Grilled Cauliflower

If you haven't started making this grilled cauliflower recipe yet (or any other grilled vegetable recipe), it is time to run to your grills and get going. This simple side dish cooks in just 10 minutes and is the perfect summer side dish or appetizer.

Cauliflower has definitely been having its day in the spotlight. From cauliflower pizza to cauliflower rice and even cauliflower mashed potatoes, there isn’t much you can’t do with this versatile vegetable.

This delicious side dish cooks in just 10 minutes and is perfect for summer barbecues or even weeknight dinners. The nutty flavors and slightly charred edges are magic. My whole family gobbled these up before even realizing they were polishing off a plate of veggies and hadn't even touched their meat. In our house, that's a big deal.

Cooking everything in one place is the way to cook in the summer. And making cauliflower on the grill instead of inside is a huge time saver! To be honest, I am lazy when it comes to mealtime. The last thing I want to do is cook my protein on the grill, veggies in the oven, and grains on the stove. It is just too many things to keep track of and too many things to clean.

That means all summer long you better believe we are eating grilled veggies and our grains have been meal prepped or are coming out of a freezer bag. You can also make this cauliflower steak recipe on the grill or try some grilled broccoli or grilled zucchini!

Why You'll Love Grilling Cauliflower

Let me tell you a few things about grilled cauliflower.

• Time saver: No need to cook your protein outside and then come inside to make your grains and veggies. You can cook your veggies and protein at the same time on the grill! You’ll also eliminate a few pots and pans and have fewer dishes to keep track of.
• Tastes fantastic: In case you haven’t jumped on the cauliflower bandwagon you will be pleasantly surprised at the nutty and slightly charred flavor you get from grilling cauliflower. If you love roasted cauliflower, cooking it on the grill gives you those same crispy, caramelized edges.
• Restaurant quality: Grilled and roasted cauliflower is popping up on so many restaurant menus. Instead of paying for the restaurant dish, make this at home and add your favorite garnishes like chili oil, chimichurri, fresh lemon juice, parmesan cheese, nuts, and more.

Looking for more cauliflower recipes? Enjoy this Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower and Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice as a quick weeknight dinner!

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here is everything you need to make grilled cauliflower in foil:

• Cauliflower: Buy one to two large heads of fresh cauliflower and cut them into florets. You can also buy pre-cut cauliflower florets if you are short on time.
• Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. You could also use avocaod oil, coconut oil, or another nuetral oil.
• Seasonings: A simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder adds plenty of flavor to this dish. Feel free to put in some red pepper flakes for some heat. You can also try some of my favorite ways to season cauliflower in the section below!

How to Cut and Grill Cauliflower

There are a few tricks to keep in mind to get a perfectly charred on the outside yet tender cauliflower on the inside. The key is how you cut the cauliflower head. Here are different ways you can cut cauliflower for grilling:

Cauliflower Florets

These are the smallest size of cauliflower you can grill so they cook fast. This is my preferred way to cook cauliflower on the grill because it gets crispy and golden brown on all sides.

• How to cut florets: Slice the cauliflower in half and then again to make 4 quarters. Remove the core and then cut the florets off or use your hands to break them off.
• How to serve florets: Florets make a nice side dish or appetizer. They are delicious tossed in grilled vegetable salads or even in a pasta salad.
• Pros: When you grill florets, you end up with browned edges on all the cauliflower, and it is ready in ten minutes.
• Cons: Florets may fall through the grill if you put them on directly. You can use a grill pan or basket with a flat base but then you won’t get the grill marks.

Cauliflower Steaks

These look and taste great. You get good coverage with the seasoning and they are easy to cook too. Place cauliflower steaks on the grill and cook for about 7-10 minutes per side until cooked through.

• How to cut steaks: To make steaks, you cut the cauliflower into 1-inch thick steaks.
• How to serve steaks: Cauli steaks make a great vegetarian entree or side dish.
• Pros: Steaks cook up nicely, it is easy to brown them on both sides but you may have a few pieces that fall through the grills.
• Cons: You end up with a few loose florets but these can be cooked on the grill separately.

Whole Cauliflower

To cook a whole cauliflower, you could place it on foil or in a grill basket for 45-60 minutes so it is charred on the outside and tender all the way through. You can also parboil the whole cauliflower ahead of time for faster grilling, but it will still take 25-30 minutes.

