Have you tried cauliflower steaks, yet? I recently had my first experience and it did not disappoint.
The cauliflower was buttery, hearty and left me feeling light and satisfied, versus heavy as a traditional steak would. But, unlike beef steak, cauliflower steak doesn’t naturally contain protein, an important nutrient, so we are adding it to the plate by whipping up a silky white bean puree.
Get the recipe below and take a stab at your own “steak” at home for Meatless Monday.
I’m not gonna lie. When I started seeing cauliflower steaks pop up on restaurant menus and in popular recipe magazines, I was a bit skeptical. Just as I was when coconut bacon became a thing (which I still don’t actually think tastes like bacon!).
I don’t think it’s the actual food that makes me skeptical. I think it’s the fact that we’re calling it by the same name. I mean, come on, there is no way you are really going to get coconut chips to taste as if it were bacon (although coconut bacon is very tasty!) and there’s no way you are going to tell me that a cauliflower steak is interchangeable for a beef steak.
So, let’s first and foremost get one thing clear – do not tell your loved ones that you are serving steaks for dinner, only for them to find a big hunk of cauliflower on their plate! Trust me, I’ve tried something similar and now my brother first has to ask if we are having meat before he decides if he will step foot in my kitchen. I think I might’ve scarred this picky little eater for life… whoops!
Okay, now that we know we’re not serving steaks, we’re just going to call it cauliflower steaks for fun, let’s get to it shall we?
Cauliflower is a vegetable worthy of stealing the spotlight
I first had a cauliflower steak at a recent event and it blew me away. I couldn’t believe how something so simple could be so delicious!
Although, I really shouldn’t have been surprised because I LOVE roasted cauliflower and I’m always down for a yummy plant-based meal.
When roasted, cauliflower takes on this buttery and silky texture that just can’t be achieved by any other vegetable. It literally melts in your mouth with each and every bite.
Because cauliflower steaks are not a meal in and of itself (in my opinion), given that they are lacking some key nutrients such as protein and fiber, I decided we would take advantage of the leftover cauliflower and make a silky white bean puree to go with our steaks.
The best part about this dinner?
It can be made in under 30 minutes and uses a whopping total of three ingredients. We’re not including things like oil, spices and broth, because technically, those are pantry staples.
It really can’t get much simpler (and easy on the wallet) than that!
This meal is delicious on it’s own, but since I always like to add a little green power to my plate, a simple side salad would be the perfect compliment to this dish.
The cauliflower steaks are so pretty that it’s definitely a picture-worthy, crowd-pleasing meal as long as your crowd is okay with a plant-based party (unlike someone I know).
Print


Hearty Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with a Silky Bean Puree
- Author: FitLiving Eats by Carly Paige
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These cauliflower “steaks” are buttery, hearty and will leave you feeling light and satisfied, versus heavy as a traditional steak. Because the cauliflower “steak” doesn’t naturally contain protein, an important nutrient, we’re adding it to the plate by whipping up a silky white bean puree. This recipe can be made in under 30 minutes and uses only 3 ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cauliflower head
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- sprinkle of black pepper
Silky Bean Puree
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 3/4 cup cannellini beans
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- To cut the “steaks”, trim the leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower and cut off the very bottom of the stem. Slice the cauliflower lengthwise in half through the stem. Then, cut 1 inch slices from both halves, creating steaks. Trim the remaining florets for roasting as well.
- Place the cauliflower steaks and florets on a baking sheet. Drizzle the steaks with olive oil and then flip and repeat. Drizzle the florets with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and black pepper onto the steaks. Roast in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until slightly golden and cooked through.
- To make the puree, add 1 cup of the roasted cauliflower florets, beans, garlic clove, lemon juice, vegetable broth, thyme, salt and pepper to a food processor. Blend on HIGH until silky smooth, scraping down the sides from time to time. If the puree seems too thick, add a little more broth.
- To serve, spread half of the puree on a plate. Top with the roasted cauliflower steaks and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup puree + 1 cauliflower steak
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 930mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: cauliflower, cauliflower steaks, meatless Monday, vegan, plant based, gluten free
Even if you aren’t a regular in the plant-based cuisine, I encourage you try Meatless Monday! It’s a great way to get more veggies into your diet and key nutrients that you might otherwise be lacking in your day. It can expose you to a whole new way of cooking and eating that you might even find gives you more energy and pep in your step!
The recipe is part of the Meatless Monday link up hosted by The Fit Foodie Mama and Running on Happy, as well as Meatless Monday hosted by Confessions of a Mother Runner, Tina Muir and A Whisk and Two Wands.
36 Responses
I had cauliflower date for the first time at a restaurant this weekend!
and it was amazing.
and I’m JUUUUST crazy enough to think I can create it in my kitchen 🙂
You definitely can… it takes no time at all and is pretty foolproof!
I LOVE cauliflower steaks, they are just so hearty and satisfying! These sound amazing, pinned!
Thanks Rachel!
Who knew veggies could be so gorgeous?! Pinned!
Thank you, Chelsey!
YUM! I love the bean puree with these steaks, looks so good!!!
Thanks Annmarie! Had to get some protein in there 🙂
Cauliflower steaks are SO good! They just melt in your mouth!
Yes, they really do!! They are amazing 🙂
I had to YUM this. It looks so good.
Thank you Maggie!
So stunning looking! And sounds delicious too! Pinned for later.
Thanks for the pin love, Brynn!
MMM. Those look so tasty. Worth a try for sure
I hope you give them a try Erika!
These look amazing! I love that you added the white bean puree to round out the meal. It is my pet peeve, too, when people call plant-based foods by the same name!!!
Glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
YUM! We have recently started roasting cauliflower and we LOVE it! May have to start buying a head of cauliflower for each of us.
Roasting it is simply the best. Hope you give the steaks a try!
I love cauliflower steaks! I love all roasted veggies so I knew I’d like them the first time I tried them…but this puree might take it over the top!!! Excited to try this
Thanks Sarah! Hope you love it 🙂
I absolutely love cauliflower! My husband hates it, so it’s very hard to try and eat certain things when I have to cook for him too
Oh yeah, I feel your pain! My husband can be picky about certain things, too.
I love roasted cauliflower! This looks delicious! I am all about plant-based substitutes, but nothing compares to bacon (in my opinion!)!
Haha… so true!
This is genius! I have been trying to look for more vegetarian recipes. The meat industry has me very skeptical at times. I am a picky eater too, but cauliflower is on my thumbs up list. I’m definitely going to have to try these sometime!
StyleConscious.net
Yay! Hope you give it a try, Kali!
Yay for cauliflower! I’ve never tried preparing it like this, but it looks delicious! :]
It’s so easy!
As a vegan I love your plant-based recipes! This looks so good :))
Thanks, Rosalyn!
Fiance and I have been LOVINGGGGGG roasted cauliflower lately!! 😀
Whoohoo!!! Join the club!
I thought I was pretty smart with menu planning and having the Moroccan Quinoa cauliflower burgers and this recipe in one week. Roast once and use for other recipes!
These cauliflower steaks with the silky bean purée is a comfort food meal! It was a definite hit with our family! (I did fib and say that it was garlic mashed potatoes to my mom who doesn’t like beans! She loved it!) For family style, I spread the bean purée on a decorative plate and then positioned the cauliflower steaks on top. This is a regular recipe that I make. It’s yummy, easy and has few ingredients! Winner all around! Thanks Carly, for your amazing, healthy and easy recipes!
★★★★★
Hi Sandy, I’m so glad that you and your family enjoyed the recipe. I love your idea of disguising the bean puree as mashed potatoes. Genius! Happy cooking!