Grilled Cauliflower Steak With Romesco Sauce

Give steak a meatless makeover with this flavor bomb of a dish that features a tangy sauce that’s totally addicting!

As parents of young kids, my husband and I seldom get the chance to go out to dinner alone. So when we do get the opportunity, we definitely like to make it count. Since I’m a vegetarian, my husband will usually look up the restaurant’s menu before making a reservation to make sure there’s at least one or more vegetarian-friendly entrées. It’s a gesture that I appreciate wildly, having spent many dinner outings ordering a smattering of side dishes in an attempt to cobble together a full meal.

While looking at the menu of a popular BBQ restaurant, he asked, through raised eyebrows, whether cauliflower steak sounded appealing to me. Though I had never tried it, I was intrigued and agreed to try it—and, wow, am I glad I did! It was much heartier than I was expecting, incredibly flavorful, juicy even, and just as filling as any meat entrée. And this dish? It’s every bit as good as the one I had at the restaurant.

Grilling the cauliflower gives it a nice smoky element, and the charred bits lend that signature BBQ texture and flavor. What really elevates it, though, is the divinely delicious romesco sauce. It’s the perfect combination of toasted almonds, ripe, juicy tomatoes, vinegary roasted peppers, and tangy lemon juice. Bright and vibrant, it adds such depth and complexity to an otherwise simple ingredient.

This is also the type of dish that looks very impressive on a plate, so it’s great to make if you have vegetarian guests coming over for dinner. Plus, it’s hearty enough to please any meat lovers, either as a main or a side!

Are These Cauliflower Steaks With Romesco Sauce Healthy?

Cauliflower is a nutrient-rich vegetable that’s also a good source of fiber as well as being low in fat, calories, and carbs. Though this dish does have some fat from the olive oil and the almonds, both of these ingredients contain healthy fats. Plus, the romesco sauce has tomatoes, red peppers, and lemon juice, all of which are good sources of vitamin C, in addition to garlic, which contains antioxidants. Best of all, this dish is gluten-free, vegan, and keto/Paleo-friendly, making it a healthy addition to include in a wide variety of diets.

How To Cut Cauliflower Steaks

Since the key to success in this dish relies on cutting the cauliflower into entrée-sized portions that won’t fall apart on the grill, here are a few tips and tricks to follow when cutting the cauliflower:

• Choose a BIG head of cauliflower, as this makes it much easier to create thick slices
• Remove the outer leaves and trim the stem end so the cauliflower sits flat on the cutting board.
• Hold the cauliflower with its stem side on the cutting board, and use a very sharp knife to cut through the center of the cauliflower lengthwise.
• Then, cut each half into two one-inch-thick slices (be sure to keep the core intact).
• Save any remaining cauliflower pieces for use in other dishes.

Serving Suggestions

These cauliflower steaks are a hearty entrée all on their own, but you could also serve them on a bed of grains, such as Instant-Pot Quinoa or Turmeric Rice. As for sides, this hot and sizzling dish pairs well with refreshing salads like Strawberry-Walnut Salad or Mint Salad, in addition to a wide medley of veggies like Garlic Mushrooms or Smashed Potatoes. If you’d like to add a bit of meatless protein to the meal, you could also serve them with this Roasted Chickpeas Recipe or this Easy And Healthy Lentil Salad Recipe.

If you’re planning to serve these cauliflower steaks as a side dish, they’d pair well with many different proteins. Consider serving them with Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast, Rosemary Steak, or Pan-Seared Salmon.

Recipe