Healthy Cauliflower Recipes (2024)

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Cauliflower can do just about anything these days if you wish it hard enough! And these Healthy Cauliflower Recipes will show you so many ways to use this amazing vegetable. All of these recipes are gluten-free, with many options being Paleo and Whole30 friendly, too.

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Our Best Cauliflower Recipes

We love cauliflower around here, because this hearty cruciferous veggie can be used in so many different ways. It’s of course, a healthy and delicious vegetable all on it’s own, but we love using it to lighten up and transform some favorite dishes, such as pizza, hummus and curry. We’re sharing our favorite cauliflower recipes, whether you are a diehard cauli-fan or a little on the fence, to get more of this powerhouse nutrient into your diet.

What’s so Good About Cauliflower, Anyways?

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Cauliflower Pizza Bites (Gluten-Free and Grain-Free): These gluten-free & grain-free Mini Cauliflower Pizza Bites are the PERFECT weeknight dinner, grab-and-go lunch, or party appetizer. This bite-size cauliflower pizza crust recipe can fool even the non-cauliflower lover! They are low carb, keto, and paleo-friendly if you omit the cheese, and so delicious!

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Cauliflower Hash Browns: Looking for a low carb hash brown alternative? These paleo-friendly and keto Cauliflower Hash Browns are the perfect addition to any breakfast, and they freeze so well, too!

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Greek Cauliflower Rice Pilaf Bowls: These Greek Cauliflower Rice Pilaf Bowls is from my friend Lindsay from Cotter Crunch! Think of this bowl as a deconstructed dolma, but lighter and lower in carbohydrates. We’re using grape leaves as part of the pilaf, which brings a nice additional crunch to the cauliflower rice.

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Cauliflower Fried Rice: There couldn’t be an easier dish to make for dinner than this healthy fried rice recipe. This fried “rice” veers off the path from the classic by skipping out on the actual rice and replacing it with low-carb rice made from cauliflower. It’s simple, yet delicious. This low-carb, Paleo, and Whole30-friendly healthy dish is easily customizable based on what you have on hand.

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Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Nuggets: These buffalo cauliflower nuggets come from my friend Gina from Skinnytaste and they are made in the air fryer! These are downright addictive, with a crispy exterior coated in an easy spicy buffalo sauce. These easy vegetarian bites are gluten-free and low carb, with an option to make it paleo and dairy-free.

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Cauliflower Hummus: This homemade hummus recipe is so simple to put together and is a great vegan and legume-free alternative to traditional hummus. It’s Whole30, Keto and Paleo-friendly and truly you wouldn’t notice it wasn’t traditional hummus.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Curry: Using just a few kitchen staples, this Indian-inspired easy curry is a meal everyone will love. This vegan dish is dairy-free and gluten-free and perfect for when you need a quick dinner solution! It’s flavorful and so comforting.

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Tuna Casserole (With Cauliflower): This healthy tuna casserole is low-carb thanks to some added cauliflower! It’s easy to prepare, comes together in one casserole dish, and is packed with protein, veggies and we’ve offered two versions to make it low-carb with or without gluten-free pasta.

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Cauliflower Parmesan (Gluten Free): This baked Cauliflower Parmesan is my new favorite meatless recipe. Breaded cauliflower steaks made into a classic Italian dish that even the meat lover will enjoy! It’s gluten-free, grain-free, vegetarian, hearty, and so delicious!

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“Everything Bagel Cauliflower Rolls: A simple-to-make side dish or snack, these ‘Everything Bagel’ Cauliflower Rolls are where healthy meets delicious! Using simple ingredients, and our favorite vegetable we like to magically transform, these rolls have been a fan-favorite for years!

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Vegan Cauliflower Soup with Ginger and Turmeric: Made with ginger, turmeric and coconut milk, this soup is both healthy and downright delicious. It’s also a cinch to put together, taking less than 25 minutes from start to finish.

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Asian Cauliflower Wings:With a crispy coated exterior and a sweet and spicy sauce coating, these baked Asian Cauliflower Wings are downright addictive. These easy vegetarian bites are gluten-free, dairy-free and Paleo-friendly. We also offer instructions for cooking in an air-fryer too!

