Curry Roasted Cauliflower is roasted with olive oil, curry powder and cayenne red pepper and topped with fresh cilantro to create a tender, flavorful side dish.  A great way to mix up your weekly side dish routine. This pairs nicely alongside grilled meats, seafood, or over a bed of hummus.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower on white plate
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I love roasting cauliflower. It brings out the sweet flavor and helps soften it nicely whilst also giving the edges a crispy texture.

Today’s recipe is vegan, gluten-free, Mediterranean diet friendly and the perfect way to get your veggies in.

When you coat the cauliflower with the olive oil, curry and red pepper it creates a warm, spicy flavor that really packs a punch and gives it that rich yellow color.

When you are done roasting the cauliflower garnish with a lot of freshly chopped cilantro.  

There is something so right about warm curry flavors paired with fresh cilantro.

While Curry Roasted Cauliflower makes a great side dish you can also add this to a stir fry or pair it with grilled chicken over a bed of rice, quinoa or couscous.

If you enjoy the flavor of roasted cauliflower, here are some recipes you will also enjoy, try my Za’atar Roasted CauliflowerRoasted Parmesan Garlic Cauliflower, or Roasted Buffalo CauliflowerTurmeric Roasted Cauliflower.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower on small white plate

Why You’ll Love This Cauliflower Curry Recipe

  • Easy Preparation: Hands on prep time is minimal, only 10 minutes. Then you can place the cauliflower into the oven to roast, while you get on with preparing the rest of the meal.
  • Flavor Packed: Roasting any vegetable will bring out it’s natural sweetness, but with some olive oil and a few simple spices you can really elevate the flavor of the cauliflower.
  • Healthy and Nutritious: This is a healthy veggie side as Cauliflower is low in calories, but high in fiber, folate, potassium and a whole range of vitamins, including B, C and K.
Curry Roasted Cauliflower recipe ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Cauliflower: I use 1 large head cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets which will serve 4 as a side dish.
  • Oil: For the best nutty flavor I mix the spices with extra virgin olive oil. You also could use avocado oil.
  • Garlic: I use freshly minced garlic cloves for flavor, you could use garlic puree or frozen garlic in a pinch.
  • Spices: I flavor the olive oil with curry powder, cayenne pepper and some crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Fresh Herbs: I like to garnish the cauliflower with some freshly chopped cilantro, you could also use fresh parsley or dill.

For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the full recipe card below.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower on a white plate

Recipe Variations

This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt if needed:

  • Cauliflower: Swap regular cauliflower for a head of Romanesco broccoli.
  • Spiced: Feel free to swap any of the spices when seasoning the cauliflower, try sweet or smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic or onion powder, za’atar, sumac or chili powder.
  • Fresh Herbs: I garnish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro, but you could swap this for parsley or dill.
  • Citrus: Freshen up the cauliflower with a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice.
  • Nuts: Scatter over some nuts like cashews, almonds or pistachios just before serving.
  • Seeds: Some toasted seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, would also add great crunch and texture.
Curry Roasted Cauliflower up close on white plate

How to Make Curry Roasted Cauliflower

Step 1: Prepare Cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl break the cauliflower into small florets and set aside.

Step 2: Mix Cauliflower with Spices: In a small mixing bowl toss the olive oil, garlic, curry powder, cayenne red pepper, crushed red pepper and salt and pepper and whisk together.

Pour the olive oil mixture over the cauliflower and use tongs to stir until all of the cauliflower is coated.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower in a bowl with spices

Step 4: Roast the Cauliflower: Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender flipping halfway through.

Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower on baking sheet

Expert Tips for Curry Roasted Cauliflower

  • For an even cook, break the head of cauliflower into even sized florets so that they cook at the same time.
  • Give the cauliflower a really good mix in the oil and spice blend to ensure each floret is completely covered.
  • Don’t overcrowd the baking pan, allow space between each floret of cauliflower for the air to circulate. This ensures the cauliflower roasts rather than steams.

Serving Tips

Roasted cauliflower is really versatile side dish, or snack option, and can be served in a variety of different ways.

