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    Creamy Cauliflower Mash with Thyme

    Published: Jul 18, 2019 · Modified: Jun 10, 2023 by Cheryl Whyte · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    55 shares

    If you want to turn into a cauliflower lover, then this Creamy Cauliflower Mash recipe will do the trick. Dish up a scoop of this creamy, herby mash and reap all the benefits of its nutritional goodness!

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT RECIPE
    Bowl of cauliflower mash with a sprig of fresh thyme this RECIPE

    Now let’s be honest, is Cauliflower Mash a like-for-like replacement for buttery mash potatoes? No, it’s really not! However, is Creamy Cauliflower Mash totally delicious in its own right? Hell Yeah!

    In just one mouthful of tasting this Creamy Cauliflower Mash with Thyme, I have gone from being a Cauliflower hater to a Cauliflower lover. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a meat and potato girl, through and through. So, the thought of choosing cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes seemed pretty absurd at first. But, three simple ingredients has made it happen.

    MAKE CAULIFLOWER MASH WITH JUST 3 INGREDIENTS

    • Cauliflower
    • Cream Cheese
    • Fresh Thyme

    Of course, we’re going to add Salt and Pepper. But they’re a pantry staple, so they’re a given in my book!

    If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can swap out the cream cheese and add a little olive oil. It will change the flavour slightly, but you will still have a deliciously creamy mash.

    WHY CAULIFLOWER MASH?

    It all started when I was trying to get more varieties of vegetables into my diet. A quick search on the internet brought my attention to the massive buzz surrounding cauliflower. I know, I’m late to the party!

    If you’re an avid food blog reader or Instagram scroller, you’ll likely know, cauliflower is an alternative ingredient in all kinds of recipes these days. From pizza crust and buffalo wings to cauliflower steaks and mashed ‘potatoes’.

    So, as I was making a Chicken Chasseur, I thought I’d attempt to make my version of Creamy Cauliflower Mash. Something light and dreamy to mop up the delicious sauce. And, you know what, I haven’t stopped making it since!

    And, the fact that you can eat it without guilt is awesome!

    WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING CAULIFLOWER?

    A great reason to incorporate cauliflower into your diet is because of its nutritional benefits. Cauliflower is a good source of fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. Take a look at what cauliflower contains and what it can do for you.

    FIBRE

    • Prevents constipation
    • Maintains a healthy digestive tract
    • Lowers risk of obesity
    • Reduces the risk of diabetes
    • Regulates the immune system and inflammation
    • Lowers risk of coronary heart disease and stroke

    ANTIOXIDANTS

    • Shown to reduce the risk of breast, reproductive cancers, lung and colon cancer

    CHOLINE

    • Great for improving your sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory function

    VITAMIN K

    • Improves calcium absorption and as a result, supports bone health

    (Source)

    HOW DO YOU MAKE CAULIFLOWER MASH WITH THYME?

    Check out the below step-by-step instructions, or scroll down to find the printable recipe card.

    STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS

    cauliflower mash ingredients

    Prepare your ingredients and get your equipment ready.

    cauliflower florets in saucepan

    Bring a saucepan of water 1-inch deep to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes or until really soft. If there’s a slight bite, you could end up with a lumpy mash.

    If you don’t have a steamer, you can boil the florets in the saucepan. Ensure the cauliflower is submerged in boiling water.

    cauliflower drying on paper kitchen towel

    After 10 minutes, stick a fork into a cauliflower floret to check it has completely softened.

    Now, drain the water from the saucepan (and put to one side as you will need this later) and pour the cauliflower florets from the steamer basket onto a kitchen towel. Pat the cauliflower dry, removing any excess water.

    An important step that will ensure the mash is creamy, not watery.

    cauliflower cream cheese thyme in saucepan

    Now place the cooked cauliflower florets, cream cheese, thyme leaves, salt and pepper into the saucepan.

    cauliflower mash blended in saucepan

    Using an immersion blender, blend for 2 minutes or until the cauliflower is smooth and creamy.

    cauliflower mash in bowl

    Serve and enjoy!

    📖 Recipe

    Bowl of cauliflower mash with a sprig of fresh thyme

    Creamy Cauliflower Mash with Thyme

    Author: Cheryl Whyte
    If you want to turn into a cauliflower lover then this recipe will do the trick. Dish up a scoop of this creamy, herby mash and reap all the benefits of its nutritional goodness!

    If you love this recipe, rate it with 5 stars below!

    5 from 3 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 60kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Measuring Spoons
    • Saucepan with Steamer Basket
    • Kitchen Towel
    • Immersion Blender

    Ingredients
     

    • 750 g Cauliflower Florets
    • 1 tablespoon Cream Cheese, (Full Fat)
    • 1 tsp Fresh Thyme , Remove leaves
    • ¼ tsp Sea Salt
    • ½ tsp Black Pepper, (Freshly Ground)

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare your ingredients and get your equipment ready.
    • Bring a saucepan of water 1-inch deep to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket and steam for 10 minutes until tender.
    • After 10 minutes, stick a fork into a cauliflower floret to check it has completely softened. Now, drain the water from the saucepan (and put to one side as you will need this later) and pour the cauliflower florets from the steamer basket onto a kitchen towel. Pat the cauliflower dry, removing any excess water.
    • Now place the cooked cauliflower florets, cream cheese, thyme leaves, salt and pepper into the saucepan. Using an immersion blender, blend for 2 minutes or until the cauliflower is smooth and creamy.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    PREFERENCES: I’m really not one for a lumpy cauliflower mash. It’s a texture thing! I find a blender is the best way to get the mash completely smooth. Of course, you can use a standard potato masher, but I find you can never remove the lumps completely. 

    Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

    Calories: 60kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 2g (3%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 4mg (1%) | Sodium: 213mg (9%) | Fiber: 4g (17%) | Sugar: 4g (4%)

    Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional information is estimated using an online nutrition calculator. For accuracy, we recommend you calculate using the exact ingredients and brands you used.

    Course | Side Dish
    Cuisine | English
    Keyword | Cauliflower Mash, Creamy Mash, Mashed Cauliflower
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Share a photo and tag @therealfoodgeek so I can see all your delicious creations!

    I hope you LOVE this recipe as much as I do! It’s

    • Incredibly creamy
    • Warm and peppery
    • Herbilicious
    • Super nutritious
    • Simple to make

    And, if you do get the chance to give this Cauliflower Mash with Thyme at try, please drop me a note in the comment section and provide star rating. I’d love to know what you think.

    Thanks so much for stopping by.

    P.S. Stay in touch by connecting with me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

    You can also stay up to date with new posts and healthy REAL FOOD recipes by subscribing to The Real Food Geek mailing list below.

    PIN CREAMY CAULIFLOWER MASH WITH THYME FOR LATER!

    Cauliflower mash in a bowl topped with thyme

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    Hey, I'm Cheryl, The Real Food Geek! I'm all about delicious and nutritious recipes fueled by my love for food, weight loss journey, and expertise as a certified culinary medicine coach. Let's make healthy eating enjoyable by returning to basics in the kitchen and embracing the joy of real food.

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    55 shares
    Cauliflower mash in a bowl topped with thyme
    Cauliflower mash in a bowl topped with thyme