How to Cook Cauliflower

on Feb 05, 2020, Updated Jan 29, 2024

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Colorful heads of fresh cauliflower on yellow surface.

Oh boy, cauliflower’s moment in the sun has some legs! You can’t open a magazine or walk down the aisles of the supermarket without seeing cauliflower in all sorts of guises, from pizza crusts, to riced cauliflower, to mashed cauliflower, to cauliflower snacks and crackers. Entire cookbooks are being written about this vegetable!

What Is Cauliflower?
What Does Cauliflower Taste Like?
How Do I Cook Cauliflower?
How Do I Make Cauliflower Rice?
How Much Cauliflower Rice Will Each Head Make?
How Do I Know Which Cauliflower to Buy?
How Do I Store Cauliflower?
When Is Cauliflower in Season?
Is Cauliflower Nutritious?
16 Cauliflower Recipes

Fresh white, yellow, and purple cauliflower on yellow table.

But really, we know that cauliflower has been around for a very long time, and the fact that it’s “trendy” right now, in part thanks to the attention being paid to low-carb eating right now, is kind of neither here nor there. Yes, it’s featured in all kinds of packaged goods, and yes, people are exploring new ways to use it in cooking, but cauliflower is here to stay, and many of us have loved it forever and will continue to love it even after a new vegetable moves into the “it” produce role.

If you have some questions about how to buy, prepare, and use cauliflower, welcome to Cauliflower 101.

Woman spreading butter on cauliflower slices.

What Is Cauliflower?

Cauliflower belongs to the cruciferous family (Brassica oleracea), which includes broccoli, cauliflower, broccoflower, cabbage, and kale. The name comes from the Italian word cavolfiore, meaning “cabbage flower.” There are actually hundreds of varieties available worldwide. It is most commonly available in white, but yellow, purple, orange, and green (broccoflower) can also be found, especially at specialty stores and farmers’ markets.

What Does Cauliflower Taste Like?

Cauliflower can be cooked or eaten raw. It has a slightly nutty, a little cabbage-y, with undertones of sweetness and bitterness. It plays well with a lot of flavors and can be used in everything from Italian to Indian recipes. In some cooking methods, like roasting, the sweetness is enhanced.

How Do I Cook Cauliflower?

Cauliflower can be prepared as a whole head, sliced into steaks, cut into chunks or florets, riced (see below), or more finely chopped into meal, which is often used in preparations like pizza crust and flatbreads. It can be steamed, boiled, sautéed, roasted, grilled, broiled, and fried.

Large pieces or steaks of cauliflower on baking tray.

How Do I Make Cauliflower Rice?

The easiest way to make cauliflower rice is to use a food processor. You can chop the cauliflower into small pieces and then pulse it or drop florets into the feed tube with the motor running, using the shredding or grating attachment. You can also use the big holes on a handheld grater if you don’t have a food processor. Most often, this is done before cooking the cauliflower, sometimes after the cauliflower has been steamed or boiled.

How Much Cauliflower Rice Will Each Head Make?

A small head of cauliflower makes about 3 cups of rice.
A medium head of cauliflower makes about 4 to 5 cups of rice.
A large head of cauliflower makes about 6 cups of rice.

How Do I Know Which Cauliflower to Buy?

Look for cauliflower in the produce aisle, usually near the broccoli. Look for tight, firm heads with no brown spots. The heads should feel heavy for their size. If there are leaves attached, make sure they look fresh and crisp. Sometimes it’s wrapped in plastic; sometimes it’s just loose — either is fine.

Roasted cauliflower in red bowl. — Roasted Cauliflower

How Do I Store Cauliflower?

Cauliflower can be stored in a plastic bag or in the plastic wrap it came in for up to a week in the refrigerator. Do not wash it until you are ready to prepare it.

When Is Cauliflower in Season?

Cauliflower is in season in fall through mid to late winter, and in some warmer climates, the season extends to early spring.

Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots with Olive Drizzle on plate. — Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots with Olive Drizzle

Is Cauliflower Nutritious?

Cauliflower is super nutritious. It’s high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants and a good source of folic acids and other minerals. It is also low in calories, about 30 calories per cup. It is also very low in carbohydrates, which has contributed to its popularity, and is a good addition to any low-carb diet. Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower are believed to contain compounds that help the body resist certain types of cancer.

16 Cauliflower Recipes

Blue plate with a Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower Steak topped with Bleu Cheese Dip.

4.60 from 5 votes

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower Steaks

If you love chicken wings, but can’t justify them as part of the regular rotation OR if you’re a vegetarian missing buffalo wings, this is for you.