It’s well established that cauliflower is the most versatile vegetable on the planet. With a little creativity, you can transform cauliflower into just about anything your tummy desires. When I first started eating a ketogenic diet, mashed cauliflower saved me from potato withdrawals. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to getting the creamiest and smoothest keto mashed cauliflower and I’ll share them with you in this recipe for keto lemon butter mashed cauliflower.
Before I started eating a low carb diet, I was all about the potatoes. Mashed, fried, French, scalloped, homestyle…you name it, I ate it.
I’d be remiss to say I don’t still miss potatoes. However, I have really come to love cauliflower as a replacement!
With low carb diets become so much more prevalent, restaurants seem to be catching on and adding cauliflower based dishes to their menus too! Woo hoo!
One thing I hear from people often is that they “just hate cauliflower”. To them I say, you just haven’t had it prepared well!
seasoning
Cauliflower can certainly be a stinky vegetable but when you add enough flavorful ingredients, it’s easy to mask cauliflower’s natural aroma.
I remember buying a frozen mashed cauliflower at the grocery store before I ever tried my hand at making mashed cauliflower and y’all, it was SO bad. Watery, bland, and only about one step away from being baby food. Bleh!
This recipe for keto mashed cauliflower is none of those things!
The key to a keto mashed cauliflower that makes you forget you’re eating cauliflower is seasoning!
Zest! Salt! Butter! Spices!
You need to show the cauliflower some love and season it liberally! I opted to use the bright and fragrant profiles of lemon in this keto side dish because it’s summer and I love the freshness that lemon brings.
preparation
One trick I’ve found that makes a huge difference in cauliflower dishes is what type of cauliflower you’re using.
Are you buying frozen cauliflower florets, frozen riced cauliflower, a fresh head of cauliflower?
Each one produces a slightly different texture when you’re making your keto mashed cauliflower.
I have found that a fresh head of cauliflower produces the softest and creamiest puree that is most reminiscent of a true mashed potato. So, that is what this recipe will call for.
As for steaming your cauliflower, there’s no magical formula. The stove works as well as the Instant Pot. I always use my Instant Pot to steam my veggies because it’s a hands off technique that takes literally less than 5 minutes!
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The second trick to a creamy and smooth cauliflower mash is a good food processor. I’ve linked the one I use in the recipe card!
I have used many different types of food processors over the years and this one is fantastic. I’ve never had a grainy or gritty cauliflower mash because of it.
serving
This lemon butter cauliflower mash will pair wonderfully with all of your summer grilling. I especially love it with my lemon dill grilled chicken!
Shave a little extra lemon zest for garnish when you’re preparing the dish and use it to garnish the finished bowl. Top it with a drizzle of melted butter and lemon slice for the pièce de résistance!
An easy step-by-step recipe for the creamiest keto mashed cauliflower with lemon, garlic, and butter. A bright keto side dish for your summer grilling. This recipe for lemon butter mashed cauliflower uses the Instant Pot for efficiency and even steaming but stove-top preparation will work as well. If using the stove, steam covered for at least 10 minutes or until the florets can be easily pierced with a fork. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Lemon Butter Mashed Cauliflower
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 154 Total Fat: 13.2g Carbohydrates: 7g Fiber: 3.3g Protein: 3g
This sounds delicious! Would it be possible to process the cauliflower florets into rice, steam in the microwave, then return to the food processor with butter and still get the same creamy consistency? Thank you!
I meant to say with the butter and sour cream.* WHOOPS!
You can try, it’s just more work. 😉