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Home » Blog » Recipes » Instant Pot Autumn Mash (Whole30)

Instant Pot Autumn Mash (Whole30)

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This Instant Pot Autumn Mash is one of my favorite side dishes for Thanksgiving, made even easier!

A spoon lifting out a scoop of autumn mash.

One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. Why? ’Cause it’s a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. My original stovetop version is crazy delicious, but now that I’m a certified Instant Pothead, I was determined to create a shortcut to veggie mash nirvana using my Instant Pot. After some tinkering, I’ve come up with a simpler way to make my Autumn Mash in an electric pressure cooker!

A bowl containing a paleo and Whole30 alternative to mashed potatoes.

This recipe shaves about 15 minutes off of the original version, but the best part is that you can set the Instant Pot and walk away without worrying about burning down the house. The Thanksgiving struggle is real, so I’m doing my part to get you in the zen zone. I even shortened the name of this dish so it’s not such a tongue twister!
A Very Nomtastic Paleo Thanksgiving by Michelle Tam.One more thing before I forget: this recipe is included in my newly updated FREE Nomtastic Thanksgiving e-book for subscribers to my weekly email newsletter! If you haven’t already subscribed, do it now, and you’ll get access to a complete Paleo Thanksgiving primer featuring step-by-step recipes, a shopping list, countdown planner, and more. And if you’re already a subscriber, check your emails (including your Promotions and Junk folders if you don’t see it right away) for a downloadable link to the e-book!

Time to make Instant Pot Autumn Mash!

Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 head roasted garlic (you can also “roast” the garlic in an Instant Pot by following this recipe)
  • 4 tablespoons ghee, divided
  • ½ onion, coarsely chopped
  • ¾ pound parsnips (or about 5 small parsnips), peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 pound carrots (or about 2 large carrots), peeled and coarsely chopped slightly smaller than parsnips
  • 1½ pounds cauliflower florets (or 1 small head of cauliflower), coarsely chopped
  • Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt
  • ½ cup bone broth or organic chicken broth
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Minced chives (optional)

Equipment:

  • Instant Pot (my favorite models and special deals are listed here)
  • Measuring spoons
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cup
  • Silicone spatula
  • Immersion blender or blender or food processor

Method:

Start by roasting a head of garlic. Elise Bauer’s recipe is my favorite for its simplicity and consistently perfect results, though I modify it slightly by cooking the garlic in a covered mini cocotte with whatever cooking fat I have on hand (e.g. melted ghee, avocado oil, etc.).

Rushed for time? “Roast” the garlic in an Instant Pot by following this recipe!

Someone lifting out roasted garlic out of the instant pot.

I know you might be tempted to skip this part, but the roasted garlic adds a mellow, sweeter flavor that is essential to this dish. You can roast the garlic ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for about a week. (Make an extra one so you can squeeze the roasted garlic into other dishes throughout the week!)

Two bulbs of roasted garlic sitting on a sheet pan.

When you’re ready to cook the mash, press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and when the metal insert is hot, add three tablespoons of ghee. Toss in the onions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Someone adding chopped onions to an Instant Pot with oil.

Add the chopped parsnips, carrots, and cauliflower into the pot, and squeeze in the roasted garlic bulbs.

An instant pot containing parsnips, carrots, and cauliflower.

Sprinkle on some salt.

Someone sprinkling salt into an Instant Pot.

Pour the broth into the metal insert…

Someone pouring broth into the metal insert of an Instant Pot.

…and give everything a good stir. Cancel the “Sauté” function.

Someone stirring parsnips, carrots, and cauliflower in an Instant Pot with a rubber spatula.

Lock on the lid of the Instant Pot with the valve in the sealed position and program it to cook under high pressure for 5 minutes.

Someone putting the lid of the Instant Pot on.

When the Instant Pot beeps to let you know your veggies are done cooking, release the pressure manually.

Someone pressing the button to manually release the pressure in an Instant Pot.

Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the remaining tablespoon of ghee.

Someone adding ghee into the metal insert of an Instant pot.

Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or blitz in a food processor until smooth (or until the desired texture is reached—I prefer it silky-smooth, but Henry likes more texture in his mash).

Someone pureeing the autumn mash mixture with an immersion blender inside an Instant Pot.

Finally, plate it up, top with fresh chives and serve!

A bowl of paleo and Whole30 Instant Pot Autumn Mash with a spoon.

This one’s a family favorite!


