I came up with this slow cooker garlicky herbed cauliflower mash whilst meal planning for our Thanksgiving feast. This will be my second year hosting Thanksgiving, and I am super excited. I really, really love this holiday, seeing as theres no presents, less fuss than other holidays, and is really all about enjoying the time with family and friends.
I do however tend to go a bit overboard with the food, because I can never commit to making just a few dishes (we had three different potato dishes last year….) We also had so many leftovers, that we ended up filling up little containers and handing them out to the local homeless men and ladies.
With all the dishes I have going on at once, I tend to run out of room on the stove top pretty quickly. So this year I have been experimenting with the slow cooker, and have decided to forego my potato mash, and replace it with a lower-carb (but still as delicious) Slow Cooker Garlicky Herbed Cauliflower Mash. Not only does this free up some space but it makes the whole prep thing a lot easier too – pop everything into the pot and let it do it’s thing for a couple of hours, without having to give it any attention.
One of our friends has volunteered to cook the turkey. Apparently deep-fried turkey is a thing? I am learning so much living in the U.S. 🙂 he wants to deep-fry it in some contraption in the backyard….I have never heard of this, but I am intrigued, and more than happy for someone to take on turkey duty. Oh and in case you are interested, these are also on the menu for Thanksgiving: Pumpkin Spiced Waffles with Cranberry Vanilla Bean Butter (for breakfast), and Cranberry Apple Crisp (for dessert).
Do you have any time-saving/space-saving tips for Thanksgiving? I would love to hear from you, be sure to leave a comment! Happy eating.
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 2 tablespoons chopped herbs ( I used oregano thyme, and parsley)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 3 tablespoons butter or ghee
- Salt to taste
- Peel the leaves from the cauliflower and cut into medium florets. Pop into the slow cooker with the whole garlic cloves, vegetable broth, and enough water to cover the cauliflower
- Cook on high for 3 hours, or low for 6 hours. Once finished, drain really well (you need to drain really well). If you have a handheld blender or you plan to hand mash then pop the cauliflower back into the slow cooker. If you want a super smooth and creamy mash then pop it into a high speed blender
- Add in the parmesan and butter and mash/blend to desired consistency. Season to taste and add in the fresh herbs
- Pop back into the slow cooker, and set to ‘keep warm’ until ready to serve
Great looking recipe! Quick question: when you drain the liquid, do you keep the garlic cloves in the pot and mash them all up with the cauliflower or toss them out with the broth? Sounds like you keep them in but just want to be sure!
Hey Sarah, yes just leave the garlic in there, it will be soft enough to mash along with everything else!
I love mashed cauliflower, this sounds delicious with the fresh herbs, and great idea to utilize the slow cooker!
Oh thank you Joy 🙂
This looks so easy and oh so garlicky yum !
Oh yes, it is very garlicky Molly 🙂 I am a huge garlic fan…in case anyone hasn’t noticed 🙂
This looks so savory, creamy and good! The fact that it’s made in a crock pot makes it extra awesome!
Thanks Rachel 🙂
The slow cooker is such a great time-saver! I love recipes that we can cook that way. 🙂
Oh me too Chris!! My favourite for this busy time of year.
I’ve never tried cauliflower but this recipe looks really yummy! Pinning for later, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Oh my goodness, you need to try cauliflower asap 🙂 so versatile and so delicious!!
I think this is a great alternative to mashed potatoes!
looks delicious! I’ve never tried it but I need to!
Oh this looks so so yummy! I can’t wait to make it for my family!
Thanks Erin, I hope you love it if you give it a go 🙂
Wow, does that ever look great. I am a huge fan of mashed potatoes but haven’t tried mashed cauliflower! I need to try this!
You do Cindy 🙂 I am a huge huge potato mash fan (I grew up in Ireland and the cliche is totally true 🙂 ), but I love cauli mash just as much!
WOW, this sounds really good! I wouldn’t have thought to use the slow cooker either but I’m up for anything that makes my life easier! Thanks!
I know, right! I am all about the slow cooker these days!
What a great alternative to mash potatoes and so much healthier for you. Love it.
Thanks 🙂
This looks great! I never would have thought to make it in the slow cooker.
Thanks Janet!
I have yet to try something like this but it looks so incredibly yummy!
I will have to give this a try as I was just talking with my mom the other day how I wanted to start giving cauliflower a try more in recipes as I WANT to like it! 😉
Haha I like that you want to like it 🙂 It’s such a versatile veggie, you should definitely give it a try again!
Omg now this sounds all sorts of deliciousness!! I’m cauliflower obsessed so in definitely going to have to give this a try! Yum!
Thanks CourtneyLynne! I am totally cauliflower obsessed as well 🙂
That’s some incredible smooth cauliflower mash! We used to do mashed cauliflower a lot, but it’s too high in FODMAPs for me to handle it–it’s one of the foods I miss the most.
Oh no, thats annoying! I am sure there are still plenty of delicious foods you can enjoy 🙂
This sounds amazing! I love cauliflower mash!
Thanks Debra!
Great recipe! I want to try this!! For Thanksgiving I cut up all my vegetables for my dressing the night before. That saves me time in preparation.
Good idea Nikka! I need to start being a bit more organised and doing that too!
Cauliflower is one of my most favorite things to eat. In fact, I can eat a whole head of cauliflower in one evening.
Oh definitely Eva!! I love roasting whole trays of cauliflower, and then just eating it straight from the pan 🙂
I am looking for new low or no carb dishes. This would be just heavenly!
I hope you enjoy Kelly!
This looks so good. I love how silky it looks. Will definitely try this soon!
I hope you enjoy Amy!
That looks amazing. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Thank you 🙂
I have been wanting to try this and now I’m convinced I should! Thanks for that! I love garlic in everything!
That looks so silky smooth and delicious – and so easy to make it as it largely hands off.
I haven’t tried mashing cauliflower yet, but this looks so amazing and smooth. I always tend to commit to a bunch of dishes and way overcook for events I’m hosting too! I need to try this soon though!
Oh it’s ridiculous hey!! I really need to learn to scale back 🙂
Such a great healthy alternative! I have never used my slow cooker for something like this! I will need to try it out.
Hope you enjoy if you give it a go Stacey. I have been using my slow cooker for everything these days!
That’s so sweet that you give the extra food to the needy! A perfect ending to a Thanksgiving day!
Thanks Mar 🙂
Yum!!!! This sounds like such a tasty alternative to mashed potatoes!!! <3
Mmm this looks heavenly! I love healthy comfort food this time of year!
I love cauliflower mash and this looks delicious! I’m definitely going to have to try this!
Hope you enjoy Trish 🙂
This recipe looks easy to make, I love cooking in my slow cooker 🙂 Yummy!
Slow cooker dishes are the best! I love having something cooking away without having to watch it 🙂