• How to serve a whole cauliflower: Lots of restaurants are making whole grilled cauliflower these days as an appetizer but you can serve it as a meal drizzled with tahini dressing or olive oil.
• Pros: It's a delicious preparation and a really show-stopping dish to serve for parties.
• Cons: It is too time-consuming for a home cook to prepare the whole. But you get charred, crispy outer edges and the seasoning is on the outside.

Cauliflower Wedges

One last option is to make wedges. You can cut the cauliflower into 6-8 large wedges that can be grilled directly on the grates. Season the cauliflower, brush it with oil, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until fork tender.

• How to cut wedges: Cut the cauliflower in half and then into half again and finally cut the quarters into equal-sized wedges.
• How to serve cauliflower wedges: Wedges can be served as an appetizer or side dish.
• Pros: Wedges will cook up fairly quickly and be nicely seasoned on all sides.
• Cons: You may lose a couple of small florets through the grill when you flip the wedges.

How long do you cook cauliflower on the grill?

Any vegetable that can be grilled will make it into our meal plan this summer. And cauliflower is one of the perfect candidates! It is sturdy enough to stand up to the high heat of the grill and it can be cooked in a variety of ways. Take note of these general cooking times for different cuts when cooking at medium heat:

• Florets normally take between 8-12 minutes.
• Steaks will take 15-20 minutes.
• A whole cauliflower will take between 45-60 minutes.
• Wedges will take 10-15 minutes.

Can I Grill Cauliflower in Foil?

There are two different reasons to cook cauliflower on the grill in foil. The first is just a simple hack if you don't have a grill basket to keep the florets from falling through the grill grates. In this method, you leave the foil open so that the cauliflower cooks the same way as it would on an open grill.

If you close the foil and create a packet to cook the cauliflower, it will steam at the same time due to the water getting trapped in the foil packet. This will lead to a more tender cauliflower with less char and brown crispy edges.

Seasoning Ideas for Cauliflower on the Grill

When grilling cauliflower, you can season it with almost any spice combination. Consider what you make for dinner and try matching the same flavor.

You can also toss it with something after it grills. This is perfect for things like chimichurri, pesto, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, ranch dressing, or almost any vinaigrette or salad dressing.

Here are some of my favorite cauliflower seasonings.

• Blackening spice: Make this simple homemade blackening seasoning or buy a store-bought blend if you love spice. Look for one without added sugar.
• Lemon pepper: You can store-bought lemon pepper seasoning or make a quick homemade version using equal parts fresh lemon zest, garlic powder, fresh black pepper, and salt.
• Chili lime: If you are having a Mexican-style meal, consider using chili lime seasoning. Trader Joe's makes a great one that isn't super spicy or you can use a combination of chili powder, fresh lime zest, and salt.
• Steak seasoning: Steak seasoning or Montreal seasoning is readily available in almost all markets and usually contains black pepper, paprika, garlic, onion, dill, red pepper flakes, and salt.
• Garlic and herb: Use a combination of garlic powder and your favorite dried herbs or fresh garlic and fresh herbs.
• Curry: I love the combination of curry powder and cauliflower. You can use garam masala, normal curry powder, or any other curry blend.
• Old Bay: Old Bay is a classic seafood seasoning but in my opinion, it tastes delicious on pretty much everything.

How To Store Gilled Cauliflower

This grilled cauliflower recipe tends to disappear as soon as it hits the table, but if you happen to have leftovers, here's what you can do.

To store: Store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To freeze: Cauliflower can be frozen, but it will likely lose some of its texture. Keep any leftovers in the freezer and use within 3 months.

To reheat: Reheat from frozen or thaw in the fridge. Place in a skillet over medium heat with some olive oil. Cook until heated through and slightly crispy.

How To Use Grilled Cauliflower

There are so many ways you can use cauliflower that was cooked on the grill, but here are a few suggestions:

• As a side dish: Pair it with your favorite proteins like grilled salmon, grilled chicken, or grilled pork chops.
• As an appetizer: Use grilled cauliflower to make this Bang Bang Cauliflower or serve it along with this Creamy Chipotle Sauce or this Homemade Peanut Sauce. It also tastes really great served cold with hummus or on a charcuterie board.
• As a main dish: Enjoy with some pasta like in this Garlic Sausage Pasta with Cauliflower or use in dishes like this Cauliflower Parmesan or these Cauliflower Steaks.