Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower {Gluten Free + Vegan + Paleo + Whole30}

Turmeric roasted cauliflower is a vibrant, healthy veggie recipe that is bursting with flavor! Made with cauliflower florets and a simple spice blend, it’s the perfect simple side for any meal. Easy to make and so delicious. Gluten free, vegan, dairy free, vegetarian, paleo, and Whole30 option.

The best turmeric roasted cauliflower

In my opinion, roasting vegetables is one of the best ways to bring out their complex flavor, and cauliflower is one of our absolute favorite vegetables to roast!

When combined with high heat, flavorful seasonings, and some oil, the florets transform into the most delicious golden brown caramelized nuggets that are absolutely impossible to resist. So good that sometimes the whole tray is devoured before anything else on the dinner table is eaten!

Roasting cauliflower is an easy hands off cooking method that gives you just enough time to throw the rest of your meal together on the stove top while they slowly caramelize in the oven.

A huge hit at our house and the perfect thing to serve as a side dish alongside your favorite protein, in a grain bowl, over a salad, or with pasta.

Why you’ll love this turmeric spiced roasted cauliflower

It is:

• Perfectly spiced
• Flavorful
• Cozy
• Crispy and caramelized
• Easy to make
• Nutrient dense
• Healthy
• GF + DF + Whole30 compatible
• So delicious!

Ingredients and substitutions

All you need to make this roasted cauliflower recipe is cauliflower florets, a simple spice blend, and a high heat friendly oil.

If you don’t have one of the spices in your pantry feel free to swap something else in it’s place or leave it out all together. A cajun style spice blend with the addition of turmeric would also be a delightful option if you’re short on time!

Here’s what you need

• Cauliflower – A large head of cauliflower cut into florets, or about 5-6 cups worth if you’re using pre-cut cauliflower.
• Avocado oil – Avocado oil is my first choice for roasting vegetables because it’s liquid at room temperature and is stable at high heat.
• Spice blend – Ground turmeric, garlic power, cumin, smoked paprika, dried mustard, an optional dash of cayenne, and salt and pepper is the combination I love to use for this bold, zippy spice blend. Feel free to adjust based on your preferences and what you have on hand!

Optional ingredients

The bright, warming spices of this cauliflower lend themselves perfect to the addition of a drizzle of dairy free yogurt or cashew cream thinned with a little water, some fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

These are totally optional add-ons but a nice touch to elevate this simple recipe if you feel like adding a little something extra!

How to make turmeric roasted cauliflower

Roasting cauliflower with turmeric is as easy as prepping your cauliflower and tossing it with spices and oil before popping it into the oven.

Here’s the step-by-step

• Preheat oven and prep the spices. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl combine spices a stir to thoroughly combine.
• Coat cauliflower with oil and spices. On a large baking sheet toss cauliflower florets with avocado oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle spice mixture over cauliflower and toss again until spices are well distributed. Spread out in a single layer with as much space between cauliflower florets as possible, so that they can caramelize nicely.
• Roast cauliflower. Transfer to the oven and bake, flipping halfway through, until cauliflower pieces are tender and nicely caramelized.  
• Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven and top with chopped fresh herbs, a drizzle of thinned yogurt or cashew cream, and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve and enjoy!

What temperature is best for roasting cauliflower?

I have roasted A LOT of cauliflower in our kitchen, and the temperature I consistently use is 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

It’s the perfect hot temp to perfectly caramelize each cauliflower floret, but not over cook so that it gets too soft and falls apart.

How long should you roast cauliflower?

How long your cauliflower takes to roast will depend on the temperature of your oven and the size of your florets. For medium sized cauliflower florets in a 425 degree oven it should take between 20-30 minutes for your cauliflower to reach peak crispiness.

Top tips for perfectly roasted cauliflower

Roasting cauliflower is pretty simple, but there are a few tips I’ve gathered over the years for perfect cauliflower every time!

• Don’t crowd the pan. By giving each cauliflower floret a bit of space you’ll maximize the crispy bits and caramelization. If the pan is too crowded and each piece is on top of the next they’ll steam and soften before they have a chance to crisp up.
• Be generous with salt and oil. Cauliflower has a pretty mild flavor, and a lot of the oil and seasonings will get soaked as it roasts. Adding a generous amount of oil, salt, and spices ensures that it comes out of the oven super flavorful and nice and crispy.
• Roast at high heat. High heat is your friend when roasting any vegetable. It’s what creates the irresistible crispy edges and maximum flavor.
• Flip halfway through. For nice even cooking I recommend flipping each floret about halfway through cooking. That way multiple sides have contact with the hot pan.
• Roast the cauliflower florets flat side down. Direct contact with the pan is what creates caramelization, so the more surface area that comes in contact with the pan the better.
• Bake until well caramelized. Don’t be afraid of leaving your cauliflower in the oven for a few extra minutes for peak caramelization. You could even turn the oven on to broil for a minute or so before pulling it out to serve.

Serving ideas

This turmeric spiced cauliflower is the perfect easy side dish for any meal. Also super delicious served on top of a salad, pasta, or a grain bowl!

How to remove turmeric stains from your fingers

Turmeric has a reputation for leaving tough stains on fingers and countertops.

If you notice any yellow stains on your hands or surfaces wash them as soon as you can.

This article has some great tips for removing stubborn turmeric stains.

Health benefits of turmeric

In Ayurvedic tradition turmeric has long been appreciated for its countless healing and nurturing properties. The most studied and prized agent in turmeric is called curcumin, a polyphenol that has been shown to have beneficial health properties for everything from acting as a systemic anti-inflammatory, to a liver, digestive, and immune tonic.

Storage and reheating

Storing: To store leftover cauliflower in the refrigerator, allow it to cool and then transfer to an air tight container. Will keep for to 3-4 days.

Reheating: You can easily reheat roasted cauliflower in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, warm in the oven at 350° F, or gently reheat in a skillet, tossing occasionally, until heated through.

Love this healthy side dish? Try these other recipes!

• Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower
• Mexican Roasted Cauliflower
• Cauliflower Mash
• Dairy Free Cauliflower Mac and “Cheese”
• Sautéed Spinach with Garlic
• Cilantro Lime Rice
• Simple Lemon Garlic Roasted Asparagus
• Healthy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

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