Lemon Garlic Mashed Cauliflower "Potatoes" - This recipe for lemon garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes is keto, gluten-free, and very kid friendly.
Ohhhh, my darling foodies!
Today I am bringing you quite possibly the easiest recipe I have ever posted BUT also quite possibly my new favorite side dish!
I have not tried to hide my new obsession love of cauliflower.
Things like Cheesy Cauliflower Tots, Loaded Cauliflower Casserole, Cauliflower Au Gratin, Cauliflower Hash, Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice, Shrimp and Bacon Cauliflower Fried Rice, Roasted Cauliflower and Cheese Soup, annnddd well, you get the picture right?
That dreaded veggie from my childhood, the one that haunted me in my nightmares, has now been elevated to "favorite" and I can't seem to get enough.
In fact, I have gotten to the place that I can say I would rather have this than regular mashed potatoes 😱
Crazy I know, coming from this midwest born, steak and potatoes running through my blood, girl. But it is true.
I 💗 cauliflower!!
Of course, it doesn't hurt that these Lemon Garlic Mashed Cauliflower "Potatoes" pretty much taste just like regular mashed potatoes.
Shocking but true I swear ✋
Mashed cauliflower has a very similar texture to mashed potatoes and a sweet buttery flavor.
How can you go wrong with that??
Plus, pardon me while I get a little serious on ya, OK?
Yes, potatoes do have some food benefits and a baked potato is much better than fried or, God forbid, the high processed boxed variations 😖
Which I may, or may not have loved and eaten just about every week for the better part of my young adulthood.
BUT, here is why cauliflower is the bomb, and a much better choice:
- Nutrient Dense – Potatoes and cauliflower are both nutritious sources of key vitamins, but their content varies. It’s very true that potatoes provide a ton of vitamin C, (11.6 mg per cup to be exact) and B6, potassium, and iron. But, just a cup of cauliflower contains with 55 mg in each 1-cup serving, comparable levels of B6 and folate, and an extra dose of vitamin K.
- Fewer Pesticides – Did you know that potatoes rank high on the list of foods heavily sprayed with pesticides. 🤢 To be honest with you, non-organic cauliflower is on the list as well but falls much lower on the list. So, when organic isn’t available, cauliflower is still a better choice.
- Lower Carbohydrate Load – According to the USDA website, one small potato contains over 20 grams of carbohydrates. Cauliflower, in comparison? Only 5.3 grams 😲. Yes, we need carbohydrates for energy, but consuming too many can work against us. These “potatoes” protect blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that take a toll on health.
- Calories and Fat - A 1-cup serving of boiled potatoes contains 0.16 g of fat; the same amount of boiled cauliflower contains 0.56 g of fat. In boiled form, potatoes contain more calories than cauliflower, with 134 compared to the 28 in a single serving. If you are looking to restrict your calorie intake, cauliflower is the way to go!

OK, so I will get off my cauliflower soap box and just talk plainly about how flippin' good this recipe is!
With just a hint of garlic and lemon, a teeeeeensy bit of cream cheese, and a bit of butter, these "fauxtatoes" will convince even the pickiest eater to make the switch.
Trust me, when the Mr gets excited when you are going to make this recipe you know it is good. The only time he really wants potato anymore is when we have steak, then he wants a good ol' fashioned baked potato. I need to come up with a way to replace that with cauliflower.
Hhmmm let me think on that one for a while!
Low-Carb
Side Dish, Keto
American
Yield: 4

Lemon Garlic Mashed Cauliflower "Potatoes"
With just a hint of garlic and lemon, a bit of cream cheese, and a bit of butter, these "fauxtatoes" will convince even the pickiest eater to make the switch from potatoes to cauliflower.
prep time: 5 minscook time: 10 minstotal time: 15 mins
ingredients:
- 1 large head of cauliflower (3 pounds or so), separated into florets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Kosher salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the cauliflower and garlic cloves and cook until the cauliflower is very tender (when you pierce it with a knife it goes in easily), about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Drain well.
