This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
These cauliflower steaks are crispy and tender and dressed with a luscious, smoky butter. Oven, air fryer, and grill cooking options.
Love impressive vegetarian mains? Try my sofritas, zucchini lasagna, Mediterranean bowls, or eggplant rollatini next.
My roasted cauliflower steaks are my favorite way to transform cauliflower from a simple vegetable to the mouthwatering star of the dinner for my family. Now, don’t look at them as competition for your classic steaks, though (I beg you). Instead, treat these as elegant vegetable side dish or meat-free dinner.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Only 5 ingredients. All you need are 5 budget-friendly ingredients to make roasted cauliflower steaks.
- Healthy. Not only is it versatile, but cauliflower is a healthy vegetable with high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants (source).
- Multiple cooking methods. While I prefer to oven-bake the cauliflower, I’ve also tested this recipe both on the grill and in the air fryer!
- So fast! From prep to plate, this dish cooks up in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients needed
- Cauliflower. Use a large or medium head of cauliflower and slice it into 1-inch steaks. You can use white cauliflower or get creative with purple or orange cauliflower instead.
- Butter. Because I’m already adding salt, I like to stick to unsalted butter, but if yours is already salted, just omit the salt or add it once cooked (to taste).
- Kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. To round out the flavors in the melted butter.
How to make cauliflower steaks
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 – Slice the cauliflower into 1-inch thick “steaks.” Use the knife to slice the stalks in a crisscross pattern.
Step 2 – Make the paprika butter. Stir the melted butter, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Step 3 – Brush with butter. Lay the cauliflower steaks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush both sides with the seasoned butter mixture.
Step 4 – Bake, then serve. Roast the steaks in the oven until they’re tender and golden brown around the edges.
Alternative cooking methods
As I said above, I prefer to cook these in the oven (it’s so hands-off), but I also tested them successfully on the grill and the air fryer!
Grill method: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned cauliflower and grill for 15 minutes, flipping every 3-4 minutes. Remove once charred and fork tender.
Air fryer method: Lay one or two steaks in the air fryer basket and cook at 375ºF for 15 minutes or until they’re tender and lightly browned, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- For the best cauliflower steaks, choose a cauliflower head with tightly-packed florets and no brown spots or blemishes.
- Keep the core intact. When you’re preparing the cauliflower, only remove the outer leaves and leave the stem in place, as it’s what keeps the cauliflower steaks from falling apart.
- For even cooking, you can roast the steaks on a wire rack on top of a baking dish. This way, the heat can circulate around every inch of cauliflower.
- Mix up the seasonings! Brush the cauliflower steaks with garlic butter instead of paprika butter, or swap the butter for olive oil and sprinkle taco seasoning, curry powder, steak seasoning, cumin, or ranch seasoning over top.
- Make them cheesy by sprinkling some parmesan cheese or finely shredded mozzarella cheese 10 minutes before they are done.
What to serve with this
You can serve cauliflower steaks both as a side dish and as a main. Here are some ideas to help get you started:
- Serve on the side of your favorite protein: Enjoy the cauliflower next to Greek chicken, vegan meatballs, steak salad, shrimp pesto pasta, or your favorite main dish.
- Serve on a bed of greens or grains: Top the steaks on a bed of cooked white or brown rice, couscous, farro, or wild rice. Or, instead of grains, use the cauliflower as a topping on a leafy green salad or lemon and oil-dressed greens.
- Top with a sauce: Cauliflower steaks only get better with a sauce on top. Add a drizzle of peanut sauce, hot honey sauce, gremolata, romesco, or garlic yogurt sauce for an even bigger burst of flavor.
- Add a garnish: Like crushed nuts, fresh parsley or basil, crispy chickpeas, lemon zest, parmesan cheese, or crumbled feta.
Storage instructions
To store: Transfer the leftover cauliflower steaks to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat: You can reheat the cauliflower steaks in a 350ºF oven until they’re slightly crisp and warmed through again.
More creative cauliflower recipes
- Cauliflower casserole
- Sesame Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Cauliflower mashed potatoes
Cauliflower Steak Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 large cauliflower
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C/450F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Starting from the top, slice the cauliflower into 1- 1 1/2-inch thick slices. Form a criss-cross shape through each 'steak'.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Place the cauliflower steaks on the lined tray and brush both sides of each piece with the melted butter mixture.
- Bake the cauliflower steaks for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove the cauliflower from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published June 2023, updated and republished June 2024
On photo it looks so tasty. Will definitely give it a shot.
Thanks so much for the recipe.i shall try them
If butter it’s not a vegan, olive oil will be good