I never thought I could keto-fy Gordon Ramsay’s iconic Mince and Tatties without butchering the soul of the dish. But after watching him layer flavors with surgeon-like precision—and trying a few grainy cauliflower mashes that tasted like defeat—I found a way.
This version respects the spirit of Ramsay’s original: color, control, and comfort. But we trade the tatties for creamy cauliflower and thicken that meaty gravy without flour or Bisto. The result? Deeply savory mince, a velvety mash, and carbs low enough to keep your blood sugar calm.
Why It’s Better Than Just “Low-Carb”
Most keto spins on mince and tatties feel like punishment. This one hits because:
- Real browning = real flavor (Ramsay 101)
- Cauliflower mash that’s rich, not watery
- A gravy with body, thanks to xanthan gum or konjac
It’s comfort food that doesn’t blow your macros.
What I Used (And Why It Worked)
For the Mince:
- 500g ground beef (80/20) – Fat = flavor. Ramsay wouldn’t go lean, neither do I.
- 1 tbsp beef bouillon concentrate (or Oxo cube) – Bold flavor, zero-carb shortcut.
- 1/2 small onion, minced – Adds depth. Yes, it has carbs. Use wisely.
- 1 medium carrot, finely diced (optional) – Tiny sweet hit for about 4g net carbs total.
- 1 tsp tomato paste – Balances umami.
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – Optional but classic.
- 1/2 cup beef stock – Moisture and depth.
- 1 tsp xanthan gum – Thickens the gravy like a charm.
For the Cauli-Mash:
- 1 medium head cauliflower (about 600g) – Neutral and low-carb.
- 50g butter – Rich and keto-friendly.
- 1 tbsp sour cream or cream cheese – For that luscious finish.
- Salt + white pepper – Season like you mean it.
Keto Swaps That Actually Work
| Original | Keto Swap | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Maris Piper potatoes | Cauliflower + sour cream | Still creamy, lower carb |
| Bisto gravy | Homemade stock + xanthan | Full flavor, zero starch |
| Full carrots | Half or omit | Just enough sweetness without overload |
What I Got Wrong (And Fixed)
| Mistake | Why It Happens | The Fix |
| Watery mash | Too much moisture in cauliflower | Drain then bake 5 mins to dry |
| Grainy texture | Over-blended | Use food processor, not blender |
| Thin sauce | No thickener | Xanthan or konjac to the rescue |
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Brown the Beef
Get a hot pan. Flatten the beef in and don’t touch for 3 mins. Flip, break up, brown. - Add Flavor
Toss in onion, carrot, tomato paste, Worcestershire, and bouillon. Cook 2 mins. - Simmer
Add stock. Simmer 30 mins. Sprinkle xanthan in slowly, stirring well. Simmer uncovered last 10 mins. - Make the Cauli-Mash
Steam cauliflower until soft. Drain, then bake 5 mins to dry. Blend with butter, sour cream, salt, and pepper. - Serve
Mash down first, then spoon over rich, thick mince. Add parsley if you’re feeling cheffy.
Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- Bake the cauliflower post-steam to ditch extra moisture
- Add a dash of glucomannan for even silkier gravy
- Grate raw cauliflower into the mince if you want a “stretched” version that still feels hearty
How I Store and Track It
- Fridge: 3 days easy. Tastes better next day.
- Freezer: Mince is freezer gold. Mash survives if you reheat gently.
- Tracking tip: Each serving clocks in around 6–7g net carbs depending on carrot usage.
Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
Q: Aren’t onions and carrots carby?
Yes—in bulk. But here, in small strategic amounts, they round out the dish without breaking ketosis.
Q: Will the mash be runny?
Not if you dry it properly. Steam, drain, bake. Every time.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes. Use olive oil instead of butter and skip the sour cream.
Full Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~431 kcal |
| Total Fat | ~29 g |
| – Saturated Fat | ~13 g |
| Protein | ~35 g |
| Total Carbohydrate | ~6.5 g |
| – Dietary Fiber | ~2 g |
| – Net Carbs | ~4.5 g |
| Cholesterol | ~110 mg |
| Sodium | ~840 mg |
| Potassium | ~800 mg |
| Calcium | ~70 mg |
| Iron | ~4.5 mg |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Ground Chicken Recipe
- Low Carb Keto Baked Asian Turkey Meatballs Recipe
- Low Carb Keto Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe
- Low Carb Keto Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast
Gordon Ramsay Mince and Cauli-Mash – Keto Comfort Food Done Right
Description
A rich, keto-friendly twist on Gordon Ramsay’s classic Mince and Tatties—this version swaps the spuds for creamy cauliflower mash and uses a thick, flavor-packed gravy without the carbs. Deeply savory, satisfying, and totally low-carb comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Mince:
For the Cauli-Mash:
Instructions
- Brown beef in hot pan. Do not stir for 3 minutes. Break up and cook until deep brown.
- Add onion, carrot, tomato paste, Worcestershire, bouillon. Cook 2 mins.
- Add stock. Simmer 30 mins. Stir in xanthan gum. Reduce uncovered for final 10 mins.
- Steam cauliflower till soft. Drain well. Bake 5 mins to remove moisture.
- Blend with butter, sour cream, salt, pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Serve hot: mash on bottom, rich mince on top.
Notes
- For an even richer finish, stir a tablespoon of cream cheese into the mince right before serving—it thickens beautifully and adds extra fat without extra carbs.
