What’s better than cauliflower steaks? Lemon pepper cauliflower steaks! And what’s better than that? It’s vegan! You can choose to serve this with pasta, or even a salad but whatever you choose, it’s going to be the star of the show. Top it with some non-dairy Parmesan to really play up the creaminess. While adding toasted pine nuts and parsley to the play up the freshness, this plant-based dish will have you coming back for seconds and maybe even thirds.
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, my friends! What a crazy lovely day it is.
While some of you may choose to go out on Valentine's Day, I prefer to stay in. After years of working in restaurants and bakeries, I know the craziness of this holiday. From the service side of it, Valentine's Day is not very fun. (In other words, be kind to your servers, leave large tips.) So I'll be working on cooking a romantic vegan meal at home for this Valentine's Day.
If you, like me, are opting to avoid the craziness that comes with the holiday of love, then I urge you to take a very close look at these Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Steaks. These decadent and impressive vegetable steaks are bold in flavor with an amazing melt-in-your-mouth texture that I think will make you fall in love.
With cauliflower, of course!
What are Cauliflower Steaks?
Cauliflower steaks are just as they sound. Delicious plant-based steaks made from oven roasting cauliflower.
When roasted, cauliflower becomes buttery in flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. So decadent! On top of that, cauliflower is the perfect canvas for flavor. They can be made with spice rubs, a variety of sauces, or simple citrus and herbs.
Regardless of how it's seasoned, cauliflower steaks make a delicious and impressive plant-based meal for any occasion.
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cauliflower - Look for a large round cauliflower for they are best for making thick cauliflower steaks.
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Lemon - Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor.
- Pine Nuts - You can omit for a nut free version.
- Fresh Parsley
- Ground Pepper
- Salt
Recommended Equipment
For this recipe, you will need basic cooking equipment including a mixing bowl, a baking sheet, and utensils.
If you want to grill your steaks, you will need either an indoor or outdoor grill. For indoor grilling, I recently bought an electric grill and I love it. (<<affiliate links)
Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.
How to Make Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
This recipe is an extremely decadent entrée but fortunately for all of us, they aren't that hard to make. Not much different than roasting vegetables, even beginner cooks can make this delightfully impressive meal.
Step One - Cut the Cauliflower
Cutting the cauliflower just right is important to get thick steaks that hold together when baked. Here is how to cut a cauliflower for steaks:
- First, remove all the leaves and trim the stem end.
- Next, hold the cauliflower with its base on the cutting board. With a sharp knife cut right through the center of the cauliflower so that you have two even halves.
- Finally, take each half and cut a steak that is 1" wide.
You will end up with two or three 1" steaks. The remaining ends of the cauliflower can be roasted along with the steak or saved for other cauliflower recipes.
Step Two - Bake the Cauliflower
Lay the cauliflower flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you are using all the cauliflower, you can lay the end pieces alongside the steak slices. With a pastry brush, generously brush each steak with oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic and bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and gently flip the cauliflower over. Brush the underside with oil and return to the oven for 10-15 minutes until the cauliflower is tender and brown along the edges.
Step Three - Dress the Cauliflower
Once the cauliflower is out of the oven, it's time to flavor it.
If you are using vegan parmesan, immediately grate it over the warm cauliflower so that it begins to melt into the steaks. Squeeze the lemon over the steaks then add the freshly grated pepper, toasted pine nuts, and fresh parsley.
Serving and Storing
Serving - Serve these cauliflower steaks alongside pasta, artisan bread, or a big Caesar salad.
Storing - This recipe does not store well. They should be eaten within 30 minutes of roasting. If you have leftover cauliflower steaks, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently reheat over the stovetop with a bit of olive oil.
Lemon pepper cauliflower steaks FAQ
Absolutely yes! We love our grill around this house. And nothing beats that charred flavor, especially on cauliflower and other vegetables. Just heat up your BBQ on medium-high heat for about 10 mins. Then grill this vegan cauliflower steak for 5 minutes, or until grill marks appear, then turn and repeat.
If you leave the core in the cauliflower, this will make them a little stronger and hold it together nicely. Also make sure to cut the cauliflower into at least ¾” slices. We prefer to do 1” if you can make it work. Lastly, be sure you’re very gentle when turning these steaks to keep them in 1 solid piece.
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve made soggy cauliflower steaks. Over the years I’ve made a few changes to make sure this doesn’t happen.
1. Don’t overcrowd your baking sheet. The air needs to flow all around the cauliflower to dry out the top layer and create a crispy exterior. Plus, the other steaks will release steam. This will also make your steaks soggy.
2. Make sure to dry the florets as much as possible. Water and moisture are our main enemy here. This will allow the air to roast the vegan cauliflower steaks rather than steam them.
3. Finally, be sure you pre-heat your oven, and it’s blaring hot. This will create the crispy, roasted flavors we all want in our vegan steak.
Follow these simple steps to help with roasting the cauliflower. Your tastebuds will thank me.
Tips and Tricks
- Roast your cauliflower at hot oven temperature. This will give you the nice brown crust on the edge with the buttery inside.
- Be generous with your oil. Fully coat the cauliflower on each side.
- Also, be generous with your flavors. Cauliflower is an empty canvas and can handle a lot of bold flavors.
Variations of Cauliflower Steaks
I love this Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Steak. It reminds me of a Lemon Pepper Chicken I grew up eating. However, when it comes to cauliflower steaks, there are all kinds of variety. A few I recommend are:
- Shawarma Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Paprika Cashew Creme
- Walnut Caper Cauliflower Steaks
- Sage and Red Pepper Cauliflower Steaks
More Vegan "Steak" Recipes
- 4-Ingredient Portobello Steak
- Pomegranate Balsamic Portobello Steak
- Blackened Tofu Steaks
- BBQ Tofu Steaks w/ Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Steaks
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Destem the cauliflower, remove all the leaves and discard. Holding the cauliflower with its base on the cutting board, cut right through the center of the cauliflower so that you have two even halves. Take each half and cut a steak that is 1" wide. You will end up with two 1" steaks. The remaining ends of the cauliflower can be roasted along with the steak or saved for other cauliflower recipes.
- Place the cauliflower on the baking sheet and generously brush with oil. Sprinkle with garlic and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, flip the steaks and brush the underside with oil. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until steaks are tender and the edges are brown.
- While cauliflower steaks are baking, gently dry-toast the pine nuts over the stovetop. This takes about 3-4 minutes, shaking constant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Remove from oven. Immediately shred vegan parmesan (if using) over the warm steaks to allow it to melt. Evenly squeeze the lemon juice over the two steaks and freshly ground pepper. Top with pine nuts and parsley and serve with pasta or a large caesar salad.
Notes
- Roast your cauliflower at hot oven temperature. This will give you the nice brown crust on the edge with the buttery inside.
- Be generous with your oil. Fully coat the cauliflower on each side.
- Also, be generous with your flavors. Cauliflower is an empty canvas and can handle a lot of bold flavors.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Andy says
this was amazing, my GF asked me "if it was legal", so simple with big flavors.
Joanne Zaragoza says
Thanks for sharing your awesome yummy food!! We love it so much and I tell my friends about your website ?
Lisa Passmore says
This looks wonderful! I will be making this tonight for my valentine. Thanks My Darling Vegan!
Leticia says
Delicious!!!?