Description
This recipe for Cauliflower Steaks offers a delicious and healthy vegetarian main dish made by slicing a cauliflower head into thick ‘steaks,’ marinating them with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, garlic, cumin, and chili powder, and roasting until golden and tender. Perfect as a plant-based entrée or side, these cauliflower steaks are beautifully garnished with chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds for a fresh and vibrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower Steaks
- 1 medium cauliflower head
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped parsley
- Pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 200°C (400°F) to get it ready for roasting the cauliflower steaks evenly.
- Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until all the spices are evenly mixed into the oil.
- Slice the cauliflower: Remove a thin slice from the bottom of the cauliflower stem so it can sit flat. Place the cauliflower upright and carefully slice it into thick steaks approximately ½ inch (1 cm) in thickness. You should get about four steaks. Don’t worry if some florets fall off; you can save these for another use.
- Marinate the steaks: Arrange the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet or oven tray. Brush the marinade onto one side of each steak, then flip them over and brush the remaining marinade onto the other side, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Roast the cauliflower: Place the tray in the preheated oven and roast for 15-20 minutes until the steaks turn golden brown and fork tender. Alternatively, you can air fry them for 10-15 minutes at the same temperature. Check doneness by inserting a fork or toothpick; it should penetrate easily.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the roasted cauliflower steaks over a bed of white bean dip or your favorite accompaniment. Sprinkle with optional chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds for a pop of color and freshness, then drizzle with your choice of meat-free gravy for an ultimate flavorful finish.
Notes
- If some florets fall off when slicing, roast them alongside the steaks to avoid waste.
- You can adjust the level of chili powder to suit your heat preference.
- For extra flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
- These steaks pair well with hummus, tahini sauce, or a simple yogurt dip as alternative serving options.
- Make sure to use a sharp knife to cleanly slice the cauliflower into steaks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegetarian, Mediterranean-inspired
Keywords: Cauliflower steaks, roasted cauliflower, vegetarian main, plant-based, healthy recipe, smoked paprika, easy baking recipe
