The Best Vegan Mashed Cauliflower

What Makes This Mashed Cauliflower So Good

• Loads of flavor. No more bland, boring mashed cauliflower. This recipe makes thick, creamy mash with sautéed garlic, vegan butter, and yogurt that has everyone going back for seconds.
• Steaming the cauliflower. This is key! Unlike boiling, steaming locks in the flavor.
• A versatile side dish. Mashed cauliflower is the perfect Thanksgiving or holiday side dish next to favorites like cornbread stuffing and roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

Mashed cauliflower is a dish meant to mimic mashed potatoes. It's difficult to hide the “cauliflower” nature of this recipe, but by adding a few key ingredients, you can build a deliciously garlicy and rich flavor that I promise rivals potatoes. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full recipe measurements.

• Cauliflower: This cooks down a bit, so I use two whole heads of cauliflower to feed a crowd.
• Almond milk: You can use any dairy-free milk you like. Just make sure it's unsweetened!
• Coconut yogurt: One of the things that kept popping up when I was looking at mashed potato recipes was sour cream. I haven't found a good vegan sour cream that I like, so I always opt for coconut yogurt. If you can't find it, use your favorite vegan sour cream, or cashew cream, and a bit of lemon juice.
• Garlic: Sautéed garlic is my secret weapon for the best cauliflower mash. It adds so much flavor!
• Fresh herbs: I also LOVE adding fresh herbs to this dish. You can have fun with this, but I like to keep it more on the hearty side. This time, I did chives, sage, and fresh thyme.
• Vegan butter: To add a little bit of pop, we're beating in some vegan butter. It just gives it that extra decadence that mashed potatoes have, and really rounds out the recipe.

How to Make Mashed Cauliflower

Making mashed cauliflower is actually super simple. This is always appreciated, especially during the busy holidays! Here's how to make it:

1. Steam the cauliflower. First, we need to steam the cauliflower. I use a steamer basket inside a large pot and let it steam for about 5 minutes. The florets should be very tender. You can boil the cauliflower in water if you prefer, though I find it loses some flavor.
2. Sauté. While the cauliflower is steaming, quickly saute the smashed peeled garlic in some olive oil. This helps to elevate the flavor and is NOT a step to miss. Raw garlic will not have the same rich flavor.
3. Blend. Once the cauliflower is tender and the garlic is cooked, you'll blend it all together in a food processor until it's smooth. You can also use a blender! From there, you're done and ready to serve.

What to Serve With Mashed Cauliflower

This mashed cauliflower is a staple on our Thanksgiving table. I like to serve it with a pat of vegan butter and a sprinkle of herbs, like fresh rosemary or parsley. And if you're looking for more holiday side dishes that happen to be gluten-free and vegan, give these a try:

• Easy Creamed Spinach
• Mushroom & Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Vegan Pumpkin Cornbread
• Sauteed Garlic Green Beans

Don't forget a slice of pumpkin pie or a scoop of apple crisp for dessert!

Storage & Reheating

You can store leftover cauliflower mash in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove and top with a pat of dairy-free butter to serve.

More Cauliflower Recipes

• Cauliflower Rice Bowls
• Curried Cauliflower Quinoa Salad
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
• Cauliflower Soup