Turmeric roasted cauliflower is a vibrant, wholesome 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
- 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 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 always my first choice for roasting vegetables.
- 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
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.
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 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
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
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Turmeric Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Turmeric roasted cauliflower is a vibrant, wholesome 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.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower – about 2 1/2 – 3 pounds, cut into florets – about 5–6 cups worth
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Optional add-ons
- Dairy free yogurt or cashew cream thinned with a little water
- Fresh herbs – parsley, cilantro, or dill would all be delicious
- A squeeze of fresh lemon
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prep the spices. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl combine turmeric, cumin, paprika, mustard powder, cayenne or chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. 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 flat side of each floret down, with as much space between cauliflower florets as possible so that they caramelize nicely.
- Roast cauliflower. Transfer to the oven and bake, flipping halfway through, for about 18-22 minutes, until cauliflower pieces are tender and nice and crispy.
- Garnish and serve. Remove from the oven and top with any desired add-ons. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
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.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Oven
Cathy says
I’m trying to work more tumeric I to the diet rotation. How do you think this roasted cauliflower could work as a base for cauliflower au gratin?
I think I am going to try it. 😉
Nyssa Tanner says
Um, YUM! That sounds like an incredible idea! You might want to remove or decrease the cumin if you’re going for traditional au gratin flavors, but otherwise I think all the other spices would be a good fit. I’d love to hear how it turns out for you if you give it a try! – Nyssa