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And last but not least, the cauliflower recipe that masquerades as rice: Cauliflower Rice! You can find cauliflower rice in most grocery stores these days, but if you’ve never made (or eaten) it, learning how to make cauliflower rice may seem difficult or time-consuming. But trust us, it’s easy peasy! We’re offering two different methods on how to make it, giving you all the tips you need to know about storing it and letting you in on our favorite way to cook it up.

What is your favorite way to sneak cauliflower into a meal? Share below!

Healthy Cauliflower Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to eat cauliflower? ›

You can keep more of its nutrients if you steam, roast, or stir-fry it. But boiling it can lower the levels of its B vitamins, vitamin C, and magnesium. Cauliflower is also a healthy low-carb, gluten-free alternative to legumes and grains.

What is the best way to cook cauliflower without losing nutrients? ›

Steaming and microwaving cauliflower will better preserve its vitamin content, especially the B vitamins, than if it is boiled. To microwave: Put 2 cups of florets in a shallow microwavable dish, or cover a whole head of cauliflower with plastic wrap.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Is it healthy to eat a lot of cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

What color cauliflower is healthiest? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

How many times a week should you eat cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower, a generally healthy vegetable high in vitamin C and vitamin K, low in calories and high in fiber, has hidden risks for some people. One cup of cauliflower per week will provide the health benefits without the risks.

What part of the body does cauliflower help? ›

Cauliflower is high in fiber and water. Both are important for preventing constipation, maintaining a healthy digestive tract, and lowering the risk of colon cancer. Studies have shown that dietary fiber may also help regulate the immune system and inflammation.

Why you must not throw away cauliflower leaves? ›

Because cauliflower leaves are not only edible, they're delicious! Leaves and stems are healthy and nutritious, chocked full of fibre, calcium and vitamin C (that's the one that gives you muscles, by the way).

Does roasting cauliflower destroy nutrients? ›

Roasted or broiled — Dry heat cooking methods are a great way to enjoy vegetables without losing too many nutrients. Plus, roasting or broiling make tougher vegetables more palatable and easier to digest. Boiled — When cooking vegetables over a long period of time in water, some nutrients will be lost.

What happens when you add lemon juice to water when cooking cauliflower? ›

Helps retain color: Cauliflower can sometimes turn brown or lose its vibrant white color when cooked. However, the acid in lemon juice can help prevent discoloration and maintain the cauliflower's white appearance.

What will adding lemon juice to the water for cooking cauliflower do? ›

Food Science

Cauliflower contains some phytonutrients, these nutrients may react with iron cookware and gives the cauliflower a brownish color. To prevent this add some lemon juice to the cauliflower or to the water in which it is blanched.

Are there any negatives to eating cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies contain a complex sugar called raffinose. It is hard to break down and is instead fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine. As a result, you may experience bloating and flatulence among other gastric issues.

Which is healthier broccoli or cauliflower? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

Is cauliflower healthier raw or steamed? ›

Eating raw cauliflower provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking cauliflower allows your body to absorb more nutrients, such as vitamin K and potassium. Roasting or steaming cauliflower brings out its natural flavors and adds a delightful texture.

Is it healthier to steam or bake cauliflower? ›

Tips for cooking cauliflower

Evenly-sized florets: When cutting the cauliflower into florets, aim for uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. Steaming for nutrient retention: Steaming preserves the cauliflower's natural flavors and nutrients best. This is the ideal option if you're looking to maximize health benefits.

What's the best way to eat cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower tossed with fennel and white beans for a tangy, delicious winter salad.
  1. In a crunchy salad or slaw – Like its green cousin the cabbage, cauliflower makes a fabulous salad. ...
  2. Roasted until crispy – Whether it's plain or with toasty spice, roasted cauliflower is one of the best ways to enjoy this vegetable.
Jun 9, 2019

Should cauliflower be cooked or eaten raw? ›

Cauliflower may be just what you're searching for. This versatile veggie can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, grilled, baked into a pizza crust, or cooked and mashed as a substitute for mashed potatoes. You can even rice cauliflower and serve it in place of white rice.

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