This decadent keto Garlic & Chive Cauliflower Mash is so creamy and delicious that nobody will guess it doesn’t contain any cream or cheese! Shhhhhh – I won’t tell if you don’t!
If you’ve been following along on the Facebook page, you know that I decided to try dairy free for awhile to see if it would break through the plateau I’ve been stuck in. After 2 weeks dairy free and no significant change in my weight loss pattern, I decided it just wasn’t worth it.
So while I’m cutting back on the amount of dairy overall, I have started adding it back into my diet in the form of cream in my coffee again (you have no idea how good that first sip was), as well as some cheese occasionally. The first morning after I started eating dairy again I was down 2 lbs – it was a nice bonus and validated that for me personally, cutting out dairy is not the key to weight loss while on keto.
Some of you don’t have the option of just eating dairy because you feel like it – so it’s for you guys that I will continue to post more keto dairy free and low carb recipes moving forward.
While I was on my dairy hiatus, I really missed eating all of my yummy cauliflower puree recipes (Better than Potatoes, Bacon and Smoked Gouda, Pepperoni Pizza, and Jalapeno Popper specifically.) I realized that every single one of them contained dairy – and lots of it.
So I made it my mission to create a luscious cauliflower puree recipe that would be not only low carb, but also dairy free. Even I was skeptical that I could pull it off, and I wracked my brain for days thinking about my options. I wanted it silky and rich like the versions with butter, cheese and cream, but couldn’t think of a substance that would give that to me without strange side effects. Coconut oil leaves a distinct flavor that I didn’t want, avocados would turn it an unappetizing green color, etc.
Finally, I hit on an idea that I thought might work, but I really wasn’t sure. Mayonnaise. I know, right? It’s weird to think about using it in this application – and yet not really. It’s creamy and rich, so in theory I hoped it would give me the silky texture I was looking for.
Well IT DID! I’m not going to go overboard and claim that it’s better than my other cauliflower puree recipes, but it will definitely hold it’s own. I added the mayonnaise and garlic while cooking the cauliflower to mellow it out, then the chives and hint of lemon got thrown in at the end to cut through the richness and add a lively, fresh element.
I loved it – and I’ll make it again even though I don’t have to now that I’m back on dairy. It’s different from my other keto friendly cauliflower mash recipes – but in its own way, just as delicious!
For those of you that gaze longingly at the photos of my other cauliflower mash recipes, but never try them due to the dairy factor, this will be game changing. Rejoice my lactose challenged friends – silky and delicious cauliflower puree is back on the menu!
Garlic & Chive Cauliflower Mash – Low Carb & Dairy Free
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups 1x
Description
A luscious and satisfying cauliflower puree recipe that is low carb AND dairy free!
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon (or lime) zest
- 1 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Combine the cauliflower, mayonnaise, garlic, water, salt and pepper in a large microwave safe bowl, stirring to coat.
- Microwave on high for 12-15 minutes (or longer), until completely softened.
- Add the cooked mixture to a magic bullet or food processor and puree until smooth.
- Add the lemon juice, zest and chives and pulse until combined.
- Serve warm.
- Category: Side Dish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 178
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 3g net
- Protein: 2g
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Nicole says
Mayo kind of grosses me out so I doubted that I’d like this. But I did! Totally creamy and the chives and lemon were yummy. I made this with the balsamic pot roast – great combination!
Claire says
This is incredibly easy and absolutely delicious! I’ve made it multiple times on the two times I’ve done Squeaky Clean Keto. Thank you for all of your work for SCK, I’m so incredibly grateful…this program has finally moved me out the plateau I’ve been in for a while and I am going to keep going with it because I feel fantastic. I have one question that I really could use help with. Approximately what is the weight of 4 cups cauliflower florets?? I’ve googled it and gotten 50 different answers and every time I’ve made this recipe I only get half the puree you say it should be. I’m really concerned about making the carbs too high and kicking myself out of ketosis, so I could really use this help so I can make this again and actually have the proper portion and thus carb count! Please help!
Stacie Koutras says
Made it a few time and still amazed with how delicious it is. Perfect with the keto pot roast!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks so much Stacie!
Karyn says
So good! I boiled my cauliflower (don’t know why, just did it that way), drained it, then processed it with the other ingredients. I added a teaspoon of prepared horseradish for a tiny zing and it was terrific. Thank you, my doctor has me eliminating dairy this month and this is saving Thanksgiving.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Really happy to hear that this recipe worked well for you Karyn!
Elizabeth says
I don’t understand how a serving of this adds up to 18g of fat?
pc says
Depends on the brand of mayo. I use Hellman’s full fat. 1/3 cup would be about 50 grams of fat in total. Divide that by 4 servings. 12.5 g per serving. Her mayo must have more fat in it.
MeghanAmuseMe says
So yummy! This is my favorite cauli mash to date!! Perfect accompaniment to your southern fried chicken!! Feels like a cheat meal ;)
Renee says
Tastes great. I will try adding bone broth(that was mentioned in a previous comment)next time. Mine didn’t quite turn out as pretty as the picture. Definitely use a food processor. I have Nutri Bullet, not a Magic Bullet – not really sure if they are the same, so I used a small food processor and it turned out great, but will add bone broth next time for a smoother texture and see how it goes.
Kitty Johnson says
I didn’t add the chives because, eww. Garlic powder instead of fresh. This is SO good! I strongly dislike the keto fauxtatos/mac & cheese. Just call it what it is. This, however, was actually REALLY close to garlic mashed potatoes. Puree is definitely the way to eat cooked cauliflower. Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Jen says
Thanks for posting this, I was looking for a cauliflower mash without dairy. This was great! Followed the recipe exactly and didn’t need any changes. Went really great with a keto meatloaf.
Frankie D. says
We made this over the weekend to freeze ahead as part if the SCKC. We had a slight issue with the consistency so we added bone broth to get it smooth. Another wonderfully satisfying recipe!! Thank you!!