliflower to desired consistency. Don't over mix or you will end up with a cauliflower puree. You can also use a potato masher. Season the mashed cauliflower with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm.

Notes

If you don't have an Instant Pot, you can steam the cauliflower on the stove top using a steam basket. Steam for 6 to 8 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g, Calories: 90kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 58mg, Potassium: 79mg, Vitamin A: 175IU, Vitamin C: 13.4mg, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Keywords cauliflower, side dish

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Mashed Cauliflower Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

Here are some popular options:
  1. Cream or Milk: Incorporate heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk to add creaminess to mashed cauliflower. Gradually add small amounts until you achieve the desired thickness.
  2. Butter: Butter contributes richness and helps achieve a smoother texture. ...
  3. Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream:
Apr 11, 2023

How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery? ›

If you find that that the cauliflower you make is watery it's because you are not drying it out properly on the stove after it's boiled. The trick to the perfect cauliflower mash is to drain it really well and let that water evaporate in a pan on medium heat for 5-6 minutes before it's mashed.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

If the head is loose and there is a lot of visible stem, you will likely end up with a grainy cauliflower mash from the thick membrane on the outer stem. If using stems and they seem thick, peel them with a paring knife to get that membrane off and you will be rewarded with the creamiest cauliflower puree of your life.

What is one serving of mashed cauliflower? ›

Mashed Cauliflower Nutrition (per cup of mash): Calories: 57, Fat: 0g, Carbohydrates: 11g, Fiber: 4g, Protein: 4g. Recipe Notes: One head of cauliflower makes roughly 2 cups of mash, which only serves about 2 in my household.

How long to boil cauliflower? ›

It can also be boiled (takes 5-10 mins for florets; around 10 mins for a whole cauliflower). For both cooking methods, test regularly with the tip of a knife to make sure they don't overcook.

Why is mashed cauliflower better than potatoes? ›

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower is a healthier alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. Primarily due to the carbs. 1 cup of raw cauliflower has 5g of carbohydrates; where 1 cup of raw white potatoes has 12g. Perhaps even more important is the Glycemic Index score of the two.

Why do you add milk to boiled cauliflower? ›

You can keep cauliflower's white color and enhance its sweetness by adding 1 cup of milk when cooking it. Add a cup of milk to the cooking water and bring it to a boil. Add the cauliflower pieces and allow the water to return to a boil; gently boil for 3 to 5 minutes.

Why do you soak cauliflower? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

How do you make runny mashed thicker? ›

Add a Thickening Agent

This is the most common way to thicken mashed potatoes. You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well.

How do you firm up mashed cauliflower? ›

You can add a litle softened cream cheese to the pot in the final step and stir until melted. Or you can add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum. Be sure to whisk it in well when the mashed cauliflower is hot. You don't need more than about ¼ teaspoon per head of cauliflower.

How long is mashed cauliflower good for? ›

Make ahead: Mashed cauliflower can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Why is my cauliflower not softening? ›

Undercooking It. Overcooking is bad, but undercooking cauliflower is an equally off-putting problem. "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk.

How to cook Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower? ›

Bob Evans Parmesan & Chives Mashed Cauliflower is easily prepared in the microwave - ready to eat in 5-6 minutes.

What does a serving of cauliflower look like? ›

A serving equals 1 cup, or about 100 grams (3.5 ounces), of chopped cauliflower. One serving of raw cauliflower has: 25 calories.

How many carbs are in 1 cup of Mashed Cauliflower? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
107Calories
7gFat
10gCarbs
5gProtein
Apr 22, 2024

How do you thicken soup with cauliflower? ›

But how can you achieve an indulgent, thick texture using only vegetables? Frugal Cooking recommends adding cauliflower, which provides a silky texture without all the fat found in cream. Just blend cooked cauliflower with your broth and add the mixture to your soup.

What is a good thickener for mashed potatoes? ›

You can use what you have on hand: Flour, cornstarch, or powdered milk are all solid options that are probably already in your pantry. Potato flour and potato starch would work as well. Stir in the thickening agent gradually, about a tablespoon at a time, until the potatoes have reached your desired consistency.

Can cauliflower be used as a thickening agent? ›

"It acts as a thickener, adding lots of body and creaminess without any fat." Leone uses the technique in his monkfish and cauliflower chowder. The recipe also calls for bigger florets that you can really bite into, but you could easily leave them out if you wanted just the added texture.

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