Spicy Cajun roasted cauliflower is THE way to serve cauliflower to anyone who *thinks* they hate it!
Verified cauliflower converter — I swear! (ok I’ve only tested it on two cauliflower haters, but it DOES carry a 100 percent success rate!)
This recipe is suitable for the keto diet, low carb lovers, and even vegan if you use vegan mayo for the Cajun dipping sauce (rémoulade).
Make your own Cajun seasoning or use store bought. I’ve included my favourite homemade version because I really enjoy smoked paprika in this recipe.
These “vegan wings” if you will, taste smokey and spicy and absolutely delicious.
Also read: How to Transition off the Keto Diet (without all the nasty side effects)
Preparing Your Cauliflower for Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower
How do you prepare cauliflower?
- Choose a firm, white cauliflower free of blemishes or soft spots
- Fill a bowl of water and set nearby
- Remove green leaves and discard
- Cut off the root and stem
- Remove any further leaves and stem as desired
- Carve off caulifower florets from main stem
- Place in bowl of water
- Break up further into similar sized florets if desired
Do I have to wash cauliflower before roasting?
Wash cauliflower before roasting. Washing vegetables before roasting helps to get rid of dirt and bacteria like E Coli that can make you sick.
Does cooking cauliflower kill e coli?
Cooking cauliflower can kill E Coli. E. coli is destroyed at about 160°F.
Is it ok to eat cauliflower with brown spots?
It’s absolutely fine to eat cauliflower with brown spots as long as there is no rot and the cauliflower is firm and smells fresh.
Brown spots are just a result of oxidation, which occurs over time. If you don’t want to eat them or want to remove them for visual reasons, feel free to do so.
Can you roast veggies without oil?
Yes. Use a silicone baking sheet or baking paper to help prevent sticking.
Roasting veggies with oil is preferred for flavour and optimal nutrient absorption (some vitamins and minerals need fat to absorb them properly). However, if you are eating fat elsewhere in your meal, then roasting veggies such as cauliflower, without oil is possible.
Is roasted cauliflower good reheated?
If you are hoping to reheat cauliflower wings, or spicy roasted cauliflower, just pop them in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until crispy and heated through. The microwave will work as well, but you will not get them crispy this way.
Also read: How to Meal Prep Anything in the Instant Pot: Veggies Edition (includes cauliflower!)
Can roasted vegetables be prepared ahead of time?
Roasted vegetables can absolutely be prepared ahead of time. Making your veggies ahead of time helps to save you time in the kitchen for dinner or for meal prep.
In fact, meal prepping requires making veggies ahead of time and roasting them is one of the most delicious ways to meal prep veggies. Store them in the fridge tightly wrapped or in airtight containers.
The USDA suggests using up all cooked vegetables within 3 or 4 days for safety.
What temperature is best for roasting vegetables?
Anywhere from 350 to 450 degrees, Fahrenheit is good for roasting vegetables. The higher heat especially works for more firm, dense vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and squash.
If you are roasting a pan of mixed vegetables, 425 degrees F is a safe bet. Be sure to stir your veggies so they don’t burn.
Cauliflower can be easily burnt, so stick to 350 to 400 degrees for roasting cauliflower.
Are roasted vegetables carcinogenic?
For the most part, no. However, there is evidence that roasted potatoes contain a chemical called acrylamide which is considered carcinogenic.
What oil is best for roasting vegetables?
Olive oil works very well for roasting vegetables. As does ghee or coconut oil. Canola oil also works very well. Keep in mind that extra virgin olive oil starts to burn at 410 degrees Fahrenheit.
Any oil with a high smoke point is great for roasting vegetables. Using a neutral flavoured oil will be helpful if you want the flavour of the vegetable and its seasoning to shine through.
Why is cauliflower a superfood?
- Low calories (29 calories in a cup!)
- Low fat (less than 1 gram per cup)
- Zero cholesterol
- High in fiber (11% of daily per cup)
- High in Vitamin C
- High in Vitamin K
- Good source of potassium
- Phytochemicals
Is cauliflower ok on keto?
Cauliflower is great for keto and low carb diets. It is low in carbs and can take on the role of many starchy foods such as potatoes, pizza crust, and even “noatmeal”.
Is cauliflower good for losing weight?
The fact that cauliflower is low in calories and carbs helps with weight loss. Carbs are healthy and great on a weight loss diet in moderation but if you are on a weight loss diet, using cauliflower to replace otherwise less weight loss friendly foods such as pizza crust and mashed potatoes is an excellent choice.
Low carb diets aside, cauliflower is excellent for boosting nutrition and weight loss due to it’s valuable vitamins and miners, plus fiber.
Also read: Mini Meatloaf Meal Prep with Sheet Pan Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
Is cauliflower high in uric acid?
