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.
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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. 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?
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!
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?
- Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It contains almost every vitamin and mineral you need.
- 1 cup of cauliflower has 25 calories, 2 grams of protein, plus vitamin c, vitamin k, B6 and many more vitamins.
- 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.
- 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:
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. Steam the cauliflower for 15 minutes for 1-2 heads, or until fork tender (extend to 17 minutes if you are using 3 heads).
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.
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.
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.
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
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!!
The Best Mashed Cauliflower
With steamed cauliflower, garlic and onion powder, butter and chives… low-carb, keto, paleo and gluten-free.
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
- Wash 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. Add the cauliflower and steam until fork tender (13-15 for 1-2 heads, or 17 minutes if you are using 3 heads).
- Remove the cauliflower from the pot and let it cool enough to handle. You can discard any of the steaming liquid that is left.
- 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.
- Add the cauliflower to a food processor then pulse and puree until nice and smooth.
- 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.
- 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
8Serving Size
5 ouncesAmount Per Serving Calories 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!
Cindy Osheroff
Recipe was easy and delicious.
holly
Yayyy! Thanks Cindy!
Robin
Can I use frozen riced cauliflower? Also I don’t have a food processor so will a mixer work? Thanks 😊
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!
Kathy Coats
Cam I use a potatoe masher
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.
Renee
This recipe is very delicious, my husband loved it!
Bryan
Hi Renee, so glad to hear that! Thanks for sharing your comment! 🙂 - H&B
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.
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!!