20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

Sesame Cauliflower is a delicious, incredibly flavorful way to put an Asian-inspired vegetarian meal on the table any night of the week. It’s a super simple recipe that takes just 20 minutes to make.

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (1)

This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information.

Back in my vegetarian days, using cauliflower as a replacement for starchier foods or meat wasn’t anywhere near as popular as it is now. I believe mashed cauliflower and cauliflower rice were the two ways cauliflower was being used the most.

There really weren’t many, if any, Chinese cauliflower recipes. I remember I used to order “broccoli in brown sauce” whenever we ate takeout. I’m not even sure if that’s the correct term for the sauce, or if the sauce is even vegetarian.

This is why I rarely ate out. It can be hard to know exactly what’s in the food you’re eating. Unless, you make it yourself.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of crispy cauliflower in a sweet, sticky sesame sauce is absolutely delicious. It’s family friendly, but it you want a spicier dish, simply add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the sauce.

This Sesame Cauliflower recipe has all the same delicious flavors of take out sesame dishes, but without any questionable ingredients. The homemade sesame sauce recipe is 100% vegetarian and can easily be made vegan. Simply swap out the honey for agave.

This dish can be made gluten free, as well.

How to Make Sesame Cauliflower

What You Need To Make This Recipe

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2)

For The Cauliflower:

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets. You should have 4-5 cups.
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons oil for frying (I use vegetable or olive oil)

For The Sesame Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey (or agave to keep vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon fresh, grated ginger)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (whisked with 1 tablespoon of water)
  • sesame seeds (optional, garnish)
  • sliced green onions (optional, garnish)

Prep!

Cut the cauliflower into bite size florets and mince the garlic.

If you are serving this dish with rice, noodles, or spaghetti squash, you will want to get that cooking, as well.

Create!

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (3)

Whisk together the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce with the 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. It will be somewhat thick.

In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower florets with the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture. Toss well.

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (4)

Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the battered cauliflower florets.

Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crispy. This will take anywhere from 3-5 minutes depending on the size of the florets. Remove to a plate.

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (5)

Meanwhile, combine all of the ingredients for the sesame sauce in a medium bowl and whisk well.

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (6)

Pour the sauce into the same skillet used for the cauliflower and raise the heat to bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the desired thickness is reached. This typically takes just a minute or two.

Stir the cauliflower back into the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.

Present!

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (7)

Serve over rice, noodles, or even spaghetti squash.

Want to make it even fancier? You can serve this dish (or any similar dish) in really cool chopstick bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds and/or sliced green onions, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • Use low sodium soy sauce for a less salty tasting recipe.
  • You can make this a spicy sesame cauliflower recipe simply by mixing a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper into the sesame sauce.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.

How to Make This Recipe Gluten Free

To make this recipe gluten free, just be sure to use gluten free soy sauce and serve over rice, gluten free noodles, or spaghetti squash.

More Recipes With Cauliflower to Try

If you love cauliflower, you’ve come to the right blog.Here are a few of my favorite cauliflower recipes, but there are many, many more:

  • Loaded Cauliflower Bites
  • Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice
  • Keto Cauliflower Au Gratin
  • Cheesy Cauliflower Soup
  • Cauliflower Pizza Crust
  • Roasted Cauliflower Corn Chowder
  • Cauliflower Chicken Chowder

I also have a post on How To Cook Cauliflower with 7 different methods and one on How To Rice Cauliflower that you might find helpful.

Love this Sesame Cauliflower recipe? Follow me on Pinterest,Instagram, andFacebookfor more!

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (8)

Print

Sesame Cauliflower

Sesame Cauliflower is a delicious, incredibly flavorful way to put an Asian-inspired vegetarian meal on the table any night of the week. It’s a super simple recipe that takes just 20 minutes to make.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Chinese, Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 194kcal

Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

Cauliflower

Sesame Sauce

Instructions

Cauliflower

  • Whisk together 3 tablespoons of soy sauce with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to create a thick slurry.

  • In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower florets with the soy sauce and cornstarch mixture. Toss well.

  • Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the battered cauliflower florets.

  • Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and crispy. This will take anywhere from 3-5 minutes depending on the size of the florets. Remove to a plate.

