If you are looking for a great recipe to replace traditional mashed potatoes then this recipe for Garlic Mashed Cauliflower the perfect low carb alternative. This creamy mashed cauliflower recipe is steamed with whole garlic cloves and processed with browned butter making the perfect side dish your whole family will love.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Simple ingredients: you only need 3 ingredients to make the best mashed cauliflower recipe!
Easy side dish: cauliflower florets are steamed in the microwave for a delicious side dish in just 10 minutes!
Keto diet friendly: this garlic cauliflower mash will become one of your favorite low carb cauliflower recipes.
🥘 Ingredients
Fresh cauliflower: I look for a large head of cauliflower without blemishes.
Fresh garlic cloves: you will want to use whole garlic cloves.
Butter: you can use salted or unsalted butter. If using salted butter, be sure to taste test the cauliflower mash before adding additional salt.
Pink Sea Salt and black pepper: used to taste.
🔪 Instructions
- Place cauliflower florets and whole garlic cloves in microwave steamer basket.
- Add water to bottom of steamer basket and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes, until cauliflower is fork tender.
- While cauliflower cooks, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook butter until it starts to foam and begins to brown. Swirl pan often to mix butter.
- When you see the brown solids forming in the bottom of the pan, remove from heat and set aside.
- Swirl the butter again and a little butter (about 1 tablespoon) to use as a drizzle over top of the cauliflower in the serving bowl.
- Place cooked cauliflower in food processor with additional salt and black pepper (if using).
- Process cauliflower mixture until it has a smooth and creamy texture.
- Spoon garlic mashed cauliflower into a serving bowl and drizzle with reserved butter.
🥄 Equipment
Small saucepan: to brown the butter.
Food processor: I find the food processor does the job fast, but you can use an immersion blender for the same results. Feel free to use a potato masher, but expect the cauliflower mash recipe to be lumpier and not as creamy as traditional mashed potatoes.
Rubber scraper: to scrape down the sides of the food processor.
Cutting board
Chef knife
🥫Storage
Refrigerate: store leftover mashed cauliflower in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Freeze: can be stored in an airtight freezer safe container up to 3 months.
Reheat: warm thawed cauliflower mash in the microwave until warmed through.
📖 Variations
- You can boil cauliflower instead of steaming, just place florets in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil then turn heat down to simmer and cook cauliflower for 7-8 minutes, until fork tender.
- Use a vegan butter for a completely plant based recipe.
- Leave the garlic cloves out of the steamer. Roast a whole head of garlic and add roasted garlic to the steamed cauliflower with the butter before pureeing.
- Substitute sour cream or softened cream cheese for the butter.
- Add ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese to the steamed cauliflower before processing.
💭 Tips
- Make sure the cauliflower is fork-tender. It will easily break apart when pierced with a fork.
- If you want to add a roasted flavor to this dish, roast the cauliflower in your oven instead until cooked instead of steaming it int he microwave.
📚 Related Recipes
This Coconut Cauliflower Rice is steamed with coconut milk for exceptional flavor!
Red and White Cauliflower Bake is a delicious vegan recipe the whole family will love!
I cannot get enough of these Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos!
Cauliflower Fried Rice is another favorite low carb side dish recipe.
Try these Mayonnaise Mashed Potatoes for a taste of the real deal.
🍽 Serve with...
Serve this healthy side dish drizzled with browned butter and chopped chives.
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📖 Recipe
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower with Browned Butter
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Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 3 large garlic cloves
- ½ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Place cauliflower florets and whole garlic cloves in microwave steamer basket.
- Add water to bottom of steamer basket and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes, until cauliflower is fork tender.
- While cauliflower cooks, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook butter until it starts to foam and begins to brown. Swirl pan often to mix butter.
- When you see the brown solids forming in the bottom of the pan, remove from heat and set aside.
- Swirl the butter again and a little butter (about 1 tablespoon) to use as a drizzle over top of the cauliflower in the serving bowl.
- Place cooked cauliflower in food processor with additional salt and black pepper (if using).
- Process cauliflower mixture until it has a smooth and creamy texture.
- Spoon garlic mashed cauliflower into a serving bowl and drizzle with reserved butter.
