Frozen Cauliflower Mash

Name: Frozen Cauliflower Mash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 30 ounces frozen cauliflower florets (or cauliflower rice or 2 heads of cauliflower); 2 ounces cream cheese (softened); 1/4 cup sour cream; 2 Tablespoons butter (softened, more to taste); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (or garlic powder)

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Make easy, creamy, low-carb Frozen Cauliflower Mash using a bag of cauliflower from your freezer!

Frozen cauliflower mash in serving bowl with wooden spoon.

Those packages you buy on the freezer aisle aren't just for Parmesan Cauliflower Bites and Roasted Cauliflower Rice. Make the best healthy, low-carb mashed cauliflower "potatoes" too!

Puree cauliflower florets (or rice) with cream cheese, sour cream and seasonings just like you do to make popular slow cooker mashed potatoes. The big difference is this keto-friendly dish is ready in only 20 minutes and you don't have to peel anything.

And, it's not just a comfort dish alternative. This version stands alone as a vegetable side dish that everyone will beg you to make because the taste and texture is amazing!

Jump to:

Ingredients and Variations
Directions with Pictures
FAQ
Storage and Reheating
Perfect Pairings
Recipes Using Frozen Cauliflower
📋 Recipe

Ingredients and Variations

Here's what you'll need to make it. We've outlined some popular modifications below too.

Graphic of ingredients to make recipe with labels.

Cauliflower florets - frozen or fresh. We used 30 ounces of frozen florets. Florets from 2 heads of fresh cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice may be used instead.
Butter or plant-based alternative.
Cream Cheese of choice. We used full-fat to have the creamiest result.
Sour cream of any type.
Onion powder (or garlic powder) - we used the dried spice because it's easier to thoroughly distribute!

Salt and pepper must be added to the recipe too. We used a minimal amount and suggest adding the remainder to taste upon serving.

Optional garnishes

Chives
Crumbled bacon
Shredded or grated cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan.
Caramelized onions
Roasted garlic
Fresh Herbs, such as basil and parsley

You can even mix in wilted cabbage or kale like we did to make Cauliflower Colcannon!

Directions with Pictures

We steamed 2 packages of frozen cauliflower in the microwave and combined everything in a plastic bowl with an immersion blender. So easy!!! Other options for cooking and preparing are described below.

Numbered picture collage with directions to make recipe.

Cook cauliflower and thoroughly drain it. Follow the directions on the package to either steam it in the microwave or boil it on the stovetop. Drain off any excess liquid.
- For fresh cauliflower, bring a large pot of water to boiling and cook cauliflower until tender when poked with a fork, 6-7 minutes.
Combine cauliflower, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- If you boiled the cauliflower, then add everything to the pot after you drain the cauliflower.
- If you will be using a food processor to blend, then add all of the ingredients directly to the food processor.
Use an immersion blender or food processor to process.
Puree until smooth and creamy or desired texture. Salt and pepper to taste.

Note: Make the consistency creamier if desired by adding a little more butter, cream cheese, sour cream, reserved liquid from cooking the cauliflower or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, then additional cauliflower or cream cheese can be added to thicken.

FAQ

Does cauliflower mash taste like potato?

No. It tastes like cauliflower! However, the texture and consistency approximates mashed potatoes when it's pureed with ingredients to make it creamy.

Can you use cauliflower rice to make this recipe?

Yes. Substitute 30 ounces of cauliflower rice.

Why is my cauliflower mash watery?

The final dish may be watery if you don't drain the cooked cauliflower after steaming or boiling.

How do you thicken frozen mashed cauliflower?

Add a little extra cream cheese or cauliflower to thicken the final dish if desired.

Can you mash cauliflower with a potato masher or with a hand mixer?

Yes! These are really good options if you don't mind a texture that's a little chunky and not completely smooth. It will still have the same delicious taste!

Storage and Reheating

Store - Place leftovers, in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat - Warm leftovers in a pot over medium-high heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through, which will only take a few minutes.
Freeze - Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. Store up to 3 months. May be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.

Perfect Pairings

Cauliflower mash is worthy for celebratory dinners like Thanksgiving and Easter. But, it's equally welcome at dinners that include:

Meatloaf - that's our cheesy ground chicken meatloaf in the picture below!
Steak
Turkey or our easy turkey tenderloin recipe.
Ham
Topping for Shepherd's Pie

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes in bowl next to meatloaf on a platter.

Recipes Using Frozen Cauliflower

We love the convenience of recipes that can be made with frozen florets or riced cauliflower. Some favorites are below and you'll find even more in Frozen Cauliflower Recipes.

If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

📋 Recipe

Make easy, creamy, low-carb Frozen Cauliflower Mash using a bag of cauliflower from your freezer!

4.73 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Author: Marjory Pilley

Equipment

Immersion Blender

Ingredients

▢ 30 ounces frozen cauliflower florets or cauliflower rice or 2 heads of cauliflower
▢ 2 ounces cream cheese softened
▢ ¼ cup sour cream
▢ 2 Tablespoons butter softened, more to taste
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder or garlic powder

Instructions

Cook frozen cauliflower following the directions on the package. Thoroughly drain.
Place cooked cauliflower in a large bowl (if steamed in the microwave) or return to the pot (if boiled on the stovetop.) Add cream cheese, sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, and onion powder and puree with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy.
Alternatively, pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor until mashed to desired consistency. For a less smooth consistency, use a potato masher or hand mixer.
Remove to serving dish, garnish if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

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Notes

You'll find more expert tips and step by step pictures above!

To cook fresh cauliflower, bring a large pot of water to boiling and cook cauliflower until tender when poked with a fork, 6-7 minutes.

Storage and Reheating

Store - Place leftover Cauliflower Mash, in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat - Warm leftovers in a pot over medium-high heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through, which will only take a few minutes.
Freeze - Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. Store up to 3 months. May be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.

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Nutrition

Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer