Mashed Cauliflower

If you like mashed potatoes, you’ll love this Mashed Cauliflower. This side dish is fluffy and buttery with the slightly sweet and earthy flavor of cauliflower. Plus, it’s a low carb and keto too!

Cauliflower mash is quick and easy to make too — easier than mashed potatoes (no peeling potatoes here!) and cooks faster too. Save this recipe and serve it anytime you would serve mashed potatoes at holiday dinners and family meals!

Why You'll Love this Mashed Cauliflower

• So easy to make. Cauliflower mash is incredibly easy to make. Gather the short list of ingredients and then boil, sauté, and blend your way to cheesy, soft, pillowy clouds of mashed cauliflower. So simple!
• A great alternative to mashed potatoes. If you’re not a fan of mashed potatoes, this mashed cauliflower is an almost undetectable dupe. In fact, some people prefer mashed cauliflower to the potato version because of the cauliflower's slightly more complex flavor profile.
• It’s keto-friendly. This cauliflower mash is naturally low-carb and all of the additional ingredients (including the butter, full-fat sour cream, and parmesan cheese) are approved for a ketogenic diet. It’s the perfect keto side dish.
• Nutritious and high in fiber. In addition to naturally having a little more flavor than a potato, cauliflower is a great source of fiber. It’s also a great way to sneak one more veggie into a picky eater’s diet.

Ingredient Notes

To make this easy Cauliflower Mash, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• cauliflower - you can use fresh cauliflower or frozen, pre-cut florets for the sake of time and convenience. Whichever you prefer!
• butter - you can swap the butter for a plant-based butter alternative if you’re lactose intolerant or have a dairy sensitivity.
• garlic - fresh-minced garlic will always offer the best flavor, but you can use garlic paste or pre-minced garlic if necessary.
• sour cream - use an unflavored, dairy free greek yogurt or plant-based sour cream is a great lactose-free alternative.
• parmesan cheese - a vegan parmesan-style cheese alternative or nutritional yeast in place of the parmesan cheese.
• herbs - soft herbs like parsley, dill, chives, and basil would make beautiful (and delicious) garnishes on this mashed cauliflower.
• salt and pepper

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, cooking pot, skillet, and food processor (or blender).

How to Make the Best Mashed Cauliflower

1. Cook cauliflower. Bring a large cooking pot of salted water to boil. Add the cauliflower florets and turn the heat down to medium. Cook covered for 15 minutes until cauliflower is soft and tender. When the cauliflower is ready, remove from heat and drain.
2. Sauté garlic. While the cauliflower is cooking, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant and soft. Remove from heat and set aside.

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3. Mash. In a food processor, add the cooked cauliflower, sautéed garlic with the butter it was cooked in, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Puree on high until smooth, about 1 minute.

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4. Serve. Serve hot with a pat of butter and sprinkle some fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives or rosemary) and freshly cracked black pepper on top.

How to Serve

Mashed Cauliflower is a delicious low carb keto side dish that pairs well with almost anything you would typically serve mashed potatoes with. Try cauliflower mash with:

• Ribeye Steak or Garlic Butter Steak Bites
• Garlic Butter Salmon
• Creamy Pesto Chicken
• Instant Pot Turkey Breast
• Garlic Butter Shrimp
• Meatloaf
• Roast Beef

Storage and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Transfer leftover cauliflower mash into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat mashed cauliflower in the microwave or on the stove over low heat until warmed through. You may have to add a splash of water if it’s thickened up too much when reheating.

How to Freeze

Store leftover mashed cauliflower (once cooled to room temperature) in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container for up to 3 months. To store individual servings, freeze in separate smaller containers. You could also freeze in smaller batches on a sheet pan for 2 hours, then transfer the to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

• How to store: Transfer leftover cauliflower mash into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• How to reheat: Reheat mashed cauliflower in the microwave or on the stove over low heat until warmed through. You may have to add a splash of water if it’s thickened up too much when reheating.
• How to freeze: Store leftover mashed cauliflower (once cooled to room temperature) in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container for up to 3 months. To store individual servings, freeze in separate smaller containers. You could also freeze in smaller batches on a sheet pan for 2 hours, then transfer the to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

More Cauliflower Recipes

• Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Soup
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Baked Cauliflower Nuggets
• Cauliflower Tacos
• Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
• Spinach Feta Quiche with Cauliflower Crust

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