Mashed Cauliflower
Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash is a one-pot, four-ingredient side dish that’s a lighter alternative to mashed potatoes with all of the flavor you love.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe: If you’re looking for a healthy side dish that’s full of flavor but won’t weigh you down, this ultra-creamy mashed cauliflower is the perfect answer. It’s family-friendly and pairs well with your favorite entrees.
We’ve always loved using our Instant Pot to steam veggies, eggs, and grains without babysitting. So naturally, it made sense to turn tender steamed cauliflower into the fluffiest cauliflower mash.
These cauliflower “mashed potatoes” are one of our favorite Instant Pot side dish recipes made with all veggies! Serve it alongside Instant Pot Artichoke Chicken or Bone-In Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs.
Ingredients for Creamy Cauliflower Mash
It’s hard to believe that this mashed cauliflower has just four ingredients:
- Cauliflower. Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets so they cook evenly.
- Sour cream. You can also use full-fat plain Greek yogurt.
- Unsalted butter. The butter should be at room temperature so it melts easily.
- Garlic salt. You can also use garlic powder and salt to taste.
How to Make Creamy Cauliflower Mash in an Instant Pot
To make the cauliflower florets super soft and tender, you’ll steam them in the Instant Pot. When the pressure releases, dry the cauliflower and puree it with the remaining ingredients. You can use a food processor or an immersion blender.
Important Tips for Making Mashed Cauliflower
The most important tip with this recipe is to not skip the patting dry step. The steamed cauliflower florets should be dried with a clean dish towel before you puree them.
Otherwise, your mash will be too watery and not fluffy or thick.
Products
Aside from an Instant Pot, you’ll need a metal steamer to make this mashed cauliflower. You can use a regular metal steamer. My favorite Instant Pot-specific steamer is this Avokado Steamer Basket.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mashed Cauliflower
This makes a healthy and light side dish to serve with any of your favorite entrees. We like it with Instant Pot Lemon Tarragon Chicken, Pressure Cooker Pot Roast, or Easy Grilled Lemon Pepper Pork Chops.
To amp up the flavor in your mash, you can add in your favorite mix-ins. Try crumbled cooked bacon, a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh herbs, or even toasted nuts. This is a great blank canvas for any of your favorite flavors!
Sure! Freeze fully cooled cauliflower mash in an airtight container for up to six months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave or Instant Pot.
Store leftover creamy cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it in the microwave or in the Instant Pot.
MORE Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes
Recipes you can make with this or other recipes you might like:
- Corn on the Cob is a must-have for BBQs (no grill required)!
- Green Beans are great as a side for burgers, Thanksgiving, or weeknight chicken.
- Carrots with a Maple-Butter Glaze are a family favorite as a holiday side dish.
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Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash
This is the best and creamiest Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash made in one pot with just four ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds (1 large head) cauliflower, cut into florets
- ¼ cup sour cream or full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
Instructions
- Pour 1 cup of water into the pressure cooking pot. Place a steamer basket into the pot, and add the cauliflower florets to the basket.
- Lock the lid in place and select high pressure with a 10 minute cook time. When the cook time ends, release the pressure with a quick pressure release. When the valve drops, carefully remove the lid.
- Remove the cauliflower from the pot and drain well. Pat the cauliflower dry with a clean dishtowel. Place in a food processor with the sour cream/yogurt, butter and garlic salt. Pulse 1-2 times, until smooth. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 54Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 410mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 3g
Nutrition information is calculated by Nutritionix and may not always be accurate.
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