Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (2024)

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Roasted Cauliflower is spiced up with southwestern flavors. It can never be considered the boring vegetable again.
Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (1)

As a kid, I never gave cauliflower any love. Really, the loveliest (well, as much as one can wax poetic about a cruciferous vegetable) didn't start until a couple of years ago.

When it comes to the raw vegetable plate, the humble cauliflower are usually the last florets standing. But cauliflower has so much more potential than crudite platters. It has to be nurture, encourage and loved. Or may be that's grated, pureed and roasted.

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (2)

The first time I tried roasting cauliflower (with Indian spices), it got rave reviews. So, I thought a different version, this time using the flavors of the southwest, would be welcome at the dinner table. It was a hit! And this flavorful side dish took only 5 minutes of active prep time.

I think the cauliflower's feeling the love now.

The recipe:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Cut cauliflower into florets, about 1 ½-inches each. Transfer the florets to a bowl. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil.

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (3)

In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika and salt.

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (4)

Pour the spice mixture over the cauliflower and, using your hands, toss to coat the cauliflower.

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (5)

Transfer the cauliflower to a baking sheet and roast the cauliflower, turning occasionally, until it is tender and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve.

Other cauliflower recipes:

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (6)
Cookin' Canuck's
Cookin' Canuck's
Kalyn's Kitchen's Cauliflower-Crust Vegetarian Pizza with Mushrooms & Olives
Can't Live Without's Potato & Cauliflower Dry Curry

Printable Recipe

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (7)

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika

Roasted Cauliflower is spiced up with southwestern flavors. It can never be considered the boring vegetable again.

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dishes

Cuisine: Southwestern

Keyword: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 Cups

Calories: 139kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  • Cut cauliflower into florets, about 1½-inches each. Transfer the florets to a bowl. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil.

  • In a small bowl, stir together the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika and salt.

  • Pour the spice mixture over the cauliflower and, using your hands, toss to coat the cauliflower.

  • Transfer the cauliflower to a baking sheet and roast the cauliflower, turning occasionally, until it is tender and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve.

Notes

WW (Old Points) 0 / WW (Points+) 1

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5Cup | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 445mg | Potassium: 1394mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 545IU | Vitamin C: 218.6mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 2.8mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

More Side Dishes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Lindsey

    Made this tonight - it was delicious!

    Reply

  2. Mickey D. Neal

    I chose some Indian spices for this cauliflower; mostly because I used to go to this amazing pita spot in Philly where they had roasted cauliflower and this is as close as I can get to tasting it. I’d encourage you to try these spices even if you don’t think you’ll like them- the blend is mild and not too spicy.

    Reply

    • Dara (Cookin' Canuck)

      Mickey, you're absolutely right! I actually posted a roasted cauliflower recipe with Indian spices a couple of years ago.

      Reply

  3. Nutmeg Nanny

    Oh wow, I love roasted cauliflower so much 🙂 this recipe is perfect!

    Reply

  4. Theresa @ Delicacious

    I love cauliflower but I've only tried roasting them once. It was a disaster. I left them for too long and they became a wilted black mess. Shall attempt it again with your recipe!

    Reply

  5. Jessica @ Floptimism

    I agree -- raw cauliflower is just not my jam. As soon as you roast it, though, it becomes one of my favorite veggies!

    Reply

  6. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl

    Love roasting cauliflower and I love your version!! We grew up eating it roasted with ketchup. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty good. 🙂 And hey, better than french fries right?

    Reply

  7. Kalyn

    I love cauliflower and this sounds delicious!

    Reply

  8. Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective

    Love this, Dara! Cauliflower is so versatile, and I bet these spices really add a punch!

    Reply

  9. kelley

    Funny because it's the first thing I go for on a crudite platter! I love anything cauliflower. The spices are gorgeous!

    Reply

  10. Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking

    Love the simple seasonings you used to jazz up one of fall's best veggies! This looks like the perfect easy side dish, Dara. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  11. Kirsten

    Dara,
    I enjoy plain roasted cauliflower, so I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy a Southwestern twist, especially if mine came out as pretty as yours! I also like cauliflower with cheese, so now I'm wondering if you could top your roasted cauliflower with shredded cheese, pop it back in the oven, and have cauliflower nachos.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  12. Amy @Very Culinary

    I just roasted broccoli in the oven for the 1st time a few weeks ago (I know...crawls back under rock) and absolutely loved it. Will make this for my next side!

