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Cauliflower Purée

This silky cauliflower purée is a sophisticated vegetarian side dish that offers a lighter, more elegant alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. By steaming the cauliflower florets until tender and blending them with a touch of butter, you create a smooth texture and rich flavour that complements roasted meats or grilled vegetables beautifully. It is a wonderful way to elevate a simple Sunday roast or add a touch of refinement to a midweek meal.

Technique is key to achieving this velvety finish, particularly by gradually adding the steaming liquid to maintain control over the consistency. This naturally low-carb dish is rich in nutrients and remarkably easy to prepare, making it a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire. For the best results, use the freshest cauliflower available and season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

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Ingredients for Cauliflower Purée

  • 1 head cauliflower, 2 to 1.1kg

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

How to make Cauliflower Purée

Pull the leaves off the cauliflower and cut out the core in a kind of cone-shaped section. Then pull the florets off the head with your fingers, using a knife when you need to. Break or cut the florets into smaller, regular pieces (about 1 1/2 inch) and put them in the steamer insert. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in the steamer pot, add the insert, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until you can poke a paring knife into the stems and you can feel that there's still a little texture there. (Tooth, it's called.) Stir the cauliflower well a few times while it's steaming so that it cooks evenly.

Dump about half of the cauliflower into a food processor. Measure out 180ml the steaming liquid, and pour in about 60ml ; purée until smooth. Now dump the rest of the cauliflower on top, add about 1/3 of the remaining liquid, and purée again. You'll need to stop and scrape and stir the purée a few times; add more liquid as you need to, but with the understanding that you really want to add as little liquid as you can get away with. With the motor running, process in the butter, salt, and pepper through the feed tube. Taste for seasoning and serve hot. (You can reheat over low heat in the same pan if you're not eating immediately.)

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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