If you are unable to filter uric acid due to a medical condition such as gout, it is recommended to avoid vegetables high in purines such as cauliflower.
Is cauliflower good for your liver?
Cauliflower is good for your liver. Glucosinate, present in all cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, aids in liver detoxification by producing certain enzymes. Another benefit to the liver is sulfur found in these vegetables. Glutathione further boosts liver function and detoxification.
Try this Baked Cauliflower Jalapeno Mac and Cheese recipe!
Spicy Cajun Rémoulade
What is remoulade sauce made of?
Remoulade is a mayonnaise-based sauce that includes herbs, capers, pickles, and spices. There are several different ways to make it depending on the cuisine. Remoulade is served with cold meat, seafood, french fries, or whatever you like to dip!
Cajun remoulade is often spicier and is a classic dip for crab cakes. It works wonderfully as a sauce for this Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower.
What is the difference between tartar sauce and remoulade?
Tartar sauce is much more simple than remoulade typically. Tartar sauce is similar except remoulade contains more herbs, spices, and hot sauce and/or vinegar.
What is the difference between aioli and remoulade?
Aioli is mayonnaise with garlic, salt, and pepper. Many ingredients can be added to aioli to change its flavour profile such as sundried tomatoes, sriracha, etc.
Remoulade contains many components that are all a part of its complex flavour such as pickles, hot sauce, spices, and fresh herbs.
Is remoulade served hot or cold?
Remoulade sauce is served cold. Heating the sauce can cause separation.
How long is remoulade sauce good for?
Remoulade sauce can last for 3 to 5 days.
If you are wondering what to eat with remoulade sauce in order to use up leftovers, try
- breaded pickles
- crab cakes
- fish
- po’ boy sandwiches
- fried green tomatoes
Here’s What You’ll Need for the Spicy Cajun Remoulade
- 1 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo
- 2 tablespoons Creole mustard or spicy
- 1 small dill pickle diced (or use relish)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 clove garlic crushed or garlic powder to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, (vegan version if necessary)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco or Frank’s
Mix and store in the refrigerator. Allowing to sit for a while will help the flavours meld.
DIY Cajun Spice Mix
What is Cajun spice mix made of?
Cajun spice or seasoning contains is made of spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and thyme. I love the smokey flavour that smoked paprika brings, so I always add that to my DIY Cajun spice mix along with cayenne for a real kick.
What can I use in place of Cajun seasoning?
If you don’t like Cajun seasoning or don’t want to make it, you can use chili powder.
Is creole seasoning the same as Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is spicy and peppery whereas creole seasoning is more herb-based such as oregano, bay leaf, basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and paprika.
What is the difference between Cajun and blackened seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is mainly used on meat or fish for grilling and searing. It is described as being “in-between” Creole and Cajun seasoning in terms of heat.
Can I substitute Old Bay for Cajun seasoning?
Old Bay seasoning is primarily used for seafood. It has a list of 18 or more ingredients and so is more complex than Cajun seasoning typically. Old Bay has mace and cloves, making it quite different than traditional Cajun spice mix. You can try substituting it keeping these facts in mind.
Here’s What You’ll Need for the DIY Cajun Spice Mix
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
Mix together and store in an airtight container.
You’ll only need a few tablespoons for the Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower recipe.
For my other seasoning mix recipes, check out:
Rotisserie Chicken in the Instant Pot —Plus Seasonings
DIY Bagel Chips and Hummus with Everything Bagel Seasoning
How to Make Popcorn on the Stovetop with Nacho Popcorn Seasoning
PIN me to your Healthy Side Dish or Low Carb Recipes board!
Spicy Cajun Roasted Cauliflower with Rémoulade
Ingredients
- 4-5 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil more if necessary
- 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning see below, or more to taste
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise or vegan mayo
- 2 tablespoons Creole mustard or spicy
- 1 small dill pickle diced (or use relish)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 clove garlic crushed or garlic powder to taste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (vegan option if necessary)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco or Frank's
Instructions
Roasted Cajun Cauliflower
- Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
- Cut the cauliflower in half lengthwise.
- Toss cauliflower, olive oil, and Cajun seasoning in a bowl until fully coated.
- Tip onto the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
- Stir cauliflower and place back in the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes until tender and crispy around the edges.
- Serve hot with remoulade sauce.
Cajun Seasoning
- Mix together in a bowl and store in an airtight container.
Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let sit so flavours meld.
Nutrition
I am one of the cauliflower haters alluded to above, and this recipe is changing my attitude to it a lot! The cauliflower is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and tastes fantastic. The remoulade is excellent too!
It is my goal to convert all cauliflower haters to at least tolerators! Glad to know I succeeded with you 🙂