Quick Answer: Potatoes, Cream Cheese, Milk, Butter, Nutritional Yeast
Cauliflower mash is a tasty, low-carb alternative to regular mashed potatoes. However, cauliflower on its own can result in a watery mash. Adding ingredients like potatoes, cream cheese, milk, butter and nutritional yeast helps to thicken up the cauliflower and create a creamy, smooth texture. The key is finding the right balance of ingredients to achieve the consistency you prefer. Some small tweaks when cooking the cauliflower can also help remove excess moisture. With a few simple tricks, you can make cauliflower mash with a rich, thick texture perfect for any meal.
The Issue with Watery Cauliflower Mash
Cauliflower is an excellent low-carb substitute for higher carb vegetables like potatoes. However, it contains a high amount of water. This can lead to a thin, runny mashed cauliflower consistency. Some reasons why cauliflower mash often turns out watery include:
- High water content – Up to 92% of cauliflower is water.
- Lacks starch – Potatoes get a creamy texture from starch. Cauliflower has less starch.
- Cooking method – Boiling cauliflower leeches out moisture, while roasting concentrates flavor.
- Insufficient drainage – Not drying cauliflower well before mashing.
- Overmixing – Too much blending releases moisture.
The excess moisture prevents the cauliflower from becoming velvety smooth like potato mash. Fortunately, you can prevent or correct a thin cauliflower mash with a few easy fixes.
Tips for Cooking Cauliflower
Properly preparing the cauliflower is the first step to creating an ideal thick texture. Here are some cooking methods to help remove excess water:
- Rice the raw cauliflower florets to increase surface area for moisture to evaporate.
- Roast cauliflower in the oven at 400°F until browned and tender.
- Microwave cauliflower pieces for 3-4 minutes to quickly soften.
- Squeeze out as much liquid as possible after cooking and before mashing.
- Avoid boiling, which draws out moisture from the cauliflower.
Cooking techniques like roasting, riceing, and microwaving help remove water from the cauliflower. Make sure to drain the cooked cauliflower well before mashing too. With less inherent moisture, you’ll have a better chance of creating a thick cauliflower puree.
Ingredients to Add for Thickness
Aside from cooking methods, incorporating the right ingredients is key for adding body to cauliflower mash. Some of the best options include:
Potatoes
Adding starchy potatoes is an easy way to thicken up cauliflower mash. Try using around 1/4 to 1/3 potato for every cup of cauliflower. The potatoes lend a creamy smoothness while the cauliflower keeps the carb count low. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is the secret ingredient for ultra creamy cauliflower mash. Just a few tablespoons per head of cauliflower lends a rich texture. The fat in the cream cheese also helps prevent wateriness.
Milk
For a smooth puree, milk helps blend the cauliflower and provides moisture without watering down the mash. Go for whole milk or a dairy-free milk like almond milk. Start with 2-3 tablespoons per cup of cauliflower.
Butter
Butter is a classic addition to mashed potatoes that also works well for cauliflower. A couple tablespoons of melted butter or creamy olive oil per head of cauliflower helps increase the richness.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a vegan alternative to cheese that adds savory flavor and thickness to cauliflower mash. Sprinkle in 1-2 tablespoons per head of cauliflower.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for creamy, thick cauliflower mash every time:
- Prep the cauliflower by cutting into small even florets.
- Cook the cauliflower until very soft by roasting, microwaving, or steaming.
- Drain excess liquid from the cauliflower very well.
- Transfer cauliflower to a food processor or blender.
- Add thickening ingredients like potatoes, cream cheese, milk, butter or nutritional yeast.
- Puree until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
- Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic etc.
- Add more milk or cream if needed to reach desired consistency.
Proper cooking, drainage and ingredient ratios are key for success. Tweak the ingredients based on your preferences for a luxurious cauliflower mash.
Thickening Ratio Examples
To give you a starting point, here are some example ingredient ratios for thick cauliflower mash. Adjust the amounts as needed based on the consistency you prefer.
Cauliflower and Potato
| Ingredients | Ratios |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower florets | 4 cups |
| Diced russet or Yukon gold potatoes | 1-1 1/2 cups |
| Butter | 2 Tbsp |
| Milk | 1/4 cup |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
The potatoes add starch to balance the cauliflower’s moisture. This combination makes a tasty side dish on its own.
