Keto Loaded Cauliflower Mash (Better Than Mashed Potatoes)

This keto loaded cauliflower mash takes 25 minutes and swaps potatoes for cauliflower, delivering creamy, cheesy, bacon-topped comfort food at just 5g net carbs per cup-sized serving.

Michelle Beaupre & Mitch Durfee

Table of Contents hide

1 Keto Loaded Cauliflower Mash

2 Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Mash

3 Ingredients You’ll Need

4 Tips For The Best Keto Cauliflower Mash

5 How To Store And Reheat

6 Frequently Asked Questions

Keto Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Creamy, cheesy cauliflower mash loaded with bacon and chives — all the comfort of mashed potatoes at a fraction of the carbs.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 210

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
• 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, divided
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp chives chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and cook until very tender, 12-15 minutes.
2. Drain the cauliflower thoroughly in a colander, then press it with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This is the key step to avoid a watery mash.
3. Transfer the cauliflower to a food processor with the butter, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Fold in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the crumbled bacon.
5. Transfer to a serving dish and top with the remaining cheese, bacon, and chopped chives. Serve warm.

Notes

Draining the cauliflower very well (and patting it dry) is the key step to avoid a watery mash. For the silkiest texture, use a food processor instead of a hand masher.

Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Mash

It has the same creamy, buttery texture you love in mashed potatoes, but cauliflower keeps it low carb enough to fit any keto meal. Loaded with cheddar, bacon, and chives, it tastes more like a loaded baked potato than a vegetable side. It’s also naturally gluten-free and easy to reheat for meal prep.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cauliflower, butter, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, garlic, and chives. Full amounts are in the recipe card above.

Tips For The Best Keto Cauliflower Mash

• Drain the cauliflower very well and pat it dry – excess water is the number one cause of a runny mash.
• A food processor gives the smoothest, most potato-like texture; a hand masher will leave it slightly chunkier.
• Try it alongside our keto garlic butter steak bites for a complete low carb dinner.

How To Store And Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, or warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream to loosen the texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cauliflower mash keto-friendly?

Yes. A cup-sized serving of this recipe has about 5g net carbs, making it a good low carb swap for mashed potatoes on a keto diet.

How do I keep cauliflower mash from turning watery?

Drain the boiled cauliflower thoroughly and press it with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel before blending. Skipping this step is the most common reason cauliflower mash turns out thin.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Make it up to 2 days ahead, store it covered in the fridge, and reheat gently before serving.

What can I use instead of sour cream?

Cream cheese or full-fat Greek yogurt both work well as a substitute and keep the mash just as creamy.

Love This Recipe? Get the Full Cookbook

This recipe is just a taste of what’s inside The Ultimate Keto Cookbook by Michelle Beaupre & Mitch Durfee — 50+ easy, delicious keto recipes for rapid weight loss, complete with full nutrition info for every dish. Grab your copy on Amazon →