Easy Ways To Cook Cauliflower - four simple ways to cook cauliflower that taste the best - with the least amount of effort. Roasting in the oven, steaming in the microwave, sautéing riced cauliflower, and simmering on the stove are my go-to favorites!
Whether you are serving cauliflower as a side dish, pasta or rice substitute, or adding to another recipe - here are the best methods for cooking.
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Four Easy Ways to Cook Cauliflower
Cauliflower is very simple to cut up and cook. My go-to recipes for cooking cauliflower are to steam it in the microwave, roast it in the oven (my personal favorite!), sauté riced cauliflower, or simmer it on the stove in water.
Cauliflower is very diverse and can be used in so many ways. It's especially become popular to use it as a low carb substitute for pasta or rice.
First, you need to know how to cut up cauliflower. I found a video that you'll like...
How to Cut Cauliflower
Here is a great video by Healthy Nibbles and Bits that will show you how to cut cauliflower into florets.
Microwave (Steam)
This is a very quick way to cook cauliflower. Serve as a side dish or as a low carb substitution in a recipe calling for pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into 1" florets
Directions
- Place cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe dish.
- Cover with 1/2 water.
- Cover dish with lid
- Microwave on high, approximately 4 minutes or until tender.
- Drain well and serve.
Note:
- If serving cauliflower as a side dish sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. My favorite is to add butter, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of a favorite herb. A sprinkle of parmesan makes it yummy too!
Stove (Boiling/Simmer Method)
Ingredients:
- 1 medium head of cauliflower cut into 1" florets
- salt
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high.
- Reduce temperature to medium-low.
- Add cauliflower to pot, and cook until fork tender (about 5-7 minutes)
- Drain well and serve
Note:
- Same as the steam method - if serving cauliflower as a side dish sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. My favorite is to add butter, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of a favorite herb. A sprinkle of parmesan makes it yummy too!
Oven (Roasted Method)
Roasted cauliflower has a really delicious taste you will LOVE. Try it as a side dish, in salads, or as a substitution to pasta in a recipe.
Here's a great recipe! Low Carb Tuna Casserole (Keto Seafood Casserole) - you'll love it!
Ingredients You Will Need to Make Roasted Cauliflower
- 1 medium to large head of cauliflower
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
How to Make Roast Cauliflower
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Cut cauliflower into 1" florets
- Add cauliflower to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper
- In a single layer, spread cauliflower onto a baking sheet that is covered in foil or parchment paper.
- Roast 20 to 25 minutes until tender and golden brown.
Notes
- As a side dish feel free to add garlic, parmesan, or your favorite herbs. The best part about this recipe is that it's easy to adapt!
- If you are roasting cauliflower to use in another recipe, omit the salt and any additional seasoning.
How to Cook Riced Cauliflower
Ingredients You Will Need to Make Cauliflower Rice
- 1 medium to large head of cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- Cut cauliflower into small pieces.
- Using a food processor with your grater attachment, grate the cauliflower into "rice" working small batches at a time.
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high.
- Add cauliflower and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, or until your desired tenderness is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper (and anything else you like!)
Notes
- Enjoy as a side dish, or use as a replacement to rice in many dishes. Here are 2 easy recipes that taste AMAZING over riced cauliflower: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Low Carb Chicken in Basil Tomato Cream Sauce.
📋 Printable Recipe
Easy Roasted Cauliflower
Easy Ways To Cook Cauliflower, are several simple ways to cook cauliflower that taste the best - with the least amount of effort. Roasting in the oven, steaming in the microwave, sautéing riced cauliflower, and simmering on the stove are my go-to favorites! Whether you are serving cauliflower as a side dish, a pasta or rice substitute, or adding to another recipe - here are the best methods for cooking.
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large head of cauliflower
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Cut cauliflower into 1" florets
- Add cauliflower to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper
- In a single layer, spread cauliflower onto a baking sheet that is covered in foil or parchment paper.
- Roast 20 to 25 minutes until tender.
Notes
As a side dish feel free to add garlic, parmesan, or herbs. The best part about this recipe is that it's easy to adapt.
If you are roasting cauliflower to use in another recipe, omit the salt and any additional seasoning.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 367mgCarbohydrates: 4gNet Carbohydrates: 2gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g
DISCLAIMER: Any changes to this recipe could change the nutrition facts. Nutrition facts are provided as a reference only and are calculated to the best of our ability using Nutritionix. If you are concerned, always calculate your own nutritional analysis. The information provided on Seeking Good Eats is for informational use only and we are not liable for how that information is used. The information provided by Seeking Good Eats is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified healthcare provider.
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Beth says
This is a super helpful post. I love to roast cauliflower but really appreciate the other methods you share, especially for riced cauliflower which I am just beginning to use.