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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Review

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

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.

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

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.

Why is mashed cauliflower better than mashed potatoes? ›

Compared to potatoes, cauliflower has less than half the calories per the same 100 gram serving. (source) Cauliflower has only 3 grams of “net carbs” per 100 gram serving, while potatoes have 14 grams of net carbs. (Net carbs = total carbohydrates – total fiber.)

Does cauliflower mash taste like potatoes? ›

Mashed Cauliflower may be low in carbs BUT they taste just as good as regular Mashed Potatoes. The secret lies in flavouring them with just the right ingredients to take them from bland to mouthwatering. If you haven't tried this before, you will fall in love with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes!

What does soaking cauliflower in milk do? ›

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 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.

How long to boil cauliflower? ›

Cooked cauliflower florets keep their shape best when steamed (5-10 mins) – remember to place them upright in the steamer. 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.

Is cauliflower a carb or protein? ›

In 1 cup of chopped cauliflower, you'll get 5.3 g of total carbs, 3.2 g of net carbs, 0.3 g of fat, and 2.1 g of protein, per the USDA. Not to mention, you get 320 mg of potassium, making this vegetable a good source of the nutrient.

Is Bob Evans mashed cauliflower healthy? ›

Made with wholesome, quality ingredients and flavors, Bob Evans Mashed Cauliflower is designed to support your lifestyle, without compromising the delicious taste you'd expect from a homemade dish.

How long does cauliflower mash last in the fridge? ›

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.

Do they sell cauliflower mashed potatoes? ›

Original. When comfort food cravings beckon, answer with a side of smooth, creamy Green Giant® Mashed Cauliflower. Every irresistible serving boasts fewer calories than mashed potatoes⁺ plus a full serving of veggies⁺⁺ so you can give into temptation without the guilt.

Why does cooked cauliflower taste bitter? ›

Various glucosinolates were quantified by HPLC and correlated with bitterness intensity. The results showed that neoglucobrassicin and sinigrin were responsible for the bitterness of cooked cauliflower.

Does riced cauliflower taste like cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower in general has a mild taste, so expect the riced version to be about the same. However, it's not quite as neutral as regular rice because it has a gentle vegetal flavor similar to cabbage, a bit like how you might expect a bite of the raw vegetable to taste.

Why is my cauliflower cheese always watery? ›

She said: "Cauliflower cheese can go watery if the cauliflower is overcooked. Overcooked cauliflower releases water, which will seep into the rest of the dish. So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if it's in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery."

How do you squeeze water out of riced cauliflower? ›

One additional step I like is to press any excess moisture from the rice by transferring the cauliflower rice to a large paper towel or absorbent dish towel and squeeze/press to remove any remaining water. This ensures no excess moisture remains, which can make your dish soggy.

Why is my cauliflower au gratin watery? ›

The watery problem happens when the cauliflower is either overcooked or not drained well enough after a quick blanching.

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.

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