Sesame Sauce

  • While the cauliflower is cooking, combine all of the ingredients for the sesame sauce in a medium bowl and whisk well.

  • Pour the sauce into the same skillet used for the cauliflower and raise the heat to bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the desired thickness is reached, about 1-2 minutes.

  • Stir the cauliflower back into the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.

  • Garnish with sesame seeds and/or sliced green onions, if desired. Serve on its own or over rice, noodles, or spaghetti squash.

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Use low sodium soy sauce for a less salty tasting recipe.
  • You can make this a spicy sesame cauliflower recipesimply by mixing a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper into the sesame sauce.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Use within 3-5 days.

How to Make This Recipe Gluten Free

To make this recipe gluten free, be sure that your soy sauce is gluten free and serve over rice, gluten free noodles or spaghetti squash.

** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1545mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 54mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

This recipe was originally published on June 6, 2017. It was updated with an improved recipe, new images, tips, and techniques in April 2020.

20 MINUTE Sesame Cauliflower Recipe - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

FAQs

Why is my baked cauliflower soggy? ›

Crowding the cauliflower on the pan could make them cook up mushy and a bit soggy. Leave some space between the florets. Be sure not to use too much olive oil to cook them.

What is the difference between cauliflower and Chinese cauliflower? ›

Compared to regular cauliflower, Chinese cauliflower has a longer stem, less dense florets, and a chewier texture. It is similar to how broccolini is, compared to broccoli. You can find Chinese cauliflower at Chinese grocery stores and at big Asian markets like H Mart or Ranch 99.

Why are my cauliflower bites not crispy? ›

Cauliflower has a very high water content, so it won't get crispy if you bake the florets crowded together. "Be sure to give each floret a bit of room so that the they have space for airflow. I'd also recommend baking them on a silicone baking mat," says Blay.

Why isn't my roasted cauliflower crispy? ›

Like all veggies, cauliflower needs some breathing room on the pan. Otherwise, the florets will produce so much steam that they'll never turn crisp on the edges. It's better to use two pans, arranged on separate racks near the middle of the oven, than to cram too much onto one pan.

Is cauliflower better for you than broccoli? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

What kind of cauliflower is the healthiest? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

What is healthier cauliflower or rice? ›

Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

How to cook cauliflower Rachael Ray? ›

In a covered Dutch oven, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Cut the core away from the cauliflower and set the head into the pot and add the stock. Cover and steam until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and separate the cauliflower into florets.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

Why is my cauliflower bake watery? ›

So even if your sauce was thick when it went in the oven, if it's in there too long, the water from the cauliflower will cause it to go watery." To avoid this happening to your own dish, she recommended keeping the baking time to a maximum of 20-25 minutes.

Why do I feel weird after eating cauliflower? ›

Side Effects. Stomachaches are just one side effect from eating large amounts of cauliflower or other fiber-rich foods. Other side effects include gas, bloating and diarrhea. The most effective way to sidestep the side effects is to increase your fiber intake slowly.

What does baking soda do to cauliflower? ›

Baking soda is often used as a natural cleaning agent, and it can be used to brighten up your veggies too. Sprinkle a little in the water before boiling to prevent cauliflower from yellowing and make corn look more vibrant.

What does cauliflower do to your gut? ›

As a cruciferous vegetable, cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps maintain healthy digestion, reducing your risk of digestive disorders. It also promotes the growth of good bacteria in your gut.

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

The key to nonmushy cauliflower lies in how you cut it: Break apart the large head into smaller florets. Now take your knife, and starting at the stem end of the floret, slice about halfway down and snap apart.

How to get moisture out of cauliflower? ›

Transfer the riced cauliflower to the center of a clean dish towel. Arrange the towel filled with cauliflower over a small bowl, then squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the cooked cauliflower. It might not feel like there's excess moisture at first, but you may be surprised by how much liquid is released!

How to stop roasted veg from going soggy? ›

If the pan is packed too tightly, the vegetables will steam instead of caramelizing. The result is sad, limp, less-than-flavorful vegetables. The solution: Give your vegetables some room to breathe. Arrange the veggies in a single layer, keeping at least a quarter inch of space between them.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5889

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.