Cauliflower Steak Recipe

This cauliflower steak recipe isn’t quite the same as a ribeye steak, but it makes a delicious vegetarian option packed with satisfying savory flavor. Just like cabbage steaks, there are two ways to cook these — you can make roasted cauliflower steaks or grilled cauliflower steaks. Both ways create caramelized edges, with tons of seasoning options.

Cauliflower steak is a vegan (or vegetarian) alternative to meat. It’s made by slicing cauliflower into thick pieces, then grilling or roasting until lightly charred and caramelized on the outside and tender in the middle.

You can also turn this recipe for cauliflower steaks into other dishes, such as cauliflower parmesan.

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for the best cauliflower steak recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You’ll get 2-3 full slices from each head, but the ends will likely fall apart into florets, so you can just use those for another recipe, roast them on the same sheet pan, and make roasted cauliflower separately.

This section shows how to cook cauliflower steak recipes, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Steak

Thick slabs of cauliflower steak are delicious, well seasoned, and very satisfying. The easiness of this recipe is an added bonus!

Prep: 10min

Total: 40min

Yield: 3

Serving Size: 0.3 recipe

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 0.3 recipe, calories 149 kcal, Carbohydrate 14 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 9 g, Sodium 457 mg, Fiber 7 g

Ingredients:

• 2 medium heads of cauliflower
• Olive oil spray
• 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (divided)
• 1 teaspoon paprika (divided)
• 1 teaspoon coriander (divided)

Instruction:

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil or high-heat-resistant parchment paper and spray it with olive oil.
2. Wash the cauliflower heads, then remove the outer leaves and trim the very bottom of the core, but keep the core intact. Slice each head into 3/4-inch-thick slices. The outer slices will fall apart – you can simply roast them as florets together with the steaks. Plan on getting three steaks out of each cauliflower head.
3. Arrange the “steaks” in a single layer on the baking sheet. Scatter the florets around them. Spray their tops with olive oil and sprinkle them with half the seasonings.
4. Bake the cauliflower pieces for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully turn, spray with more oil and sprinkle with the remaining spices, and bake until browned and fork-tender, 10-15 more minutes.

Cauliflower Steak (Roasted Or Grilled)

This EASY grilled or roasted cauliflower steak recipe is crispy, tender and caramelized, with simple ingredients: oil, spices, salt & pepper.

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Yield: 4

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 100 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 2.9 g, Fat 7.2 g, Saturated Fat 0.9 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 0.1 mg, Sodium 291.4 mg, Fiber 3.3 g, Sugar 2.8 g, unSaturated Fat 5.8 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 2 heads Cauliflower
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder

Instruction:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the cauliflower heads into slices, about 3/4 inch thick, and place onto the baking sheet. (You’ll get 2-3 full slices from each head, but the ends will likely fall apart into florets, so you can just use those for another recipe, or roast them on the same sheet pan.)
3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Brush the olive oil mixture over the cauliflower steaks on both sides.
4. Oven method: Bake cauliflower steaks in the oven for 10 minutes. Flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until tender and browned.Grill method: Preheat the grill over medium heat. Place the cauliflower steaks on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 5 minutes. Flip, cover, and cook for 4-5 more minutes, until tender and browned.

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

Roasted or grilled cauliflower steaks are juicy and tender in the middle with a crisp, lightly charred, caramelized, and crispy outside. Perfect as a versatile vegan side dish or main to almost any meal! Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, paleo, etc.!

Prep: 5min

Total: 30min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 140 kcal, Carbohydrate 7 g, Protein 2 g, Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Sodium 233 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 2 g, unSaturated Fat 10 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1.6 lb cauliflower (2 small)
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 0.3 oz garlic (3 cloves)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 lemon (to serve with)

Instruction:

1. For this recipe, we are not cutting the cauliflower into florets. So first, remove any outer layer leaves. Then, soak the whole head in a bowl of salt water (or vinegar water). After 15 minutes or so, rinse the head with cool water and pat it dry.
2. Use a long sharp knife to slice the cauliflower head into slices (refer to the photos on the blog). I made mine fairly thin at around ¾-inch, and I wouldn’t recommend trying any thinner. If preferred, make them thicker (up to 1 ½ inches); just note that the cooking time will increase slightly. Also, there will be some leftover cauliflower after making the slices. This is normal. Check out the FAQs for what to do with this.
3. Using a pastry/silicone brush, liberally brush both sides of the cauliflower steaks.
4. Grilled cauliflower steaks: First, prepare the cauliflower as written above, only brushing one side of the slices with the dressing. Meanwhile, preheat your grill to medium (around 350-375ºF/176-190ºC) OR use a charcoal BBQ if preferred, brushing the grates with oil.Once preheated, place the cauliflower steaks onto the grill with the seasoned side down and cook for around 4-5 minutes (5-6 for thicker slices. They should be browned and crispy), then brush the top of the “steaks” with dressing, flip them over, and repeat. Allow them to cook until crispy and golden-brown outside and tender in the middle.
5. Make ahead: You can chop the cauliflower slices and prepare the marinade 2 days in advance, and store them separately in the fridge.Store: Allow them to cool and then place any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.Freeze: You can freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months in a Ziplock bag.Reheat: You can reheat them in the oven, air fryer, or a stovetop grill pan. I don’t recommend using a microwave.

Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks

Prep: 5min

Total: 30min

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 209 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 7 g, Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 13 mg, Sodium 172 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, unSaturated Fat 13 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbs parmesan cheese, (grated)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 head cauliflower
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• optional: fresh parsley garnish

Instruction:

1. Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a small bowl, mix the oil, grated parmesan, spices and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Remove the leaves from the bottom of your cauliflower and leave the stalk in place. Slice the cauliflower in half. Then slice those two pieces in half to create your ‘steaks’. Transfer them to your baking sheet and brush all over (top, bottom and sides) with the mixture from step 2. Air fry or bake until the stalk is fork tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes for air fryer (flip half way through), 20 minutes for the oven. Remove from oven and sprinkle with the shredded cheese. Place back in the oven until melted.

Gordon Ramsay makes a Cauliflower Steak?!?

FAQ

How do you cut cauliflower steaks so they don t fall apart?

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