This Purple Cauliflower Mash is a fun and colorful twist on traditional mashed potatoes! Not only does it bring a vibrant pop of color to your plate, but it's also packed with nutrients and has a creamy, smooth texture. It's the perfect side dish to impress your family or guests while keeping things light and healthy. Give this flavorful and visually stunning dish a try!
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Purple cauliflower is simply a variety of cauliflower that has a deep, almost-burgundy hue. It still tastes like regular cauliflower but it's a little bit sweeter and has more nutritional value too.
Why This Recipe Works
So why make purple cauliflower mash? Here are 3 top reasons:
- Nutrient-Packed – Purple Cauliflower Is Rich In Antioxidants like which give it that beautiful color and provide health benefits.
- Eye-Catching Presentation – The vibrant purple hue adds a unique and colorful touch to your meal, making it a standout side dish that impresses both kids and adults.
- Low-Carb Alternative – This mash is a great substitute for traditional mashed potatoes, offering a light, low-carb, and equally creamy option without sacrificing flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
- Purple Cauliflower: The main ingredient, offering a unique color and mild flavor.
- Milk: Adds creaminess to the mashed cauliflower.
- Butter: Contributes to a richer taste and smoother texture.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
- Cracked Black Pepper: Adds a hint of heat and spice.
- Fresh Herbs/Chives: Introduces a refreshing, aromatic element to the mash.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Go extra creamy! I love swapping milk for coconut milk or heavy cream for a super silky mash.
- Cheese, please! Parmesan, cheddar, or a little cream cheese make this mash next-level delicious.
- Garlic all the way! Roasted garlic blended in? Yes, yes, and yes—so much flavor!
- Freshen it up! I toss in rosemary or parsley for that herby, just-right touch.
- Mix it up! Sometimes, I blend in mashed turnips or parsnips for extra texture and flavor fun.
🔪 How To Make Cauliflower Mash Using Purple Cauliflower
Here is a step by step guide for this purple cauliflower recipe. The first part involves steaming your cauliflower which can be done on the stove top or in a steamer basket in the Instant Pot.
Step One: To steam your cauliflower in the Instant Pot, place one cup of water in the bottom of your inner pot. Place a trivet and steamer basket into the pot.
Step Two: Wash and trim your head of cauliflower and then chop the purple cauliflower into florets or cook as a whole cauliflower. Keep as much of the stem as you like! Its all edible and will mash really well once steamed.
Step Three: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the to pressure cook for 2 minutes on high pressure.
Step Four: Once the purple cauliflower is steamed, release the steam from the Instant Pot using a manual release.
Step Five: Place your steamed cauliflower in a blender or food processor. I use a Vitamix but you can use any food processor you have.
Step Six: Add your milk, butter, salt, pepper.
Step Seven: Let the processor roll until you achieve desired consistency.
Step Eight: Your purple cauliflower mash is now ready to be served. Garnish with your favorite herbs or chives and enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- To Thicken Cauliflower Mash: If you find your cauliflower mash is too runny or watery for your liking, there are a few tricks to help thicken it up. If you have an immersion blender, blend the mashed cauliflower on low speed in circular motions until it starts to thicken. Alternatively, you can place the cauli mash in a food processor and pulse until it thickens.
- Thicken On The Stove Top: You can also cook the mashed cauliflower on the stove top for a few minutes to evaporate some of the moisture and help thicken it up.
- Pay Attention: Whichever method you choose to thicken your mash, be sure to keep an eye on your cauliflower mash as you don't want it to burn!
💭 FAQs
Purple cauliflower has a subtle sweetness and a naturally vibrant hue that holds up well during cooking. Its creamy texture makes for a satisfying mash, and its striking color adds a fun twist to a familiar dish.
Absolutely. Prepare your mash as usual, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you're ready to serve, a gentle reheat possibly with a splash of cream or milk will bring it right back to its silky consistency.
Simple ingredients work wonders here. A dash of salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil or a pat of butter, and a hint of garlic can really elevate the flavor. Some cooks even like a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of smoked paprika for an extra kick.
Availability can vary by region and season. While it's becoming more common in many supermarkets, you might have better luck at specialty stores or local markets when it's not in peak season.
Allow the mashed cauliflower to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will maintain its texture and flavor for 3 to 4 days, or place it in freezer-safe packaging if you plan to keep it longer. When reheating, add a small splash of milk or broth to revive its creamy consistency.
🧂Serving Suggestions
You can serve your purple cauliflower mash with a variety of dishes. Some of our favorites are roasted chicken, grilled steak, salmon, white fish and pork chops.
You can even use the cauli mash as a side dish to your favorite pasta or soup!
It's also great with some freshly baked bread for dipping. Enjoy! This mashed cauliflower recipe can replace real mashed potatoes as a side for any of the following dishes:
🍽 Related Recipes
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Purple Cauliflower Mash Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Purple Cauliflower
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- ½ Teaspoon Sea Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Herbs fresh
Instructions
- Wash and trim your purple cauliflower into florets. Keep as much of the stem as you like! Its all edible and will mash really well once steamed.
- Steam your cauliflower on the stove top in a steamer basket for 10-12 minutes until fork soft.
- Place your steamed cauliflower in a blender or food processor. I use a Vitamux but you can use any food processor you have. Add your milk, butter, salt, pepper and let the processor roll!
- Your purple cauliflower mash is now ready to be served. Garnish with your favorite herbs or chives and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Do your kids love different Colored Veggies? What’s their fave? Let me know if they love this best cauliflower mash recipe.
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This Purple Cauliflower Mash is as tasty as it is stunning! Creamy, colorful, and a fun twist on a classic side dish. I love how the vibrant hue adds a pop to any meal. Let me know if you give it a try!