Skip the carbs and enjoy this slow cooker cauliflower mash instead of white potatoes! I know, I know… major skeptic over here. But when you taste how flavorful and creamy Crock Pot cauliflower is, you’ll want to make it all the time. Plus, making an easy paleo cauliflower mash recipe in the slow cooker is a major win to save hands-on time and avoid heating up the house.
When I serve slow cooker cauliflower mash to my family and friends, many of them don’t even realize that they aren’t regular mashed potatoes. My favorite thing about this paleo mashed cauliflower recipe is how rich and creamy it is. The slow cooker makes the cauliflower super soft, which is just perfect for mashing!
Is Mashed Cauliflower Paleo and Keto?
Yes. Whether you make regular or garlic mashed cauliflower, chances are it will be paleo and keto friendly. Cauliflower is naturally both.
However, keep in mind that many of the best cauliflower mash recipes also include dairy, such as butter, heavy cream or cream cheese. You’ll want to avoid them for a paleo version. Fortunately, I have you covered with this easy paleo cauliflower mash recipe – and I promise it’s just as delicious!
How To Make Cauliflower Mash In A Slow Cooker
When you cook garlic mashed cauliflower in the slow cooker, the result is extra smooth and practically effortless. In our busy household, the easier, the better!
Here how to make cauliflower mash the easy (and creamy!) way, with just 3 easy steps:
- Place cauliflower florets into the slow cooker with vegetable broth, garlic, and enough water to cover the florets.
- Let the Crock Pot cook the cauliflower.
- Drain the liquid, add ghee, and mash with an immersion blender.
TIP: You can also mash the cauliflower with a regular blender or food processor if you don’t have an immersion blender. Just mash it extra well, so you get a smooth and creamy texture.
- Season your easy mashed cauliflower with fresh herbs and sea salt.
How Long To Cook Crock Pot Cauliflower Mash?
It takes 6 hours on Low or 3 hours on High to get the cauliflower perfectly soft. After that, just drain, add ghee and blend.
Season the easy mashed cauliflower with fresh herbs and sea salt. Serve immediately or leave in the slow cooker on warm until you are ready.
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower To Make Slow Cooker Cauliflower?
Yes, you can use frozen cauliflower to make this slow cooker cauliflower recipe. This will still be the best mashed cauliflower recipe ever!
And unlike other cauliflower recipes, you won’t even notice a difference here if you use frozen florets.
How To Thicken Paleo Cauliflower Mash
If you run into an issue with your paleo cauliflower mash being too runny, you can thicken it.
The best way to make sure it isn’t too thin is by prevention. It’s essential to drain the water and broth off the cauliflower very well, or you’ll end up with a thinner cauliflower mash.
If you do run into the situation where your slow cooker cauliflower mash is too thin, here are two ways to thicken it:
- Add more soft veggies. You can add cooked carrots, parsnips, or simply more cooked cauliflower and blend again.
- Simmer it. If your paleo cauliflower mash is super thin, place it in a saucepan and simmer on the stove. This will evaporate off the liquid and should thicken it right up.
Crock Pot Cauliflower Variations
It’s not going to be a surprise to anyone that I like to change up my paleo recipes from time to time, so we never get bored.
I love this paleo mashed cauliflower recipe just the way it is, but sometimes I like to add some variety. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Green Onions – Adding green onions add an entirely different flavor to the slow cooker cauliflower.
- Bacon – Doesn’t everything taste better when you add crumbled bacon to it? So good!
- Horseradish – Add a kick of flavor with a touch of horseradish. A little bit goes a long way.
- Spinach – I love to add in as many nutrients as I can, and spinach is the perfect ingredient to do that. Cook it first so that you don’t end up with watery cauliflower mash.
- Butternut Squash – This is especially good during the fall and winter months.
Can You Make This Paleo Mashed Cauliflower Recipe Ahead?
Yes, this makes a great make ahead mashed cauliflower recipe. Crock Pot cauliflower mash will last in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you like to meal plan or are expecting to have a large event, you can make up several batches and place in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.
Allow the creamy cauliflower mash to cool to close to room temperature, then refrigerate or freeze.
TIP: For meal planning, I use glass containers with lids because they stack nicely and are easy to clean.
Can You Freeze Cauliflower Mash?
Yes, you can freeze this paleo mashed cauliflower recipe. It will last for 3-6 months in the freezer.
To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. To heat it up, put it in a saucepan, cover, and simmer until it is heated through.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Cauliflower
Take a look at these delicious recipes to serve with Crock Pot cauliflower:
Crock Pot Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash Recipe:
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RECIPE CARD
Paleo Crock Pot Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mash Recipe
An EASY Crock Pot slow cooker cauliflower recipe - just 5 ingredients + 10 minutes prep! Paleo cauliflower mash (mashed cauliflower) is flavorful, low carb and healthy.
Recipe Video
Click or tap on the image below to play the video and learn how to make this recipe!
Ingredients
Please ensure Safari reader mode is OFF to view ingredients.
- 1 large head Cauliflower (cut into medium florets)
- 6 cloves Garlic (peeled)
- 4 tablespoons Fresh herbs (minced; I used rosemary, sage, thyme, and parsley)
- 1 cup Vegetable broth
- 4-6 cups Water
- 3 tablespoons Ghee (or grass-fed butter if not strict paleo)
- Sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
More TIPS about this paleo recipe in the post above!
Place the cauliflower into the slow cooker and top with garlic cloves, vegetable broth, and enough water to cover the cauliflower.
Cook on Low heat for 6 hours or High heat for 3 hours. Drain the water and broth, and add the cauliflower back to the slow cooker.
Toss in the ghee and use an immersion blender to mash.
