The cauliflower trend that emerged a few years ago certainly isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, whether you’re talking about the fun grocery store finds or the many stellar cauliflower recipes you can make yourself. And we’re pretty sure that this hearty, foolproof vegetable will never go out of style.
We love cauliflower for a few reasons, like how easy it is to cook and how long it lasts. Plus, the cruciferous vegetable is packed with nutrients like fiber and vitamin C. But maybe most of all, cauliflower is hard to beat in the versatility department (hence the the wide variety of products it’s popped up in).
Cauliflower’s texture is capable of transforming into anything from silky soups to fluffy gnocchi, and its pleasantly mild taste does a wonderful job of taking on whatever spices, herbs, and sauces you hit it with. While plain cauliflower rice was once all the rage—and still a clever take—today there is such a wide variety of creative cauliflower recipes to experiment with, from cauli-tots to a a simple mashed cauliflower side to gorgeous main courses. (Seriously, a well-done head of cauliflower makes for an impressive dinner table centerpiece.)
These 25 cauliflower recipes feature all the different things that make this vegetable great. Many of the dishes showcase the vegetable’s chameleon-like abilities, while others put the focus on how great cauliflower can taste in its original form and with only minimal preparation.
In general, fresh cauliflower will give you the best results in most of these recipes. It’s not hard to track down throughout most of the year, but you can totally use frozen cauliflower in a pinch—just be sure to defrost and remove as much liquid from the vegetable before cooking to get the best results. Whichever version of the vegetable that you have, these recipes will help you make the most of it.
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Tanya Harris via My Forking Life1 Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato from My Forking Life
This simple mix of roasted cauliflower and sweet potato is a great side dish to have in your back pocket with the holiday season here. Give the dish a second life by using leftovers to make a veggie-packed frittata or omelette.
Get the recipe here.
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Shanika via Orchids and Sweet Tea2 Buffalo Cauliflower Kale Grilled Pizza from Orchids and Sweet Tea
Buffalo chicken and pizza go together like birds of a feather, and this recipe deliciously combines the two into one. While there’s no actual chicken here, cauliflower turns out to be the perfect vehicle for Buffalo sauce’s bold flavor.
Get the recipe here.
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Rosalynn Daniels via Rosalynn Daniels3 Fried Cauliflower with Black Peppercorn-Garlic Sauce from Rosalynn Daniels
The black peppercorn-garlic sauce used in this fried cauliflower recipe is equally as good over pasta as it is over freshly steamed rice. This fried cauliflower could also make a great filling for a wrap or topping for a soup.
Get the recipe here.
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Michelle Blackwood via Healthier Steps4 Jamaican Jerk Cauliflower Bowl from Healthier Steps
If you don’t have all the spices necessary to whip up a homemade jerk sauce, feel free to use your favorite store-bought sauce to make this zesty, speedy cauliflower recipe.
Get the recipe here.
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Beth Moncel via Budget Bytes5 Garlic-Herb Mashed Cauliflower from Budget Bytes
If you’re on the hunt for a way to spice up your side dishes this holiday season, look no further than this cauliflower-based spin on mashed potatoes. It’s starchy and creamy, similarly to what you’d get from the spuds—and excellent alongside all the usual holiday fare.
Get the recipe here.
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Chungah Rhee via Damn Delicious6 Orange Cauliflower Bowls from Damn Delicious
This imitation chicken isn’t meant to mimic the protein content that you’d normally get from a dish like this—it’s all about satisfying that tender, fried chicken craving that even the most loyal vegan or vegetarian might sometimes have. Serve it with a fried egg or cubed tofu to ensure you walk away satiated.
Get the recipe here.
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Erin Clarke via Well Plated7 Cauliflower Chowder from Well Plated
Clam chowder is great and all, but this cauliflower-based version is a clever alternative when you don’t have easy access to fresh clams. (So, most people, most of the time.) Packed with all the same herbs and aromatics as the original, all you need is a bread bowl to get the full experience.
Get the recipe here.
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Erin Alderson via Naturally Ella8 Turmeric Cauliflower Egg Skillet from Naturally Ella
Savory breakfast lovers will appreciate this quick and easy cauliflower-packed egg bake. Turmeric gives the whole thing a lovely yellow hue and a bright, soothing flavor. And a layer of saucy onions and beans provides a bit of extra protein.
Get the recipe here.
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Elizabeth Stark via Brooklyn Supper9 Roasted Cauliflower Flatbreads With Arugula Pesto from Brooklyn Supper
This recipe is a great opportunity to use up any stale flatbread that you have on hand. Throwing it over the grill or pan-frying it in a bit of olive oil will help restore its texture and create the perfect canvas for your cauliflower topping.
Get the recipe here.
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Alex Overhiser via A Couple Cooks10 Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower from A Couple Cooks
There’s no veggie side dish more simple and tasty than roasted cauliflower with a showering of freshly grated Parmesan. Spice it up with red pepper flakes and balance all the flavors with a bit of acidity from lemon juice.
Get the recipe here.
