This Vegan Mashed Cauliflower has all the feels of a big bowl of mashed potatoes, which is perfect for any autumn dinner. Can we talk for a quick second about roasted garlic? Roasted garlic has to be one of the best flavours out there. I’m a big fan. It is so delicious and adds that extra goodness to any dish. The best news, there is a whole head of roasted garlic in this cauliflower mash and no one is mad about it.
what’s in this vegan cauliflower recipe
I’m a huge mashed potato fan and have been known to douse my mashed potatoes in a lot of ketchup. Judging eyes may look at me in disgust, but I think it’s pretty yummy. With this vegan cauliflower mash, there is zero need for ketchup, which is saying a lot because you now know my feelings towards ketchup. The combination of roasted garlic, vegan butter, and thyme in this recipe create a certain savoury goodness that melts in your mouth one bite at a time. This dish uses simple ingredients that pack in lots of flavours. There is no heaviness after enjoying this vegan cauliflower recipe, it is light, comforting and flavour packed.
Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend. One of the aspects of being a vegetarian that I’ve enjoyed most is the versatility of holiday meals. There are a lot of fun vegan cauliflower recipes out there, that mimic holiday favourites, like this mash. Growing up, we always had turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli and usually a salad for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. I guess that’s what makes a tradition, and I look back on it with very fond memories. But since changing my eating ways it’s been kind of fun to play around with what Thanksgiving looks like to me.
a vegan thanksgiving
Although Thanksgiving is a holiday wrapped a lot around food, I realized I don’t need to hold on to the preconceived notions of what a Thanksgiving meal should look like. It’s ok if mine looks a little different. Food is definitely important to me as it is one of my love languages, but it’s been neat to let go of what is expected out of this holiday and see the deeper meaning. To me, that means finding time to spend with family and to think about what I truly am grateful for. There are a lot of things I am grateful for: a chance to make a difference in this world with even the tiniest decision, for family, for my health and for living in a place where there is great opportunity.
feeling grateful
Diving a little deeper, I’ll let you know starting/pursuing a blog is hard. Most of the time, I feel like I’m failing or I am an imposter. It’s hard to focus on the little wins when the failures seem so much bigger. But I am so grateful for what I’ve learned. I’m grateful that I am open to learning and open to asking questions about things I should probably already know but don’t. Getting to share my passion with those who are interested in hearing my voice has me feeling honoured. I am grateful for pushing myself and taking chance on something I love.
I am also grateful for my Picky Husband and his support. He is truly my number one fan. He’s honest about everything I create. And is my positive advocate when I am in a negative spiral. I am grateful to have him by my side.
Needing more thanksgiving dish ideas? Start out with a yummy dip, and then dive into this gluten free stuffing.
Enough of that sappy stuff though. Whether your Thanksgiving is a traditional one (whatever that looks like to you) or it changes year to year, hopefully, you’ll find some time to enjoy this vegan mashed cauliflower. Enjoy your mashed potatoes, but perhaps this cauliflower will be a new and different veggie dish on the table. On Adam’s first bite, he said he thought it would make a really yummy dip with crackers. I preferred eating it with a spoon in a bowl, but it actually wasn’t a bad idea at all. So maybe we should all be thinking appetizer for this cauliflower.
here are a few reasons why I love this vegan mashed cauliflower, so listen up!
- This dish is silky smooth, creamy and goes down with no problem. The herbs, vegan butter and the roasted garlic make this mashed cauliflower lip-smacking good.
- It’s lighter than a big bowl of mashed potatoes, but still provides that comforting, classic dish that you may want at your table for holiday meals. This is one of those vegan cauliflower recipes that adds a conservative change to your dinner table. Similar to mashed potatoes, and loaded with roasted garlic, this mashed cauliflower is a Thanksgiving favourite.
- Guys, this dish is so easy to make. this vegan cauliflower mash takes less than an hour to make, and most of that time is just waiting for the garlic to roast and the cauliflower to steam. Sip on a glass of wine while you wait and then blend everything together. Done and done. Easiest side dish ever.
Whether you want to get sappy with me and discuss at length what you are grateful for, or you just want to eat a huge meal, let Thanksgiving be what you need it to be. And if you need Thanksgiving to have this Vegan Mashed Cauliflower in it, then the ball is in your court, friends. Happy Thanksgiving!
vegan mashed cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 tsp avocado oil (for the garlic)
- 1 head of garlic (roasted)
- 1 medium head of cauliflower
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 tbsp almond milk
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1-2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper to taste
- chives to top
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF.
- Cut off the top of the head of garlic, so that the tops of the cloves are exposed. Drizzle 1/2-1 tsp of oil over the top of the garlic head and wrap it in aluminum foil. Place in the oven for 30 minutes until the cloves are soft and the top is golden brown.
- While the garlic is roasting, wash and cut your cauliflower into florets. Steam the cauliflower on the stovetop until the cauliflower is soft. You should be able to poke the cauliflower with a knife and if goes easily through.
- Place the steamed cauliflower in a food processor. At this point, your garlic should be done. Let cool for a few minutes so that you can grab it with your hands.
- From the bottom of the head of garlic push up with your fingers so the soft garlic cloves come out of the garlic skin. Discard the flaky skin of the garlic. Add all the roasted garlic cloves to the food processor with the cauliflower. Process until smooth.
- Once most of the chunks of the cauliflower have been blended, add the vegan butter, almond milk, nutritional yeast, thyme, salt and pepper. Pulse the ingredients into the cauliflower mixture. At this point, taste test and see if the mixture needs more pepper/salt/nutritional yeast. The mixture should be creamy and smooth.
- Pour out into a bowl and top with chives. Best enjoyed warm.
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I can’t wait to try this dish. Simple and yet so delicious. Another winner!
It’s super yummy!
Can’t wait to try this!!!
And we’re thankful to have all your
amazing and inspiring recipes!
you’re the sweetest 🙂