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Home ยป Weeknight Meals ยป 30 Minutes or Less

The Best 5-Ingredient Keto Creamy Cauliflower Mash

by lena

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The Best 5-Ingredient Keto Creamy Cauliflower Mash takes less time to prepare than traditional mashed potatoes and is way healthier! Made with steamed cauliflower, butter, cheese, and salt, this low-carb side dish is perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.

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Black bowl filled with mashed cauliflower with fresh dill and butter on top.

Push the potatoes aside because weโ€™re making The Best 5-Ingredient Keto Creamy Cauliflower Mash instead. This low-carb side dish is rich, creamy, soft, and out of this world buttery. Ready in less time than it takes to make mashed potatoes, this new staple recipe can easily become a permanent part of your weekly meal prep.

Black bowl filled with mashed cauliflower with fresh dill and butter on top.

A low-carb cauliflower mash doesnโ€™t need much to help it taste amazing. Just like your favorite mashed potatoes, this easy recipe is made with butter, cheese, and a handful of seasonings for full flavors. 

Keto and low-carb lovers arenโ€™t the only ones who will get a kick out of mashed cauliflower. Itโ€™s a healthy option you can serve to fit with your New Yearโ€™s goals, for the holidays, or when you need a quick side dish during busy weekdays. Serve it next to a ribeye steak, salmon patties, or green vegetables for a nutritious and delicious dinner.

Black bowl filled with mashed cauliflower with fresh dill and butter on top.

Does cooked cauliflower taste like mashed potatoes?

Whether youโ€™re sticking to a keto/low-carb diet or not, mashed cauliflower is delicious, light, and just as creamy as traditional mashed potatoes. The biggest difference is that the nutritious and light cauliflower wonโ€™t weigh you down as much as the starchy potatoes. 

Mashed cauliflower is mixed with butter, cream cheese, and salt to add fat and flavor. Just like with mashed potatoes, you need this fat the create a creamy texture, cut down on the starch, and to help the side dish taste its best. Itโ€™s even better when you add the extras, like roasted garlic, dill, butter, sour cream, or chives!

Chopping cauliflower on a wood cutting board. Small bowls with butter, cheese, and cream cheese on the side

What you need to make keto cauliflower mash

  • Cauliflower – The best hack to making a quick cauliflower mash is buying pre-cut cauliflower! If youโ€™re looking to save time, just cut the florets away from the cauliflower and keep them in the fridge until youโ€™re ready to make this recipe.
  • Butter – Just like the best-mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash needs butter! It adds delicious fat and flavor to each bite and helps achieve that silky smooth texture.
  • Cream cheese – This helps give the mash its creamy texture while holding everything together. It also adds a sweet and tangy flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese – For added creaminess and flavor. Always use freshly grade for best results.
  • Sea salt – Just a pinch or two will do!

How to make keto mashed cauliflower on the stove

  1. Steam the cauliflower: Place a steaming basket over a large pot filled with water. Boil the water and add the cauliflower florets into the basket. Cover with a lid and cook until fork tender.
  2. Mash and season the cauliflower: Add the soft cauliflower, butter, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese to a food processor and puree until smooth. Taste it as you blend and add in salt or any other seasonings as needed.

Tips and tricks

  • Creamy cauliflower mash starts with the steam. Boiling cauliflower in water will make it wet and mushy instead of soft and creamy. Cauliflower thatโ€™s been steamed will dry as it cools down and absorbs moisture.
  • Let the cauliflower sit in a colander or strainer after itโ€™s done steaming. Letting the steamed cauliflower sit for a few minutes will help it retain heat and moisture, and prevent the mash from being watery.
  • If the mash does turn out watery or thin, you can thicken it by stirring in more cream cheese until you reach the desired consistency.
  • If you donโ€™t have a food processor, make the mash using an immersion blender or a regular blender. If you like a bit more texture, use a potato masher instead. 
Close up of mashed cauliflower with dill and melted butter on top

Recipe variations

  • You can roast the cauliflower instead of steaming to add layers of flavor. Toss it in a little olive oil and roast the florets on a baking sheet at 450ยบF for about 30 minutes.
  • Season the mash with any herbs you like, such as dill, chives, parsley, or crispy herbs like sage.
  • Add more flavor or texture to the mash by stirring in roasted garlic, bacon, fresh parsley, or more cheese.
  • Looking for dairy-free mashed cauliflower? Replace the cheese and butter with olive oil or plant-based butter and cream cheese.

Can you make creamy mashed cauliflower ahead of time?

Yes, you can make a cauliflower mash ahead of time! Save time by separating the florets away from the cauliflower head days before making this recipe. Then you can make the mash and keep it in your fridge for a few days or even freeze it (see directions below)!

Can you freeze cauliflower mash?

I would recommend freezing your mash before adding the cream cheese. The texture just wonโ€™t be the same once it thaws because dairy just isnโ€™t great at freezing. Instead, make the mash without the cream cheese and freeze in a ziploc bag.

