Description
A savory vegetarian main or side dish featuring roasted cauliflower steaks caramelized to perfection with olive oil, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 very large cauliflower head, with stem intact and outer leaves trimmed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced (or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- Optional: 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, or a dairy-free crumble for vegan option
- Optional: sautéed mushrooms or a skillet of caramelized onions for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare your cauliflower by removing the green leaves and trimming the stem slightly to allow the head to sit flat; do not remove the core.
- Slice the cauliflower into 3/4- to 1-inch thick slabs, reserving any loose florets for roasting alongside the steaks.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, smoked paprika, minced garlic, thyme, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Brush both sides of each cauliflower slice with the seasoned oil, allowing them to sit for 5–10 minutes for better flavor absorption.
- Arrange the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place any loose florets around them. Drizzle a bit more oil over the florets.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the steaks are golden-brown and tender. For extra caramelization, finish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the steaks, and sprinkle with parmesan or fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For added flavor, consider topping with sautéed mushrooms or adding a sprinkle of panko before roasting. Adjust the seasoning generously, as cauliflower benefits from bold flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cauliflower, vegetarian, roasted, healthy, main dish, side dish
