Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower

Ahhhh yes, that lightened up version of mashed potatoes that we all WANT to be as good, but somehow always seems to be a disappointment. Well, not anymore.  With the help of the Instant Pot, you can make rich, thick, mashed cauliflower.

The first time I heard about this keto side dish I was so. excited.

I LOVE my Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce, so surely this would be just as good?

WRONG.  I tried to make it over and over again, and it always came out weird, and thin. Sometimes soupy, sometimes lumpy, and the flavor always tasted ... thin.

It seemed like a lie.

I just kept wondering ...

how to make mashed cauliflower?!  

and have it taste GOOD.

Liquid always seemed to be the issue, so after playing around with my new Instant Pot, I realized that I might have an opportunity here to fix the liquid issue by quick steaming the cauliflower with pressure in the Instant Pot instead of letting it get waterlogged on the stove.

Turns out, I was right.  The pressure cooker gets the cauliflower into the perfect state for whipping into shape, without watering it down.

The resulting texture is delightful - smooth but thick, and much closer to the starchiness I always crave and miss when having mashed potatoes.

So today, I proudly present to you: a Mashed Cauliflower Recipe that is ACTUALLY delicious.

Not thin. Not sad. A low carb side dish worthy of your best main courses!

Other great low carb recipes:

• Simple Sautéed Cabbage
• Garlic Ginger Green Beans
• Salade Lyonnaise

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Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower

An easy, creamy and rich mashed cauliflower recipe that is the perfect low carb side dish.

4.75 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish, Vegetable Side

Cuisine: American

Keyword: mashed cauliflower

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 147kcal

Author: Marianne

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower cut into florets leaves and main stem discarded
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 ounces cream cheese or Neufchatel
• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon white pepper black is fine if you don't have white

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Instructions

• Place the trivet that came with your Instant Pot into the bottom of the cooking insert. Add the cauliflower florets, garlic clove, and chicken broth. It's okay if some of the florets or the garlic falls onto the bottom of the insert.
• Place the lid on top, turn to lock, and set the pressure release valve to sealing.
• Press Manual, and set the time to 3 minutes.
• Once 3 minutes are up, carefully turn the pressure release valve to quick release the pressure in the pot.
• Strain the cauliflower and return it to the pot insert without the steamer insert.
• Add the cream cheese, butter, and salt to the insert with the cauliflower, and begin to process it with an immersion blender until the cauliflower breaks down and begins resembling mashed potatoes. Add the Pecorino Romano cheese and continue processing with the immersion blender until the mixture is smooth.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 147 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Cholesterol 29mg10%

Sodium 381mg17%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 7g14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notes

The Pecorino Romano cheese may be substituted for parmesan, or omitted all together if you are trying to save on calories.

Tried this recipe?Mention @basilandbubbly or tag #basilandbubbly!