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Sarah Erickson

Low Carb, Paleo Creamy Garlic Cauliflower Mash Recipe

This creamy, decadent cauliflower mash is the ultimate low-carb replacement for mashed potatoes. Made with simple ingredients like cauliflower, coconut milk and garlic, the mash delivers on rich, indulgent flavor and becomes extra decadent when topped with crispy bacon, melted butter and chives.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cauliflower Mash Ingredients
  • 1 head of cauliflower florets only
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup coconut cream from a can
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened unflavored coconut yogurt
  • 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp butter ghee or vegan
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional toppings:
  • 4 slices of bacon cooked and diced
  • 2 tbsp of minced chives
  • Pat of butter
  • Cheese - Manchego Parmesan, or your favorite dairy-free variety
  • Green onions

Method
 

  1. Add cauliflower florets to a large stove pot with about 3 inches of water in the bottom of the pot. Over medium heat, bring to a boil and steam the florets for approximately 15 minutes, or until fork tender.
  2. Remove from heat and strain out all of the water.
  3. Heat olive oil and garlic over medium high heat until garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  4. To a large blender, add: steamed cauliflower, olive oil and garlic mixture, coconut cream, coconut yogurt, lemon juice, butter, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and fluffy.
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  6. Enjoy!

Notes

Substitutions and additional options for this recipe:
  • Thinning - Cauliflower is naturally very watery and will likely not need to be thinned, but since that is a matter of preference, you could use unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk or chicken broth to thin.
  • Cauliflower rice - Cauliflower rice may be used instead of cauliflower florets. Be sure to use 6 cups of cauliflower rice (replaces 1 large head of cauliflower). Just be sure to return cauliflower rice to hot pot to help remove any excess moisture.
  • Oil - While the recipe calls for olive oil, avocado oil, ghee or butter are great substitutes for sautéing the garlic.
  • Dairy free - To keep this dairy free, I use coconut cream and unsweetened coconut milk yogurt. However, if dairy is tolerated, you can substitute heavy cream and sour cream or cream cheese.
  • Garlic - In lieu of sautéing 2 cloves of garlic, you can roast an entire head of garlic, giving the mashed potatoes a more rich, deep taste.