Cauliflower Steak

Get ready to make delicious, healthy cauliflower steaks in just 20 minutes!

This easy recipe gives you crispy, flavorful cauliflower that works great as a main dish or a tasty side.

Whether you're cooking for yourself or the whole family, it's a quick, nutritious option that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving something light and satisfying.

Perfect for busy weeknights, it's also gluten-free and keto-friendly, making it a great option for various diets.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This cauliflower steak recipe works brilliantly because it's quick, easy, and adaptable to various dietary preferences. With minimal preparation, you can have a flavorful, nutritious meal ready in under 30 minutes. Using a simple marinade of butter, herbs, and spices ensures robust flavor without extensive prep time.

These exceptionally healthy cauliflower steaks are a great choice for low-carb, keto, gluten-free, and vegetarian diets. Cauliflower is low in carbohydrates and calories, high in fiber, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. By using olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter, you can make it vegan while still delivering a rich taste.

Additionally, you can easily modify the marinade to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. For instance, you can use ghee for a keto-friendly version or coconut oil for a hint of sweetness. 

This recipe's versatility also extends to serving options. Cauliflower steaks pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, such as roasted vegetables, fresh salads, quinoa, or creamy mashed potatoes. To enhance the flavor further, they can also be drizzled with sauces like tahini or chimichurri.

Ingredients

Butter:

butter is used as the base for the marinade in this recipe because it provides a golden, crisp texture to the cauliflower steaks when roasted. Alternatively, ghee or yogurt can be used in place of butter. However, if you want to avoid dairy or make vegan cauliflower steaks, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil for a subtle sweetness, tahini, soy sauce, and even mustard all make suitable options. You can even consider adding lemon juice to many of these options for a brighter flavor.

Seasonings:

This recipe is versatile in many ways, including the seasonings you can use to make your marinade. While this recipe uses garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, curry powder, salt, and pepper, you can experiment with a number of other herbs and spices. Some popular choices are thyme, red chili flakes, parsley, cumin, rosemary, and coriander.

Cauliflower:

When selecting a head of cauliflower for this recipe, look for one that is large, fresh, with tight, white florets. This will ensure that your cauliflower steak remains sturdy and cooks evenly. To prepare the cauliflower head, remove the outer leaves and trim the stem.

Keeping the core intact, cut the cauliflower head into 1-inch-thick slices. Each head usually yields about 3-5 good-sized cauliflower steaks. If you don't like cauliflower, there are a variety of different veggies that can be prepared in the same fashion. Portabello mushrooms, butternut squash, eggplant, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and broccoli all make excellent options for this recipe.

How to Make Cauliflower Steak

Step One: 

Preheat your oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step Two: 

In a small bowl, whisk together the butter, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, curry powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Step Three:

Slice the cauliflower head into 1-inch thick slices. One head should yield about 3-5 cauliflower steaks. Spread them out across the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step Four:

Using a basting brush, generously coat the cauliflower steaks with the butter marinade, ensuring they are well-coated.

Step Five: 

Roast the cauliflower steaks in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. When done, they should be golden brown and tender.

Step Six: 

Garnish with chopped fresh herbs, serve with lemon wedges, and enjoy.

Tips

• To enhance the taste of your low-carb cauliflower steaks, let them marinate for at least 15 minutes in the fridge. If you have the time, you can even let them marinate overnight.
• Depending on the size of your cauliflower, you may need more marinade. Simply double the recipe. This is especially helpful if you are marinating the cauliflower for an extended period of time.
• For a crispier texture, you can add a light coating of panko breadcrumbs before roasting your baked cauliflower steak.

What to Serve With Cauliflower Steak

These healthy Cauliflower steaks pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, making for a versatile and satisfying meal. For a balanced plate, serve them alongside roasted vegetables like carrots and Brussels sprouts or a fresh, vibrant salad for a light touch.

Quinoa or couscous provides a hearty, nutritious accompaniment, while creamy mashed potatoes or a rich, herbed polenta offer comfort and depth. For a burst of flavor, drizzle with a tangy tahini sauce or a zesty chimichurri sauce.

FAQs

How do I ensure my cauliflower steaks don't fall apart?

Keep the core intact while cutting the steaks, as it helps hold the florets together. Handle the steaks gently and use a sharp knife to ensure clean cuts.

Can I make this healthy cauliflower steak on the grill?

Yes, you can make a grilled cauliflower steak by placing it over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side until charred and tender.

How do I store leftover cauliflower steak?

Leftover cauliflower steaks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. 

What is the best way to reheat leftover cauliflower steak?

If your leftover cauliflower steak is frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Bake thawed cauliflower steak for 15-20 minutes at 350F.

More Cauliflower Recipes

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be prepared in various ways and served alongside various other dishes. For more inspiration on how to serve this adaptable veggie, check out this collection of some of our favorite cauliflower recipes.

Cauliflower Cheese

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Cauliflower Pizza Bowl

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