Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini Recipe

If you’re on a quest for a dish that’s hearty, show-stopping, AND absolutely bursting with flavor, Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini is your new best friend. Earthy, caramelized cauliflower gets all dressed up with velvety tahini sauce, toasty pine nuts, and loads of fresh parsley–delivering a plate that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at just how much flavor you can coax from a handful of pantry staples. Every ingredient here serves a purpose: from creating a crisp golden crust, to building a sauce so creamy you won’t believe it’s dairy-free, this list packs a punch!

• Large head of cauliflower: Seek out a firm, vibrant white cauliflower for sturdy “steaks” that hold up during roasting.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Lends richness, encourages deep browning, and keeps the cauliflower meltingly tender.
• Salt: Essential for bringing every flavor to the forefront.
• Garlic: Roasted until golden and sweet, garlic becomes mellow and blends beautifully into the tahini sauce.
• Pine nuts: Toasted for a deliciously nutty crunch—don’t skip them, they’re the secret to this dish’s irresistible texture.
• Avocado, grapeseed, or more olive oil: Just a touch is used to toast the pine nuts. Choose your favorite!
• Fresh chopped parsley: A burst of green that gives freshness and color to the finished dish.
• Tahini: This sesame paste forms the creamy, dreamy base of the sauce.
• Lemon juice: Brightens everything and gives the sauce a zesty kick.
• Salt: A pinch in the sauce balances the richness of the tahini.
• Water: Whisks the tahini into a silky, pourable consistency.

Variations

Part of the fun of Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini is how easily you can make it your own. Don’t be shy—swap out flavors, dress it up or down, and experiment to suit your cravings or what’s in your pantry!

• Spiced Up: Sprinkle on smoked paprika, cumin, or chili flakes before roasting for a little extra heat and complexity.
• Herb-Lovers’ Dream: Add fresh mint or cilantro to the parsley for even more layers of herby brightness.
• Crispy Toppers: Swap pine nuts for toasted pumpkin seeds or slivered almonds for a fun texture twist.
• Creamy Yogurt Drizzle: For a tangy touch, swirl a spoonful of Greek yogurt into your tahini sauce (perfect if you’re not strictly vegan).

How to Make Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini

Step 1: Prep and Slice the Cauliflower

Start by heating your oven to 400°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper (trust me, easy cleanup is a treat). Remove the leaves and trim the stem of your cauliflower, keeping the head whole. Lay the cauliflower on its side and slice it straight down through the core into thick, steak-like slabs—about one inch each. A few loose florets may tumble off, but keep them; they roast up tasty alongside the steaks!

Step 2: Season and Roast

Brush both sides of each cauliflower steak with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt for flavor and golden color. Arrange the steaks (with any bonus florets) on your prepared pan. For the garlic, slice off the root end to expose the cloves, drizzle with a touch of oil, wrap it in foil, and snuggle it next to the cauliflower on the same baking sheet.

Step 3: Into the Oven They Go

Bake everything for 40-45 minutes, until the cauliflower steaks are tender and deeply golden at the edges, and the garlic is soft and caramelized. Your kitchen will smell amazing—like something truly special is about to be served!

Step 4: Toast the Pine Nuts

While the veg roasts, heat a teaspoon of oil in a nonstick skillet and toss in the pine nuts. Watch them closely! Toast over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and golden brown. Set aside—they’ll add an irresistible crunch later.

Step 5: Whisk Up the Tahini Sauce

To make the creamy sauce, combine tahini, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk until the mixture thickens, then gradually add water (a tablespoon at a time) until you reach a pourable but dreamy consistency. For a bold, garlicky twist, squeeze the soft roasted garlic cloves into the sauce and whisk until totally smooth and fragrant.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Swirl a generous layer of tahini sauce across your serving plate, and lay the burnished cauliflower steaks right on top. Sprinkle with parsley and those golden pine nuts, then serve up your Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini while they’re still warm and irresistible!

How to Serve Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini

Garnishes

Top each steak with a shower of chopped parsley, crunchy pine nuts, and, if you love a little extra zing, a sprinkle of sumac or a dusting of Aleppo pepper. A finishing drizzle of olive oil gives the final dish that restaurant-worthy shine.

Side Dishes

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini play well with so many sides! Try them with fluffy herbed couscous, lemony quinoa, or a crisp green salad. For a heartier dinner, pile them onto a bed of warm lentils or buttery rice pilaf.

Creative Ways to Present

Show off your steaks family-style on a big platter, drizzle with extra sauce, and arrange them with vibrant roasted veggies. Or go elegant: plate individually, garnish lavishly, and add edible flowers or microgreens for a dinner-party “wow” effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days—their flavor actually deepens as they rest, making them perfect for next-day lunches.

Freezing

While cauliflower steaks themselves can be frozen (wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn), the tahini sauce is best made fresh—if frozen, it can separate, though a vigorous whisk might bring it back.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the steaks in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through (the broiler works in a pinch too). Give the sauce a quick stir, and you’re ready to enjoy Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini all over again!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you try just one new plant-forward meal this week, let it be these Roasted Cauliflower Steaks With Tahini. They’re comforting yet fresh, incredibly satisfying, and oh-so-easy to make. I hope you’re as smitten with them as I am—let me know how you make them your own!

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