Best instant pot mashed cauliflower recipe – Food 4 Kitchen

 Instant pot mashed cauliflower recipe is a very tasty and simple way to make cauliflower mashed potatoes without using any cream or butter. This dish recipe is super creamy, cheesy, and versatile like traditional mashed potatoes. This low-carb cauliflower mash is a hidden swap for regular mashed potatoes that has become a new favorite in our family.

Instant pot mashed cauliflower

Ingredients for instant pot mashed cauliflower

• Cauliflower Flour (0.5 cups).
• Milk (1 cup).
• Butter (1 tbsp) or ghee (2 slabs).
• Spice of your choice – I used garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

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Step by step recipes for Instant Pot mashed cauliflower

Step 1: Cut the head of the cauliflower into florets. The florets should be cut into 6-8 pieces each so that they are a bit bigger than the pieces we will be mashing later. Place them in a steamer basket or wire mesh steamer pot.

-Pour enough water into the Instant Pot to come up to the bottom of the steamer basket. Then place the trivet that comes with your pot (or a stand-alone steamer rack) over the water. Fill the pot with water by adding two to three cups.

Step 2: Lock and seal your Instant Pot and set it on High pressure for 5 minutes. The vent should be closed, not sealed.

Step 3: After 5 minutes, do a quick release to drop the pressure down quickly.

Step 4: Remove the cauliflower with tongs or strainer and place it in a large bowl or serving dish. Mash the cauliflower with the back of a large spoon or potato masher.

Step 5: Add butter, milk, garlic powder, and salt and mix.

Step 6: Enjoy your Instant pot mashed cauliflower with gravy or as a side dish. Variations for the dish include adding in herbs such as parsley or cilantro. You can also leave out the cheese and season to your liking with spices like red pepper flakes, cumin, fresh ginger, etc.

Instant pot mashed cauliflower cooking

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Cooking notes for instant pot mashed cauliflower

• To make perfectly fluffy mashed potatoes that are light and airy, cook your cauliflower florets first. You can steam the florets on the stovetop or pressure cook them in the instant pot!
• As with any mash, be sure to mix well when adding seasonings because some spices will burn if left in your mash while it cooks.
• Do a quick release on your instant pot after cooking on High pressure for 5 minutes and then do a natural pressure release according to your pot’s instructions. Be careful not to use too much pressure so that you don’t destroy the integrity of the florets or change their texture and flavor.
• Most instant pots come with a steamer basket to make your life easier when steaming. If yours does not, you can skip the steamer pot and just use two layers of cheesecloth on top of the steamer basket to prevent over direct heat, like in this recipe for instant pot mashed cauliflower.
• If you want to mix in some herbs or other seasonings, be sure to chop them finely before adding so that they don’t become bitter during cooking.
• For a richer consistency when mashing the cauliflower, add a bit more milk than butter as per the recipe instructions. You can also use ghee instead of butter if you prefer!
• You can also mash the cauliflower with a potato masher instead of a spoon once it is cooked

Add buttermilk to the dish

How to make instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes

Ingredients for instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes

• Cauliflower Flour (1 tbsp).
• Milk (as per taste, 2 cups).
• Butter 4 tbsp of ghee 2 slabs.
• Garlic powder (1 tbsp).
• Cayenne powder (1 tsp).
• Potatoes boiled (2, medium).
• Salt (1 tsp).
• Pepper powder (1 tbsp).
• Green chili chopped (1 tbsp).

instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes

Step by step recipes for instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes

• Potatoes should be boiled and then sliced into cubes. Place the cubed potatoes in a pot of cold water and allow them to cool.
• Place butter in an Instant Pot and turn it on, wait until it is melted. Add cauliflower flour or (0.5 cups).
• Now add milk and mix well until all the flour is dissolved. Add salt, pepper-cayenne powder, cauliflower, and mix well.
• Add boiled potatoes (2 medium), cover, and pressure cook for 10-15 minutes in manual or pressure cooking mode in your instant pot.
• Allow it to release pressure naturally (NPR). Garnish with green chili coriander leaves or parsley if desired. Enjoy.

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Cooking notes for instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes

• If you are not using Instant Pot, make sure to roast your cauliflower florets (step #2) before mashing them. This step will help in making the mash light and fluffy.
• If you plan to mash the cauliflower with a potato masher, then increase the butter or ghee by 2 slabs and the milk by 1/4 cup so that it is more spreadable instead of runny.
• If you want a creamy consistency, add more milk than specified in this recipe for the dish.
• I have used cayenne as an optional ingredient in the dish recipe. Those who dislike spicy food can skip this.
• Other herbs or seasonings that you can add to the dish include thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, etc.
• Make sure to mix the cauliflower carefully when adding garlic powder and salt as they will burn if left behind in contact with high heat for long periods of time.
• Instead of using a potato masher to mash your instant pot mashed cauliflower, you can also use a food processor or mix it with a handheld mixer to get a smooth consistency. 
• Enjoy your instant pot cauliflower mashed potatoes with gravy or as a side dish.
• Variations for dishes include adding in herbs such as parsley or cilantro, dry spices like red pepper flakes, cumin, fresh ginger, etc.

Enjoy with gravy

Some questions about instant pot mashed cauliflower

1. Is it safe to boil potatoes in an instant pot? 

Yes, you can boil potatoes in the instant pot. I have done this to cook potatoes properly. This recipe is safe to eat and you will not get any harmful side effects.

2. Why do I have to mash the cauliflower? Can’t I just steam this? 

You can use either method, but a mashed potato consistency is ideal for making a dish. Hence, when I say “mash” in this recipe, it means mashing by hand or using a handheld mixer on medium speed as much as you can with your masher or hand mixer.

3. Can you add cheese to the dish recipe?

You can definitely add shredded cheddar, gouda, Monterey jack, or Mexican queso fresco to the dish in this recipe.

4. Can you freeze instant pot mashed cauliflower?

Yes, you can freeze your dish after cooking it as per the recipe instructions. Make sure to cool down the mashed cauliflower first and then transfer it to airtight containers for freezing. To use frozen mashed cauliflower, thaw it completely and mix in some milk before heating in the microwave or reheating it on the stovetop with a bit of water and milk or cream added to thicken.

5. Can you add cheese to an instant pot mashed cauliflower recipe?

You can definitely add shredded cheddar, gouda, Monterey jack, or Mexican queso fresco to the dish in this recipe.

6. How do I reheat my instant pot mashed cauliflower?

Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for about 2 minutes on high power. If your bowl is not microwave safe, you can also reheat it on the stovetop by adding some water and milk to it and heating it until warmed through.

Instant pot mashed cauliflower can be made with just a few steps. It is a perfect side dish for any meal and easy to make. This quick and easy instant pot mashed cauliflower recipe will become one of your favorite recipes.

As per taste, I have used a bit less milk so that the mash is not too runny, but you can add more for a creamier mash.