Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

5 from 1 vote

A hearty main course to add to your plant-based menu.

plant-based roasted cauliflower steaks

If you love the taste and texture of roasted cauliflower but want something a bit more filling than a snack, why not try making these roasted cauliflower steaks? This easy-to-make dish is sure to be a hit with everyone in your family. Not only does it look impressive, but this delicious plant-based meal is packed full of nutrition and flavor.

Watch Us Make Them!

Why We Love Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

easy roasted cauliflower

There are so many reasons to love our roasted cauliflower steaks! When we hear the word “steak,” the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is beef. But if you’ve never tried cauliflower steaks before, we highly encourage you to do so!

  • Our roasted cauliflower steaks are incredibly healthy!
  • These steaks are a wonderful way to celebrate meatless Monday (or get in a plant-based meal any other day of the week!)
  • They are fuss-free and very simple to prepare.
  • You can easily season them to fit your cravings. (There are multiple options listed below!)

Cauliflower’s Health Benefits

vegan main course

I know dietitians always say, “Eat the rainbow”. Well, even though cauliflower isn’t the most colorful vegetable, it’s still packed with tons of nutrition! Plus, since cauliflower has a mild flavor and absorbs other flavors well, it pairs excellently with a variety of herbs and spices. We adore herbs and spices because they are nutritious themselves, practically calorie-free, and can add plenty of delicious flavor to any dish!

Cauliflower itself is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It’s low in calories but filling, making it one of the healthiest vegetables around. And while it’s not a great source of protein, it is loaded with fiber which is great for satiation and digestion!

Lastly, when we compare it to beef steak, it’s much lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol. This makes it a fantastic option for those of us who are trying to eat more heart-healthy. And that’s not to say that you have to replace all of your beef steaks with cauliflower. Subbing cauliflower steaks in for beef even half of the time can do wonders for your health! We’ve come to find that these steaks are so delicious that even meat lovers enjoy them!

How to Make Grilled Cauliflower Steaks

roasted cauliflower recipe

Making cauliflower steaks is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is prep the cauliflower and season it with your favorite herbs and spices before roasting it to perfection.

How to Cut Cauliflower Steaks

The key to making roasted cauliflower steaks is to cut the cauliflower into thick slices so they stay together while roasting.

Begin by cutting off the leaves and the stem with a sharp knife to flatten the bottom of the head of cauliflower. This creates a stable base on your cutting board. Then, use the knife to carefully slice 1-inch steaks from the top of the head. You can usually get 3 or 4 steaks from one head, depending on the size.

Also, it’s okay to use the ends! You may just want to clean them up so that they are somewhat flat and uniform across the top to ensure the cauliflower steak roasts evenly. 

Feel free to use the leftovers for another recipe, like this cauliflower rice.

Seasoning and Roasting the Cauliflower

After you have your steaks cut, it’s time to season and roast! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Feel free to add a pinch of salt and pepper here if you’d like.

Brush both sides of each steak with the mixture, then place them in a shallow baking tray or on a baking sheet in a single layer. When adding the steaks to your baking dish, it’s very important to make sure they’re not too close together. There should be at least an inch between the steaks. This will ensure that they don’t get soggy or mushy. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the steaks are fork-tender and browned. After the 30-minute mark, check the steaks frequently to make sure they’re not getting too soft.

Once the steaks are finished, serve them alongside your favorite side dishes to make a complete meal. You can also add some tasty toppings to your cauliflower steak. We’ll cover sides and toppings more in-depth, below. 

Related: Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Additional Flavors and Toppings

roasted cauliflower steaks

In this recipe, we’ve used super simple flavors of garlic and smoked paprika. But you can always spice it up and add more flavor by using different seasonings and ingredients!

  • Want more of a kick? Try adding chili powder, cumin, and cilantro for a Mexican-style steak.
  • Craving something savory? Mix in some tahini, soy sauce, and honey for an Asian-inspired steak.
  • Make a homemade curry powder with turmeric and garam masala for an Indian-inspired golden steak. 
  • Give your veggie steaks a simple boost with lemon juice, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, black pepper, or red pepper flakes. These are all great, easy ways to bring out more of the natural flavors of cauliflower.
  • Use a sprinkle of your favorite pre-made seasoning mix or cover the steaks in a sauce– like pesto– to make this recipe even yummier than it already is.

