This roasted cauliflower topped with chimichurri sauce is a very easy-to-make recipe, full of nutrients. It can be served as a light lunch or dinner, or a side dish, especially during summer days.
If you enjoyed the roasted veggie with chimichurri, you’ll love trying other easy dishes like my potato frittata or devilled eggs. The roasted pepper and chickpea stew, along with my saksuka recipe, tastes great on toasted bread. You can make the bread yourself with my easy no-knead bread recipe and add a poached egg for a perfect breakfast or light lunch.
I also love serving roasted cauliflower as steaks with a creamy tahini sauce dressing. Nevertheless, my roasted eggplant with a yoghurt sauce topping offers a tasty alternative. These recipes are simple to prepare and full of flavour, making them great for any meal!
Make your meals more nutritious with this easy-to-make healthy recipe, which includes roasted vegetables, and creamy yoghurt topped with tangy chimichurri sauce. You can also make it vegan-friendly using a vegan option for yoghurt.
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Why this recipe works
This recipe is one of my favourite recipes. You can serve it on its own with a piece of freshly baked bread, giving you the ultimate satisfaction of a perfect comfort meal as it feels incredibly nourishing. The recipe uses simple ingredients, it only takes half an hour to make and will be a centrepiece on your table during any occasion.
Ingredients
The recipe consists of three parts: seasoning and roasting, making the chimichurri sauce and the yoghurt base.
- Cauliflower: I divide it into florets and usually use one head to serve four people. If you want to reduce portions, just place the leftover florets in a zip bag and freeze them. You can also use leftovers for recipes like cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower. When shopping, look for creamy white, compact clusters of florets, and avoid any that are spotted or dull in colour.
- Parsley, Coriander, Garlic: I add these to the chimichurri for fresh, earthy flavours. Parsley brightens the sauce, while coriander adds a citrusy, slightly spicy kick. I always use fresh garlic for a strong taste.
- Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, and Chili Powder: These ingredients provide richness and tanginess to the chimichurri sauce, use chilli powder to add a bit of heat.
- Onion: I prefer using red onion for its mild sweetness.
- Yoghurt: Use creamy yoghurt to complement the overall dish, to balance the flavours.
Substitutions
To get the taste and flavours of this recipe, it would be best to use the original ingredients, although creating a new recipe with the ingredients at hand can bring a new version to life. Here is a list of substitutions for this recipe:
- Cauliflower: Broccoli, Romanesco, or Brussels sprouts can be great alternatives. Other types o such as purple, orange, green (Romanesco) or Cheddar, would work very well.
- Parsley: Substitute with cilantro (coriander) or fresh basil for a different flavour.
- Olive oil: Avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or melted butter can replace olive oil for roasting.
- Onion: Shallots or leeks can provide a similar oniony taste.
- Coriander: Use cilantro leaves or parsley leaves.
- Garlic: Garlic powder or garlic paste.
- Red wine vinegar: Replace with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for acidity.
- Chilli powder: Crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or paprika can offer heat and flavour.
- Yoghurt: Dairy-free alternatives like coconut yoghurt or soy yoghurt can be used instead of Greek yoghurt for a vegan option.
Variations
- Cheese Lover's Delight: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese over the roasted bites before serving.
- Nuts and Seeds: Incorporate toasted pine nuts, almonds, or sesame seeds for added crunch.
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free yoghurt or tahini instead of Greek yoghurt to cater to vegan preferences.
- Citrus Zest: Enhance the chimichurri sauce with a burst of citrus by adding a hint of lemon or lime zest for a refreshing twist.
- Pomegranate: Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds for an extra crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). In a bowl, mix the cauliflower florets with olive oil, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Then, place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden and tender.
After baking, you'll get golden-brown cauliflower bites ready to be transformed into a fine dish.
How to make Chimichurri Sauce? What is Chimichurri made of?
For the Chimichurri Sauce you'll need :
- 1 red, white, or shallot onion, finely chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 diced chilli pepper or 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- Salt and pepper
To make it you just need to mix into a bowl the chopped onions, parsley, coriander, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, diced chilli pepper or chilli powder, salt, and pepper.
