Balsamic Cauliflower Steaks is a fun recipe that all the vegetarians in your life will appreciate. Even so, you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this tasty grilled veggie dish. Filling your plate with veggies with a side of healthy carbs and protein is a solid strategy for healthy, clean eating.
This recipe was inspired by the cauliflower steaks recipe in Bon Appetit magazine, April 2017. I took the main gist of the recipe minus all that dripping olive oil. I cut down the topping because simple is always better.
How to cut cauliflower steaks:
- snap/trim off outer leaves of the head of cauliflower
- slice off the stem of the head with a sharp knife
- cut the head in half from the top down
- slice off rounded edges leaving two flat ‘steaks’ roughly 1 1/2 inches thick (the rounded edges will crumble into small florets which can be saved for snacking)
- use a pairing knife to trim off any remaining leaves and stem
I know I’m not alone when I say that cauliflower is showing up everywhere these days. There’s cauliflower pizza crust, cauliflower rice, and recently, our teens started making a recipe they discovered on Tik Tok – cauliflower honey barbecue bites (super tasty btw). I appreciate the concept of cutting down on white carbs and greasy meats. At the same time, I like the taste of cauliflower as it is. These ‘steaks’ are nice in that the form of the cauliflower is not altered much. I would advise you not to think of this experience as eating a steak (it’s not going to taste like one!) but rather as eating cauliflower grilled in steak form.
Cooking cauliflower steaks takes two simple steps. The first step is to grill it a few minutes on each side. This gives it the aesthetic appeal of having grill marks as well as more flavor. To get it cooked all the way through however and to have the inside be soft, a 2nd step is required. The 2nd step involves baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
Our family prefers simple cauliflower steaks however there are several options for toppings.
Options for topping cauliflower steaks:
- currants or raisins
- pomegranate arils
- capers
- chopped fresh parsley or chives
These grilled cauliflower steaks are a great side dish when served with our yummy Flank Steak Marinade and a side of Chipotle Sweet Potatoes!
If you love this recipe, be sure to try another favorite, the vegetarian side dish recipe for Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic and Sumac!
Balsamic Cauliflower Steaks
Balsamic Cauliflower Steaks is a fun recipe that all the vegetarians in your life will appreciate. Even so, you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this tasty grilled veggie dish. Filling your plate with veggies with a side of healthy carbs and protein is a solid strategy for healthy, clean eating.
Ingredients
- 1 full head of cauliflower
- 1/4 Cup of chopped walnuts or sliced almonds
- 1/4 Cup of dried currants (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil (or olive spray oil)
- balsamic glaze for drizzle
- Sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Sash the cauliflower head
- Snap/trim off outer leaves of the head of cauliflower
- Slice off the stem of the head with a sharp knife
- Cut the head in half from the top down
- Slice off rounded edges leaving two flat 'steaks' roughly 1 1/2 inches thick (the rounded edges will crumble into small florets which can be saved for snacking)
- Use a pairing knife to trim off any remaining leaves and stem
- Coat cauliflower steaks with olive oil
- Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Bake for 10-15 minutes
- Transfer to serving dish
- Top with toasted walnuts or almonds and dried currant
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze
Notes
Our family prefers simple cauliflower steaks however there are several options for toppings including the following:
- currants or raisins
- pomegranate arils
- capers
- chopped fresh parsley or chives
To toast your own nuts, chop coarsely and roast in a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, for about 5 to 7 minutes in a 375-degree oven.
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