Creamy Miso Butter Mashed Cauliflower
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Creamy, buttery mashed cauliflower bursting with flavor. Mashed cauliflower is typically billed as a low carbohydrate side dish, keto-friendly dish, or “mock” mashed potatoes, while these titles may be accurate mashed cauliflower is a delicious side dish worthy of just being known for that – delicious. The addition of miso and scallions makes this a side dish worthy of a five-star restaurant – facts.
I’m here today to give mashed cauliflower a moment in the spotlight. Not because it can “pass” as mashed potatoes or because mashed cauliflower is a low carb, keto-friendly, or any other dietary nod side dish.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Mashed cauliflower, is in fact, one of my favorite side dishes, delicious in its own right, fully customizable, easy, and satisfying.
Nourishing, creamy, loaded with nutrients, and the perfect companion to roast meat, delicate fish, or even a bowl of saucy meatballs.
Mashed cauliflower is NOT mashed potatoes. Mashed cauliflower is mashed cauliflower.
This version of mashed cauliflower is extra special, mashed with miso paste and butter, topped with scallions and black pepper. One bite and you will be hooked!
Let’s Get Cooking!
INGREDIENTS
Detailed measurements and ingredients can be found within the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Cauliflower Florets – The smaller the florets the quicker it will cook
- Miso Paste – I used mellow white miso for this recipe. Miso is a fermented paste made from soybeans. The flavor is salty, funky, and earthy. If you are soy-free you can try chickpea miso! You can find miso in the refrigerated section of most markets.
- Butter – Good grass-fed salted butter
- Scallions – Sliced for on top
- Salt and Pepper – Do not skip the salt and pepper!
- Vegetable Broth (optional and may not be needed, a splash of water will also work)
TOOLS YOU WILL USE
- Whisk
- Immersion blender, blender, or potato masher
- Pot with a steamer attachment
HOW TO MAKE
- Start by steaming cauliflower florets until fork tender. Make sure the cauliflower is tender, or else it will not mash properly.
- Add cauliflower to a bowl, blender, or food processor and blend/process until you reach your desired consistency.
ADDING FLAVOR
Please don’t @ me saying mashed cauliflower is bland…
YOU
MUST
ADD
FLAVOR!
In this recipe, I used miso and butter which is the perfect combination of savory and creamy, top with scallions and OMG delish!
Other flavor ideas:
No matter what add in’s you use be sure to also add salt and pepper.
- Butter and milk or cream like in traditional mashed potatoes
- Sour cream and chives
- Garlic and butter
- Fresh herbs, like chopped parsley and olive oil
MAKE IT CREAMY OR CHUNKY
You can determine how creamy and smooth you like your mashed cauliflower, I tend to like a thicker creamier version. If you blend in a high-speed blender like the Vitamix it turns out super velvety and creamy almost like a whipped potato. When using an immersion blender (like I did in this recipe) you tend to get a bit of a chunkier texture.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
You can serve mashed cauliflower with anything you would typically serve with mashed potato, here are a few suggestions:
- Perfectly Roasted Chicken Breast
- Meatloaf
- Wild Mushroom Meatballs
- Pan-Seared Fish (just about any kind would work)
- Roasted Shrimp
- Pork Tenderloin
- Juicy Steak
NUTRITION NERD CORNER 🤓
Is Cauliflower even good for me?
Cauliflower has had a good few years. Rising to fame as the ultimate pretender. Cauliflower can be all things for all people.
Pizza? – Hah! I do that in my sleep (says cauliflower)
Rice? – Have you seen my “rice kernel” costume! (says cauliflower)
Gnocchi? – I do it better than potato (says cauliflower)
Buffalo Wings? – Phshaw! I’ve been doing that since the early aughts! (says cauliflower)
Mashed po… – Um yeah, we’ve proven that.
Honestly, I love cauliflower. I love it roasted, steamed, in soup, burritos, tacos, you name it! Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies and yes it is pretty darn healthy too.
- High in fiber
- Rich in sulforaphane
- Contains 100% of the RDA of vitamin C
- High in vitamin K
- Good source of potassium and magnesium
DIETARY MODIFICATIONS
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and keto-friendly
- Vegan – Use vegan butter
- Low Fodmap – Eliminate the scallions
- Whole 30 – Use ghee instead of butter
- Paleo – Use ghee instead of butter
MORE VEGETABLE SIDE DISH RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:
For similar tasty dishes, check out my cozy Thanksgiving recipes, Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Side Dishes and November recipes roundups!
I can’t wait for you to try this Miso Butter Mashed Cauliflower Recipe! When you make it, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo!
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate and leave a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!
Creamy Miso Butter Mashed Cauliflower
Equipment
- Immersion Blender OR Blender
Ingredients
- 2 lb cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoon grass fed butter
- 2 tablespoons mellow white miso paste
- 1-3 tablespoons of warm water
- salt and pepper
- scallions sliced
Instructions
- Cut all cauliflower florets to about the same size.
- Place a pot of water on the stove with a steamer basket insert, bring to a boil. Add florets to steamer basket and cover. Cook for 10 minutes or until very tender.
- In a small bowl whisk together miso and melted butter, if too thick add a bit of warm water, whisk until well combined.
- Place cauliflower in a blender with miso butter mixture and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add a splash of water if mixture is too thick.
- Alternatively, you can use a food processor, immersion blender, or a masher to mash and combine ingredients.
- Serve with reserved chopped scallions, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and additional black pepper.
Nutrition
Meet Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN
Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. She’s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and health—and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abra’s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.
I’m with you Abra, cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables! I made this tonight and it came out perfectly creamy but also light. Less heavy than regular mashed potatoes.