Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are the perfect plant-based main or side dish. Requiring just 30 minutes and 3 ingredients, these steaks are easy to make, vegan, crisp-tender, satisfying, and full of intense flavor.
For the longest time cauliflower was always treated like the weird 2nd cousin to broccoli. It was usually the last thing left on the veggie tray at a party. And, apart from using it as an unexciting side dish, no one really knew how to serve it. But, that was then and this is now.
Cauliflower is super versatile. You can make amazing buffalo wings, the best vegan taco meat, and delicious Asian Roasted Sweet Chili Cauliflower. But, these Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are my absolute favorite!
If you’ve never had cauliflower steak it’s exactly what it sounds like. Thick cut slices of cauliflower covered in my homemade blackened seasoning and then roasted to perfection. The flavor is intense and the steaks will leave you speechless.
This recipe is so simple, requiring just 30 minutes and 3 ingredients. And, it’s completely oil-free. So, you don’t have to worry about any unwanted calories or fat. It’s the perfect satisfying plant-based entree or side dish.
🥗 Ingredients You’ll Need
This delicious low-calorie recipes requires just 3 simple ingredients.
- Cauliflower: Choose a large cauliflower with tightly packed florets. These make the best steaks.
- Blackened Seasoning: I used my own DIY blackened seasoning recipe. Feel free to use other seasonings if you prefer.
- Maple Syrup: Use this in place of oil for rubbing the cauliflower prior to covering with the seasoning. It helps the spices to stick to the cauliflower and brown up very nicely.
🔪 How To Cut Cauliflower Steaks
You want to choose a large cauliflower with tightly packed florets. You will usually get 2-3 good steaks from one large cauliflower.
- Use a paring knife to remove the outer leaves. Then, use a chef’s knife to trim off the stem even with the cauliflower head.
- Place the cauliflower stem side down on the cutting board.
- Slice the cauliflower in half by cutting right through the center.
- Now cut one or two ¾″ – 1″ thick slices from each half. Save all the extra florets from the ends to roast and enjoy as a snack or on top of a salad.
🥘 How Do You Roast Cauliflower Steaks
- Preheat your oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the cauliflower into ¾″-1″ steaks. You should be able to get 2-3 really good steaks from one cauliflower. Save the leftover pieces and side pieces and roast them with the steaks.
- Place the cauliflower steaks on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Rub them evenly on both sides with the maple syrup mixture and blackened seasoning. Be gentle as the cauliflower can break apart when turning. It’s not the end of the world but the goal is to keep the “steaks” in one piece.
- Bake for 25 minutes, carefully flip them over halfway through, sprinkle with more seasoning if you desire, and continue roasting until they are blackened and tender.
That’s it! These roasted blackened cauliflower steaks are simple to make, healthy, and delicious.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many options when it comes to serving Roasted Cauliflower Steaks. They’re excellent with a simple green salad, your favorite veggies, or you can even turn it into an amazing sandwich. My personal favorites are:
- Sauces: I LOVE sauces so adding a little drizzle over these steaks is essential for me. My personal favorites are Vegan Ranch Dressing, Spicy Vegan Aioli, and Garlicky Lemon Tahini Dressing.
- Salad: Tomato & Cucumber Salad, Apple Walnut Salad, Quinoa Black Bean Salad, or Vegan Macaroni Salad.
- Soup: Vegan Cabbage Soup, Vegetarian Minestrone, Easy Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup, Vegan Lentil Soup.
- Side Dishes: Vegan Baked Mac and Cheese, Mac and Cheese, Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Oven-Roasted Asparagus, Oil-Free Sautéed Kale, Vegan Collard Greens, and Oil-Free Roasted Potatoes for starters. See the full list of all my vegan side dish recipes HERE.
- Grain: Serve over a bed of Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice or quinoa.
More Delicious Vegan Dinner Recipes
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, oil-free, dairy free, and gluten-free!
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #shaneandsimple on Instagram. Be sure and SUBSCRIBE to Shane & Simple so you never miss a recipe!
PrintBlackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Cook Time: 25 mins.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 steaks 1x
- Category: Vegan Main Dishes
- Method: Oven Roasted
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are the perfect plant-based main or side dish. Requiring just 30 minutes and 3 ingredients, these steaks are easy to make, vegan, crisp-tender, satisfying, and full of intense flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- blackened seasoning (I used my DIY recipe)
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup + 1 tablespoon water (mixed)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the cauliflower into ¾″-1″ steaks. You should be able to get 2-3 really good steaks from one cauliflower. Save the leftover pieces and side pieces and roast them with the steaks.
- Place the cauliflower steaks on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Rub them evenly on both sides with the maple syrup mixture and blackened seasoning. Be gentle as the cauliflower can break apart when turning. It’s not the end of the world but the goal is to keep the “steaks” in one piece.
- Bake for 25 minutes, carefully flip them over halfway through, sprinkle with more seasoning if you desire, and continue roasting until they are blackened and tender.
- Serve immediately.
- Store leftovers in a covered container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350˚ oven or nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Notes
There are so many options when it comes to serving Roasted Cauliflower Steaks. They’re excellent with a simple green salad, your favorite veggies, or you can even turn it into an amazing sandwich.
How To Cut Cauliflower Steaks
- Use a paring knife to remove the outer leaves. Then, use a chef’s knife to trim off the stem even with the cauliflower head.
- Place the cauliflower stem side down on the cutting board.
- Slice the cauliflower in half by cutting right through the center.
- Now cut one or two ¾″ – 1″ thick slices from each half. Save all the extra florets from the ends to roast and enjoy as a snack or on top of a salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 steak
- Calories: 92
- Sugar: 9.5 g
- Sodium: 133.8 mg
- Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.5 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 5.6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: cauliflower steak, cauliflower steak recipe, baked cauliflower steaks, roasted cauliflower slices
Hi Shane! I tried the cauliflower (along with your blackened seasoning) tonight and the whole family (including my 5 yo) loved it! My husband never thought he would say that about cauliflower but we will definitely be adding this to our rotation. Thanks for your recipes- I’m a huge fan of your carrot dogs too!
Thank you so much!
Blackened cauliflower was great, served it with the asparagus & lemon tahini sauce recipe from you as well. Both recipes are fabulous additions to my menu planning repertoire! Thanks, keep sharing – we really enjoy such delicious and easy to prepare recipes.
★★★★★
Awesome, Carol!
Thank you for the recipes. What can we use in place I of maple syrup.? We usually stay away from sugar and sugar substitutes. Thank you again.
I would use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari. It’s primarily for making sure the seasoning stays on the cauliflower and helps it to roast up nicely. And, I usually like the sweet and savory together. But, the sauce will work just as well. You could also just use plain water.
★★★★★
Blackened Roasted cauliflower was delicious and easy to make. My husband and I ate the entire head for dinner. A keeper.
★★★★★
Excellent! Thanks for reaching out.
Blackened Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are the perfect plant-based main or side dish. Requiring just 30 minutes and 3 ingredients, these steaks are easy to make, vegan, crisp-tender, satisfying, and full of intense flavor.
★★★★★
This looks delish! I’d love to try it. How do I make “blackened seasoning”?
https://shaneandsimple.com/best-homemade-blackened-seasoning-recipe/
★★★★★