46 cauliflower recipes

For more vibrant veg dishes, check out our broccoli recipes and fennel recipes.

When is cauliflower in season?

It’s available all-year round but is best between December and mid-April.

Why we love cauliflower

Cauliflower is a member of the brassica family and while it’s almost always white, you can also find purple and green varieties. Related to broccoli, a cauliflower’s head (the curd) is actually made up of hundreds of undeveloped flower buds. This can be eaten roasted, steamed or baked into cauliflower cheese. Don't forget the leaves and stems, these are good for eating, too.

Health benefits of cauliflower

Cauliflower is a sulphur-rich food, which means it may help to support the immune system as well as helping to fight some cancers. It's high in antioxidants, so may help protect the body against disease.

How to make cauliflower rice

When blitzed in a food processor, cauliflower resembles fine grains that can be used as a substitution for rice or couscous.

To make cauliflower rice:

1. Chop a whole raw cauliflower into chunks, including the step and core.
2. Add to a food processor.
3. Blitz at several second intervals until the cauliflower resembles the fine grains similar to the texture of rice. Be careful not to over blend, or the mixture will become mushy.
4. Alternatively, if you don’t have a food processor, it is also possible to grate the cauliflower with a coarse grater.

What to do with cauliflower rice

After making cauliflower rice, you can stir-fry it, roast it or blast it in a microwave for a quick and healthy alternative to carbohydrates.

It’s especially great for vegetable and protein-packed bowls. Fry cauliflower rice in a drizzle of oil with salt and pepper and a few herbs or spices if you like. Tip into a bowl and top with grilled chicken, roasted veggies, lentils, beans, chickpeas, a few seeds and a dollop of yogurt or guacamole, and you’ve got yourself a super healthy protein-rich dinner.

Best cauliflower recipes

Cauliflower soup

Creamy cauliflower soup is comfort in a bowl, plus you can throw it together in just two simple steps.

Next, try our sweet potato soup.

Best ever cauliflower cheese

Arguably one of the heroes of British food – is it really a roast dinner if there’s no super cheesy, crispy-topped, piping hot cauliflower cheese on the table?

Check out our selection of roast recipes to accompany this classic cheesy side dish.

Cauliflower ragu

Enjoy this great alternative to a meat ragu. Made using cauliflower, it's cheaper and sneaks in an extra one of your five-a-day, while the anchovy adds a deep, rich flavour. It's low in calories, too.

Browse our low-calorie vegetarian meals.

Bang bang cauliflower

Crispy baked cauliflower is the star in this flavour-packed recipe, served with a punchy sauce made from sriracha, sweet chilli, honey and lime.

You've got to try our sriracha and lemon spaghetti.

Cauliflower mash

Creamy, buttery and extra garlicky cauliflower mash makes an amazing low-carb alternative to the original. Try it alongside your favourite meat or veggie main.

Or try our sweet potato mash.

Vegetarian cauliflower chowder

Celebrate cauliflower season with this comforting bowl of creamy veggie chowder – a pinch of cayenne pepper gives a gentle warmth to this soup.

If you're not veggie, enjoy our bacon and sweetcorn chowder.

Roast cauliflower korma

Check out our veggie korma recipe with roast cauliflower. This curry recipe is low in calories and ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for an easy midweek dinner.

Dive into our vegetarian curry recipes.

Cauliflower bhajis

A twist on the curry house classic, these crispy bhajis see cauliflower pieces coated in a spiced batter, deep-fried, then served with a lime and coriander yogurt dip

Roasted cauliflower

Use this crispy roasted cauliflower in curries, salads or as a side dish. It's simple to make, too – the oven does all the work

Cauliflower wellington

Swap beef for saffron-spiced cauliflower in this impressive veggie wellington, perfect for a meat-free festive feast. This recipe comes from east London's Bubala restaurant.

Or try our mushroom wellington.

Spiced cauliflower soup

Check out our creamy spiced cauli soup recipe. This simple veggie soup is low in calories and ready in under an hour.