Cauliflower, Cream Cheese and Cheddar
| Ingredients | Ratios |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower florets | 1 medium head |
| Cream cheese | 4 oz |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 1/2 cup |
| Butter | 1 Tbsp |
| Whole milk | 3-4 Tbsp |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 tsp |
The cream cheese and cheddar provide a rich, silky texture and classic flavor. This makes a filling side to any main dish.
Vegan with Tofu and Nutritional Yeast
| Ingredients | Ratios |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower florets | 1 large head |
| Silken tofu | 8 oz |
| Nutritional yeast | 1/4 cup |
| Vegetable broth | 1/2 cup |
| Vegan butter | 1 Tbsp |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 tsp |
The tofu and nutritional yeast gives this dairy-free mash thickness and cheesy umami flavor. It’s perfect for vegan meals.
Troubleshooting Watery Cauliflower Mash
Sometimes even with the right technique and ingredients, cauliflower mash can still turn out too thin. Here are some tips to troubleshoot and fix a watery cauliflower puree:
- Cook the cauliflower properly to reduce inherent moisture.
- Drain the cauliflower very well and let cool slightly before mashing.
- Avoid overblending which releases more liquid.
- Mix in more potato, cream cheese, ricotta or nut butter to thicken.
- Sprinkle in a few tablespoons of cornstarch or instant mashed potato flakes.
- Add extra soft bread crumbs to absorb excess moisture.
- Stir the mash over medium heat until excess water evaporates.
Test the thickness as you go when adding extra ingredients. The starchiness of potatoes or bread crumbs and the thick richness of cheese or nut butter work extremely well to combat thin cauliflower puree.
Serving Ideas for Thick Cauliflower Mash
Once you’ve perfected the ideal creamy cauliflower mash, use it in all sorts of delicious ways:
- As a side dish to meats like chicken, beef or fish
- Topped with crispy bacon bits or fried onions
- Stuffed into mushrooms or peppers
- As a base for shepherd’s pie or gratin
- Flavored with roasted garlic or pesto
- Topped with gravy, cheese sauce or hollandaise
- As a dip for veggies or crackers
- In soup instead of potatoes
- As the “bread” of a cauliflower sandwich
Let the seasoned, thick cauliflower mash shine or incorporate it into all kinds of savory dishes. With a few simple tricks, you can transform cauliflower into a luxurious, smooth mash. Experiment with different mix-ins and cooking techniques to achieve your perfect texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cauliflower mash watery?
Cauliflower mash often ends up watery due to the high moisture content of cauliflower. Cooking methods that leech out water instead of concentrating flavor, insufficient drainage, overmixing, and lack of starch, fat, and creaminess from other ingredients also contribute.
Do you have to add cheese?
No, cheese is not required to thicken cauliflower mash. Other creamy, starchy ingredients like potatoes, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, Cashew cream, and nut butters also work wonderfully.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Yes, frozen cauliflower works just as well as fresh! Just thaw it first and squeeze out all excess liquid before mashing.
Is cauliflower mash keto-friendly?
Definitely! By skipping higher carb regular potatoes in favor of low carb cauliflower, mashed cauliflower is a keto side dish. Limit carbs by avoiding additions like milk or high carb cheese.
How do you make cauliflower mash creamier?
Add cream cheese, sour cream, crème fraîche, cream, or Mexican crema. You can also use an immersion blender for a silkier texture. Stirring in soft melted butter at the end also amps up the creaminess.
Can you freeze cauliflower mash?
Yes, cauliflower mash freezes well for 4-6 months. Cooked cauliflower purees better after thawing. Let the mash cool completely before freezing in airtight containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating gently. Add milk or broth to thin out if needed.
Conclusion
Transforming cauliflower into a luxuriously thick, creamy mash does require some specific techniques. Proper cooking, sufficient drainage, strategic ingredient additions, and avoiding overblending are key. Beans, cheeses, roasted garlic, or herbs complement cauliflower’s mild flavor. With a bit of practice, you can make a satisfying cauliflower mash with a flawlessly smooth and rich consistency. Rely on simple ingredient tweaks like potatoes, cream cheese, or nutritional yeast to perfect the thickness.Soon this low-carb mash will become an indulgent addition to everything from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.