Best Mashed Cauliflower! (2024)

Published: Jan 8, 2018 ·Updated: Aug 3, 2023 by Sabra · 38 Comments

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This recipe uses a simple hack to make the best Mashed Cauliflower you've ever had. It turns out so close to real mashed potatoes you may not believe it!

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This mashed cauliflower is the perfect low-carb substitute for mashed potatoes. Super rich and comforting mashed cauliflower is the perfect side dish for elaborate holiday meals or just a regular weeknight supper.

No mashed potato swap is complete without a delicious gravy so be sure to check out my easy keto gravy. Serve this mashed cauliflower with turkey breast, baked ham, or with some delicious keto-fried chicken.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Helpful tips for making Mashed Cauliflower:
Variations
FAQs
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Ingredients

Mashed cauliflower uses many of the same ingredients as mashed potatoes. Here is what you'll need:

Fresh Cauliflower - fresh cauliflower is best and will yield a more "potato-like" texture. In a pinch frozen is fine though. Just cook according to package instructions and follow the remaining recipe as written.
Butter, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream
Salt & pepper

Instructions

Start out by steaming or boiling your cauliflower florets until they are fork-tender. Then, drain the excess water and allow the cauliflower to cool slightly. Tip: if you are in a hurry, you can run cold water over the cauliflower to speed up the cooling process.

Place the cooked cauliflower onto a clean kitchen towel or some cheesecloth and wring out the extra liquid. Don't be afraid of removing too much liquid. You can always add a little extra water or chicken broth if it seems to dry later on.

Return the cauliflower to the pot and add the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until it's all well integrated. Tip: If your cauliflower is too cool to melt the butter and cream cheese, place it over low heat, stirring constantly until everything has melted. Taste your mashed cauliflower and add more salt or pepper if needed.

Helpful tips for making Mashed Cauliflower:

For a lumpier mash, stick with a potato masher. If you prefer a smooth mash then use a hand mixer or even a food processor.
It's better to squeeze out too much liquid from the cauliflower than not enough. With that said if you find the mashed cauliflower a bit too dry, you can add a little bit of chicken broth.
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to five days. You can freeze leftovers as well, but the texture will change slightly when reheating from frozen.
Speaking of leftovers ... If you have any leftovers, you can make a delicious cauliflower soup by stirring in chicken broth until you reach the desired texture. I also like to toss in some garlic powder as well.

Variations

Here are some of my favorite ways to change up this recipe:

Loaded mashed cauliflower - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, cooked and crumbled bacon, and top with chives. Check out my sheet pan loaded cauliflower or loaded cauliflower casserole!
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower - Stir in some roasted garlic or garlic powder to change up the flavor.
Boursin Mashed Cauliflower - Swap the cream cheese for Boursin cheese. Any flavor that you like will work wonderfully!

Also, since no mashed potato (or in this case mashed cauliflower) is complete without the perfect gravy, be sure to check out my recipe for a super easy, 2 ingredient keto gravy!

FAQs

Can I steam the cauliflower instead of boiling it?

Yes, steaming cauliflower is another option. Place the florets in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam until tender, usually for about 10-12 minutes.

Can I use a food processor to mash the cauliflower?

Yes, you can use a food processor to mash the cauliflower. It will give you a smoother texture, but be careful not to over-process, as it may become too smooth or pasty.

Can I make mashed cauliflower in advance?

Yes, you can prepare mashed cauliflower ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally.

Is mashed cauliflower suitable for freezing?

Yes, you can freeze mashed cauliflower. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It should keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months.

📖 Recipe

The BEST Mashed Cauliflower

Sabra - This Mom's Menu

This truly is the Best Mashed Cauliflower! It makes an excellent low carb substitute for mashed potatoes.

