Cauliflower mash

Cauliflower simmered with garlic and blended with butter until smooth, in place of mashed potatoes. Serves 4.

  • Have some energy
  • Vegan option
  • Gluten-free
  • American
  • Side
  • Vegetables
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • Meal prep
Hands-on
13 min
Total time
33 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 10 min
  • Cook 15 min
  • Clean up 8 min
Pans
1
Ingredients
5
Cost/serving
$0.88

Per serving

Calories
92
Protein
3.1 g
Fiber
3.1 g
Net carbs
5.3 g
Fat
6.1 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Vitamin C 83%, Vitamin K 33%, Folate 22%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already vegetarian, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 4

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 1 head cauliflower (600 g)

    Same amount as: about 5½ cups.

  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed (9 g)

    Same amount as: 3 tsp fresh minced garlic, 1½ tsp jarred minced garlic, ⅜ tsp garlic powder.

  • 6 cups water (1440 g)

    Same amount as: 1440 mL.

  • 2 tbsp butter (28 g)

    Same amount as: 30 mL, about ¼ stick.

  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley (3.8 g), chopped, to finish

    Same amount as: 15 mL.

  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Healthier swaps

Optional. Nutrition and cost update as you choose; the recipe was written with the original.

  • butter
    • olive oil: Much less saturated fat. Uses a little less, since oil is all fat. Best for cooking, not baking.

Quantities are for 4 servings. Keeps 4 days in the fridge. Reheat in a pan, stirring, to cook off extra water.

Nutrition Facts

4 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (521 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories92
Total fat6.1 g8%
Saturated fat3.8 g19%
Cholesterol15 mg5%
Sodium246 mg11%
Total carbohydrate8.4 g3%
Dietary fiber3.1 g11%
Total sugars2.9 g
Net carbs†5.3 g
Protein3.1 g6%
Vitamin D0.1 mcg1%
Calcium51 mg4%
Iron0.74 mg4%
Potassium466 mg10%
Vitamin A52 mcg6%
Vitamin C74 mg83%
Vitamin E0.29 mg2%
Vitamin K40 mcg33%
Thiamin (B1)0.08 mg7%
Riboflavin (B2)0.1 mg7%
Niacin (B3)0.79 mg5%
Vitamin B60.31 mg18%
Folate87 mcg22%
Vitamin B120.01 mcg0%
Magnesium27 mg7%
Zinc0.45 mg4%
Selenium1.3 mcg2%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets about the same size. Slice the stalk thin. Peel the garlic.

  2. Put the cauliflower and garlic in the pot with the water. Bring to a boil, then turn down so it bubbles gently. Simmer 10–12 minutes.

    Done looks like: A knife slides into the thickest floret with no push.
  3. Drain well. Let it sit in the colander 2 minutes so the steam carries off extra water.

  4. Put the cauliflower, garlic and butter in the blender. Blend on low, then high, until smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides once or twice.

    Done looks like: Smooth and thick, like mashed potatoes, with no lumps.
  5. Add salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.

Equipment

Large pot or Dutch oven, 5 L (5 qt) $30–80

What to look for

  • Heavy base so soups and chili do not scorch
  • Lid that fits

Skip: Enameled cast iron is lovely but not needed. A heavy stainless pot works.

Blender $30–100

What to look for

  • Handles frozen fruit without stalling
  • Jar that is easy to take apart and rinse

Skip: Expensive high-speed blenders unless you blend every day. A personal blender works for one serving.

Chef's knife, 20 cm (8 in) $15–50

What to look for

  • Comfortable handle that does not slip when wet
  • Blade you can sharpen, or a cheap one you replace every few years

Skip: Knife blocks with 12 knives. A chef's knife and a small paring knife cover almost everything.

Cutting board $10–30

What to look for

  • At least 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 in), so food stays on it
  • Wood or plastic; plastic goes in the dishwasher

Skip: Glass or stone boards. They dull knives fast.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Thin and runnyCauliflower was not drained well.Let it steam dry longer before blending. If it is already runny, cook it in a pan on medium, stirring, until thick.
LumpyFlorets undercooked or cut in very different sizes.Cut florets even and simmer until a knife slides in.
Blender lid pops offHot steam builds up.Fill the jar no more than half full, take out the centre cap and hold a folded towel over the hole.

Versions

VersionChangesPer serving
OriginalAs written. Hands-on 13 min, total 33 min.92 kcal
3.1 g protein
3.1 g fiber
5.3 g net carbs
6.1 g fat
VeganOlive oil instead of butter. Also dairy-free. Hands-on 13 min, total 33 min.101 kcal
3 g protein
3.1 g fiber
5.3 g net carbs
7.2 g fat

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.