Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower (2024)

Skip the meat tonight; we promise you won't miss it!

Looking for a low-calorie, low-carb, super satisfying plant-based recipe? This Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower is the perfect way to celebrate Meatless Monday or kick-off a new diet plan. You don’t have to be a vegan to enjoy this plant-based meal, either. The cauliflower gets so much flavor from the balsamic dressing, and the texture of the cauliflower will satisfy even the meat eaters in your life. All while being Whole30, paleo-approved, keto-friendly, and a low SmartPoints food for WeightWatchers.

If you’ve never roasted a whole head of cauliflower before, you’re about to be amazed. It’s one of those things that will have you asking yourself, “Why haven’t I been doing this for ages?” In addition to being incredibly simple (just trim up the cauliflower, dress it, and toss it into the oven), it’s also a super economical meal. As compared to a steak or a pork chop, cauliflower will run you a fraction of the cost but satisfy your hunger in the same way.

Is Cauliflower Gluten Free?

Cauliflower is one of those foods that’s accepted in almost any diet. It makes a great gluten-free crust, and ricing cauliflower is the ideal replacement for grain-free diets like Paleo or Whole30. And since there are only 2.9 grams of carbs in a cup of cauliflower, it’s also one of the vegetables you can eat on the keto diet.

It seems like there’s nothing that cauliflower can’t do! Pulse it in a food processor to mimic rice, puree it and use it to make pizza dough or as a stand-in for mashed potatoes, and roast it whole to experience a meaty dinner. All while getting almost every vitamin and mineral your body needs in a super low-calorie package. It doesn’t get better than that!

The other benefit of working with cauliflower is its versatility. Since cauliflower also has a neutral flavor, you can spice it up any way you like. We love this balsamic glaze, but you could also have some fun with curry powder or Cajun seasoning.

What is a Sweet Balsamic Glaze?

We particularly love the way the flavors come together in thisBalsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower. The balsamic vinegar cooks down to become sweet and tangy without requiring any added sugars, and the fat from the olive oil gives everything a satisfying mouthfeel. Not to mention how the Italian seasoning and garlic powder add savory flavors to make your taste buds happy.

The key to this simple recipe, though, is the lemon zest. We thought about adding lemon juice to this recipe to give it a nice, bright citrus flavor, but that meant we would have to add sugar, too. Otherwise, the lemon juice would add unpleasant sour, bitter notes.

Lemon zest was the perfect solution. It added a bright burst of lemony flavor without any of the bitterness. If you don’t already own a Microplane zester grater, now is the perfect time to pick one up. They’re relatively inexpensive (less than $15), and they make the zesting process entirely effortless. You can also use them to grate nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, ginger, garlic, chocolate, and more!

Ingredients Needed to Make Balsamic Cauliflower

• 1 head cauliflower
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 lemon, zested
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

How to Make Balsamic Cauliflower

You can dig in to this fresh and flavorful cauliflower in under and hour! Just follow the simple steps below!

1. Preparing the Cauliflower

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Trim the cauliflower by removing the green stalks on the bottom.
• Carefully remove the stem and the tough core, ensuring the head remains intact.
• Place the cauliflower cut-side down in an 8×8 casserole dish or a cast iron pan.

2. Making the Balsamic Glaze

• In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
• Brush the glaze mixture over the top of the cauliflower, ensuring it is evenly coated.
• Cover the cauliflower with aluminum foil.

3. Roasting the Cauliflower

• Bake the cauliflower for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cauliflower is soft when pierced with a knife.
• If you prefer a softer cauliflower, cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes, uncovered.

4. Serving the Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower

• Carefully transfer the cooked cauliflower to a serving plate.
• Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the cauliflower for garnish.
• Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious and healthy side dish!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about our balsamic glazed whole roasted cauliflower? Here are some of our most commonly asked questions and answers. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Drop your question in the comment section below!

What are the health benefits of cauliflower?

Cauliflower is a versatile and nutritious vegetable. It is low in calories and carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-calorie and low-carb diets. Cauliflower is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, and offers dietary fiber. It is also known for its potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Can I use smaller cauliflower florets instead of a whole cauliflower head?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe by using smaller cauliflower florets instead of a whole cauliflower head. Simply adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure even cooking and tenderness.

Can I make this recipe using an air fryer?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and follow the same instructions for preparing the cauliflower and making the balsamic glaze. Place the cauliflower in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown, flipping halfway through for even cooking.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe can be customized to include your favorite vegetables alongside the cauliflower. Consider adding red bell peppers, onions, or other vegetables of your choice. Just ensure that the vegetables are cut into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

Okay, without further ado, here’s the recipe! Let us know what you thought in the comments. We’d love to hear about meat lovers who fell in love with cauliflower after trying this!

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If you enjoyed this Balsamic Glazed Whole Roasted Cauliflower, you might also like these recipes:

• How To Rice Cauliflower
• Warm Cauliflower Salad
• Super Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice

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