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Andrea Bemis via Dishing up the Dirt11 Sausage, Kale, and Cauliflower Stew from Dishing up the Dirt
Stew season is in full swing, and this sausage- and cauliflower-packed number is a worthy addition to your roster. For a vegan version, you could swap heavy cream for coconut cream and substitute in your favorite plant-based sausage.
Get the recipe here.
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Kristin Smith via Krisp x Kristin12 Cauliflower Tikka Masala from Krisp x Kristin
Though this dish is a takeout favorite, it often takes less time to make yourself than to wait for delivery. This flavorful recipe requires just 35 minutes to make from start to finish.
Get the recipe here.
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Monique Volz via Ambitious Kitchen13 Cauliflower Tots from Ambitious Kitchen
Tots made from cauliflower?! Heck yes. Egg, almond flour, and shredded Parmesan and cheddar cheese get combined with cauliflower (that’s been steamed, food-processed, and wrung-out) to create a surprisingly tot-like texture.
Get the recipe here.
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Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park via Spoon Fork Bacon14 Giant Baked Cauliflower Arancini from Spoon Fork Bacon
Making arancini is usually a laborious process that involves cooking risotto rice, letting it cool for hours, and eventually rolling and frying it. Using food-processed cauliflower eliminates the need for those first two steps, so you can simply sauté your veggie and get right to the fun part.
Get the recipe here.
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Jeanine Donofrio via Love and Lemons15 Baked Cheesy Cauliflower Dip from Love and Lemons
This dip is worth making whether you have a game night on the horizon or are simply in the mood for a cheesy, veggie-packed dip. Serve it with sliced, toasted bread or your favorite crunchy crackers for optimal results.
Get the recipe here.
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Olivia Ribas via Primavera Kitchen16 Creamy Avocado Cauliflower Salad from Primavera Kitchen
Cauliflower may not be the most obvious choice for a salad, but it’s surprisingly well equipped for the job. Cooked al dente, the cauliflower in this salad sings alongside creamy avocado and crunchy bacon.
Get the recipe here.
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Tayo Oredola via Low-Carb Africa17 Nigerian Cauliflower Fufu from Low-Carb Africa
Fufu is a type of swallow, a staple dough-like dish that’s found throughout African and Afro-Caribbean cuisines. Commonly used to soak up dishes like stews and soups, this Nigerian version uses cauliflower to make the perfect vessel for sopping up every last bit of sauce.
Get the recipe here.
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Sarah Bond via Live Eat Learn18 Slow-Cooker Cauliflower Soup from Live Eat Learn
This low-effort cauliflower soup gets an extra creamy boost from chickpeas and cashews. The resulting texture is velvety smooth and packed with flavor.
Get the recipe here.
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Stacie Hassing and Jessica Beacom via The Real Food Dietitians19 Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheddar Chicken Casserole from The Real Food Dietitians
Traditional broccoli-cheddar casserole is great, but adding a bit of cauliflower is a nice way to introduce a little something new. Packed with gooey cheese and shredded chicken, this one is great for last-minute potlucks and quick weeknight dinners alike.
Get the recipe here.
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Sarah Leung via The Woks of Life20 Korean Fried Cauliflower from The Woks of Life
Though this spicy cauliflower tastes best when deep-fried, air-frying can produce similarly crunchy (and less messy) results. Serve it over rice and alongside a fried egg for a full meal. Or, reserve some of the sauce for dipping and serve the cauliflower florets as an appetizer.
Get the recipe here.
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Lindsay Ostrom via Pinch of Yum21 Homemade Cauliflower Gnocchi from Pinch of Yum
If you stock up on cauliflower gnocchi almost every time you’re at the supermarket, making it yourself can help you save money. This recipe is just as good as what you get at the store, and it’s easier to make than you might expect.
Get the recipe here.
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ChihYu Smith via I Heart Umami22 Sautéed Mushrooms With Cauliflower Crumbles from I Heart Umami
Al dente cauliflower crumbles are the perfect complement to the juicy, sautéed mushrooms in this recipe. Top with a healthy sprinkling of Parmesan cheese to kick up the umami even more, and finish with fresh parsley.
Get the recipe here.
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Adrianna Adarme via A Cozy Kitchen23 Cauliflower Tacos from A Cozy Kitchen
Tender, pan-fried cauliflower florets make an excellent and juicy filling for these flavorful corn tortilla tacos. Finish everything off with a handful of sliced radishes and crumbled cotija cheese for a balanced vegetarian meal.
Get the recipe here.
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Richa Hingle via Vegan Richa24 Aloo Gobi from Vegan Richa
Aloo gobi is a potato and cauliflower-based dish, popular in India and Pakistan, that’s seasoned with spices like coriander, garam masala, and turmeric for a gorgeous appearance and complex flavor profile.
Get the recipe here.
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25 Spicy Peanut Cauliflower Stir-Fry from Marisa Moore
This spicy cauliflower stir-fry has everything: crunch from peanuts, heat from sriracha, and a fresh bite from chopped scallions. Eat it with rice or alongside store-bought or homemade flatbread.
