Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

This Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower is a flavorful vegan side dish! It's topped with a lemon tahini sauce, dates, and toasted almonds.

I've always enjoyed cauliflower and one of the best ways to prepare it is to roast it in the oven. This Roasted Mediterranean Cauliflower is bursting with fresh flavors and makes for a great weeknight or holiday side dish.

When I was young, cauliflower was this nondescript vegetable that no one had particularly strong feelings about, but in recent years it has morphed into a powerhouse of the vegetable world. These days cauliflower has found it's way into pizza crusts, crackers, and tons of other snacks.

This makes sense because cauliflower is an incredibly versatile vegetable with great flavor. It's one of those veggies that pairs well with lots of different spices and flavor profiles and lends itself to a variety of cooking methods.

I love to roast cauliflower because it brings out the natural sweetness. This recipe is made with cauliflower florets that are roasted in the oven along with some olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, and garlic powder.

Once roasted, the cauliflower is drizzled with a lemon tahini sauce and garnished with chopped dates, toasted almonds, and fresh herbs such as mint or parsley. It's savory, earthy, tangy, and a little sweet all at the same time.

Jump to:

• How To Add Flavor To Cauliflower?
• Ingredients For Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower
• How To Make Roasted Cauliflower
• How To Make Keep Cauliflower From Getting Soggy
• What Is Tahini?
• How To Make Lemon Tahini Sauce
• How To Toast Nuts In A Skillet
• What To Serve With Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower
• How Long Does Roasted Cauliflower Last In The Fridge?
• Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce

How To Add Flavor To Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is one of those 'blank canvas' vegetables that tends to absorb the flavor of whatever is added to it. This makes it a great addition to everything from soups to salads to curries.

The flavor of cauliflower varies slightly depending on the cooking method. Cauliflower will taste different depending on whether its grilled or sauteed or boiled.

My favorite method for preparing cauliflower is to roast it in the oven. The roasting process helps to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetable. Roasting softens the cauliflower without making it mushy and the edges become nice and crispy.

When roasted, cauliflower can be flavored with any variety of spices. It may be tossed with Indian spices like curry powder, flavored with Southwest spices like chili powder and cumin, or Middle Eastern spices like harissa or za'atar.

As mentioned, cauliflower may be dressed up with the addition of shredded cheese, sauces, toasted nuts, dried fruits, fresh herbs, or pickled condiments.

Ingredients For Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 1 Large Head Cauliflower (yields 6-8 cups cauliflower florets)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 tsp. Garlic Powder
• ½ tsp. each of Kosher Salt and Pepper
• ⅓ cup Slivered Almonds (unsalted) (or unsalted nuts of choice)
• ⅓ cup Dried, Chopped Dates (or dried fruit of choice)
• ¼ cup Tahini
• 3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
• 3 Tbsp. Water
• ⅓ cup Fresh Mint (or herb of choice)

How To Make Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower is incredibly easy to make. All that's needed is to cut a head of cauliflower into florets, place the florets on a baking sheet tossed with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, and spices, and then roast in the oven.

It takes about 24 minutes to roast the cauliflower at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

This recipe is seasoned with garlic powder. The flavor of the garlic pairs nicely with the tahini sauce, lemon juice, and the rest of the toppings without overpowering them.

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Thoroughly wash and dry 1 head of cauliflower.
3. Remove any outer leaves from the cauliflower and discard.
4. Cut the head of cauliflower into florets, making sure that the florets are relatively the same size so that they roast evenly (yields 6-8 cups).
5. Divide the cauliflower florets between 2 baking sheets. Arrange the florets flat-side down, as this will create more golden brown surface area (this step is optional). It's best not to crowd the baking sheets and to allow adequate space between the cauliflower so that it roasts and does not steam in the oven.
6. Drizzle the cauliflower on the first baking sheet with 1 Tbsp. olive oil, ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper, and 1 tsp. garlic powder.
7. Toss the cauliflower until it is completely coated in the oil and spices.
8. Repeat this step with the second baking sheet. Drizzle the cauliflower with 1 Tbsp. olive oil, ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper, and 1 tsp. garlic powder. Toss until coated.
9. Place the baking sheets in the oven and roast for 22-24 minutes.
10. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and set aside.

How To Make Keep Cauliflower From Getting Soggy

Here are a few tips and tricks to employ to help ensure that the cauliflower is crispy and not soggy and mushy after roasted.

• Make sure to dry the cauliflower as much as possible after washing it. It's important that the cauliflower is dry so that it roasts properly. If the cauliflower is too wet, it will steam instead of roast.
• If you don't want to wash a head of cauliflower, you can use bagged, pre-washed cauliflower florets.
• Make sure that there is enough space between the cauliflower florets to ensure that the cauliflower roasts and does not steam. I recommend splitting the cauliflower florets between two baking sheets so that there is enough space between the cauliflower.
• Placing the cauliflower flat-side down will ensure that more of the florets are touching the surface of the baking sheet. This results in more golden brown surface area (this step is optional).
• Make sure that all the florets are relatively the same size so that they roast evenly.
• Make sure that the cauliflower is evenly coated in the olive oil so that it doesn't dry out.

