This show-stopping cauliflower steak recipe features juicy and crisp cauliflower steaks in a paprika spiced olive oil that is roasted to perfection. Serve with your favorite side dish for a delicious vegetarian main that even meat-eaters will love!
Why Make This Recipe?
- Nutritious – Let’s be real, cauliflower is not a replacement for steak (as far as protein goes) but it is a fantastic source of veggies and we could all use more of those!
- Easily Customized – I’m sharing a couple different ways that you can make these cauliflower steaks your own. The basic cauliflower steak recipe is delicious as is but if you prefer to change it up I have options for you!
- Simple Ingredients – No need for any crazy ingredients. Just cauliflower, olive oil and spices!
Ingredients in Cauliflower Steak
- Cauliflower – you want one large head of cauliflower (or more if you want to double or triple the recipe). Make sure you remove all outer leaves and look for one without bruises or blemishes ideally.
- Olive oil – you could also use avocado oil if you prefer.
- Spices – garlic powder, smoked paprika (or sweet paprika but smoked paprika will give it a meatier taste), ground cumin, salt and pepper.
How to Cut Cauliflower for Cauliflower Steaks
Before even cutting into the cauliflower be sure to remove all outer leaves. Then place your cauliflower with the stem facing upwards and the florets downwards on a cutting board.
Using a sharp knife cut off a thin slice from either end to create a flat surface. Then slice your cauliflower into 3/4 inch thick “steaks” that are flat on both sides. You’ll get 4 steaks for a big head of cauliflower. Some florets will break off and you’ll have the leftovers from the ends but otherwise you should have 4 intact steaks.
How to Make Cauliflower Steaks
Once your cauliflower is sliced into steaks here’s what you do to make cauliflower steak:
STEP 1: FORM MARINADE
In a small bowl combine olive oil and spices and mix well.
STEP 2: COAT STEAKS + BAKE
Brush your cauliflower steaks with the marinade making sure that both sides are well coated and place steaks on a baking sheet. There will be a bit of leftover marinade. Set that aside. Place cauliflower steaks in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and flip carefully. Brush any remaining marinade onto steaks. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cauliflower steaks are crisp and lightly browned.
Easy Swaps + Variations
Looking to try out a few different flavors of cauliflower steak? Here are some tasty variations and swaps!
- Buffalo – Use roughly a 1/4 cup of Buffalo sauce and brush onto both sides of your cauliflower steaks. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle some salt and then bake as directed.
- BBQ – Use roughly a 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce and brush onto both sides of your cauliflower steaks. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle some salt and then bake as directed.
- Curry – Replace the paprika, cumin and steak seasoning with roughly 2 tsp yellow curry powder.
- Cheesy – In the last 10 minutes of cooking sprinkle your steaks with a 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Chimichurri – In a small bowl combine a 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 2 tbsp fresh oregano, salt, pepper and optional red pepper flakes. Brush onto both sides of your cauliflower steaks and bake as directed. You could also choose to serve this chimichurri on the side if desired.
FAQs
Yes! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill for 5 mins on one side and then flip carefully and grill for 5 mins on the other side. If it’s still a little tough flip over and grill for a few more mins.
Don’t let them go to waste! Some cauliflower florets will break off as you you cut your cauliflower steaks. This is just par for the course. You can always roast them up on their own or with the same olive oil-spice marinade or I recommend a couple different cauliflower recipes below!
I tested this and found the cauliflower steaks crisp up better without parchment paper so ideally bake directly on the baking sheet.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Store your steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven (to maintain crispiness) or in the microwave. You can also reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes if desired.
I do not recommend freezing them as they will get mushy when they thaw.
More Cauliflower Recipes:
Cauliflower Steak Recipe
This show-stopping cauliflower steak recipe features juicy and crisp cauliflower steaks in a paprika spiced olive oil that is roasted to perfection. Serve with your favorite side dish for a delicious vegetarian main that even meat-eaters will love!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Diet: Vegan
- 1 large head of cauliflower, all outer leaved removed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place your cauliflower with the stem facing upwards and the florets downwards on a large cutting board.
- Using a sharp knife cut off a thin slice from either end to create a flat surface. Then slice your cauliflower into 3/4 inch thick “steaks” that are flat on both sides. You’ll get 4 steaks for a big head of cauliflower. Some florets will break off and you’ll have the leftovers from the ends but otherwise you should have 4 intact cauliflower steaks.
- In a small bowl combine olive oil and spices and mix well.
- Brush your cauliflower steaks with the marinade making sure that both sides are well coated and place steaks on a baking sheet. There will be a bit of leftover marinade. Set that aside.
- Place cauliflower steaks in the oven to bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and flip carefully. Brush any remaining marinade onto steaks.
- Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cauliflower steaks are crisp and lightly browned.