See all our best soup recipes.

Cauliflower fried rice with baked tofu

Serve crispy golden tofu with cauliflower fried rice and plenty of sweet chilli sauce for a low-calorie, veg-heavy, meat-free midweek dinner.

Cauliflower, anchovy and raisin spaghetti

Make the most of cauliflower in this low-calorie pasta with lightly toasted pine nuts and sweet smoked paprika.

You'll love our caponata spaghetti.

Miso-roasted cauliflower, avocado and lentil salad

Fibre-rich cauliflower is roasted in a miso dressing – also filled with probiotics – and turned into a rustic salad with pickled onions and lentils. It's delicious and great for your gut, too.

See more vegetarian salad recipes.

Cauliflower and chickpea curry

Got a tin of chickpeas in your storecupboard? Add them to this protein-rich vegan cauliflower curry for a nutritious midweek meal the whole family will enjoy.

Next, try our saag chana masala.

Cauliflower steaks with capers

Crispy buttery capers are poured over tender, caramelised cauli steaks. No, we’re not saying they taste like a steak, but they are just as good!

For another meat-free meal, try our halloumi with caper dressing.

Spanish cauli rice

Spicy and smoky chorizo, juicy prawns and hot paprika make this a quick but just-as-good alternative to the rice version.

See all our flavoursome Spanish recipes.

Cauliflower mac ’n’ cheese

Cauliflower cheese meets macaroni cheese in this dream of a recipe, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.

We also have a delicious butternut squash mac and cheese.

Ukrainian cauliflower fritters

In Ukraine, all sorts of things, from schnitzel to whole river fish are fried in batter. Here, cauliflower gets the treatment. These easy fritters with a simple dip make for great snacks, ready in just 25 minutes.

Try more of Olia Hercules's eastern European recipes.

Cauliflower and banana curry

Banana, the surprise ingredient in this vegan cauliflower curry, adds sweetness and thickens the sauce. It's a bit of a secret weapon, as it makes for a creamy, comforting dish.

See all our vegan comfort food recipes.

Sicilian pasta with cauliflower

This dish originates from Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and draws heavily from Arabic influences. Featuring saffron, raisins and pine nuts, it's packed with flavour and texture.

Find more vegetarian pasta recipes, like our fennel pasta.

Veggie butter curry

Tender cauli, filling chickpeas and earthy spinach combine to make a comforting veggie curry. Serve, garnished with the almonds and coriander, with rice alongside.

Go green with our best spinach recipes.

Spicy cauli steak burgers

Check out our easy deep-fried cauliflower steaks with lightly toasted ciabatta rolls. Make these super simple veggie burgers for a quick dinner for four.

Alternatively, try our homemade veggie burgers.

Roasted harissa cauliflower with warm coriander hummus

Chunky wedges of roasted rose harissa cauliflower, served with warm hummus and a super-simple homemade dukkah.

Give our tofu steak with beetroot noodles and dukkah a go.

Tajín cauliflower bites

Tajín is a classic Mexican seasoning made from lime, chilli and salt. It works so well on these moreish cauli bites with the cooling soured cream.

We've got lots more Mexican recipes.

Sicilian mackerel with cauliflower purée

This makes a delicious starter or lunch when you're entertaining. The combination of sweet, salty and creamy is truly delicious.

Make the most of mackerel with our Spanish mackerel recipe.

Buffalo cauli wings with blue cheese dip

Check out our veggie buffalo wings with cauliflower and creamy blue cheese dip. Make these easy wings for a moreish veggie snack.

Get the party started with more party food recipes.

Whole tandoori cauliflower with jewelled rice salad

Check out this Indian spiced whole roasted cauliflower with fluffy rice, pomegranate seeds and crunchy pistachios. This flavoursome recipe makes a showstopping veggie dish to serve friends and family at your next barbecue.

Have a look at our vegetarian entertaining recipes.

Turmeric and butter roasted cauliflower with pink pickled onions

A creamy tahini dressing and pink pickled onions make this a multi-tasking main, starter or side.

