Quick & Easy Vegan Mashed Cauliflower Recipe

Name: Quick & Easy Vegan Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 15-oz bag frozen cauliflower florets (steam in bag); 6 tablespoons vegan butter (more if needed); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 cloves garlic; 1 sprig fresh rosemary; ½ teaspoon sea salt (more to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon onion powder; 2 tablespoons non-dairy milk (if needed for pureeing)

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Vegan Mashed Cauliflower is creamy, buttery, garlicky, and ready in just 15 minutes! This quick and easy recipe uses frozen cauliflower to get it done.

Creamy mashed cauliflower with herb garnishes.

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Who doesn't love cauliflower? Well I'm sure some people don't, but since you are here I'm gonna guess that you do!

It's delicious as a crunchy taco filling in chickpea cauliflower tacos and makes for a smooth, creamy cauliflower alfredo sauce.

Now here's one more way to enjoy it: vegan cauliflower mash!

Cauliflower transforms into a fluffy, creamy texture and is infused with a ton of flavor. It's the perfect side dish and it's ready in 15 minutes!

Serve this delicious mash this holiday season with vegan gluten-free gravy, wild rice stuffing, and a fluffy piece of cornbread for a satisfying dinner.

Jump to:

Mashed Cauliflower vs Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Equipment
Directions with Pictures
What to Serve with Mashed Cauliflower
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
FAQ
More Vegan Holiday Side Dishes
Quick & Easy Vegan Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
💬 Comments

Mashed Cauliflower vs Mashed Potatoes

Are mashed cauliflower and mashed potatoes the same?

Well, no, they are two different vegetables! If you take a spoonful of cauliflower mash and expect it to magically transform into a potato in your mouth... that's just not going to happen. But both are delicious, unique dishes in their own right.

Traditional mashed potatoes are generally creamier and richer in texture because of their starch content.

In contrast, mashed cauliflower has a lighter and airier texture. They also have a milder taste that easily absorbs accompanying flavors, in the case of this recipe, roasted garlic and rosemary.

This recipe makes mashed cauliflower that mimics the creaminess of mashed potatoes but with a more delicate and less dense consistency.

Ingredients

You will need these simple ingredients for this vegan mashed cauliflower recipe:

Frozen Cauliflower Florets make this cauliflower mash come together in the blink of an eye. You can steam fresh cauliflower or cauliflower rice, but steam-in-bag florets lessen the hands-on time and cleanup.
Vegan Butter is essential for a super buttery and creamy mash. You can also add vegan cream cheese or sour cream for even more creaminess and a bit of tang.
Olive Oil is used for sautéing the garlic and rosemary, infusing this mash with even more flavor.
Fresh Garlic and Fresh Rosemary take this mash from bland to super flavorful and delicious. Garlic powder and dried rosemary could work in a pinch but don’t infuse as much flavor throughout. If you aren't a fan of rosemary, other fresh herbs like chives, parsley, or thyme can be used.
Sea Salt, Black Pepper, and Onion Powder bring out more of the rosemary and garlic flavors in the mash.
Unsweetened Plant Milk is helpful when processing the mash, but it is optional! Any kind works, soy and almond milk both work great.

The recipe card below includes the full list of ingredients + instructions.

Equipment

The key to a creamy cauliflower mash is using a food processor! Just be careful when processing the mash. There is a delicate balance between chunky mashed cauliflower and gloopy mashed cauliflower.

An immersion blender is also a great option! It’s a bit easier to tell when the cauliflower is done, too.

Directions with Pictures

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best vegan cauliflower mash:

Step by step guide to making cauliflower mash. 1. Sauté garlic and rosemary in olive oil until golden brown. 2. Place all ingredients in a food processor. 3. Process the mash, scraping down the sides as needed. 4. Process until the cauliflower is creamy.

Steam cauliflower in the microwave as per instructions on the bag. While the cauliflower cooks, sauté the garlic and rosemary in olive oil in a small pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the garlic is aromatic and slightly browned.
Place the steamed cauliflower, butter, sea salt, black pepper, onion powder, and sautéed garlic with oil in a food processor.
Process the mixture. Scrape down the sides between processing to ensure all of the cauliflower is blended into the mash. Add milk or butter as needed.
Process until smooth and creamy. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

If desired, you can remove the rosemary from the sautéed garlic. Or you can keep it in for a stronger rosemary flavor in the mash.
Be careful about over-processing the mixture, or it will become gloopy. The overall time processing is usually around 5 minutes.
Garnish with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan cheese, or finely chopped green onions, if desired.

What to Serve with Mashed Cauliflower

Serve this garlicky cauliflower mash with:

Vegan Gravy - A Thanksgiving classic! Make vegan gluten-free gravy for an extra layer of savory goodness to accompany your mashed cauliflower.
Roasted vegetables - Maple Dijon roasted carrots and apples are bursting with flavor and complement the rosemary and garlic mashed cauliflower beautifully.
Stuffing - Enjoy the mashed cauliflower with a delicious gluten-free stuffing made with wild rice, vegetables, herbs, and spices.
Salad - Serve alongside a vegan fall harvest salad for a refreshing balance to the richness of the mashed cauliflower.
Shepherd's Pie - Use this mashed cauliflower to make a hearty and comforting portobello shepherd's pie filled with veggies.
Bread - Pair mashed cauliflower with some vegan gluten-free cornbread or homemade crostini for a complete and satisfying meal.

Check out the Vegan Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes roundup for a full list of ideas!

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Store vegan mashed cauliflower in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. For freezing, divide the mashed cauliflower into freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Store them in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy your mashed cauliflower, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight or reheat it directly from frozen in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of non-dairy milk as needed. Stir occasionally until thoroughly heated to maintain its flavor and consistency.

FAQ

Why is my cauliflower mash grainy?

Cauliflower mash is often grainy from undercooking. To ensure a creamy mashed cauliflower, you need to steam the florets until they are fork tender. If you're steaming a fresh head of cauliflower just be careful not to overcook the cauliflower or else the mash may become too mushy.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy?

To avoid a mushy, watery cauliflower mash, make sure to steam your cauliflower (not boil). This is especially important if you’re using a fresh head of cauliflower.

When too much liquid is held within the cauliflower florets, the mash can get mushy. If you are super worried, you could even press your cauliflower after it is steamed with a cloth to get any excess moisture out.