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Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower is a great alternative to potatoes! These Cauliflower mashed potatoes are deliciously buttery! Also, this mashed cauliflower recipe is low in carbs and is a versatile keto side dish!
If you miss mashed potatoes on your keto diet, then you’re gonna love this mashed cauliflower recipe! It’s honestly the easiest cauliflower mash recipe you’ll ever make!
With just 6 ingredients this Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower is life changing! Top it with butter or keto gravy, or even pair it with Instant Pot Brisket or Instant Pot Beef Ribs!
Whether you make this cauli mash in the Instant Pot, stove top, or microwave (yes microwave!) this is the easiest mashed cauliflower recipe you’ll ever make!
Mashed Cauliflower Ingredients
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
⅓ cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
These are the ingredients for a basic buttery and garlicky cauliflower mash, which is insanely delicious! But if you like a cheesy cauliflower mash, you can add red pepper flakes, onion powder and mozzarella cheese.
To make a cheesy cauliflower mash, add the cheese, red pepper flakes and onion powder when you add the rest of the spices. Make sure to mix it really well because this allows for the cheese to get all melty and gooey deliciousness.
How to make cauliflower mash
If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can still make these keto cauliflower mashed potatoes. Simply follow the stove top or microwave directions below.
Instant Pot Directions
First wash cauliflower and then cut it into florets. Place a trivet (this silicone steamer trivet works best!) into the bottom of the instant pot. Add 1 cup of water.
Next add florets on top of the trivet. Place top on the Instant Pot and make sure knob is set to sealed. Then hit “Manual” “High Pressure” and then set time for 1 minute.
Once cauliflower has been cooked for 1 minute on high pressure perform a “manual pressure release.” Once all of the pressure has been release carefully remove the Instant Pot lid. Remove the cauliflower and the trivet, and drain out the water.
Return the cauliflower to the steel Instant Pot or into a large bowl. Next, add in heavy whipping cream, butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. Top with more butter.
Stove Top Directions
First wash cauliflower and then cut it into florets. In a saucepan, fill with water up to ½ inch. Cook on high heat until boiling. Add cauliflower.
Next, cover the pan and cook for 8-9 minutes. Cauliflower should be super tender. Drain away water. Add cauliflower back to saucepan.
Then reduce heat to low. Add in heavy whipping cream, butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. Top with more butter.
Microwave Directions
First wash cauliflower and then cut it into florets. Add florets to a glass microwave safe container and add 2 tbsp of water. Cover with plastic wrap or a microwave safe lid.
Then, microwave for 8-9 minutes on full power. Cauliflower should be super tender. Drain away water. Add cauliflower to a large bowl.
Next, add in heavy whipping cream, butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. Top with more butter.
Cauliflower Nutrition
Cauliflower is a great low carb vegetable! It works as a substitute for many high carb foods like mashed potatoes. Many people like to make cauliflower rice and garlic butter cauliflower mash. You can even recreate your favorite Chinese dish with this cauliflower fried rice!
Per 100g, cauliflower has 5g carbs, 2g fiber and 3g net carbs.
If you ever get bored with these keto cauliflower mashed potatoes, check out these other low carb cauliflower recipes.
Low Carb Cauliflower Recipes
Instant Pot Low Carb Cauliflower Soup with Bacon and Cheese
Keto White Wine and Cheddar Cauliflower Cheese Casserole
Keto White Wine and Cheddar Cauliflower Cheese Casserole
More Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes
Low Carb Instant Pot Pot Roast
Easy Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Breasts
Instant Pot Beef Brisket Recipe
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Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
-
First wash cauliflower and then cut it into florets. Place a trivet (this silicone steamer trivet works best!) into the bottom of the instant pot. Add 1 cup of water.
-
Next add florets on top of the trivet. Place top on the Instant Pot and make sure knob is set to sealed. Then hit "Manual" "High Pressure" and then set time for 1 minute.
-
Once cauliflower has been cooked for 1 minute on high pressure perform a "manual pressure release." Once all of the pressure has been release carefully remove the Instant Pot lid. Remove the cauliflower and the trivet, and drain out the water.
-
Return the cauliflower to the steel Instant Pot or into a large bowl. Next, add in heavy whipping cream, butter, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined. Top with more butter.
Recipe Notes
If you don't have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker you can follow the stovetop or microwave directions above.

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