Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Herb Marinade Recipe

Introduction

Roasted cauliflower steaks make a delicious and satisfying vegetarian main dish that’s full of flavor. These thick slices of cauliflower are marinated with herbs and lemon, then roasted until tender and crispy on the outside. They’re perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

Ingredients

• 4 cauliflower “steaks” (from 2 heads of cauliflower)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp fine grain kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Trim any outer leaves from the cauliflower heads, leaving the stem intact to help hold the steaks together. Slice each head through the middle into 1 to 1 1/2 inch thick slices to create steaks. You should get about 2 large steaks per head.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, parsley, and thyme to make the marinade.
3. Step 3: Brush the marinade generously on both sides of each cauliflower steak. Place the steaks on a sheet pan, cover with aluminum foil, and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: After 10 minutes, remove the foil and brush more marinade on top of each steak. Roast uncovered for 8 minutes, then flip the steaks and brush with the remaining marinade. Roast for an additional 8-10 minutes, until the cauliflower is fork-tender and crispy on the edges.
5. Step 5: Serve the roasted cauliflower steaks hot with your favorite sides, such as vegan mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, or green beans.

Tips & Variations

• If your cauliflower falls apart while slicing, try freezing the head for 15 minutes beforehand to firm it up.
• Substitute poultry seasoning with a mix of dried sage, thyme, and rosemary for a similar herb flavor.
• For extra crispiness, finish the steaks under the broiler for 1-2 minutes at the end of cooking.
• Swap fresh parsley and thyme with basil or oregano for a different herbal twist.

Storage

Store leftover roasted cauliflower steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through to help maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

How do I prevent cauliflower steaks from breaking apart?

Keeping the stem intact while slicing helps hold the steaks together. Also, slicing the cauliflower when it’s very fresh and firm avoids crumbling. If needed, chilling the head in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before slicing can make cutting easier.

Can I use other vegetables to make steaks like this?

Yes, other sturdy vegetables like large slices of eggplant, zucchini, or even thick slices of portobello mushrooms can be marinated and roasted similarly for a steak-like dish.

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Herb Marinade Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 84 reviews

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks are a delicious, hearty vegetarian main or side dish featuring thick slices of cauliflower seasoned with a flavorful lemon-herb marinade and roasted to tender, crispy perfection. This easy recipe highlights the natural nutty flavor of cauliflower enhanced with garlic, poultry seasoning, and fresh herbs, making it an ideal dish for a healthy, satisfying meal.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 36 minutes
• Total Time: 51 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cauliflower Steaks

• 4 cauliflower “steaks” (from 2 heads of cauliflower)

Marinade

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
• 1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp fine grain kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Prep the cauliflower: Start by trimming any outer leaves of the cauliflower heads, leaving the stems intact to help hold the steaks together. Slice each cauliflower head through the middle to create thick 1 to 1 1/2 inch slices, yielding about 2 large steaks per head (or occasionally 3 if your cauliflower is large enough).
2. Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, finely minced garlic, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, onion powder, chopped parsley, and thyme until well combined.
3. Brush the marinade on cauliflower steaks: Generously coat each side of the cauliflower steaks with the marinade using a brush. Arrange the steaks on a sheet pan.
4. Initial roast with foil cover: Cover the sheet pan with aluminum foil and roast in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes. This helps the cauliflower start softening while locking in moisture.
5. Remove foil and baste: After 10 minutes, remove the foil and brush the top side of steaks with more marinade. Return the pan to the oven uncovered and roast for 8 more minutes to begin browning.
6. Flip and finish roasting: Flip the steaks over, brush with any remaining marinade, and roast for an additional 8–10 minutes uncovered until the cauliflower is fork tender and the exterior is crispy and golden.
7. Serve: Serve the roasted cauliflower steaks hot alongside your favorite sides such as vegan mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, or green beans for a complete meal.

Notes

• Make sure your cauliflower steaks are thick enough (at least 1 inch) to hold together during roasting without falling apart.
• If cauliflower heads are small, you may get fewer steaks, so adjust quantity accordingly.
• Feel free to substitute poultry seasoning with a mix of sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram if unavailable.
• For extra crispiness, finish the steaks with a quick broil for 1–2 minutes watching closely to avoid burning.
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegetarian.

Keywords: cauliflower steaks, roasted cauliflower, vegetarian side dish, gluten free roasted vegetables, healthy cauliflower recipe, lemon herb cauliflower, easy roasted cauliflower