The Perfect Grilled Cauliflower Steaks, Every Single Time!
Simply put, I’m completely smitten with grilled veggies! Charred, smoky-sweet veggies are my absolute favorite thing to grill. And while they may not be the first veggies that come to mind when you think of grilled vegetables, grilled cauliflower and grilled broccoli are both FABULOUS. The edges get totally crisp and charred, while the interior is super tender, and they absorb the smoky flavor of the grill beautifully.
The trick to figuring out how to grill cauliflower or broccoli? You have to break the larger heads down into smaller planks or ‘steaks’. Grilled broccoli and cauliflower steaks stand on their own as an amazing vegan summer meal (hint – don’t forget the chimichurri!), but they are also a great, easy and good-for-you side dish or add-in for any grilled meal. You can swap grilled for practically any dish that calls for roasted cauliflower and broccoli – from grain bowls to weeknight pasta dishes and tacos to curries.
What are Cruciferous Vegetables?
What do kale, cauliflower, and cabbage have in common? They’re all cruciferous vegetables! This special class of veggies also happens to include broccoli, brussels sprouts, arugula, collard greens, and bok choy.
While cruciferous veggies come in all shapes and sizes, they happen to share some pretty impressive nutritional benefits. They’re generally loaded with fiber, low in calories, and rich in important vitamins and minerals like vitamin K and folate.
Have Fun With It!
The beauty of cauliflower is the fact that it’s a deliciously blank canvas, so feel free to get creative with your grilled cauliflower steaks! Sprinkle them with your favorite spice blend, coat them with your favorite marinades, baste them with BBQ sauce, or serve with a simple squeeze of grilled lemon or drizzle of your favorite summer sauces. Want to add even more flavor to your grilled veggies? ⇢ Check out our 15 Go-To Grill Marinades!
Shop This Post
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → How To Grill Cauliflower and Broccoli
Grilling cauliflower is so simple, with just a few minutes of prep and less than 15 minutes of grilling time.
Prep the broccoli and/or cauliflower steaks. To cut a whole head of broccoli or cauliflower into steaks, remove any excess outer leaves taking care to leave the stem completely intact. Use a sharp knife to slice through the stem, creating 1/2-1 inch thick ‘steaks’. Place the cauliflower steaks on a small baking sheet or large plate. Drizzle a little bit of avocado oil over top, and use a pastry brush to coat the broccoli and cauliflower ‘steaks’ with oil. Season with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and any other fresh hardy herbs or spice blends you’d like. Tip ⇢ Want extra char? You can amp up the smoky grill flavor by adding a dry rub to it prior to grilling.
Grill the cauliflower. Place the cauli steaks directly on the grates of a grill preheated for medium-high direct heat grilling (about 450-500 degrees F). Grill 6-7 minutes per side (12-15 minutes total), until fork tender and charred as desired. When you flip the broccoli or cauliflower steaks, do so gently, grabbing the center of the ‘steak’ with your grill tongs. If you lose a floret or two along the way, it’s totally fine – no big deal!
Serve. Serve your grilled cauliflower steaks immediately, hot off the grill. Enjoy them on their own, or finish them off with a squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkling of fresh herbs as desired. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to a gorgeously caramelized cauliflower steak, I’m more than happy to dig right in! We like to eat these as a main dish for our Meatless Mondays, especially when they’re served with a flavorful sauce. Consider zippy chimichurri (or try this creamy version!), creamy lemon tahini sauce, or double down on your cruciferous cravings with my damn good kale pesto.
Grilled cauliflower and broccoli can also be used as a side to countless other BBQ recipes, not to mention can step in for regular roasted cauliflower and broccoli in almost any other dish. Try using your grilled veggie steaks to make…
- Grilled Vegetable Salad or Grilled Vegetable Platter – Pair with an abundance of grilled veggies and serve with a zippy, herbaceous sauce or dressing.
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Tacos – One of PWWB’s most beloved plant-based dinners!
- Vegan Taco Salad or Grilled Veggie Burrito Bowls – Pair with hearty beans and creamy green rice!
