Did you know that when prepared correctly, mashed cauliflower has a very similar texture to mashed potatoes, not to mention a sweet and buttery taste?
I happen to love potatoes, but most of us in the U.S. are getting way too many starchy white foods in our diet anyway. (Fries anyone?)
This cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe (or “fauxtatoes” as I like to call it) is a great side dish for Thanksgiving or other holidays, or for a healthy family dinner any night of the week.
Why Eat Mashed Cauliflower (Instead of Mashed Potatoes)?
Absolutely, a potato has some nutritional benefits and a baked potato beats processed Frankenstein “foods” every time. Still, it can’t top cauliflower from a health perspective.
Here’s why cauliflower rules:
- Lower Carbohydrate Load – According to the USDA website, one small potato contains over 20 grams of carbohydrates. Cauliflower, in comparison? A mere 5.3 grams. We absolutely need carbohydrates for energy, but consuming too many can work against us. These Paleo “potatoes” protect blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that take a toll on health.
- Fewer Pesticides – Potatoes rank high on the list of foods heavily sprayed with pesticides. In fairness, non-organic cauliflower is on the list as well but ranks much lower (better). When organic isn’t available, cauliflower is a better choice.
- Balanced Protein and Fiber – A white potato appears to win this one, with a few tenths of a gram more protein than cauliflower and about the same amount of fiber (if you eat the skin). On the other hand, cauliflower does offer a more balanced amino acid profile.
- Nutrient Dense – It’s true potatoes pack a lot of vitamin C and a good amount of B6, potassium, and iron. Still, just a cup of cauliflower contains almost 30 mg more vitamin C than a potato, comparable levels of B6 and folate, and an extra dose of vitamin K. (To give potatoes their due, they are higher in potassium than cauliflower … again, only if you eat the skin.)
So how to win your family over to this better-for-you mashed potato alternative?
Here’s how:
How to Make Perfect Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes (Kids Will Eat!)
This is one substitute that I think actually tastes better than the original recipe! In fact, a friend made these for her husband and he even didn’t realize it was actually cauliflower. Veggies for the win!
Most kids won’t flinch at the difference, and you can rest happy knowing you are squeezing in extra nutrients. Top with melted cheese and even the most adamant of veggie haters will give it a try.
Incidentally, we love to use cauliflower to make Paleo “rice” also.
Here’s how to make cauliflower mashed potatoes that are truly guest (and kid) worthy:
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 heads fresh cauliflower roughly chopped into uniform, large pieces OR 1-2 bags frozen
- 4 TBSP butter
- 2 TBSP cream cheese or sour cream optional
- 2 TBSP or more Parmesan grated (optional)
- salt pepper, garlic powder, and other spices to taste
Instructions
- Add cauliflower and cook until tender.
- Drain well.
- Transfer cooked cauliflower to large bowl and add butter and optional cream cheese or sour cream and Parmesan.
- Use immersion blender or hand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy. This is the most important step ... chunks of cauliflower are a giveaway!
- Sprinkle with extra cheese if desired and serve warm.
- Top with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a nice garnish!
Notes
- Wash and quarter cauliflower, removing leaves and stem.
- Add steamer/trivet basket to Instant Pot along with 1 cup water.
- Add cauliflower pieces.
- Set to manual high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Manually vent/release pressure.
- Open, drain, and remove inner basket.
- Gently squeeze any remaining liquid out of cauliflower and return to pot.
- Add other ingredients and whip until creamy!
Nutrition
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Tips for Success
If you’ve tried making mashed cauliflower potatoes before and didn’t love the result, don’t be afraid to try again using the following tips:
- Be sure to drain the cooked cauliflower well and squeeze out any additional liquid before the mashing and whipping step
- Don’t just mash, whip! My preferred method is an immersion blender right in the pot to get the “potatoes” nice and airy.
- Dress it up! Top with grass-fed butter, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and/or fresh or dried herbs.
Mashed Cauliflower Variations
Dairy Free Mashed Cauliflower
I haven’t personally made this recipe dairy-free (here’s my take on that), but reputable brands of butter-flavored coconut oil along with a little coconut milk to lighten up the texture would probably work well. (p.s. If you’re suspicious about “flavored” coconut oil here’s one explanation.)
Instant Pot and Other Cooking Options
When I first posted this recipe I got a few questions about why I boil the cauliflower instead of steaming to preserve nutrients. I get the best texture results preparing the cauliflower this way, but as long as you start with tender (but not overcooked and mushy) cauliflower, pretty much any cooking method will work. (I take it back … no microwaving!)
The Instant Pot is a great solution to this debate and actually does a great job of preserving nutrients. If you’re new to it, here’s where I weigh in on my favorite Instant Pot model and cooking tips!
Will you try this mashed cauliflower recipe instead of mashed potatoes? If you’re a mashed cauliflower believer, have any tips to share? Please let me know in the comments!
Be careful about serving this unannounced to extended family. Some of our bodies do not like cauliflower. I would like to taste it but I wouldn’t eat more than a small taste if I was not home to deal with the consequences.
Can you freeze the remainder of the mashed cauliflower?
I would think steaming the veggie would be better than boiling them less nutrients lost in the water. I am thinking if you do not have a really good immersion blender or vita mix, putting the cauliflower though a food mill first would make it easier to get creamy result from a regular blender. I am going to try doing this tonight.
Yes I made the cauliflower recipe the other evening and I actually steamed it so the nutrients were left in it and it was just as tender that is the way to go steaming so simple
I put my broccoflower in the Vitamix – silky smooth texture and looked like an avocado smoothie!
I saved the water the broccoflower was boiled in. Seems there would be plenty of nutrients still in that water, right? I drank some just as is/was, then I used it to water down some store bought beet juice that was too sweet.
Could I add a little broccoli to this and still have the same outcome? We love broccoli so I was thinking texture wise it may work
I just made this…I’m embarking on a Ketogenic way of eating…anyway, it’s delicious – super quick and easy. I’m so excited. Thank you 🙂
I would like to make this and cauliflower rice more often but there is an issue with the price of the vegetable up here during the off season…which is most of the year! Has anyone had success with freezing raw, pre-grated cauliflower? I tried freezing blanched chunks once and they tasted really weird after a only a month or two. Not freezer burn or anything, just weird…and very watery so I’ve been afraid to try again.
I don’t know if it would work or not with cauliflower, but with mashed potatoes, I use cottage cheese instead of sour cream. I don’t even like cottage cheese, but I LOVE it with potatoes, and it is a much healthier substitute for sour cream.
These (as well as cauliflower rice) have become a favorite in our house! It’s great because it tastes just like its starchy counterpart, goes well with anything, it’s great for my diabetic dad, and even the non-paleo members of my family like it!
I have a question would you use. Regular sour cream or low fat? And what is a healthy butter?
Regular sour cream and healthy butter is from grassed cows, raw if possible 🙂