- Transfer cauliflower, garlic, lemon zest, cream cheese, and heavy whipping cream to a food processor and secure the lid. Process the cauliflower mixture until there are no lumps and it's smooth like mashed potatoes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
calories
125
125
fat (grams)
9.5
9.5
sat. fat (grams)
5.5
5.5
carbs (grams)
8.1
8.1
net carbs
4.6
4.6
protein (grams)
4
4
sugar (grams)
4
4
Sodium
69
69
Fiber
3.5
3.5
All recipes and their respective images are original and the sole property of Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen ©, with all rights, reserved.
Created using The Recipes Generator
Help support this blog by starting your Amazon shopping here. THANK YOU!!
Like what you see? Please leave me a comment!
Planning on making one of my recipes? Nothing would make me happier! Take a photo and share it on Instagram using the hashtag #BobbisKozyKtchn I would love to see what you made.
Thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with. Doing so allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you.
This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
Oh my goodness I bet this tastes absolutely delicious - I would never have though of using lemon with mash! I need to try this now.
ReplyDeleteI want to try this because as of now, I have to "bury" my 2-year-old's rice or starch to trick him into eating it. This seems like a perfect way to get him to eat cauliflower! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOH yes, it is perfect. My granddaughter never knows 😉
DeleteI love cauliflower( I know said no one) but I do and your recipe sounds incredible. Thanks for passing it on
ReplyDeleteI actually do love cauliflower, which is SO weird because I used to hate it, and am having so much fun coming up with new recipes to use it in.
DeleteI love thos combo, lemon in cauli mash is SO good. I wonder if I could use dairy free subs in this to make it dairy free.
ReplyDeleteOh I am sure you could. You could use chicken or vegetable stock in the place of milk if you want. Do they make a dairy free cream cheese and butter?
DeleteWow, I love mash potatoes and now you are introducing me to garlicky butter cauli mash, yum yum. I will have to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCan you say yummy one more time?? This looks so darn good. Love the garlic addition too.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing. I would love to try califlower mash!
ReplyDeletei love all the califlower hacks! it makes m life so much easier because im not a big veggie person
ReplyDeleteI have heard about this, but have never made it. This looks SO GOOD!! I definitely need to try this soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great alternative to my usual steamed cauliflower. Plus love the design of your blog! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kristel 😊
DeleteI know Cauliflower is a much healthier option than the potato. I just don't know whether I could deal with the taste the same way. It does look like the potato and I am sure you could get the consistency down. Just not sure about everything else. Worth a try for the health benefits though for sure.
ReplyDeleteMy guy was very hesitant to try the switch too, and can be uber picky, but he loves it. He just adds more butter than I do 😉
DeleteI have just fallen in love with cauliflower as an adult. Now if I could get my kids to eat it!
ReplyDeleteGive this a try! You can add more butter, or cream cheese.
DeleteI've always wanted to include cauliflower in my diet but have never been a fan. This looks so appetizing and may be the answer I was looking for. Thanks for the recipe
ReplyDeleteI hope you give it a try Holly! Or, try the Loaded Cauliflower Casserole I just posted. I can guarantee that you will love that!
DeleteI'm not a big fan of cauliflower, but WOW this looks amazing. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
ReplyDeleteThis dish contains things I really like: cauliflower, garlic, cheese - and it takes only 15 minutes to prepare it?! I need to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to spruce up a dish everyone has had for so many years! I just cant wait to try this out!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I turned my nose up quite a bit when you said you were putting lemon in this but color me intrigued! I love cauliflower as a lighter fewer carb version of potato and mashed is my favorite way to have it so I just might have to try this with the lemon anyway!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try cauliflower mash, but never thought that it would look like real mashed potatoes, but you have proved me wrong. These look incredible and so creamy. Yum! Also, I had no idea just how sprayed potato crops are...yikes! Thanks for the knowledge :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes. So much yes! I would never have thought to add lemon to mashed potatoes... let alone mashed cauliflower. Can't wait to try!
ReplyDeleteMy new years resolution is to play around with cauliflower more in recipes, and this recipe sounds delish! Can't wait to try it!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures of this cauliflower mashed potatoes has me drooling!!! I've never had cauli mash but have heard great things.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so yummy! I wonder if I can trick my hubby into thinking it's really potatoes - haha!
ReplyDeleteI turned my nose up quite a bit when you said you were putting lemon in this but color me intrigued!
ReplyDeleteSavan vegas