What Is Tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from toasted, hulled sesame seeds. The seeds are blended until smooth, along with some oil until the mixture forms a paste. Its texture is similar to that of smooth peanut butter.

It's used extensively in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and often found in popular dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush.

Tahini has a savory, nutty, earthy flavor, and slightly bitter flavor. The texture is thick and somewhere between a paste and a sauce. Adding liquid such as water or lemon juice to tahini thins it out and makes it pourable and spreadable.

It pairs nicely with a variety of flavor profiles. Tahini is perfect paired with savory ingredients like spices, herbs, and is sometimes added to desserts to balance out the sweetness.

Tahini paste may be found in the ethnic aisle, natural foods section, or along with the peanut butter or other nut butters of your local grocery store.

It's naturally vegan and gluten free (but it's important to check the labels if gluten is an issue for you).

Love tahini? Check out this Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce and Harissa Tahini Sauce!

How To Make Lemon Tahini Sauce

Roasted cauliflower is delicious and everything but this lemon tahini dressing is what takes it to the next level.

This tahini sauce provides the dish with a creamy texture and an earthy, savory, and tangy flavor. It can be added to nearly any roasted vegetable for a boost of flavor and texture.

Like natural peanut butter, tahini may separate in the jar. It's important to stir the tahini until the oil and the sesame paste are completely combined before making this tahini sauce. This may be done using a thick spoon or butter knife.

1. Stir the jar of tahini with a spoon if separated until it is smooth and creamy. Pour ¼ cup of tahini (using a dry measuring cup) into a bowl.
2. Add 3 Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice and 3 Tbsp. of water to the tahini.
3. Stir the tahini, lemon juice, and water until completely combined using a fork or a small whisk. The mixture will appear curdled at first. Continue to stir for a few minutes until it is smooth and creamy.
4. Add a pinch of kosher salt and pepper and stir until combined.

It may take a few minutes before the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper levels to taste.

If you enjoy tahini, be sure to check out this Chicken Kofta with Tahini Sauce, Summer Roasted Vegetable Salad, and Mediterranean Quinoa Chickpea Bowl.

How To Toast Nuts In A Skillet

I love to add toasted nuts to roasted vegetables like this Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower because of the added crunchy texture the nuts provide.

I used slivered almonds in this dish, but you can use sliced or whole almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, or any variety you like. Make sure that the nuts are unsalted to keep the sodium level balanced.

Seeds such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are a great alternative if you have a nut allergy.

To bring out the natural flavor of the nuts, I recommend toasting them for a few minutes in a skillet on the stove top.

1. To toast the nuts, place a small skillet on the stove top and heat to medium-low.
2. Add ⅓ cup of slivered almonds (or unsalted nuts of choice) to the skillet and roast for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the nuts don't burn.
3. Remove from the heat and set aside.

What To Serve With Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower

Once the cauliflower, tahini sauce, and almonds are finished the dish is ready to serve!

You can serve it family style in a large bowl or platter or individually as a side dish.

1. To serve, drizzle as much or as little of the lemon tahini dressing over the top of the cauliflower as you like.
2. Add the toasted almonds (or nuts of choice) to the roasted cauliflower along with ⅓ cup of dried, chopped dates.
3. Mince some fresh mint (or herbs of choice) and use to garnish the dish.

Feel free to garnish with any fresh herbs you like. Mint, parsley, basil, or chives are all great options. Alternately, you can omit the fresh herbs.

The dates may be subbed for your favorite dried, chopped fruits such as apricots, figs, or cranberries. Or, you can use pomegranate arils in place of dried fruits.

This Mediterranean Cauliflower is great served as a side dish with roasted or grilled chicken or any type of roasted meats. The bright flavors of this cauliflower pair nicely with this Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice.

It's also perfect served alongside a sandwich, flatbread, or wrap.

Love cauliflower? Check out these recipes!

• Cauliflower Tomato Sausage Pasta
• Cauliflower Lentil Soup
• Potato Leek Cauliflower Soup
• Sweet Corn Cauliflower Soup
• Curried Cauliflower Potato Soup

How Long Does Roasted Cauliflower Last In The Fridge?

Leftover roasted cauliflower should last 2-3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Any leftover tahini sauce should last 4-5 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. If the sauce becomes too thick as it sits in the fridge simply add some more lemon juice or water and stir to make it creamy again.

Leftover tahini sauce may be used as a dipping sauce for vegetables or drizzled over you favorite roasted veggies.

Love roasted vegetables? Check out these recipes!

• Parmesan Garlic Roasted Cauliflower
• Garlic Roasted Green Beans
• Sweet Spicy Brussels Sprouts
• Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes
• Maple Sesame Brussels Sprouts
• Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Looking For More Cauliflower Recipes? Don't Miss These!

Cheddar Parmesan Baked Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Vegan Cauliflower Tacos