Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
This is the creamiest mashed cauliflower you will ever have. The instant pot makes the cauliflower super soft and it purees like a dream.
I haven’t been one to make much mashed cauliflower since I have been low carb because I never thought it tasted like anything worth eating. The cauliflower never pureed super smooth and it always ended up watery.
I finally had a lightbulb moment and realized the Instant Pot would be perfect for making the cauliflower super soft without it being waterlogged from boiling.
The Instant Pot isn’t my first choice when it comes to making vegetables because they come out mushy…but that is perfect for mashed cauliflower!
HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT MASHED CAULIFLOWER
The first thing I did was trim all of the leaves and stem from the bottom of the cauliflower but I left the head intact. This really made this mashed cauliflower so easy!
Next, l pulled out my Instant Pot and placed the trivet inside. Then I added 1/2 cup of water, followed by the head of cauliflower.
I placed the lid on the pot and set it to sealing. Then I set the timer for 5 minutes on high pressure.
When the time was up I did a quick release and removed the lid.
I used mitts to pull the trivet with the cauliflower out of the pot. You can see just how tender this cauliflower is!
I then put it all in a food processor with butter, cream cheese, pepper and salt.
I only had to run the food processor for about 30 seconds to get this fully pureed. For best results, scrape the sides and puree for about 10 seconds more.
This Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower pureed like a dream!
It is so creamy and delicious! I was actually shocked with how good it was the first time I tried it. Even my picky husband liked it!
Serve it plain, with keto gravy, or with a big pat of butter and some chives.
You could also add some roasted garlic to the food processor before you puree to make garlic mashed cauliflower.
Checkout my category Low Carb Side Dishes for recipe like:
- Zucchini Casserole
- Crockpot Cheese Dip
- Microwave Cauliflower Rice
- Low Carb Broccoli Salad
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower - So Creamy!
Ingredients
- 1 Head of Cauliflower, stem and leaves removed
- 1/2 Cup water
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Ounces Cream Cheese
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Steam the Cauliflower
- Add the water to the Instant Pot, followed by the trivet and the head of cauliflower. Place the lid, set to sealing, and cook for 5 minutes on high pressure. Quick release after the cook time is finished and remove the lid.
Make the Mashed Cauliflower
- Remove the trivet from the pot using mitts. The cauliflower should be fall apart tender. Add the cauliflower to a food processor, followed by the butter, cream cheese, pepper, and salt. Puree until smooth.
- Serve with a pat of butter and chives if desired.
Notes
- If you want to make this without an Instant pot, steam the chopped cauliflower in a pot with 1 inch of water. When fork tender, remove from the pot and drain. Continue in step 2 above.
Nutrition
⭐ Did you make this Instant pot Mashed Cauliflower recipe? Tag me on Instagram so I can see! @lowcarbwithjennifer
So easy and so delicious! I added a large clove of garlic to the bottom of the IP along with a gigantic head of cauliflower and let the IP do its thing. It took a long time to come to pressure – I started to wonder if my gasket had a leak, but no. TRUST THE INSTANT POT! When I released the pressure, it kept going and going and going. Finally got in there and tested the cauliflower with a knife. So tender.
I added butter, white pepper, a little salt, 28 grams of shredded Parmigiano Reggiano and a little sour cream. I got a yield a little less than six cups. It is wonderful.
I thought roasted cauliflower was the ne plus ultra, but this is mmm mmm mmm delicious. And so flexible to serve with many dishes.
Thank you for the wonderful technique and recipe!
I made your Cheesecake recipe…OMG how delicious!!!
Cooked it for 12 mins as it wasn’t tender enough. Added cream cheese, butter, garlic powder and dried chives. Absolutely delicious ????
Cooking time in instant pot is not long enough. Parts were not cooked when I removed it. Tasted terrible because it was undercooked.
Hi Jennifer,
Firstly can I thank you for all your wonderful recipes. In this recipe it has cream cheese but in the video you put cream. Just wondering which way is best.
Thanks
Sandra
Either will work
Sounds so good. Gonna try for Christmas with turkey. If I want to double recipe, can I put 2 heads of cauliflower in the IP at once?
Thanks!
Yes, but chop it up a little so it will fit
This was fantastic! I added 2 cloves of raw peeled garlic right to the pressure cooker, then everything wen into the food processor. I might add a bit of Xanthan gum next time so it’s a little thicker, but otherwise this was awesome, and so much better than the store bought frozen stuff!
I wanted to post back and comment that I did add Xanthan gum on the last batch I made, and it was a huge improvement! 1/2 tbsp for a large head gave it the consistency of perfectly mashed potatoes.
Make this ALL the time. Can’t get enough of it!
I am going to try this recipe as the comments are so positive and my instant pot has been sitting on my counter chastizing me for not using it. I am so glad that I found found your user friendly blog as I am watching my carbs. My blood sugar is too high (not diabetic high), so I want to reduce it for obvious concerns.
You are going to love it Linda!
Hi! Love this recipe. Question- 1 head of cauliflower is not enough for my family of 5 (very hungry teenage boy here lol). I am new to instapot cooking. Should I add more water for 2 heads of cauliflower at once?
You wouldn’t need anymore water. So glad you like the recipe!
This recipe is AMAZING! So different from other cauliflower recipes, so much like mashed potatoes. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely will make it again. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you liked the recipe!
So good and so easy! Thanks for another good excuse to use my IP. 🙂
I just made this and it IS delicious and so easy!! I stirred a little bit of curry powder and garlic powder into a small serving for myself and loved it! But it’s delicious without the added spices. I see myself making this a lot more often now.
Thank you!
Added spices sounds good! I will have to try that
Oh, man! I made this recipe and it was INCREDIBLE! Comfort food without guilt and bloaty carb feelings! Thank you so much!
Jennifer I can’t thank you enough for this recipe it. I love mashed cauliflower especially since I live Keto. Making them was so ennoying and using the instant pot to soften the cauliflower was not a thought til today. Will be eating more mashed cauliflower…thanks ?
Can I just steam it or covered in the oven!
You can!
amazing! Thank you so much!