This Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is the side dish you want on your holiday menu! It feels indulgent, yet it is healthy!
Healthy Swap
I made this Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms because I am all about a healthy swap. Whenever I can swap out a starchy vegetable or a processed grain, I am all over it.
I’ve been known to make wraps with nori seaweed or green lettuce. I love to make noodles out of zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and cucumber.
Whenever a recipe calls for mashed potatoes or rice, I replace them with cauliflower.
Healthy But Indulgent
This is the perfect Thanksgiving side. It is healthy, yet you feel like you are indulging. Sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms elevate creamy mashed cauliflower to another level.
I would have to do a side-by-side taste test, but I think that I prefer the taste of mashed cauliflower over mashed potatoes even without the onions and mushrooms.
This dish isn’t as heavy as mashed potatoes, so you will still have room for dessert!
Whenever I include caramelized onions and mushrooms in a recipe, I know that it will be a hit. They are foolproof ingredients that I love in anything I add them to.
To be honest, I prefer multicultural cuisine for the holidays and in general. I’ve been known to eat Vegan Zucchini Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta and Walnut Sauce or Bean and Corn Enchiladas on Christmas.
I’ve had falafel and hummus or sushi on Thanksgiving. I’m just not that into traditional American holiday foods.
I do like a healthy swap though, and since I am a food blogger, I thought I should include some traditional recipes like this one and my Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Apples with Tahini Dressing.
As long as I put my spin on it, I am a happy camper.
My plan was to create at least two more holiday recipes before Thanksgiving, but this weekend I broke my ankle. Those of you who post on social media know that posts need to be published and shared on social media in a timely manner.
Even though I am using a wheelchair, I don’t know how much I will be able to get done. I am either in a state of being in pain, or feeling yucky from my meds, so food is not on my radar much, except to make sure that I am getting enough nutrients to heal.
I was going to create two desserts, which may have to wait until next year. It’s a good thing that I have three months worth of posts waiting to be posted so that I don’t have to create any new recipes!
Other Healthy Swaps That You Might Like
- Maple Chipotle Black Bean Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa
- Lentil and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie with Mashed Cauliflower
- Bean and Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burritos
- Ginger Garlic Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry
Vegan Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
Whether you are cutting back on carbs or want to add more veggies into your repertoire, this mashed cauliflower recipe is for you. Caramelized onions and portobello mushrooms add a rich touch. Perfect for a Thanksgiving side.
If you love this recipe, please come back and leave your feedback and star rating.
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Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
This Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms is the side dish you want on your holiday menu! It feels indulgent, yet it is healthy!
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower chopped (2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or Earth Balance
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened plain almond milk
- 1 onion sliced (2 cups)
- Salt and pepper
- Slash balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
Instructions
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Steam cauliflower. Set aside until cool. Mix in food processor with almond milk, salt, pepper, and olive oil or Earth Balance.
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Heat olive oil in a pan at medium low heat and add sliced onions. Stir the onions until they are coated with oil. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the onions.
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Stir the onions every few minutes or so. Cooking will take about 35-40 minutes. Add balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan. Add sliced mushroom, and cook a few minutes more.
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Reheat mashed cauliflower on stovetop or in microwave. Top with caramelized onions and mushrooms.
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
kathleen says
This looks SO GOOD. I cant wait to try this!! Thanks for sharing xoxo
Willow Moon says
Thanks Kathleen! I hope you enjoy it!
francesca says
Hey Willow, you always make the yummiest recipes ♥ I wish I had all the ingredients at hand to make it tonight… I’ll pin it so I can make it ASAP, thank you for sharing this
Willow Moon says
Thanks Francesca, you are too kind!
Jenny says
This looks simply divine. I’m always looking for meatless meals to add to our rotation. Thank you for sharing.
Denay DeGuzman says
OOoo…I just knew I shouldn’t have skipped lunch! Now I’m craving this deliciousness – mashed cauliflower with onions and mushrooms. This looks so darn tasty! I need to add this to next week’s meal plan. Thank you so much for sharing this fabulous recipe inspiration!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Denay!
Kuleigh says
This looks so tasty! We’ve definitely switched over to cauliflower for making our mash and rice! I love the idea of putting onions on top! Yummy.
Willow Moon says
It is such a great healthy alternative, isn’t it!
courtney says
Mashed potatoes have been one of my favourite foods for the longest time but I recently went vegan and I haven’t had them since. I definitely want to make this and see if I love it!
Willow Moon says
You could always use Earth Balance or olive oil and unsweetened almond milk in your mashed potatoes. They add a rich, creamy flavor!
Cat says
This looks like an awesome mashed recipe! Can’t wait to try it out–sharing to Pinterest!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cat!
Gina says
Hey Willow, being new to your blog… I could’ve have totally missed it. The ingredients call for plain almond milk but I didn’t see where you added it. Assuming it goes into the food processor??
Willow Moon says
Thanks for catching that Gina! I swear I read these posts many times before publishing, but missed that one! Yes, you add the almond milk in the food processor. I just fixed my mistake.
Lauren says
This looks amazing, I am pinning this for later! 🙂
Karen says
Is it possible to use an alternative to almond milk? Cashew maybe?
Willow Moon says
Most definitely!
Ashley says
Yes love this healthy swap! Looks so good. ❤️
Willow Moon says
Thanks Ashley!
Francine says
The combination of the mashed cauliflower with the onions and mushrooms is SO good! It makes the mashed cauliflower more pleasurable!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Francine, I’m so glad that you like it!
Katelyn says
Made this today and it was a total hit! I served it with spinach I had sauteed with a bit of red pepper flake, minced garlic, salt, and lemon and we made this “side” our main course. I added vegan Parmesan to the cauliflower mash, but I think it would be good without it. This will definitely be placed in regular rotation in our house! Thank you for sharing.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Katelyn! I’m so glad that you like it! I’m going to have to try the sauteed spinach. I have done it with garlic and olive oil, but I love the addition of lemon juice and red pepper flakes!