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!
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"The combination of the mashed cauliflower with the onions and mushrooms is SO good! It makes the mashed cauliflower more pleasurable! - Francine"
I made this Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms because I am all about healthy swaps. 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 vegan mashed potatoes or rice, I replace them with cauliflower.
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.
This dish isn't as heavy as mashed potatoes, so you will still have room for dessert!
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 Tofu Enchiladas on Christmas.
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.
Other recipes to try are my Frozen Stir Fry Meal, Vegan Mashed Cauliflower recipe, and Onion Fritter recipe.
Jump to:
❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It is healthy and flavorful.
- It's the perfect side dish for the holidays.
- Caramelized onions and mushrooms elevate mashed cauliflower to another level.
🧾 Ingredients
- Cauliflower: You could use fresh or frozen cauliflower.
- Olive oil: For the mashed cauliflower, you could also use vegan butter, like Earth Balance.
- Almond milk: I used unsweetened plain almond milk. You could use any dairy-free milk.
- Onion: A sweet onion, yellow onion, or white onion all will work. Although I prefer a sweet onion or yellow onion.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavors.
- Balsamic vinegar: Adds sweetness. You could also add a pinch of sugar or brown sugar, which I've been known to do when I don't have balsamic vinegar.
- Mushrooms: I used baby portobello mushrooms. You could use your favorite mushrooms.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Steam cauliflower, then let it cool.
Step 2: Add cauliflower, almond milk, olive oil or vegan butter, and salt and pepper to a food processor. Set aside.
Step 3: Add olive oil and onions to a skillet. Heat on medium-low.
Step 4: Cook for about 35-40 minutes.
Step 5: Pour a splash of balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan.
Step 6: Add mushrooms and cook a few minutes more.
Step 7: Reheat mashed cauliflower and top with caramelized onions and mushrooms.
🍽 Serving
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
You probably didn't cook it long enough. Make sure the steamed cauliflower is fork-tender.
Mashed cauliflower makes an excellent substitute for mashed potatoes. It becomes creamy when blended with olive oil or vegan butter and almond milk.
Other Healthy Swaps
If you tried this Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Whether you are cutting back on carbs or want to add more veggies to your repertoire, this mashed cauliflower recipe is for you. Caramelized onions and portobello mushrooms add a rich touch. Perfect for a Thanksgiving side.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Mashed Cauliflower with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Equipment
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
- Steam cauliflower. Set aside until cool. Mix in food processor with almond milk, salt, pepper, and olive oil or Earth Balance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Reheat mashed cauliflower on stovetop or in microwave. Top with caramelized onions and mushrooms.
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Karen says
Is it possible to use an alternative to almond milk? Cashew maybe?
Willow Moon says
Most definitely!
Lauren says
This looks amazing, I am pinning this for later! 🙂
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.
Cat says
This looks like an awesome mashed recipe! Can't wait to try it out--sharing to Pinterest!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Cat!
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!
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!
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!
Jenny says
This looks simply divine. I'm always looking for meatless meals to add to our rotation. Thank you for sharing.
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!
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!