Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Parmesan Cheese Sauce pack a flavorful punch. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe takes a humble head of cauliflower and turns it into an impressive and satisfying side dish. Grilling the cauliflower caramelizes the outside and results in a smoky-sweet flavor which perfectly balances the creamy, tangy Parmesan cheese topping. Don’t have a grill? No problem – these steaks can also be roasted in the oven with the same results. Whether you’re a cauliflower enthusiast or simply looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy this versatile vegetable, this recipe is sure to become as much a favorite in your kitchen as it is in mine!
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You will love this Grilled Cauliflower
After returning from a super fun month on the road camping in our airstream trailer, I was inspired to post dishes that I’ve created over the years while camping. This recipe for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Parmesan Cheese Sauce is one of our all-time favorites!
Here are a few of the reasons to love this recipe:
- Unique flavor. Grilling the cauliflower steaks gives them a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy, tangy Parmesan cheese sauce.
- Ease and speed of preparation. Slicing and grilling the cauliflower takes around 20 minutes total, and the sauce can be made in only 5 minutes with available ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator. So quick and easy!
- Versatility. Don’t have a grill? No problem – you can also roast these Cauliflower Steaks (directions included). And, you can vary the sauce ingredients to your taste, or to match what you have on hand. Toss in some chopped herbs, green onion, shallots or garlic – or substitute Greek yogurt for some/all of the sour cream. (See more suggestions below.)
Grilled Cauliflower Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this impressive side dish (quantities are included in the recipe card below):
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh lemon juice
- Large cauliflower head
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Italian parsley, for garnish
Variations and Substitutions
This Parmesan Cheese Sauce is very versatile. You can additional ingredients to amp up the flavor even more, including: chopped fresh dill, parsley, chives or cilantro, green onion, shallots and/or chopped garlic. And, in terms of substitutions here are a few ideas:
Sour cream – substitute Greek yogurt for part/all
Dijon mustard – use another type of mustard (stone ground, yellow, brown)
Parmesan cheese – substitute Romano cheese
Extra virgin olive oil – use a flavored olive oil (garlic, herb, lemon)
Parsley – substitute cilantro, chives or dill
How to make Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
Here’s an overview of how to create this amazing side dish:
- Prep grill.
Preheat grill to medium heat. - Mix Parmesan sauce ingredients.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, cheese and lemon juice to taste. - Cut cauliflower head into steaks; grill one side.
Slice cauliflower head into 3/4-inch thick slices (see “how to” details below). Brush one side of cauliflower with olive oil. Place on a grill pan, oiled side down, cover and grill about 7 minutes or until starting to brown. - Flip; add sauce; finish grilling.
Turn slices over and brush top with oil, then top with Parmesan sauce. Cover and grill for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until the cauliflower is crisp-tender. - Season and serve.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped parsley.
How to cut Cauliflower Steaks
- Remove outer leaves from cauliflower head and cut the stem so that it is flat and flush with the base of the crown.
- Place cauliflower, with the now flat (stem) side down, on a work surface. Cut down through the head, cutting into 3/4-inch thick slices. Don’t worry if some of the slices break apart into two or three pieces; just grill the larger partial ones along with the full slices, saving the smaller bits for another use (like our Curried Cauliflower Soup).
How to make Parmesan Cheese Sauce
All you have to do to make this creamy, tangy sauce is whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, cheese and lemon juice – how easy is that?
Roasting as an Alternative
If you don’t want to grill, you can also roast these Cauliflower Steaks:
- Prep oven and baking sheet.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. - Roast cauliflower steaks on one side.
Place cauliflower slices on prepared baking sheet in a single layer and brush top with olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes. - Flip; add sauce; finish cooking.
Turn slices over and brush top with oil and roast an additional 5 minutes. Brush tops with Parmesan sauce and continue roasting for an additional 10 minutes or until cauliflower is crisp-tender. - Season and serve.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped parsley.
What to serve with Parmesan Cauliflower on the Grill
Most often I serve these Cauliflower Steaks with Parmesan Sauce as a side dish with one of the following entrées:
Another option is to cut the cauliflower slices a bit thicker (around 1-inch) and serve as a vegetarian main dish!
How to store Grilled Cauliflower Steak
If you have leftover cauliflower, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Cauliflower Steak Grilled FAQs
No you don’t have to blanch (or boil) cauliflower before cooking. When cooking in the oven, you can blanch cauliflower before roasting to reduce the cook time, but I don’t recommend it with this Cauliflower Steaks recipe, because the steaks could fall apart.
Here are a few tips to ensure your roasted cauliflower comes out crispy:
1. Make sure your cauliflower is completely dry. Moisture will cause it to steam instead of roast.
2. Brush (or toss) with olive oil – but don’t overdo, because too much oil can make it soggy. Follow your recipe!
3. If roasting cauliflower pieces instead of steaks, don’t overcrowd the pan as this will cause the vegetables to steam instead of roast.
Thick slices of cauliflower are called “steaks” because the slices are the same shape as beef steaks.
The main reasons for mushy roasted cauliflower are overcooking or using too much oil. Because oven temperatures can vary, always check for doneness at least 5 minutes before the time the recipe says it will be done, to be on the safe side.
Cauliflower Steak Grilled
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Parmesan Cheese Sauce pack a flavorful punch. Quick and easy to prepare, this recipe takes a humble head of cauliflower and turns it into an impressive and satisfying side dish. Grilling the cauliflower caramelizes the outside and results in a smoky-sweet flavor which perfectly balances the creamy, tangy Parmesan cheese topping. Don’t have a grill? No problem – these steaks can also be roasted in the oven with the same results.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Parmesan Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh lemon juice, to taste
Cauliflower Steaks
- 1 large head cauliflower
- 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Chopped Italian parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Parmesan Cheese Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, cheese and lemon juice to taste. Set aside.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- Slice cauliflower head into 3/4-inch thick slices (see Tip in Notes below). Brush one side of cauliflower with olive oil. Place on a grill pan, oiled side down, cover and grill about 7 minutes or until starting to brown.
- Turn slices over and brush top with oil, then top with Parmesan sauce. Cover and grill for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until the cauliflower is crisp-tender.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped parsley.
Variation: Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Slice cauliflower head into 3/4-inch thick slices (see Tip in Notes below). Place on prepared baking sheet in a single layer and brush top with olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Turn slices over and brush top with oil and roast an additional 5 minutes. Brush tops with Parmesan sauce and continue roasting for an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until cauliflower is crisp-tender.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped parsley.
Notes
Tip on slicing cauliflower: Remove the outer leaves from the cauliflower and cut the stem so that it is flat and flush with the base of the crown. Place the cauliflower, the flat (stem) side down, on a work surface. Cut down through the head, cutting 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick slices. Don’t worry if some of the slices break apart into two or three pieces; just grill the larger partial ones along with the full slices, saving the smaller bits for another use (like our Curried Cauliflower Soup).
- Category: Side dish, gluten free, camping, easy entertaining
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 219
- Sugar: 4.4 g
- Sodium: 310.8 mg
- Fat: 17.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Fiber: 4.4 g
- Protein: 6.3 g
- Cholesterol: 10.2 mg
