The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 8 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Not to brag, but this is literally The Best Mashed Cauliflower recipe of all time! With steamed cauliflower, garlic and onion powder, butter, and chives… It’s a delicious and healthy alternative to regular mashed potatoes. AND it’s low-carb, keto, paleo, and gluten-free.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (1)
Jump to:
  • How healthy is cauliflower?
  • How to make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes:
  • Tips For Success:
  • Leftovers and Storing
  • The Best Mashed Cauliflower

Happy New Year my friends!!!

For me, there is something so refreshing about a New Year. It’s like a clean slate, a fresh start, and hitting the reset button!

All the decorations and clutter have been put away. The decadent holiday food is behind us for another year. The parties and festivities have come to an end so we can get back to our routines.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not a humbug, I do enjoy the holidays! But at some point I’m just craving salads and a good sweat session at the gym.

What about you? Are you excited about 2020?

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (2)

Have you taken the time to set any new goals or make some resolutions?

Like saving money, working out, eating healthier, or losing weight?

If you did set a goal to eat healthier - I’m so your girl! I believe you can eat things that are good for you, and still thoroughly enjoy them.

Which leads me to today’s recipe… The Best Mashed Cauliflower – everrr!

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (3)

You may have noticed cauliflower seems to be a healthy food trend these days. You’ve got cauliflower rice, cauliflower pizza crust, roasted cauliflower, cauliflower crackers, buffalo cauliflower, cauliflower soup,and of course cauliflower mashed potatoes aka mashed cauliflower.

How healthy is cauliflower?

  1. Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It contains almost every vitamin and mineral you need.
  2. 1 cup of cauliflower has 25 calories, 2 grams of protein, plus vitamin c, vitamin k, B6 and many more vitamins.
  3. Cauliflower has great fiber content (3 grams of fiber in 1 cup) which helps with digestion, keeps you satiated for a long time, and helps protect the lining of your stomach.
  4. 1 cup of cauliflower only has 5 grams of carbohydrates so it’s a good option for people following a low glycemic diet due to health conditions like diabetes, or those pursuing a low-carb/keto diet. I mean lifestyle.😊

So you can see why this pale veggie is so popular and such a great alternative to other higher carb foods.

And if all that wasn’t enough - it’s absolutely delicious! Especially when it’s turned into cauliflower mashed “potatoes”!

Get excited people!!! You're gonna love this mashed cauliflower recipe!

How to make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes:

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (4)

Start by washing the head of cauliflower. Then remove the leaves and the hard stem and break or cut it into florets. Add a steamer insert to a large soup pot. Then add 2 cups of water, cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (5)

Next, add the cauliflower. Steam the cauliflower for 15 minutes for 1-2 heads, or until fork tender (extend to 17 minutes if you are using 3 heads).

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (6)

Remove the cauliflower from the pot and let it cool enough to handle. You can discard any of the steaming liquid that is left. Wrap the steamed cauliflower florets in a thin cotton kitchen towel.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (7)

Give the cauliflower 5 good squeezes over the kitchen sink to remove some of the liquid. This will help the finished product have a texture that is more like real mashed potatoes.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (8)

Add the cauliflower to a food processor then pulse and puree until nice and smooth. Then add the melted butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder and blend until well combined. You may need to stop and scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor to make sure everything is well incorporated.

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (9)

Stir in some chopped chives and top with a thin slice of butter… Mmmmm, it’s so good!

Tips For Success:

  • Keep in mind that cauliflower is full of water. One cup of cauliflower produces more than ¼ cup of water!
  • If you prefer a thinner consistency for your mashed cauliflower, then there’s no need to squeeze any water out of the cauliflower.
  • And one more thing I should mention… the towel you use to squeeze the water out of the cauliflower should be rinsed out by hand really well. It will have a very strong sulfurous scent and should be rinsed before you wash it in the washing machine. Trust me I learned the hard way. Lol
The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (10)

Leftovers and Storing

You can store the mashed cauliflower in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just reheat it in the microwave.

This is truly The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe of all time! It’s garlicy, buttery and so smooth with a hint of natural sweetness.

I can’t wait for you to try this healthy yumminess!!

