Cauliflower Steak with Smoked Paprika and Garlic Recipe
This Cauliflower Steak recipe features thick slices of cauliflower seasoned with a smoky blend of spices and seared to perfection in a cast iron skillet before finishing in the oven. It offers a delicious and hearty vegetarian main or side dish with a crispy exterior and tender inside.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Vegetarian Main or Side
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Seasoning Mixture
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil (higher smoke point the better)
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
Vegetable
- 1 large head of cauliflower (choose a large one with a thick stem)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 450℉ and place a large cast iron skillet inside to heat up. This ensures the skillet is hot for searing the cauliflower steaks.
- Mix Seasoning: Whisk together the vegetable oil, freshly cracked black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a bowl. Set this smoky seasoning mixture aside for brushing on the cauliflower.
- Slice Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower into 1 to 1.5 inch thick “steaks,” leaving the stem intact to hold the slices together. You may need to shave some florets off the sides to get the steaks to lie flat for even cooking. The shaved bits can be saved and roasted separately for a crispy snack.
- Season and Sear: Brush one side of each cauliflower steak with the seasoning mixture, then carefully place that seasoned side face down in the hot cast iron skillet. This will create a flavorful seared crust.
- Baste Opposite Side: While the cauliflower sears on one side, brush the opposite side with the remaining seasoning mixture before transferring the skillet back to the oven.
- Bake First Side: Place the skillet back in the preheated oven and bake the cauliflower steaks for 10 minutes. This step cooks the cauliflower through gently after searing.
- Flip and Bake Other Side: Flip the steaks over carefully and bake for an additional 15 minutes to finish cooking and develop a nice tender texture with crispy edges.
- Serve: Remove the cauliflower steaks from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy as a satisfying vegetarian main or side dish.
Notes
- Use a large head of cauliflower with a thick stem to get sturdy steaks that hold together well.
- Shave off uneven edges to ensure even cooking and use the shaved florets for extra crispy bites.
- Heating the cast iron skillet beforehand helps to achieve a delicious sear on the cauliflower.
- Adjust the amount of smoked paprika to taste if you prefer more or less smokiness.
- Serve with your favorite sauce or garnish, such as tahini, chimichurri, or fresh herbs, to enhance flavor.