    Reply

  13. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

    I just picked up a gorgeous head of cauliflower to roast. Can't wait to try this spice mix!

    Reply

    • Laura (Tutti Dolci)

      Hi Dara, I just pulled this cauliflower out of the oven. So good, I'm not sure it's going to make it to the dinner plate - I may eat it all straight from the pan! 😉

      Reply

  14. Liz

    Sounds nice. Thank you, Dara.

    Reply

  15. Taylor @ FoodFaithFitness

    MMM roasted cauliflower! I never used to like it much either until I realized how versatile it is. Love the flavour combos for this!

    Reply

    • Chris

      Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (13)
      Came out great!

      Reply

  16. Tieghan

    Roasted Cauliflower is so good!! I love all the spices you added. Extra spice makes everything better!

    Reply

  17. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    I love roasted cauliflower! I need to add more spices to it though...great recipe!

    Reply

Southwestern Roasted Cauliflower Recipe with Cumin & Paprika (2024)

FAQs

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.

Why is my roasted cauliflower tough? ›

Have you roasted cauliflower before and it came out tough or mushy? A common problem is either roasting it at too low a temperature or stopping once the cauliflower is tender—both mean that the florets do not caramelize.

How do you roast cauliflower Martha Stewart? ›

Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle cauliflower florets with olive oil. Season with salt. Roast, turning occasionally, until golden brown and just tender, about 20 minutes.

Should cauliflower be washed before roasting? ›

Preheat oven to 425°F. Wash cauliflower, cut it into medium-sized florets, and dry very thoroughly. Don't skip drying — it's important.

Why is my cauliflower not getting crispy? ›

Cauliflower has a very high water content, so it won't get crispy if you bake the florets crowded together. "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay.

Can you overcook cauliflower? ›

Overcooked cauliflower has a strong odor and yellowish color due to sulfur compounds that are released. Cook cauliflower rapidly to preserve color and flavor. When shopping for cauliflower, select firm, unblemished heads that are heavy for their size.

Why does cooked cauliflower hurt my stomach? ›

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain high levels of insoluble fiber, which can quickly lead to digestive upset, especially when consumed raw. Symptoms can include bloating, gas and cramping.

How to cook cauliflower Rachael Ray? ›

In a covered Dutch oven, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Cut the core away from the cauliflower and set the head into the pot and add the stock. Cover and steam until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and separate the cauliflower into florets.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

How to make cauliflower puree Gordon Ramsay? ›

Remove the cauliflower stalks and cut them into small pieces. Heat the butter and milk in a pan and stew the cauliflower in it until softened. Add the cream and return to a high temperature. Immediately strain and liquidise the cauliflower then season and pass through a fine chinois.

How healthy is roasted cauliflower? ›

It'll be on your veggie rotation in no time. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable responsible for helping to reduce risk of cancer due to it's special antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as it's high fiber content. It is also an excellent source of Vitamin C!

Why is my baked cauliflower soggy? ›

This is the roasted vegetable golden rule. If you crowd the pan, the cauliflower will steam instead of roast. If your cauliflower is soggy, you likely crowded the pan.

Why do you soak cauliflower? ›

This process – which should last 10-20 minutes - destroys several microbes and large parasites. As cauliflower is highly susceptible to microbial attacks, it should be washed once again. This time, boil some water and put the cauliflower florets in it. Keep for five minutes and remove from the hot water.

Does cauliflower soak up liquid? ›

For one, it doesn't absorb liquid like rice does, so riced cauliflower alongside stews and curries will be more watery.

Does cauliflower absorb marinade? ›

When the cauliflower is finished cooking, dump the florets into the vinegar marinade and give everything a good toss. Let it sit for a few minutes, tossing every minute or so, to allow the cauliflower to absorb the flavorful marinade.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

The key to nonmushy cauliflower lies in how you cut it: Break apart the large head into smaller florets. Now take your knife, and starting at the stem end of the floret, slice about halfway down and snap apart.

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