Creamy Turmeric Cauliflower Mash (Dairy-Free)
Looking for a comforting alternative to mashed potatoes that won’t leave you feeling heavy? This Creamy Turmeric Cauliflower Mash is ultra-velvety, vegan, low carb, and packed with anti-inflammatory benefits. A 20-minute spin on a classic comfort food!
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It took me several attempts to perfect this Cauliflower Mash recipe, so it wasn’t watery or bland. When done right, a cauliflower puree can be just as decadent and silky as the best buttery mashed potatoes.
Baking the cauliflower with a vibrant punch of turmeric and garlic is my key to a successful cauli mash. This isn’t just a side dish; it’s the base for a nourishing bowl that looks like sunshine and tastes like pure comfort. Whether you’re keto, vegan, or just trying to sneak more veggies into your life, this golden mash is a game-changer.
Why This is the Best Cauliflower Mash Recipe
- Creamy and delicious: spiced deliciously with a thick, creamy texture.
- Anti-Inflammatory Power: Infused with turmeric and black pepper for a nutrition boost.
- 100% Dairy-Free: We use coconut milk or almond milk for a rich “mouthfeel” without the cream.
- Versatile Meal Base: Perfect as a side or as the foundation for a meat or veggie bowl.
The Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Cut into uniform florets.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves: For a mellow, roasted flavor.
- Ground Turmeric: For that iconic golden hue and earthy depth.
- Coconut Milk: (Or your favorite plant-based milk) for creaminess.
- Olive Oil or Vegan Butter: To add that essential richness.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste (remember: black pepper activates the turmeric).
How to Make Silky Turmeric Cauliflower Mash
1. The Bake
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Roughly chop up the cauliflower, onion, garlic, and ginger, and place them in a baking tray or bowl.
Add the turmeric, coriander, smoked paprika, and oil to a separate bowl and mix well.
Toss the cauliflower, onion, garlic, and ginger with the spice-infused oil and spread out on a baking tray. Place the tray in a 450-degree oven and bake the veggies for 20 minutes.
Pro Tip: I prefer not to boil the cauliflower but to bake it as I have found that baking the cauliflower prevents a “soupy” mash!
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2. The Blend
When cauliflower is baked, add it to a food processor or high-speed blender along with 1/8 cup of coconut milk and blend. An immersion blender could also be used. If it’s too thick, add in the other 1/8th cup of coconut milk. It should be the perfect consistency at this point. However, if it is still too thick, add in some more coconut milk until it’s the consistency you would like.
Pro Tip: If you add in too much milk and this mash is too watery, place it in a saucepan and place that over a stove set to medium heat and let the mash cook for about 5 minutes or so, stirring often, until the liquid has evaporated and it is the consistency you prefer.
3. Season to Perfection
Taste and add salt and a generous crack of black pepper. The pepper isn’t just for flavor—it helps your body absorb the curcumin in the turmeric!
Make it a Meal: The Cauliflower Mash Bowl
To turn this into a full Bowl, I love combining my golden mash with:
- Easy Za’atar Turkey Meatballs
- Harissa Lemon Chicken
- Easy Chicken Cakes
- Harissa Chickpeas with Fresh Tomatoes: For a protein-packed crunch.
- Oven Roasted Vegetable Salad with Egg: For a pop of color.
My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed this Turmeric Cauliflower Mash with some pork, some chopped celery, chopped avocado, fresh parsley, and greens, in bowls – because sometimes dinner is just better in a bowl – right?!
Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin.
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Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower (I used a medium size one)
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 3/4 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 tbsp oil (I used olive oil)
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Roughly chop up the cauliflower and place the cauliflower florets in a baking tray or bowl.
- Roughly chop up the onion, peel the garlic cloves and ginger and place with the cauliflower
- Add the turmeric, coriander, smoked paprika, and oil to a bowl and mix well.
- Toss the cauliflower, onion, garlic and ginger with the spice-infused oil and spread out on a baking tray and place tray in 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.
- When cauliflower is baked, add it to a blender along with coconut milk and blend until it's the consistency you would like it to be.
- Season Turmeric Mashed Cauliflower with salt and pepper and serve with your favorite veggies and/or meats.*
Notes
- Easy Za’atar Turkey Meatballs
- Harissa Lemon Chicken
-
Easy Chicken Cakes
- Harissa Chickpeas with Fresh Tomatoes: For a protein-packed crunch.
- Oven Roasted Vegetable Salad with Egg: For a pop of color.
Would You Like to Save This?
Enter your email and I’ll send you this recipe to you. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!
This sounds like such a delicious dinner, Shashi! I love that Smithfield applewood bacon pork loin, and I think we have one in the freezer right now. And that cauliflower mash? Sign me up! I don’t think I’ve ever had anything quite like that, but I can see how the flavors would pair quite well with the pork loin. Two thumbs up on this one, my friend!
Must give your turmeric cauliflower mash a go Shashi! Yum! I’m always on the look out for new “mash” ideas that are not potato mash for our evening meals. Potato mash is nice but we sometimes have it too often. Love the idea of serving it with lovely pan-sauteed pork too. As usual your photographs make me want to reach through the screen and grab this! Hope you guys are doing well.
So yummy and healthy…perfect for me!
Yummmmm! These are such great flavors for the cauliflower to soak up…and get devoured! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Another winner winner cauliflower dinner. Thanks for the recipe! I’m going to try this tonight. Looks delicious!
I’m loving bowls right now. This easy turmeric cauliflower bowl is full of nutritional rich ingredients and flavor which is what I crave in the summer.
I made your cauliflower mash and it turned out perfect! I loved all the layers of flavor and the kids went nuts over it too! Thanks for another great recipe to try! Bookmarking to make again!!!
I am loving this idea! I actually have a Pork Tenderloin in my refrigerator and I love what you have done with this recipe all the layers of flavor and that super juicy looking pork!! Bookmarking to make!!!!