4.57 from 48 reviewers

Servings 4 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

1 head Cauliflower cut into florets
4 tablespoon Butter
1 oz Cream Cheese
2 tablespoon Heavy Whipping Cream
½ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Pepper

Instructions

Place the cauliflower in a pot of salted, boiling water. Boil for about 4-5 minutes or until fork tender. Drain the water and allow the cauliflower to cool slightly.
Dump the cauliflower out onto a clean kitchen towel or some cheesecloth and wring out the extra liquid. Don't be afraid of removing too much liquid. You can always add a little extra water or chicken broth if it seems to dry later on.
Return the cauliflower to the pot and add in the butter, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt and pepper. Using a potato masher if you prefer a lumpier texture, or a hand mixer for a smoother texture. mix everything until it's all well integrated. (If your cauliflower is too cool to melt the butter and cream cheese, place it over low heat, stirring constantly until everything has melted.) Taste your mashed cauliflower and add more salt or pepper if needed.

Notes

1 Serving is ¼ of the recipe.

Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.

The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 460mgPotassium: 439mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 560IUVitamin C: 69.3mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 0.6mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @thismomsmenu or tag #thismomsmenu

More Keto Side Dishes

Zucchini Tots (Air Fryer or Oven)
Sheet Pan Loaded Cauliflower
Low Carb Pea Salad
Sesame Peanut Cucumber Noodle Salad | Low Carb, Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Reader Interactions