Season with salt to taste and mix in fresh herbs. Set on keep warm until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Video Showing How To Make Mashed Cauliflower:
Don't miss the VIDEO above - it's the easiest way to learn how to make Mashed Cauliflower!
Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols (though the latter are rarely seen on this site), because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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42 Comments
Regelyn
I am thinking of a nice meal tonight, thank for giving me such a great idea
Erin
Mine came out very un-mashed-potato-like. It was like soup with cauliflower crumbs in it. Mashing it w/ a hand mixer and a blender didn’t really work; just broke up the cauliflower some more. Advice? I followed the recipe to a T, and only used the broth and only 4 cups of water.
Toriann
Did you drain all the water & broth?
Lauren
Yes, you’d need to drain the water and broth to get it smooth and not runny. But, I have some tips on thickening if needed in the post above.
Taylor Laird
What is the nutritional info for this recipe? I’m cooking it for a keto diet and I am wondering what the net carbs would be per serving (as in fiber subtracted from carbs)
Lauren
Hi Taylor, The nutrition info is on the recipe card above.
Amanda
How does this do in the freezer? If it doesn’t do well, I will half the recipe.
Lauren
Hi Amanda, It freezes well! I covered this in the post above.
Jessica
I really wanted it to work. But my cauliflower came out brown and bland. Should i have used two heads of cauliflower instead? Cook less time?
Lauren
Hi Jessica, did you use enough broth to cover the cauliflower? I’m not sure why it would turn out brown. The amount of cauliflower shouldn’t have that much of an effect on the outcome.
Tami Drake
If I need to double this, do you foresee any problems with it? Thanks!
Lauren
Hi Tami, you should be totally fine doubling this!
Tami Drake
Thank you =)
Tara Seeger
Hi. I love the cauliflower exchange. What about using riced cauliflower? It seems like it would save a lot of time.
Thanks.
Tara
Lauren
Hi Tara, Sure, you could use riced but it doesn’t really matter since you’re slow cooking it.
Katy
Odd question when you drain the broth do you leave the garlic in to also be mashed? It sounds like you do but I want to be sure, sorry.
Lauren
Hi Kathy, yes you leave the garlic in.
Katie M
hi there! have you ever tried this with chicken broth? do you think it would make a difference? Only asking bc I have chicken broth but would have to run out to get veggie broth 😉
Lauren
Hi Katie! You can definitely use any broth you have on hand!
Hailee
Hi, would coconut butter work as a substitute you think?
Lauren
Hi Hailee, do you mean like a vegan butter substitute made out of coconut oil or coconut butter that’s just made out of coconut? If the vegan substitute then yes it will definitely work!
Heather
I’ve had some cauliflower in the freezer just waiting for its destination … I think I’ve found it! I don’t care that it’s 90 degrees out, this crock pot side still sounds delicious! Yum!!
Sharon Pendleton
I make this also. Cut up cauliflower, steam it with a steamer in 1/2 ” water. Over cook. Put entire cooked cauliflower in food processor. Blend until consistency of mashed potatoes add milk, butter, herbs & salt as need. So yummy, so quick. Takes less then half an hour.
Hannah
Hi! I’m really into making meals for a couple days at a time – do you know if this will last for a couple days in the fridge?
Thanks!
Lauren
It will! Just give it a fluff with a fork or hand mixer!
Karen
Very good recipe! So much easier to make in the slow cooker! I added some cream cheese and sour cream, tastes perfect to me! Thank you so much, this one is a keeper and will go into the rotation!
Lauren
Thanks so much Karen! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Annette Crews
OMG! just made the mashed “ca-taters” for the first time ever and OMG! I love them. Mine are a bit soupy. I didn’t get all the water drained off. but they are creamy and taste like mashed potatoes. YUMMY! Thank you so much.
Lauren
Thanks so much Annette! Totally glad you enjoyed them!
Danica
I made this tonight as a side dish for fresh deer steaks. Obviously I’m not a vegetarian. .. lol! I added a 1/4 cup of the leftover broth and about a tablespoon of cream cheese in the food processor. Oh, and garlic powder. I put garlic powder on almost everything. It turned out amazing and paired well with the steaks! Great recipe, I’ll definitely make it again. Thank you!
John
Mine turned out a little dry & grainy – not as creamy as the pictures look. Should I not drain out ALL the cooking liquid – or add some half’n’half when I puree?
Lauren
Hi John! I drain out all of the water in mine and it’s still creamy. If there wasn’t too much moisture left in the cauliflower that could cause it to be grainy, or more likely it needed to be pureed more. Try adding in some broth or even some cream. Hope this helps!
Emily
I’ve been experimenting with a lot of cauliflower-instead-of-potatoes recipes. This one will be added to the list. Thanks!
Brandes
Will this work with a normal blender? It is all I have but don’t want to mess it up! Thanks!
Brandes
**I mean mixer….not blender 🙂
Lauren
Hi Brandes! Yes, it will work just fine!
Anna
Oh my, this sounds fantastic! I’m always looking for good veggie dishes, and am a huge fan of mashed cauliflower. I’ll definitely try this soon.
Gwen
Awwww Yeahhhh!!! No one will be the wiser that they aren’t potatoes! Love this!
Joy
I love mashed cauliflower, this looks delicious and I love that it’s made in the slow cooker!
Dee Dee
First of all, you had me a “slow cooker”. I use mine whenever possible–such a great time saver! And I have been all about cauliflower lately! Cauliflower rice, soup, roasted cauliflower, mashed, you name it, I’m lovin’ it. This will be my next head of cauliflower for sure! :o)
Manila Spoon
I love that this is done in the slow cooker for a fuss-free and easy cooking! Looks like comfort food to me – yum!
Kiano
I honestly hate cauliflower, but for some reason when its bubbled away in broth & mashed it’s magically delicious. Gotta get some herbs in the mix next time.