- Salads and Grain Bowls – Try a Grilled Buffalo Cauliflower Salad, Hearty Buffalo Bowl, Easy Hummus Bowl, or a Glow-Worthy Grain Bowl with Curry Vinaigrette! ✨
I can’t wait for you to try this recipe for the Perfect Grilled Cauliflower Steaks! They’re simple, so versatile, and the perfect addition to all of your favorite summertime dishes.
If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about and seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy grilling!
Print
15-Minute Tender & Charred Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 2-4 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Method: Grilling & Smoking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Learn how to grill cauliflower this summer with these Perfect Grilled Cauliflower Steaks! With just 4 simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you’ll have a platter of gorgeously charred cruciferous goodness. Once you try grilling cauliflower, you’ll want to put it on everything from grain bowls to tacos, and so much more! (As a bonus, this simple recipe also works for grilling cauli’s cousin, broccoli!)
Naturally vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 1 large head cauliflower (see Recipe Notes)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- optional: 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (e.g. thyme, rosemary, oregano, etc.)
- kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
- for serving, as desired: grilled lemon, fresh basil, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, etc.
Instructions
- Grilled cauliflower prep: Preheat the grill for medium-high direct heat grilling, about 450-500 degrees F. While the grill preheats, prep the cauliflower. If needed, trim the stem of the cauliflower, so the head lies flat on the cutting board. Carefully remove any excess leaves, taking care to leave the stem completely intact. Slice the cauliflower lengthwise, through the stem, into 1/2-inch thick ‘steaks’. Place the cauliflower steaks on a small baking sheet or in a large bowl. Drizzle the oil over top, brushing to coat the cauliflower ‘steaks’ with oil. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, ground black pepper, and any other fresh herbs or spice blends as desired.
- Grill: Place the cauliflower ‘steaks’ on the grill. Grill 12-15 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through, until fork-tender and charred as desired.
- Serve immediately with lemon juice and a sprinkling of fresh herbs as desired. If serving on a grilled vegetable platter, drizzle with a light and bright herbaceous sauce, like pesto or chimichurri. Grilled cauliflower is also amazing add-ons for any variety of meals, from grilled chicken bowls to tacos to hearty salads. Enjoy!
Notes
- Best cauliflower for grilling: In order to grill it without special equipment (e.g. grill basket), you need to choose a head of cauliflower or broccoli that will stay intact once it’s cut into steaks. Look for large heads with florets that are compact and don’t extend beyond the stem too much – much easier to slice into steaks!
- Easy variations: The best part about grilled cauliflower and broccoli is that it is super versatile. Keep things simple, seasoning with just salt and pepper or have fun playing with different flavors and seasonings! A simple lemony Tuscan-style marinade or a delicious spiced Shawarma marinade works great here (check out our 15 Go-To Grilling Marinades for more inspiration!), as do spice blends like BBQ dry rub (for cauliflower) or za’atar (yum!)
Recipe by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by Eat Love Eat
Ready to Hit the Grill?
If this all still feels new to you, I encourage you to head over to Grilling 101, a compilation of tips and tricks for all of the grilling basics – everything from how to light your grill to how to clean your grill.
All this talk about grilling have you feelin’ ready to hit the grill? Me too! Be sure to check out this post for my 15 go-to marinades you need this grilling season. At our house, a good marinade is at the heart of grilling season. I’m positive these marinades will be on repeat at your house this summer! For even more grilled goodness, be sure to check out all of our Grilling and Smoking recipes.
And lastly! Be sure to give @playswellwithbutter a follow on Instagram – I’ll be teaching you how to grill up some goodness all summer long, and we have so much fun on Instagram!
Want more grilling tips and recipes?
You’re in the right place! 🙌🏼 Subscribe to have PWWB Grilling Series updates sent straight to your inbox. We’re sharing exclusive grilling tips, tricks, and sneak peeks to our email friends. Plus, you’ll be the first to know about all of PWWB’s new grilling recipes all summer long. Subscribe below!
Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!