Curry Roasted Cauliflower with cilantro on plate

Storage Tips

Once cooked and cooled, store leftover cauliflower in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. To reheat leftovers place in a warm oven, or your air fryer, for 10-15 minutes to crisp up again.

This is a dish that is best served fresh so I don’t recommend freezing as you will loose the crispy texture during the freezing and defrosting process.

Leftover Ideas

  • Salad: Add the cauliflower florets to salads for an easy lunch the next day. Add it to my Grilled Chicken Greek Salad.
  • Bowls: Try adding it to a grain bowl like this Chicken Shawarma Bowl.
  • Platters: Ideal for adding to your favourite meat or vegetable platters. Great to dip in this Hummus Platter.
  • Meal Prep: Ideal for meal prep for easy lunches and dinners through the week.
Curry Roasted Cauliflower

Recipe FAQs

Should cauliflower be boiled before roasting?

You do not need to boil the cauliflower as it can make the cauliflower soggy. Roasting directly helps maintain its texture and enhances caramelization.

Why is my roasted cauliflower not crispy?

The trick to crispy roasted cauliflower is not to overcrowd the pan. Cut the cauliflower into even sized florets, which ensures an even cook. Then lay in the pan with plenty of space between each floret to allow airflow, so that the cauliflower roasts, rather than steams.

Is roasted cauliflower healthy?

Roasting is a great way to cook cauliflower as you don’t loose any of the nutrients as you would if boiling it in water. Cauliflower is a vegetable that is low in calories, but high in fiber and rich in a variety of nutrients including folate and potassium, as well as vitamins B, C and K.

More Cauliflower Recipes:

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Curry Roasted Cauliflower

By Julia
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Curry Roasted Cauliflower is roasted with olive oil, curry and cayenne red pepper and topped with fresh cilantro to create a tender, flavorful side dish.  A great way to mix up your weekly side dish routine. This pairs nicely alongside grilled meats, seafood or over a bed of hummus.
Save this recipe!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 large head cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets {about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds}
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • Dash of pepper
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish, chopped

Instructions 

  • Preheat over to 400 degrees F.
  • In a large mixing bowl break the cauliflower into small florets and set aside.
  • In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, curry powder, cayenne red pepper, crushed red pepper and salt and pepper and whisk together.
  • Pour the olive oil mixture over the cauliflower and use tongs to stir until all of the cauliflower is coated.
  • Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender flipping halfway through .
  • Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • You can garnish with parsley instead of cilantro.
Tried this recipe?Mention @acedarspoon or tag #acedarspoon!

About Julia

I'm Julia. Wife, mom to three growing boys, lover of food. Here you will find quick & easy weeknight meal ideas, kid-friendly recipes and a few sweet treats. My roots are from the Mediterranean and many of my recipes incorporate those flavors!

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16 Comments

  1. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says:

    Oh my goodness your kids are adorable in their costumes. Thank you for posting their pictures, it’s starting my morning off with a smile! As chilly as I am feeling my house before I go to work, I could use an ‘all over’ giraffe suit to warm my bones.
    I love curry and this certainly dresses up the cauliflower with a nice twist.

    1. Julia says:

      Thanks Carol!

  2. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says:

    We love adding curry to roasted cauliflower!! Your boys are so adorable – glad you had a good Halloween!

    1. Julia says:

      Thanks Liz! We did! Yes–curry makes everything taste better. 🙂

  3. Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says:

    Oh my gosh, how cute are these kids?! I just want to squeeze those little baby giraffe cheeks.

    I love curry anything. Curry is my life! I want a huge bowl of these roasted cauliflowers right now.

    1. Julia says:

      Thanks Amanda! Love those baby Halloween costumes. 🙂 And yes-curry is the best.

  4. Brian @ A Thought For Food says:

    Isn’t cauliflower kind of magical? I love how it absorbs the flavors of whatever it’s seasoned with and, when roasted, how those flavors become so much deeper.

    1. Julia says:

      Yes Brian-I agree! It really does absorb flavors!