See all our veggie starter recipes.

Cauliflower shawarma, pomegranate, tahini and pine nuts

Shawarma-spiced butter with cumin, all spice, cardamom, lemon and garlic, liberally smothered over a whole cauliflower, barbecued and served with all the toppings. This tastes even better than it looks.

You've got to try our speedy salad with tahini dressing.

Cauliflower crust pizza

Give pizza a no-carb makeover with this impressive and easy cauli crust. We've gone for tomato and cheese but you can add extra toppings, if you like.

Use our recipe for the best pizza sauce.

Cauliflower tacos

These vegan, low-calorie buffalo cauliflower tacos are ready in just 35 minutes and are so packed with flavour that you won’t even notice you’re being virtuous.

Alternatively, try our beer-battered fish tacos.

Roasted cauli and couscous salad

Check out our vibrant cauliflower salad recipe with giant couscous, crispy fried onions and a punchy zhoug dressing. This easy salad is vegan and low in calories, too.

Browse our best vegan salads.

Gochujang buttered cauliflower

A brand-new take on cauliflower, this fiery recipe sees roasted cauliflower steaks coated in a buttery miso and gochujang paste. Serve with sticky rice and cucumber pickle.

Check out our favourite gochujang recipes.

Cauliflower, walnut and apple salad

Make your salad so much more exciting with thinly sliced cauliflower florets, cubed apples, raisins, toasted walnuts and a quick mustard dressing.

We love walnuts, see all our recipes using them.

Roasted cauliflower steaks with romesco and fried eggs

Put cauliflower at the centre in this vitamin-rich vegetarian meal, accompanied by a vibrant pepper sauce and a fried egg for extra protein.

See our top high-protein meals.

Cauliflower and broccoli soup

Cosy, nourishing and packed with veg, cauliflower works well with broccoli in this warming vegetarian soup recipe. Top with golden-brown sourdough croutons for a satisfying crunch.

Moroccan cauliflower salad

What a way to make cauliflower shine. Roast your florets with ras el hanout, dried cranberries, dates, nuts and pomegranate seeds, then drizzle the whole lot with a tahini and mint dressing.

Serve up Moroccan veggie soup.

Cauliflower, manchego and almond gratin

Check out this easy baked cauliflower with manchego cheese and crunchy almonds. Make this veggie traybake for an indulgent weekend, family recipe.

For another winter side, try Brussels sprout gratin.

Tomato, cauliflower and spinach curry

Try our tomato, cauliflower and spinach curry. This super simple vegetarian recipe takes no time at all to make and it's packed with punchy flavour. What's more, it's low in calories and gluten free.

Discover all our gluten-free recipes.

Cauliflower cheese tart

Grana padano makes this comforting tart taste really special - it's a similar style cheese to parmesan, but as it can be sold younger, it’s often a lot cheaper and still gives the results needed

Chinese dry-pot cauliflower

Try this vegan dry-pot cauliflower by chef Hannah Che for a filling vegan dinner. If you can’t find caulilini, the most common Chinese cauliflower variety, regular white cauliflower also works well.

Have a look at all our Chinese recipes.

Cauliflower kedgeree

Try our low calorie cauliflower kedgeree with smoked haddock. This punchy meal is a wholesome weekend brunch or midweek dinner recipe, it's gluten free, too.

Turmeric roasted cauliflower salad

Our roasted cauliflower salad with turmeric is low in calories and packed with punchy flavour. Turmeric adds lovely colour and flavour to this easy vegan-friendly recipe.

Cauliflower cannelloni

This impressive recipe for cauliflower and fontina cannelloni comes from the chefs at Cantino Corvino, London. It's a delicious, comforting pasta dish and perfect for entertaining.

Sage butter-basted roast cauliflower

This aromatic recipe makes a perfect dinner party main for four. It's gluten free and only requires six ingredients, so if you're looking for an impressive but easy, flavour-packed meal then this is the one for you.