Assemble: Add the cauliflower onto a plate, sprinkle evenly the homemade chimichurri sauce and serve while fresh.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
FAQs
Leftovers and storage
- Refrigerate: Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or on a plate or bowl tightly wrapped with plastic wrap, for up to 2 days for optimal taste and safety.
- Reheating: This dish is best served cold or at room temperature, so there's no need for reheating.
- Leftovers: Any leftovers would go great in tacos or wraps with your favourite fillings and sauces, like tomatoes, lettuce, fried tofu, etc.
What can you make with cauliflower?
- Cauliflower Rice: Grate or blend to make a healthy rice alternative for stir-fries or fried rice.
- Cauliflower Pizza Crust: Mix this veggie with other ingredients to create a tasty pizza crust.
- Mashed Cauliflower: Boil and mash it for a delicious low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes.
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks: Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake it in the oven for a flavorful side dish.
- Creamy Soup: Blend cooked cauliflower with broth and spices to make a creamy and comforting soup.
- Buffalo Bites: Cut into bite-sized pieces, coat them in buffalo sauce, and bake for a spicy snack.
- Fritters: Mix grated cauliflower with flour and spices, then fry or bake them to make crispy fritters.
- Cauliflower Rice Stir-Fry: Make a healthier alternative to traditional rice by pulsing the florets in a food processor to create cauliflower rice. Stir-fry it with your favourite vegetables, protein, and flavorful sauces for a quick and nutritious meal.
- Mac and Cheese: Create a creamy and cheesy cauliflower-based sauce to replace the traditional cheese sauce in mac and cheese. Mix it with pasta for a comforting and nutritious dish.
- Tacos: Roast or grill cauliflower florets and serve them in taco shells with your favourite toppings like avocado, salsa, and cilantro for a delicious and meatless taco option.
- Curry: Add cauliflower to your favourite curry recipe for added texture and flavour. Whether it's a coconut-based Thai curry or a rich Indian curry.
Craving for more cauliflower?
- Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt and Chimichurri
- Crunchy Cauliflower Bites Bonanza
- Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Hummus
- Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Creamy Tahini Sauce
Pair your roast cauliflower with these recipes
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Roast Cauliflower
Equipment
- Baking Sheet or Roasting Pan
- Food processor or blender
- Microplane or Grater: If you're using garlic in the chimichurri sauce, a microplane or grater can be used to finely mince the garlic.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower florets from 1 medium sized cauliflower
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- A small bunch of parsley
For the Chimichurri Sauce:
- 1 onion red, white, or shallot onion, finely chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander chopped
- 2 garlic cloves grated or finely chopped
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 chili pepper diced or 1 teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper
To serve:
- 3 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- Freshly baked bread optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, mix cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and tender.Cauliflower florets, 4 tablespoon olive oil, Salt and pepper, A small bunch of parsley
- While cauliflower roasts, make the chimichurri sauce. Mix onions, parsley, coriander, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, diced chili pepper or chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.1 onion, 1 small bunch fresh parsley, 1 small bunch fresh coriander, 2 garlic cloves, ½ cup red wine vinegar, ½ cup olive oil, 1 chili pepper, salt and pepper
- On a serving plate, spread Greek yogurt. Once cauliflower is done, put it on the plate. Drizzle chimichurri sauce generously over it.3 tablespoon Greek yogurt
- Serve with freshly baked bread if you want.Freshly baked bread
- Enjoy this tasty and healthy roasted cauliflower with chimichurri sauce and creamy Greek yogurt!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Mina says
I'm obsessed with yogurt and I love this recipe! I'm sure it's a perfect combo!
Amy says
Such a delicious combination!
Lisa says
That chimichurri sounds great.
Amy Liu Dong says
Such an easy way to cook my cauliflower. It is so easy and delicious!
Stine Mari says
Roasted cauliflower is perfect with this blend of flavors!
Bernice says
Absolutely wonderful. I could eat a whole bowl of this cauliflower (and I did)!
Giangi Townsend says
Great recipe. Love all the flavors and so easy to make, thank you.
Elizabeth says
So yummy and has great flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
Liz says
I love roasted cauliflower and this was a lovely way to make it a meal!! SO tasty!