Yield: 8 servings

The Best Mashed Cauliflower

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (11)

With steamed cauliflower, garlic and onion powder, butter and chives… low-carb, keto, paleo and gluten-free.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2½ pounds Cauliflower (3 heads)
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter (2 melted and 1 for garnish), (Use Ghee or clarified butter if following a paleo diet)
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Instructions

  1. Wash the head of cauliflower. Then remove the leaves and the hard stem and break or cut it into florets.
  2. Add a steamer insert to a large soup pot. Then add 2 cups of water, cover, and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the cauliflower and steam until fork tender (13-15 for 1-2 heads, or 17 minutes if you are using 3 heads).
  3. Remove the cauliflower from the pot and let it cool enough to handle. You can discard any of the steaming liquid that is left.
  4. Add the steamed cauliflower florets to a thin cotton kitchen towel and give it 5 good squeezes to remove some of the liquid. This will make the texture more like real mashed potatoes.
  5. Add the cauliflower to a food processor then pulse and puree until nice and smooth.
  6. Next, add the melted butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder and blend until well combined. You may need to stop and scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor to make sure everything is well incorporated.
  7. Stir in the chopped chives and add a slice of butter on top.

Notes

You can also store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

5 ounces

Amount Per ServingCalories 72Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 11mgSodium 388mgCarbohydrates 6gNet Carbohydrates 3gFiber 3gSugar 3gProtein 3g

This nutrition card uses an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. This estimate is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice!

« 30-Minute Mongolian Beef

»

Sign up to get our new recipes in your inbox...

AND get our free Mexican Fiesta eCookbook!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin

    Can I use frozen riced cauliflower? Also I don’t have a food processor so will a mixer work? Thanks 😊

    Reply

    • holly

      Hello Robin, I haven't tried using frozen cauliflower but I'm sure it would work! Also a blender or a mixer should work just fine!

      Reply

      • Kathy Coats

        Cam I use a potatoe masher

        Reply

        • holly

          Hi Kathy, you could definitely give it a try. It might be as smooth as it would be if you used a food processor. Let me know how it goes.

          Reply

  2. Renee

    This recipe is very delicious, my husband loved it!

    Reply

    • Bryan

      Hi Renee, so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing your comment! 🙂 - H&B

      Reply

  3. Rebecca DeKryger Maddox

    Dear Holly, Just to let you know that your dishes are delicious and attractive. You have often given me inspiration when planning a meal! Thank you and please keep it up! Your new look is gorgeous, and best wishes to you! Sincerely, Becky.

    Reply

    • holly

      Hi Becky, thanks so much for reaching out - your support and kind words spur me on to keep doing what I do! I love hearing that my recipes and photos give you inspiration. Happy New Year and stay tuned for more deliciousness!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

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.

Is mashed cauliflower any good? ›

Sure, it's not quite the same as the sour cream-laden potatoes Jack enjoyed as a kid, but it's still really darn good. This mashed cauliflower has a light and fluffy texture, with a rich, nutty flavor from roasted garlic and a little butter.

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.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? If you don't cook the cauliflower through so it's nice and soft, it will be grainy when you blend it up. It also could be grainy if you don't blend it enough. These aren't mashed potatoes so you can blend for as long as it takes to get them nice and creamy.

How do you keep mashed cauliflower from being watery? ›

Cauliflower is generally served as a puree because of this very reason, It has less starch than potato, so you don't get the same texture. One thing you might try after boiling and draining, is leaving the florets in a pan on low heat to gently dry them.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them. Michael Marks is the marketing manager for FreshPoint.

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

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

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.

Is cauliflower better for you than potato? ›

Nutritionally, cauliflower is lighter in calories and carbs than potatoes and is more nutrient-dense. That's why it's popular among the low carb and weight loss communities.

Does cauliflower mash freeze well? ›

Yes, you can freeze cauliflower mash. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

What happens when cauliflower goes bad? ›

If instead of pale brown, the spots are dark brown to black in color, the curds have taken on a mushy texture, or have an off-putting odor, it's best to toss the head of cauliflower and get a fresh one. These are all signs of decay and spoilage.

Does cauliflower mash taste like potato? ›

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!

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.)

Why does cooked cauliflower taste bitter? ›

The results showed that neoglucobrassicin and sinigrin were responsible for the bitterness of cooked cauliflower.

Why does my mash taste watery? ›

If you're staring down at a bowl of white liquid and wondering what went wrong, ask yourself these questions: Did I use soggy potatoes? It's essential to drain and dry your potatoes well after you've cooked them in water. If you don't, all that excess moisture will have nowhere to go once you start mashing.

How do you thicken cauliflower? ›

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 stiffen mashed? ›

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.

Why is my cauliflower not softening? ›

"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. Be sure to check them before you turn the oven off and give them extra time if they are still too firm.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5946

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.