No matter which flavors you choose, Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are the perfect centerpiece or side dish at any meal.

What To Pair With Cauliflower Steaks

While these cauliflower steaks are beautiful on any plate, they need to be paired with other sides to make for a filling meal. If the steak is your main course, it’s a good idea to pair it with a high-protein side! Check out some of my favorite pairings below:

Storage and Reheating

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are best served fresh, but if you want to save them for later, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, either place them in a 350-degree oven or toaster oven until heated through. I wouldn’t suggest using a microwave because the steaks will likely get soggy.

If you’d like to freeze these steaks, freeze them in separate airtight containers or separate them with wax paper to avoid getting them stuck together. You can freeze the roasted cauliflower steaks for up to 3 months. Again, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before reheating them in the oven or toaster oven. 

Frequently Asked Questions

easy plant-based meal

If you have questions about making roasted cauliflower steaks, we’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common questions we’ve received about this plant-based recipe!

How are cauliflower steaks different than beef steaks?

Cauliflower steaks are slices of cauliflower that have been seasoned and roasted. They are a tasty and nutritious vegan alternative to beef steak, but don’t have quite the same texture or flavor as beef.

What do cauliflower steaks taste like?

Roasted cauliflower steaks are tender in texture and offer a rich, buttery taste. Of course, you can alter the taste quite a bit depending on the seasonings you choose! Plenty of delicious recommendations can be found above.

What should I look for when buying cauliflower heads?

Fresher is better when buying cauliflower for steaks. The head should be firm and look tight and compact, with tightly closed bud clusters. If the florets look dull, brown, loose, or crumbly, or the head is soft you will want to avoid buying it. 

Do I need to boil the cauliflower before roasting?

No, you do not need to boil the cauliflower before roasting. Simply cut the head into steaks, season, and roast in the oven until golden brown and tender.

Can I make these in the air fryer?

Yes, you can make cauliflower steaks in the air fryer. Simply follow the same steps as outlined above and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes or until steaks are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Can I cook these on the stovetop instead of roasting them?

You can cook cauliflower steaks on the stove top, just be aware that the flavor may be a little bit different, as roasting them is what brings out that wonderful rich, buttery flavor. Prepare the steaks as instructed below and place a nonstick pan over medium heat. Once heated, cook each side for about 2 minutes until heated through and golden brown in color. Note that you may need to flip them more than once as the total cooking time should take between 6 and 8 minutes.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, be sure to drop them in the comment section and we’ll get you an answer as soon as possible! We hope you enjoy this recipe! If you make it, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

5 from 1 vote

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Try this simple recipe for a beautiful, vegan addition to any plate.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Yield 4 people
Serving Size 1 cauliflower steak
Course Main Course
Cuisine Universal

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower cut into 4 thick steaks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika. Add cauliflower steaks to the baking sheet and brush steaks with olive oil mixture until evenly coated. Flip, and brush the other side.
  • Roast steaks in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cauliflower steak | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 450mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 246IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 3
Keywords Plant-Based, Vegan

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If you enjoyed these roasted cauliflower steaks, we think you might also like to try some of our other plant-based main courses. Here are a few of our go-to’s: 

Want more awesome cauliflower-based recipes? We’ve got plenty of them for you to choose from:

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Kelsey Butler, MS, RDN

Kelsey Butler is a Registered Dietitian and recipe developer. From a young age, Kelsey found a love for creating delicious recipes. Now, with a Master's in Nutritional Sciences, Kelsey uses her culinary skills to create healthy and unique recipes for many different diets. She is passionate about creating a healthy relationship with all foods and recipes that everyone can enjoy. Kelsey has a passion for cooking, but she also enjoys the outdoors, staying active, and traveling. She is currently living with her partner in New Zealand.

More by Kelsey

1 Comment

  1. We made these last night and they were delicious. My son doesn’t “normally” like cauliflower but loved this recipe and asked for seconds. I was shocked!5 stars

5 from 1 vote

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