Super-easy cauliflower steaks, topped with pesto and toasted breadcrumbs, and served over a citrus salad.
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Let's face it. Cauliflower is the white food we should all be eating, and cauliflower steaks are a great way to do it. I make these Cauliflower Steaks over Lentil Salad a lot, but this little dinner is even easier.
🤷♀️ What are cauliflower steaks?
Slabs of cauliflower sliced from the center section of a head of cauliflower. Go to this recipe Cauliflower Steaks over Lentil Salad for detailed instructions on the best way to slice them and the different ways of cooking them.
They're a great way to serve cauliflower as a main dish. They cook up quickly in either the oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop. And you can use a wide variety of spices, rubs and sauces with them.
In fact, I've come to think of them as his and hers steaks in our household. Over the years, I've made lots of versions of cauliflower steaks. But this first take is still one of my all-time-favorites.
🧅 Main Ingredients + Notes
For the all of the ingredients, measurements and directions, go to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this post.
Pesto Cauliflower Steaks
- Cauliflower
- Your favorite chipotle spice rub mix - or make your own.
- Basil pesto - either store bought, or make your own pesto in 10 minutes.
- Panko breadcrumbs - I usually have these "cheater" brown butter breadcrumbs or lemon zest breadcrumbs on hand that I make with panko breadcrumbs.
Citrus Salad
- Oranges - or mix it up with different citrus, for example blood oranges and tangerines.
- Shallot
- Kalamata olives
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
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⏰ Tips to Simplify and Save Time
- I keep a stash of toasted breadcrumbs in a jar in the refrigerator. If you don't have them on hand, you can make them ahead. But make a double batch so that you have them on hand next time you need some. Store them in the refrigerator.
- Use a store-bought pesto, or make your own ahead of time.
- Either make the Chipotle Spice Rub ahead of time, use your favorite spicy spice mix, or a store-bought Cajun spice mix.
- The citrus salad can be made ahead, but I typically make it while the cauliflower is roasting.
📇 More Ideas You Might Like
Another great way to cook cauliflower is to cook it whole, or in large sections like this roasted cauliflower with breadcrumbs. The best part is that the breadcrumbs are made with quinoa crispies. Or roast the cauliflower whole rubbed with spices and serve plain or with some sauces.
Another approach to veggie steaks is this recipe for roasted cabbage steaks rubbed with garlic. This recipe is one of the most popular recipes on this blog! Or make butternut squash steaks. They're the perfect fall dinner.
If you're looking for an idea of what to serve with cauliflower steaks, check out this post for a great lentil salad that's perfect with them.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Pesto Cauliflower Steaks with Citrus Salad
Ingredients
Cauliflower Steaks
- 1 small head of cauliflower
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Chipotle Spice Rub, or your favorite spicy or Cajun spice rub
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 tablespoons Browned Butter Breadcrumbs, or gremolata breadcrumbs
Citrus Salad
- 2 oranges or 1 tangerine and 1 orange
- 1 medium shallot minced
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives, halved
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
Cauliflower Steaks
- Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Trim any leaves from the stalk of the cauliflower, and slice the head in half through the central stalk. Slice a 1-inch slab of cauliflower off each half so that each slab (or steak) is held together by the central stem. Some florets will crumble off the slabs towards the ends. Reserve them for the citrus salad. Wrap the remaining cauliflower for another use, and store in the refrigerator.
- Rub both sides of both the steaks and florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the Chipotle Spice Rub.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, and sear the cauliflower slabs until slightly crisped - about 3 minutes per side.
- Transfer to the prepared baking sheet along with the florets, and roast until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Make the breadcrumbs and pesto (if making your own).Spoon the citrus salad (below) onto a serving plate, and arrange the cauliflower steaks over the salad. Add a dollop of pesto on top, and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs.
Citrus Salad
- Peel the oranges and coarsely chop. Combine in a medium bowl with the shallot, olives and the roasted cauliflower florets.
- Whisk the vinegar, olive oil and salt together. Toss with the citrus salad.
Nutrition
For more ideas with cauliflower, check out my Healthy Cauliflower Recipes board on Pinterest:
LiztheChef
Welcome to my world! Thank you for a perfect recipe to suit our family as well!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I totally understand, Liz!!
Lynda - TasteFood
I have been on a cauliflower steak bender. I will be making this version - it looks great!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
That's a good bender to be on 🙂 I'm a new lover of these cauliflower steaks - it's such a great way to do cauliflower.
lapadia
I love cauliflower and your recipe that goes with it! Thanks for the shout, too 🙂 Happy Weekend!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Linda - and you deserve the shout out! I want to make your pita bread when we get home 🙂
Katherine Martinelli
I am so impressed that you continue to make two dinners every night! I'm almost positive I would either give up vegetarianism or only cook vegetarian and leave my husband to fend for himself... But it looks like you've come up with an excellent solution! Kale pesto sounds incredible. I've also been intrigued by the cauliflower "steak" recipes I've been seeing. This looks absolutely delicious!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Katherine!! There are a lot of nights now, quite honestly, where I just cook Myles and steak or pork, etc and a salad. And he usually takes a little of my vegetarian dinner. It all works, but I'm still trying to figure out easy ways I can accommodate both of us while giving BOTH of us a meal we're both excited about. Sigh.
Kimberley
Agreed - I can't believe that you'd cook two dinners a night! I'm impressed. Love what you've done with the cauliflower steak.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Kimberley!! I'm not sure my husband is always very excited about his dinners though....but I'm trying to find a balance that works for us 🙂
Soni
Thanks so much Susan!You made my day 🙂 I feel really honored to be receiving this award from you, with such a vast experience and an array of great recipes in your repertoire!I'm overjoyed :)Have a great Sunday!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
You are so welcome, Soni!! I've really been enjoying reading your blog so much!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I think you'll really like it. We had cauliflower steaks with a roasted tomato soup along with grilled beef filet, and I gotta say I liked the cauliflower steaks better!!
Liz
Oh, you are SO sweet! Thanks so much for awarding me the Liebster 🙂
I'd choose your delicious cauliflower steak over beef, but hubby and my sons would want their meat, too 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
You are so welcome - I really love your blog. And I totally understand the meat eaters wants 🙂
EA-The Spicy RD
Thank you so much for the award-I'm truly honored to be one of your recipients, and love all your other choices as well! I've really enjoyed your posts and recipes, and this cauliflower steak is no exception-great idea, especially with the kale pesto which sounds amazing! Looking forward to more delicious vegetarian recipes!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I've so enjoyed finding your blog and reading it! Keep up the great blogging!!
Bevi
I adore cauliflower steak. I had a wonderful version with crumbled kale chips that added great extra crunch. You pesto sounds delicious>
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Ooooh - crumbled kale chips is a great idea, Bevi I'm making more pesto today to find more uses for it!
Cindy
We just had some cauliflower steaks! YUMM! Will be trying this recipe!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love how easy and versatile cauliflower steaks are. There are so many things you can do with them 🙂
Norma Chang
This cauliflower steak is good even if you are not a vegetarian. I am not a vegetarian but I do prepare many meatless meals.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I agree! My husband really liked them too!!
Baker Street
Thank you so much! xo
The Wimpy Vegetarian
You bet! I love your blog!!
plasterer bristol
This sounds really delicious and something new to try. Thank you for sharing this.
Simon