How To Cook Cauliflower

How To Cook Cauliflower - 6 EASY ways to cook it that taste the best - with the LEAST amount of effort. 😉 Roasting in the oven, steaming in the microwave, making riced cauliflower or air fried cauliflower, and simmering on the stove are my go-to favorites!

You'll Love Easy Ways to Cook Cauliflower

Cooking cauliflower is quite easy. It's very simple to prepare, and there are multiple ways to cook it.

I have six go-to recipes for cooking it - steam it in the microwave, roasted cauliflower in the oven (my personal favorite!), make riced cauliflower, air fry it or simmer it on the stovetop in water, and mashed cauliflower.

How To Microwave Cauliflower

Here's how to steam cauliflower in the microwave.

Microwave cauliflower (from fresh) is a quick and simple method - and the one that I use most often! Many low carb recipes call for basic cooked cauliflower, and this is the faster way I've found to do that. You might also microwave frozen cauliflower - it's even easier.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head 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.

Serving Suggestion

If serving as a side toss cauliflower florets with extra virgin olive oil or butter and season your favorite way - freshly ground black pepper and salt is the simplest.

My favorite way is to drizzle with melted butter, salt, pepper, a tiny squeeze of lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of a favorite fresh herb. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese makes it yummy too!

Serve it on it's own as a side to your favorite protein. Or, if cooked to crisp-tender, it works great as a low-carb substitution in a recipe calling for pasta such as this Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (with Pasta or Cauliflower)

How To Cook Cauliflower on Stovetop

Here's how to cook cauliflower on the stovetop:

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 florets to pot, and cook until fork tender (about 5-7 minutes)
• Drain well and serve

Serving Suggestion

Toss with melted butter then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Feel free to garnish with 1 tablespoon of your favorite herb and even some parmesan cheese.

How To Cook Riced Cauliflower

It's everywhere these days and is the perfect low-carb substitute for rice. Here's how to make riced cauliflower - it's super easy to do and cost-effective, so why not make your own?

Ingredients

• 1 medium to large head of cauliflower
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Cut cauliflower head into small florets, about 1/2" in size.
• Using a food processor with a grater attachment or a box grater, grate the cauliflower into "rice". You can also use a food processor with a chopping blade by adding the cauliflower florets in small batches and pulsing until they are rice-sized.
• 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!)

Serving Suggestion

Enjoy as a vegetable side, or use as a replacement for rice in many dishes.

You may also want to try out this Coconut Cauliflower Rice recipe with this Thai Basil Chicken.

Meal idea! Serve Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff or this Chicken in Tomato Basil Cream Sauce over the riced cauliflower.

Mashed Cauliflower

Making mashed cauliflower that's as good as mashed potatoes is easy! These are buttery, fluffy, creamy - and not runny. Serving these for the holidays? Make these up to 2 days ahead of time and reheat when you're ready. Here's how to make them:

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cauliflower
• 4 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

• Cut cauliflower head into small florets, about 1/2" in size.
• Place it in a large microwave safe dish with 1/2 cup water. Cover and microwave until very very soft, about 15 minutes.
• Drain the cauliflower in a colander.
• Transfer to a bowl of a food processor and add remaining ingredients. Process on high, periodically scraping down the side, until smooth. Depending upon the size of your food processor you may need to process in 2 batches.
• Reheat in the microwave if needed.
• Season with salt and pepper. Top with cheese, gravy, more butter - whatever you like.

Air Fryer Cauliflower

Here's how to make simple, yet completely delicious, air fryer cauliflower:

Ingredients

• 1 medium head of cauliflower (cut into 1 to 2" florets).
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

• Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl add cauliflower florets then toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. (You can also add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder - delicious!!)
• Transfer florets to the air fryer basket and cook until desired tenderness is reached, about 8 to 12 minutes (depending upon your air fryer).
• Adjust salt pepper to taste.

Serving Suggestions

Add a little smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder for even more flavor. Use a salted seasoning like lemon pepper seasoning like I used in this Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower.

How To Make Roasted Cauliflower in The Oven

Roasted cauliflower has a really delicious taste you will LOVE. Serve it as a side to your favorite protein, in salads, or as a substitution for pasta in a recipe.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients needed for making roasted cauliflower:

• Cauliflower Florets
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt or Sea Salt
• Ground Black Pepper

How to Make It

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees
• Cut cauliflower into 1" florets
• Add cauliflower to a large bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper
• Place the cauliflower in a single layer onto a baking sheet that is covered in foil or parchment paper.
• Roast 20 to 25 minutes until tender and golden brown.

Note: If you are roasting cauliflower to use in another recipe, omit the salt and any additional seasoning.

Serving Suggestion

My favorite way to make roasted cauliflower is to add garlic, parmesan, and herbs. Add this before roasting. Get creative! The best part about this recipe is that it's easy to adapt!

Recipe idea! Use in this Low Carb Tuna Casserole - it's total comfort food.

More Cauliflower Recipes

If you are looking for more ways to cook cauliflower, look no further! Check these out:

• Best Recipe for Cauliflower Steaks
• How To Make Pickled Cauliflower
• Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
• Keto Cauliflower Potatoes Recipe
• Low Carb Tuna Casserole
• Seafood Pasta Salad (Use Pasta or Cauliflower)
• Coconut Cauliflower Rice (Keto Cauliflower Rice)

Top Tips

If you need to know how to cut cauliflower, be sure to check out this video from Healthy Nibbles and Bits!

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