The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (2024)

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Not to brag, but this is literally The Best Mashed Cauliflower 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.

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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. All the decadent holiday food is behind us for another year. All 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?

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

I like what Zig Ziglar has to say… “A goal properly set is halfway reached.”

Isn’t that so true? It’s so important to customize our goals specifically for ourselves. They need to be attainable and trackable for us personally.

Defining exactly what we want to accomplish makes it so much clearer, and easier to reach. I’m really about smart goal setting to make my goals measurable, instead of vague resolutions.

You know… saying “I want to work out more” or “I want to eat healthier” isn’t really specific or clear-cut. And because of that, many times we don’t follow through.

But if you say “I want to lose 10 pounds by March 1st” - well, that’s specific and therefore something you can break down into a plan… like figuring out a new gym schedule and researching healthy recipes to add to your meal plan.

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As you can tell I’m super passionate about a New Year and all that it can mean!

And 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!

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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!!!

How to make Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes:

  1. 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. Next, add the cauliflower.

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

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  1. 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.

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  1. 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.

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A few pro tips here:

  • 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
  1. 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.

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

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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

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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!

The Best Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

How do you firm up mashed 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

Why is my cauliflower mash watery? ›

If your mashed cauliflower is too watery: Try adding in more cooked cauliflower to offset the liquid. You can also place the pot over medium-low heat and try to cook off some of the excess liquid. Stir frequently to prevent the mash from burning.

Why is mashed cauliflower good for you? ›

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.

Does cauliflower mash taste like cauliflower? ›

Sure, if you puree cauliflower and add cream, butter, and salt, you have a tasty side dish. It even looks like mashed potatoes. But mashing something doesn't transform it into a different vegetable. It will taste like what it is, no matter what form you serve it in.

What do you add to cauliflower to thicken mash? ›

Don't want to drain out all the water. Don't use cream or milk – this will result in a watery mash! Variations: Use peeled and chopped celeriac (celery root) or peeled and chopped white potatoes in place of the parsnip. Both options are higher in starch than potatoes and will help thicken the cauliflower puree.

How to make cauliflower puree Gordon Ramsay? ›

Remove the cauliflower stalks and cut them into small pieces. Heat the butter and milk in a pan and stew the cauliflower in it until softened. Add the cream and return to a high temperature. Immediately strain and liquidise the cauliflower then season and pass through a fine chinois.

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy? ›

Recipe Tips and Tricks

When you're cooking your cauliflower florets, make sure they're fork-tender before removing them from the pot. If the cauliflower isn't cooked long enough, it can make your mashed cauliflower grainy.

How do you squeeze moisture out of cauliflower? ›

Once the riced cauliflower has been cooked (or thawed), transfer it to a clean, thin dishtowel. Wrap up the steamed rice in the dishtowel, twist it up, then SQUEEZE all the excess moisture out! (Be careful if your cauliflower is still hot-- let it cool before handling.)

Is cauliflower healthier than potatoes? ›

Besides offering a lower-starch option, cauliflower also packs a lot more nutrition than a simple white potato or white rice, especially the latter.

What happens to your body when you eat cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower is high in fiber and water. Both are important for preventing constipation, maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and lowering the risk of colon cancer. Studies have shown that dietary fiber may also help regulate the immune system and inflammation.

How many times a week should you eat cauliflower? ›

At a minimum, include cruciferous vegetables as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups. Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy cauliflower and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week, and increase your serving size to 2 cups.

How do you change the taste of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

How long does cauliflower mash last in the fridge? ›

Mashed cauliflower can last up to 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. Try it with my Vegan Gravy for a totally vegetable-based meal, that's also dairy-free and gluten-free!

Why does my cauliflower taste weird? ›

It can also taste bitter from a lack of moisture, uneven watering, waiting too long to harvest, or overcooking.

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 mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

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.

How do you dry soggy cauliflower? ›

Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator. If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period. Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion.

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