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21 Tasty & Easy Plant-Based Cauliflower Side Dishes

December 21, 2024 By Taylor Jasmine Leave a Comment

These delectable and easy plant-based cauliflower side dishes prove that this well-loved vegetable does more than just sit quietly on the plate. It’s fantastic roasted, stir-fried, stewed, mashed, riced, and more. If you’re looking for easy vegan recipes for cauliflower sides, you’ve come to the right place.

Sauteed cauliflower with sun-dried tomatoes and basil

Cauliflower is related to broccoli, kale, collards greens, Brussels sprouts, and the other brassica vegetables, yet you might argue that it’s even more versatile in the kitchen.

Is cauliflower good for you? Yes! Like other members of the cruciferous, or brassica family, it’s high in B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, dietary fiber, and more. Get the complete nutrition profile of cauliflower.

Thanks to the talented bloggers who participated in this roundup for permission to link to their recipes and use their photographs. What you’ll find below is just a small part of the epic roundup of 75+ cauliflower recipes that show the myriad ways to use it.

Sauteed cauliflower with sun-dried tomatoes

Sautéed Cauliflower with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil: This recipe using just 4 ingredients is a simple side dish that goes with many kinds of meals.

Vegan Cauliflower Cashew Casserole

5-Ingredient Cauliflower Cashew Bake: You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make a delectable casserole! The mellow flavors of cauliflower and raw cashews shine through in this 5-ingredient recipe.

broccoli and cauliflower stir-fry

Almond Broccoli and Cauliflower Stir-Fry: Broccoli and cauliflower have complementary flavors and look appealing together. This simple broccoli and cauliflower stir-fry is a perfect side dish for grain or noodle main dishes.

Stir-Fried Cauliflower and Green Beans with Cashews

Skillet Cauliflower and Green Beans with Cashews is hearty and easy to make, and goes with many types of meals.

Cauliflower and Rice Pilaf with Green Peas and Turmeric

Curry-Spiced Cauliflower and Rice Pilaf: Once you have your rice cooked, this aromatic curry-spiced cauliflower and rice pilaf comes together quickly. I highly recommend making this with brown Basmati rice, though any long-grain rice (especially long-grain brown).

Smashed Cauliflower

Crispy Smashed Cauliflower: From Cooking on the Weekends, smashed cauliflower florets are caramelized to perfection, crispy, sweet and pair well with almost anything! 

Spicy Fig Cauliflower

Easy Spicy Cauliflower with Figs: From Savory Spin, a cauliflower recipe flavored with cardamom pods, whole cloves, onions, ginger and garlic. It’s an invitingly aromatic dish to add to any holiday table!

cauliflower in tomato sauce

Cauliflower in Tomato Sauce: From Where is My Spoon, cauliflower is stewed in a flavorsome tomato sauce. It’s an utterly delicious vegetarian / vegan cauliflower recipe.

Mashed cauliflower, celeriac & parsnip

Mashed Cauliflower, Celeriac, and Parsnip: From Creative in My Kitchen, here’s a dish that’s creamy, flavorful, and festive. It can be an everyday staple or a festive side dish for your holiday menu — a tasty alternative to plain mashed potatoes!

Cauliflower Rice

How to Make Cauliflower Rice: From The Forked Spoon, a quick tutorial on making riced cauliflower in less than 10 minutes! Delicious, vegan, and gluten-free, enjoy this low-carb veggie alternative with all your favorite recipes! 

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Easy Coconut Cauliflower Rice: From Cook at Home Mom, this delicious coconut cauliflower rice is made with just five ingredients. It’s super versatile and easy to make, cooked in a skillet and toasted to perfection with TONS of flavor!

Roasted cauliflower with lime, cilantro & spices

Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini, Lime & Cilantro: Here’s a fantastic way to highlight this delightful vegetable. This easy recipe makes a great side dish with many kinds of meals.

Breadcrumb roasted Cauliflower with walnuts or pecans

Breadcrumb Roasted Cauliflower with Walnuts or Pecans: Roasting brings out the delightful, mild flavor of cauliflower so beautifully that only the simplest of embellishment is needed. This simple preparation might just become your go-to for fresh cauliflower.

Cauliflower steak sliced

Cauliflower Steak: From Easy and Delish, make this cauliflower steak either in the oven or on the grill in up 39 minutes. It is crispy outside and quite delicious, making the perfect plant-based meal for busy days.

Thai-inspired cauliflower steak

Thai-Inspired Cauliflower Steak: From Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen, with a creamy, spicy peanut sauce as well as a tangy lime sauce, this cauliflower steak is always a crowd-pleaser! It makes a great weekend dinner, and is the perfect dish for special occasions such as date night or a dinner party.

 

Mediterranean Lemon Tahini Roasted Cauliflower

Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower & Tahini: From The Rustic Foodie come a great vegan side dish of cauliflower topped with a lemon tahini dressing, mint, and toasted pine nuts.

roasted cauliflower & asparagus

Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus: From Organically Addison, here’s an easy, nourishing plant-based side dish! The veggies are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower: From Noshing with the Nolands, this easy cauliflower is a perfect side dish for any meal. It is simple to make and is spicy without the heat.

Za'atar Roasted Cauliflower

Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower: From Rachael Hartley Nutrition, this flavor-filled recipe features za’atar roasted cauliflower with golden raisins, capers, toasted walnuts, and mint. 

Roasted Cauliflower & Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes: From Marley’s Menu, this recipe uses simple ingredients to bring out the natural flavors of the vegetables.

Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower

Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower: From Pinch and Swirl, this duo of cruciferous vegetables makes the ideal side dish for all kinds of main courses. There’s a simple secret to getting those caramelized edges that we all love! 

 

Filed Under: Recipe Roundups, Vegan Recipes

Previous Post: « Skillet Cauliflower and Green Beans with Cashews
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