Soft Garlic Cauliflower Mash

Featured in Family Dinners.

This silky cauliflower mash hits the spot! Ready in half an hour. Roasted garlic makes it bold, and butter adds a creamy kick. Used a stick blender for smoothness. My low-carb circle raved about it, but honestly, everyone loves it. A cozy, healthy side that’s as good as real mashed spuds.
A woman wearing an apron and smiling.
Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 04:25:01 GMT
A bowl of fluffy cauliflower mash topped with melted butter, black pepper, and chives. Pin it
A bowl of fluffy cauliflower mash topped with melted butter, black pepper, and chives. | tasteofmoms.com

Need a healthier spin on cozy comfort dishes? This velvety cauliflower puree will totally change your view on veggies. When butter meets roasted garlic, they create such incredible flavor that your guests won't even think about potatoes. I bring this to family gatherings and everyone bugs me for my secrets.

Why You Should Give This Dish A Try

This recipe fits right into keto or low carb eating plans, which you'll absolutely adore. You can whip it up in under 20 minutes using stuff already in your kitchen. The nutty taste from roasted garlic makes regular mashed potatoes seem bland in comparison.

Ingredients You'll Need

Grab a nice cauliflower head that we'll soften until it's perfectly tender. Roasted garlic is the game-changer that brings amazing depth. Don't forget some butter for that luxurious mouthfeel, a bit of Dijon mustard for tang, plus salt and pepper to your liking. I love throwing fresh chives on top for a pop of green and their subtle onion kick.

Cooking Instructions

Start by cooking cauliflower in salted water for roughly 10 minutes until it's fork-tender. Make sure to drain it thoroughly. Dump your cauliflower, roasted garlic, butter, mustard and seasonings into a food processor. Pulse until everything turns wonderfully smooth. Scatter fresh chives on top and serve while it's still steaming hot.

Storage Solutions

Your mash will stay tasty for up to 3 days when kept in a sealed container in your fridge. Just warm it in the microwave or heat it up in a 350°F oven with the dish covered. I often make this ahead for big gatherings since it warms up beautifully right before dinner time.

Kitchen Tricks I've Learned

Crazy about garlic? Just toss in twice as much. If you don't eat animal products, any good plant butter works perfectly too. For bigger parties, just scale up all ingredients and work in batches with your blender. Want something less smooth? Try using a stick blender instead for more texture in your finished dish.

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with olive oil, black pepper, and chopped chives, surrounded by garlic cloves and a small bowl of pepper. Pin it
A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with olive oil, black pepper, and chopped chives, surrounded by garlic cloves and a small bowl of pepper. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the best way to check if the cauliflower is ready?
The florets should feel soft enough for a knife to go through with no problem. This usually means about 10 minutes of boiling.
→ Can I make this in advance?
Yep, you can prepare it up to 2 days early. Seal it tight in the fridge and warm it up gently in a pan or microwave. A bit more butter helps freshen it up.
→ What if I don’t have roasted garlic?
No problem! Sauté raw garlic in butter until it's soft—2 or 3 minutes should do. Keep in mind, fresh garlic is stronger than roasted, so stick to 2-3 cloves.
→ Why does my cauliflower mash turn watery?
Drain the cauliflower fully after cooking. Let it chill in the colander for a few minutes to lose the extra moisture before blending.
→ Can I scale this up for a crowd?
Definitely! Just puree the cauliflower in parts for smooth texture, and tweak seasonings little by little so it tastes perfect.

Creamy Garlic Mash

This buttery mashed cauliflower is full of roasted garlic flavor. Done in 20 minutes, it's a great low-carb option for everyday meals or special occasions.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Family Dinners

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 cups)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons butter, melted.
02 Chives for topping (optional).
03 7 cloves of garlic, roasted.
04 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt (sea salt preferred).
05 1 medium cauliflower head (about 2 pounds), chopped.
06 A pinch or two of black pepper, freshly ground.
07 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard.

Instructions

Step 01

Fill a big pot with salted water and get it boiling.

Step 02

Toss the cauliflower in and let it cook for 10 minutes or until a knife slides in easily.

Step 03

Pour out the water and let the cauliflower drain thoroughly.

Step 04

Move the cauliflower into your food processor. Blend it up with the butter, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper.

Step 05

Adjust flavors as needed, and sprinkle some chives on top if you’d like.

Notes

  1. If your food processor isn't big enough, work in smaller amounts.
  2. You can double or triple the amounts to feed a crowd.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot.
  • Colander.
  • Food processor.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 98
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 3 g