• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Genetic Chef

  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Sides

    Simple Creamy Cauliflower Mash

    Published: Oct 24, 2022 by Natalie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

    A simple, creamy cauliflower mash that makes a perfect substitution for mashed potatoes. A delicious low-carb or keto alternative to mashed potatoes.

    A white bowl filled with creamy cauliflower mash with a garnish of chives.

    First of all, let’s make one thing clear. Just because we’re substituting cauliflower for the potatoes in this recipe doesn’t mean that potatoes aren’t healthy. Poor potatoes get such a bad wrap because they’re thought of as fattening. As a simple potato, they’re great, good for you (as is), and there are a million ways to prepare them. It’s all the butter, cream, sour cream, bacon, (etc.), we add to potatoes that give them a bad reputation. Therefore, just to be clear and transparent, all we are doing is exchanging the potato for the cauliflower. Ok? Ok.

    I created this recipe for my best friend who, believe it or not, doesn’t like potatoes. It’s amazing we’re still friends, because really, who doesn’t like potatoes? Regardless, I needed to come up with a substitution that would taste just as amazing as my mashed potatoes and keep them (and me) happy. Well, here it is.

    Cooking the cauliflower:

    You can absolutely steam these but if you don’t have a steamer, we are going to add just enough water to cover the florets and boil them in salted water until fork tender. I don’t say knife tender so if you stick something with a knife, it’s going in right? I mean, it’s a knife! Yes, I know there will be some resistance but why not just use a fork? Fork it! And if it goes in and out easily, it’s fork tender. 

    We’re also going to boil a few garlic cloves with the cauliflower to add flavor. Now, if my friend didn’t like garlic, that would be a deal breaker. Bye, bye.

    After the cauliflower is tender, drain it and add everything back into the pot. Next, turn on the heat to medium or so and stir. We want most of the water gone. If there is still water on bottom of pan, keep stirring. We don’t want anything to brown, we just want the water gone. So do this and please don’t walk away. Stir and keep stirring.

    Once you can spread the cauliflower and see no water on the bottom, add the butter and stir until it’s melted. Then add the cream. Stir that in as well. Now we blend. 

    Closeup of mashed cauliflower with a few chives.

    You can use an immersion blender for easy cleanup. You’ll probably need to tilt the pan to give the blender enough depth to blend. You can also add everything into a food processor and process until smooth. Or, if you like a little chunky, mash it in the pan.

    Serve with a little more melted butter and some chopped chives for garnish - or not - it’s up to you.

    If you love this simple creamy cauliflower mash, then try:

    Creamy cheese cauliflower gratin

    Simple roasted cauliflower with lemon garlic dressing

    Silky smooth cauliflower soup

    Curry roasted cauliflower

    Cauliflower pancakes - a Peruvian dish that’s super delicious

    Closeup of mashed cauliflower with a few chives.

    Life is too short for mediocre food.

    Have you seen these?

    • 30 MINUTE SOUR CREAM DROP BISCUITS
    • SUPER SIMPLE STRAWBERRY JAM BARS
    • DELICIOUS HEALTHY CURRY ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
    • IRISH SODA BREAD (BAKED IN A DUTCH OVEN)
    A white bowl filled with creamy cauliflower mash with a garnish of chives.

    Simple Creamy Cauliflower Mash

    PRINT PIN
    A simple, creamy cauliflower mash that’s delicious and makes a perfect substitution for mashed potatoes. This is a great alternative for someone watching their carbs - and it tastes great!
    Serves 4 - 6 as a side.
    Course: Side
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Cauliflower
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Author: Natalie Gregory

    Ingredients

    • 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
    • 3 - 4 cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ¼ cup heavy cream
    • Kosher salt to taste
    • Pepper
    • A few chopped chives for garnish (Optional)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Boil cauliflower florets and garlic cloves in a large pot with just enough water to cover. Add a few good pinches of kosher salt. Boil for 10 - 15 minutes until fork tender.
    • Drain well and add the contents back into the pot.
    • Over medium high heat, stir constantly until all the excess water has evaporated, as we don’t want anything to brown. We just want all the excess water gone.
    • Once you stir and see no more water on the bottom of the pan, add the butter and mix it in. Once melted, stir in the cream.
    • You can mash this in the pot until creamy or transfer into a food processer and process until creamy and smooth. You can also use an immersion blender but you’ll have to tilt the pan while blending to give the blender enough depth to blend.
    • Taste and adjust with salt and pepper to your taste. Remember, we already seasoned the cooking water so taste before adjusting for salt.
    • Serve with additional melted butter drizzled on top and some chop chives, if desired.
    Did you make this recipe? Tag @thegeneticchef and use #thegeneticchef and tell me all about it!

    More Cauliflower Recipes

    • Simple Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Garlic Dressing
    • Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin
    • Silky Smooth Cauliflower Soup
    • Cauliflower Pancakes (Torrejas de Coliflor)

    More Sides

    • ROASTED PARMESAN POTATO WEDGES
    • Greek Lemon Potatoes - ELLINIKOS LEMONI PATATAS
    • Charred Broccoli with Italian Dressing
    • Green Beans Almondine (Green Beans with Almonds)

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Natalie

    I'm Natalie a.k.a The Genetic Chef. Here you will find from scratch family recipes coupled with humor, helpful tips, and product recommendations.

    More about me →

    Categories

    AMAZON ASSOCIATES DISCLOSURE

    The Genetic Chef is an Amazon affiliate. If you click through to Amazon from my website, I get a small commission at no cost to you which helps me keep this site going. Thank you for your support!

    Visit My Shop!

    Product Recommendations

    Vitamix 5200 Blender

    Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor

    KitchenAid 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series

    Breville Smart Oven Pro

    Le Creuset 7-1/4-Quart (Dutch) Oven

    Duralex Stackable 9-Piece Bowl Set

    Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    Nordic Ware Baker's Half Sheet

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Privacy Policy

    Subscribe

    Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 TheGeneticChef

    Foodie Pro Theme