Comments

Rate this Recipe

TF Cotton says
January 10, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Thanks for this easy recipe. I steamed my cauliflower instead of boiling it which reduced the amount of water. Followed your recipe and added roasted garlic, to make "garlic mashed cauliflower" instead. Great taste!
Reply
- Sabra says
  January 11, 2018 at 6:22 am
  See Also
  Dinner and a Movie / co*cktails with Bompas & Parr • V&A Blog Banana Baked Oatmeal Instant Pot Vegan Jackfruit with Potato Curry Savory Herb Cheddar Dutch Baby
  I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! Those are both great ideas!
  Reply
  - Ajay says
    April 11, 2018 at 4:11 am
    how long do you steam it?
    Reply
- Carol says
  April 12, 2020 at 3:09 pm
  I too steamed my cauliflower and added an extra ounce of cream cheese, so delicious!
  Reply
Christina says
January 22, 2018 at 4:00 pm
How much is one serving?
Reply
- Sabra says
  January 22, 2018 at 5:00 pm
  I usually get about 1/2 cup per serving, but that will vary some depending upon the size of your cauliflower and the amount of water you squeeze out. Hope that helps!
  Reply
  - Christina Mora says
    January 22, 2018 at 5:05 pm
    Yes it does thank you so much.
    Reply
Carrie says
February 14, 2018 at 11:47 am
In boiling are you losing the nutrients in the cauliflower?
Reply
- Sabra says
  February 14, 2018 at 1:02 pm
  I'm not sure on the amount of nutrient loss of boiling vs any other method of cooking cauliflower, but if you are worried about it you can steam it instead 😊
  Reply
Stefanie says
February 22, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Delicious! I will make this side dish again. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Reply
- Sabra says
  February 22, 2018 at 10:57 pm
  So glad that you enjoyed it!!
  Reply
Val says
February 27, 2018 at 12:37 pm
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Reply
- Sabra says
  February 27, 2018 at 2:05 pm
  Yep! Just be aware that it will increase the carbs quite a bit
  Reply
Cathy says
March 26, 2018 at 10:31 am
Can I use frozen cauliflower instead of fresh?
Reply
See Also
Potato Poppers Recipe!
- Sabra says
  March 26, 2018 at 10:53 am
  I haven’t tried it myself, so I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty sure it would work just fine 🙂
  Reply
Ajay says
April 11, 2018 at 4:09 am
I'm confused... It says cook time is 20 minutes but you only boil it for 4-5 minutes....
Reply
- Sabra says
  April 12, 2018 at 5:23 pm
  I like to be pretty liberal with time estimates because I hate when a recipe takes much longer to make them what is stated in the instructions.
  I set the cook time to 20 minutes to include the time it takes to squeeze out the extra liquid and to add mash the cauliflower.
  Reply
Peggy says
August 17, 2018 at 3:17 pm
Microwave will also reduce amount of water. Sounds yummy. Can’t wait try this.
Reply
Kristin says
September 13, 2018 at 7:48 pm
This recipe is FANTASTIC! Thank you so much for sharing it!
Reply
Diane says
November 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Can you make this and put in a casserole dish to cook later?
Reply
- Sabra says
  November 18, 2018 at 3:39 pm
  If you mean to prepare the entire dish, then reheat in the oven, I think that would work fine 🙂
  Reply
Nancy Quatier says
December 30, 2018 at 4:04 pm
Can I freeze the cauliflower after it's been drained and then thaw to prepare later?
Reply
Nicole says
March 11, 2019 at 7:06 pm
It’s a fine recipe but it’s so much easier to do all this in a food processor. And add garlic!
Reply
- Sabra says
  March 12, 2019 at 2:11 pm
  Thanks Nicole! I agree that it is easier to make in a food processor, but I find that this method yields a fluffier mash. Just a matter of personal preference 🙂
  Reply
Kathy Derrick says
July 30, 2019 at 6:20 am
the best mashed cauliflower recipe I have tried!
Reply
- Sabra says
  July 31, 2019 at 9:56 am
  Thanks Kathy!
  Reply
John says
September 04, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Wow, thank you for taking the time to come up with the best cauliflower mashed ever. I hve tried so many and this is a keeper. .
Reply
Helen M Bouhl says
October 15, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Best mashed cauliflower I've tried. It's easy to make and is delicious!
Reply
Annie G says
October 21, 2019 at 8:00 pm
Honestly, I was skeptical... I’m 8 days into my keto diet journey, and have been craving mashed potatoes. I’ve made mashed cauliflower once a few years back at the height of the craze, but it ended up with a weird texture and not much flavor. I thought since I’m being strict keto now, that I’d be willing to give it another go. I scoured Pinterest for the best looking recipe, and enter your recipe. I have to say, not only were these simply delicious, but I’m completely converted! I wanted a dry run on a potato replacement before Thanksgiving, and I can just envision these being amazing with keto gravy, and holding up to the highest non-keto scrutiny. Thank you so very much for sharing this and putting together a stellar and easy to follow recipe that was successful!!
Reply
Veronica says
October 23, 2019 at 8:30 pm
This recipe is hands down the best cauliflower mash I have had! Will double or triple the recipe next time as it didnt make enough for seconds or leftovers for 3 adults. I added mushrooms and a splash of cooking wine. I used my food processor and the texture was creamy. My daughter likes it better than mashed potatos.
Reply
- Veronica says
  October 23, 2019 at 8:33 pm
  Haha! I did not add mushrooms or cooking wine. That was I added to the sauce for the Tuscan Chicken I made to go with the cauliflower mash.
  Reply
  - Sabra says
    October 27, 2019 at 4:13 pm
    You might be on to something though 🤔😂 Thanks for the great review, Veronica!
    Reply
Lisa Graves says
January 08, 2020 at 11:11 pm
I was skeptical but you made a believer out of me! This is a keeper for sure. Thanks for a fabulous “mashed potato” imposter recipe!
Reply
- Crystal Bates says
  March 17, 2021 at 7:27 pm
  Tried this for the first time tonight. SO good!! The consistency is so much like mashed potatoes! My husband loved it! Thank you! 🙂
  Reply
Katie A says
February 22, 2020 at 5:06 pm
I steamed the cauliflower in the microwave. Should have steamed a little longer, but this has a wonderful flavor. My husband doesn’t care for cauliflower but he had seconds!
Reply
- Sabra says
  February 25, 2020 at 7:26 am
  Thanks for the great review Katie!
  Reply
  - Deketo says
    August 01, 2020 at 10:12 pm
    Taste is great but mine did not mash or whip into a creamy texture. After boiling I tried to whip it was very, very lumpy so I microwaved for an additional three minutes and it was still lumpy. I threw it in the microwave for another three minutes but still lumpy. I think that it may have been because I left too much of the stem on. Has anyone else run into this?
    Reply
Joanne says
April 13, 2021 at 4:50 pm
Wow...If I hadn’t made it I wouldn’t have known it was cauliflower. Great substitution for mashed potatoes for those on keto...and so simple.
Reply