Black bowl filled with mashed cauliflower with fresh dill and butter on top.

What goes well with keto cauliflower mash?

Serve this creamy keto side dish with these delicious recipes and more:

  • Herbed Prime Rib Roast
  • Keto Baked Salmon
  • Grilled Flank Steak
  • Greek Chicken Kabobs
  • Crab Stuffed Salmon

The Best 5-Ingredient Keto Creamy Cauliflower Mash

4.6 from 19 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lena Gladstone
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
The Best 5-Ingredient Keto Creamy Cauliflower Mash takes less time to prepare than traditional mashed potatoes and is way healthier! Made with steamed cauliflower, butter, cheese, and salt, this low-carb side dish is perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cauliflower florets or one large head
  • 5 tbsp unsalted butter divided, cut into smaller chunks
  • 3 oz cream cheese cut into smaller chunks
  • 2 cups parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt more to taste
  • 2 tbsp dill for garnish

Instructions

  • If using a whole head of cauliflower, remove florets from head and cut into similar size pieces.
  • In a large pot or pan add water up to the steamer basket fitted over it. Bring water to a boil.
  • Add the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket. Cover the steamer basket with a lid. Lower the temperature and bring water to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes, until cauliflower is fork-tender.
  • In a food processor, add the cauliflower, 3 tablespoons of butter, salt, cream cheese.
  • Puree for a few minutes on high, until smooth. Scrape the sides as needed and finish blending until fully pureed.
  • Add parmesan cheese and blend to combine. Adjust salt to taste.
  • Sprinkle with chopped dill or another fresh herb of choice. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter on top if you'd like. Serve hot and enjoy.

Notes

Make ahead: Separate the florets away from the cauliflower head days before making this recipe. Then you can make the mash and keep it in your fridge for a few days or even freeze it.
Freezing: Freeze theย mash before adding the cream cheese. The texture just wonโ€™t be the same once it thaws because dairy just isnโ€™t great at freezing. Instead, make the mash without the cream cheese and freeze in a ziploc bag.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30 minute meal, appetizer, cauliflower, cauliflower mash, cauliflower recipe, gluten free, keto, keto dinner, low carb, side dish, sides

Nutrition

Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1352mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1129IU | Vitamin C: 72mg | Calcium: 650mg | Iron: 1mg

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Recipe Rating




Reviews
Questions

Comments

  1. Sheila K

    at

    5 stars
    These were so delicious. I used them as a base for pot roast. The texture is exactly like mashed potato. The food processor made them silky smooth. I also added a spoonful of your garlic sauce (toume) to them to make them extra tasty. Itโ€™s my favorite condiment

    Reply
    • lena

      at

      I’m so happy you are loving the recipe and used it with some yummy meat. Glad to see you added some garlic sauce too, great move. happy Cooking!

  2. Peggy

    at

    5 stars
    Awesome! Replaced potatoes for our Thanksgiving dinner. My husband is a diabetic, so this was a great alternative. Might fold in some crumbed bacon and some chives next time.

    Reply
    • lena

      at

      Ohh I am so happy you loved this recipe Peggy. And the addition of bacon crumbles sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing your review.

  3. Katie

    at

    Hi Lena, how much olive oil would I use if Iโ€™m replacing the butter and cream cheese? Thank you! I tried the original recipe and it was delicious but my husband is lactose intolerant so thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m asking. ?

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Hi Katie, you can use Miyoko’s vegan butter to replace the butter and a vegan Kitehill cream cheese also. The two brands I have tried for dairy-free options that are really tasty. They will just make the creamiest versions instead of olive oil. Or you can just add one tablespoon of good olive oil at a time and taste accordingly.

    • lena

      at

      You can use alternative butter and cream cheese, Olive oil will make it runny.

  4. Mari

    at

    5 stars
    This was so great and delicious! Quick and easy, made this with the Parmesan salmon.

    Reply
  5. Denise A.

    at

    5 stars
    Wow. So easy and so delicious! Truly thought I was eating mashed potatoes which made me so happy! You will not regret making this recipe!!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Denise, I am so thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! I am making another version of this but loaded with other goodness… and using purple cauliflower next. It’s definitely going to be a show stopper.

  6. Alina

    at

    5 stars
    Hi Lena!
    Tried this cauliflower mash today and it was super delicious! Thank you very much for this amazing recipe.

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Alina, I am so happy this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! You are so welcome. Thank you for trying it.

    • lena

      at

      So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it!

  7. Olga

    at

    5 stars
    This cauliflower mash was so delicious. We pared it with duck it was perfectly creamy and tasty!

    Reply
    • lenaskitchen

      at

      Olga, what a treat, I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try!

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Welcome, glad you’re here!

Hi, Iโ€™m Lena Gladstone, the recipe developer and food photographer behind Lenaโ€™s Kitchen. Here you will find approachable food recipes to share with the whole family. Keto friendly, weeknight dinners all made with fresh ingredients.ย Click here to learn more!

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