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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    May 6, 2021 · Modified: Sep 22, 2023 by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Dairy Free Cauliflower Mash

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This dairy-free cauliflower mash recipe is an easy side dish and a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. All you need are just three simple ingredients.

    Every time I make this creamy cauliflower mash, I'm in disbelief at how similar the creamy texture is to regular potatoes. Although you can roast the cauliflower, it has the smoothest texture and the least cauliflower taste when using boiled (or steamed) cauliflower.

    In only a few simple steps, you'll have a delicious side dish to serve with steak, braised beef, coconut lime chicken, honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs, or roasted turkey during the holiday season.

    Ingredients

    • Large head of cauliflower - provides the perfect creamy base once cooked.
    • Vegan butter - adds flavor and richness.
    • Milk of choice - this adds creaminess and helps with the texture. You can use any milk you like: oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc. I suggest staying away from coconut milk so it doesn't have a lingering coconut flavor.
    • Kosher salt & black pepper - season to taste.

    How to Make Cauliflower Mash

    Step 1. Cut the whole head of cauliflower into small florets. Only discard the leaves and the tough stem. Wash under cold running water and set aside.

    Step 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets, and cook until they're fork-tender, then drain the water. It'll take around 10-12 minutes.

    Step 3. Add the cooked cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor.

    Step 4. Pulse the cauliflower a few times to break it down until you have a cauliflower rice texture. Add the vegan butter, milk of choice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, occasionally scraping down the sides as needed. Taste & adjust the seasoning as needed.

    Step 5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make this dairy free creamy mashed cauliflower using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No fresh cauliflower? - you can use frozen instead. You'll need about 8 cups.
    • No milk? - either sub cashew cream or use vegetable broth.
    • Add-ins - roasted garlic cloves or garlic powder, swirl in arugula pesto, chopped fresh rosemary or other fresh herbs, nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, vegan cream cheese or sour cream, etc.
    • No dairy-free? - use whole milk and regular unsalted butter.

    Check out what goes well with cauliflower for more ideas.

    Helpful Tips

    Don't substitute the vegan butter with olive oil. It helps with the texture and flavor, so it doesn't taste like you’re eating a bowl of mashed cauliflower (the irony).

    For the best results, use a food processor or immersion blender/hand blender, not a potato masher. The machine is what gives it its smooth texture. You can also use a blender, just put the liquid in first (this will help to get things moving), but you may need to add a little more milk depending on the power of your machine.

    How to Serve

    Cauliflower mash is the perfect side dish to serve alongside proteins such as gluten free chicken parmesan, coconut lime chicken, fish en papillote, coconut chickpea curry, lemon butter fish, braised beef, or with a holiday dinner.

    More Dairy Free Side Dishes

    • Warm Potato Asparagus Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
    • Coconut Lime Rice
    • Roasted Carrots and Dates With Pistachios
    • Quick Sauteed Broccoletti
    A bowl of dairy free cauliflower mash with fresh parsley.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Dairy Free Cauliflower Mash

    This dairy-free cauliflower mash recipe is an easy side dish and a great alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. All you need are just three simple ingredients.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time20 minutes mins
    Servings: 4
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • 1 large head cauliflower see notes
    • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
    • 3 tablespoons milk of choice
    • kosher salt to taste
    • black pepper to taste
    • fresh parsley, for garnish optional

    Instructions

    • Cut the whole head of cauliflower into small florets. Only discard the leaves and the tough stem. Wash under cold running water and set aside.
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets, and cook until they're fork-tender, then drain the water. It'll take around 10-12 minutes.
    • Add the cooked cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor.
    • Pulse the cauliflower a few times to break it down until you have a cauliflower rice texture. Add the vegan butter, milk of choice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, occasionally scraping down the sides as needed. Taste & adjust the seasoning as needed.
    • Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or another herb if desired. Serve warm.

    Notes

    1 large head of cauliflower is about 8 cups of florets. If yours has less, you may need to adjust the amount of vegan butter and milk.
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    See the blog post for more helpful tips.
    Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations
    No fresh cauliflower? - you can use frozen instead. You'll need about 8 cups.
    No milk? - either sub cashew cream or use vegetable broth.
    Add-ins - roasted garlic cloves or garlic powder, swirl in arugula pesto, chopped fresh rosemary or other fresh herbs, nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, vegan cream cheese or sour cream, etc.
    No dairy-free? - use whole milk and regular unsalted butter.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Fresh spring rolls made with rice paper and fresh colorful vegetables cut in half and served with Vietnamese peanut sauce for dipping.
      Fresh Spring Rolls (With Rice Paper)
    • A bowl of dairy free mashed potatoes with almond milk. Topped with vegan butter and fresh parsley.
      Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes With Almond Milk
    • A colorful Italian green bean salad with cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, and fresh basil leaves.
      Italian Green Bean Salad
    • A bowl of blackened-charred-corn with fresh lime wedges.
      Easy Skillet Blackened Corn

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Suzie says

      June 08, 2021 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      We prepared the cauliflower mash tonight as well as the sweet potatoes. The mash is just delicious too. I did use nutritional yeast as well as quite a lot of salt and pepper. Really tasty!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

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