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


 PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD

Instant Pot Autumn Mash by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com
Print Recipe
4.75 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Autumn Mash

One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. Why? ’Cause it’s a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. My original stovetop version is crazy delicious, but now that I’m a certified Instant Pothead, I was determined to create a shortcut to veggie mash nirvana using my Instant Pot. After some tinkering, I’ve come up with a simpler way to make my Autumn Mash in an electric pressure cooker!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Gluten-free, Paleo, Primal, Thanksgiving, Whole30
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 153kcal
Author: Michelle Tam

Ingredients

  • 1 head roasted garlic you can also “roast” the garlic in an Instant Pot by following this recipe
  • 4 tablespoons ghee divided
  • ½ onion coarsely chopped
  • ¾ pound parsnips or about 5 small parsnips, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 1 pound carrots or about 2 large carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped slightly smaller than parsnips
  • 1½ pounds cauliflower florets or 1 small head of cauliflower, coarsely chopped
  • Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt
  • ½ cup bone broth or organic chicken broth
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • Minced chives optional

Instructions 

  • Start by roasting a head of garlic. Elise Bauer’s recipe is my favorite for its simplicity and consistently perfect results, though I modify it slightly by cooking the garlic in a covered mini cocotte with whatever cooking fat I have on hand (e.g. melted ghee, avocado oil, etc.). Rushed for time? “Roast” the garlic in an Instant Pot by following this recipe!
  • When you’re ready to cook the mash, press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and when the metal insert is hot, add three tablespoons of ghee. Toss in the onions and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the chopped parsnips, carrots, and cauliflower into the pot, and squeeze in the roasted garlic bulbs. Sprinkle on some salt.
  • Pour the broth into the metal insert, and give everything a good stir. Cancel the “Sauté” function.
  • Lock on the lid of the Instant Pot with the valve in the sealed position and program it to cook under high pressure for 5 minutes.
  • When the Instant Pot beeps to let you know your veggies are done cooking, release the pressure manually.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the remaining tablespoon of ghee. Purée the mixture with an immersion blender or blitz in a food processor until smooth.
  • Finally, plate it up, top with fresh chives and serve!

Notes

I know you might be tempted to skip the garlic, but the roasted garlic adds a mellow, sweeter flavor that is essential to this dish. You can roast the garlic ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for about a week. (Make an extra one so you can squeeze the roasted garlic into other dishes throughout the week!)
Tried this recipe?Mention @nomnompaleo or tag #nomnompaleo!

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 5g
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Msarb says

    November 6, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    This was fantastic by the way – I used your old, stovetop recipe, but figured that halving the amount of liquid was the starting point for the IP. I served it with the bacon-wrapped chicken thighs with lemon date sauce from your new book and my two male friends polished off everything. I was a bit sad I had no leftovers, but hey, it was good!

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      November 8, 2017 at 1:37 am

      Awesome!

      Reply
  2. Robyn Kranz says

    November 7, 2017 at 6:30 pm

    Michelle, Could I sub in white potatoes for the cauliflower? Or even yams? Not a cauliflower household.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      November 8, 2017 at 12:11 am

      Yep!

      Reply
  3. Hilary Ryan Norcross says

    November 8, 2017 at 12:03 am

    The ring! Sorry I know it’s about the food but seriously the ring (not the silicone bands). If you have noted prior I’m again sorry (ok not sorry ;)).

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      November 8, 2017 at 12:11 am

      It’s an Oura Ring which also works as a fitness and sleep tracker!

      Reply
      • Hilary Ryan Norcross says

        November 8, 2017 at 12:47 am

        Of course!
        Thank you!

        Reply
  4. MelCrawf says

    November 18, 2017 at 3:41 am

    Made this tonight, and it was good (wish I had the chives though!), but I used a cup of broth since that’s what the IP manual says is minimum liquid. Do you really only use 1/2 cup?

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      November 18, 2017 at 3:48 am

      Yep! The vegetables release liquid, too!

      Reply
  5. MaggieCain says

    November 18, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    Hi, Michelle! I’m trying for a Whole30 Thanksgiving, and this seems perfect. I love to do as much cooking as I can ahead of time – can I make this the day before or will it lose some appeal?

    Reply
    • MaggieCain says

      November 25, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      Well, to answer my own question, it’s fantastic on day 2! Be aware that this makes a LOT. For daily use with our family, I’d be inclined to cut back a little.

      Reply
  6. Neyha says

    November 18, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    thinking about making this for thanksgiving on the stove! How much Diamond Crystal kosher salt do you recommend adding?

    Reply
  7. Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet says

    November 24, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    So creative, yum!

    Reply
  8. YV says

    November 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    I made this for Thanksgiving. Not a fan of parsnips but the flavor is mellowed out by the carrots and cauliflower. The garlic definitely helped too. Some members of my family happily ate this thinking it was mashed sweet potato! Thank you for yet another great recipe.

    Reply
  9. Donna Knipp says

    January 28, 2018 at 4:14 am

    Made this tonight — awesomely delish!

    Reply
  10. Stacey Maxon Shutt Stites says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Can I freeze individual serving of this with my foodsaver?

    Reply
  11. Sharon Bingham says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Considering increasing the bone broth to at least 2 cups & make it into a take along soup for lunches. Any thought?

    Reply
  12. Dara says

    November 14, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    What do you recommend to sub for parsnips? Would butternut squash work?

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      November 14, 2022 at 10:58 pm

      You can cubed butternut squash or maybe some sweet potato to replace the parsnips or just increase the amount of carrots in the recipe.

      Reply

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