Learn how to cook cauliflower on stove for a fun and easy way to add some vegetables to your meals! It’s a versatile ingredient that can also be cooked in many different ways, from roasted to steamed. Plus, it doesn’t take up much time or effort.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Learning how to cook cauliflower on stove can be intimidating for many home cooks, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re following a recipe or creating something from scratch, cooking cauliflower on the stove, or using other methods, is easy and the results are delicious. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy a tasty side dish or main course in no time.
While there are many ways to cook cauliflower, air-fried cauliflower is a delicious and easy method!
What Is Cauliflower
Cauliflower is known for its nutritional benefits including high levels of fiber and antioxidants. Cauliflower is a delicious vegetable that is becoming increasingly popular in today’s diets. From roasting it as a side dish to adding it to soups and salads, cauliflower can be cooked in many different ways to offer an array of flavors.
Types of Cauliflower
The most common type is white cauliflower which has an earthy but mild flavor. White cauliflower is widely available year-round and can be cooked in many ways making it a great addition to any meal. Orange or cheddar cauliflower have an orange hue, giving it a slightly sweeter taste than its white counterpart.
For something unique, purple cauliflower provides vibrant coloring to meals while having a slightly nuttier flavor than other types.
Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower is packed with an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent choice for a healthy lifestyle. Adding cauliflower to your diet provides your body with essential antioxidants that can help protect against certain diseases.
In addition to this, it is also low in fat and calories but still high in fiber which may help reduce cholesterol levels and aid digestion. See more benefits.
How to Saute Cauliflower on Stove
STEP 1: HEAT
Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet and add heat.
STEP 2: SAUTE
Add cauliflower florets in a single layer and sauté undisturbed for 3 minutes. Toss, then sauté undisturbed for an additional 3 minutes.
STEP 3: ADD WATER
Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover the skillet, and cook for 3 minutes.
STEP 4: REMOVE COVER & SAUTE
Remove the cover and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the cauliflower turns golden brown and the moisture evaporates from the skillet.
STEP 5: SEASON & SERVE
Add salt, pepper, or any seasonings you prefer to the cauliflower, and then serve as a side dish or a main dish.
How to Steam Cauliflower on Stove
STEP 1: FILL THE POT WITH WATER
Fill a dutch oven or other suitable pot with 2″ water, then position a steamer basket in the pot.
STEP 2: BOIL
Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
STEP 3: PLACE FLORETS INTO BASKET
Place the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket and add a pinch of salt.
STEP 4: REDUCE HEAT
Decrease the heat to low and maintain a delicate simmer. Cover and steam 5 to 6 minutes for crispy tender florets, or 8 to 9 minutes for tender florets.
How to Roast Cauliflower Florets
STEP 1: COMBINE
Combine cauliflower florets with other ingredients, such as olive oil, salt, and pepper, in a large bowl. Toss everything together until well blended.
STEP 2: SPREAD
Spread the florets on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a small space between each one.
STEP 3: ROAST
Preheat oven to 425°F degrees. Roast small florets for 30-35 minutes and large florets for 40-45 minutes.
STEP 4: REMOVE
Remove from the oven and serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cauliflower heads should be firm and tightly closed. White varieties should be very pale, with no dark “sunburned” spots.
Soak the cauliflower in a bowl of cold water for two minutes before rinsing them under cold running water.
Besides offering a lower-starch option, cauliflower also packs a lot more nutrition than a simple white potato.
Expert Tips for How to Cook Cauliflower
- Healthy: Roasted cauliflower is considered one of the healthiest methods for cooking cauliflower.
- Versatile: Cauliflower is a very versatile vegetable and complements many different types of seasonings and sauces.
- Recommended Tools & Equipment:
- Chef’s Knife
- Steamer Basket
- Dutch Oven
- Baking Sheet
More Ingredient Tutorials
Cauliflower Recipes to Try
Did you find this tutorial helpful?
⭐ Click below to leave a review and rating! ⭐
How to Cook Cauliflower on the Stove
Equipment
- 1 Steamer Basket
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
Sautéed Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons water
Steamed Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
Roasted Cauliflower Florets
- 1 head cauliflower
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
Sautéed Cauliflower
- Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet and add heat.
- Add cauliflower florets in a single layer and sauté undisturbed for 3 minutes. Toss, then sauté undisturbed for an additional 3 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of water, cover the skillet, and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove the cover and sauté for 1-2 minutes until the cauliflower turns golden brown and the moisture evaporates from the skillet.
- Add salt, pepper, or any seasonings you prefer to the cauliflower, and then serve as a side dish or a main dish.
Steamed Cauliflower
- Fill a dutch oven or other suitable pot with 2" water, then position a steamer basket in the pot.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Place the cauliflower florets into the steamer basket and add a pinch of salt.
- Decrease the heat to low and maintain a delicate simmer. Cover and steam 5 to 6 minutes for crispy tender florets, or 8 to 9 minutes for tender florets.
Roasted Cauliflower Florets
- Combine cauliflower florets with other ingredients, such as olive oil, salt, and pepper, in a large bowl. Toss everything together until well blended.
- Spread the florets on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a small space between each one.
- Preheat oven to 425°F degrees. Roast small florets for 30-35 minutes and large florets for 40-45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Christina’s Notes
- Healthy: Roasted cauliflower is considered one of the healthiest methods for cooking cauliflower.
- Versatile: Cauliflower is a very versatile vegetable and complements many different types of seasonings and sauces.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.