Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Tahini (Printable)
Tender roasted cauliflower with creamy lemon herb tahini sauce. A vibrant Mediterranean side dish.
# List of ingredients:
→ For the Roasted Cauliflower
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
04 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
→ For the Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce
06 - 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
07 - 1 garlic clove, minced
08 - 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
11 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
12 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
13 - 1/4 tsp ground cumin
14 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ For Garnish (Optional)
16 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or mint)
18 - Extra lemon wedges
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
03 - Spread cauliflower in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25–30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and tender with crisp edges.
04 - While cauliflower roasts, whisk together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water, parsley, cilantro, olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add more water one tablespoon at a time until sauce reaches a creamy, pourable consistency.
05 - Arrange roasted cauliflower on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with lemon herb tahini sauce.
06 - Top with toasted sesame seeds, extra fresh herbs, and lemon wedges if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The tahini sauce is genuinely addictive and works on almost anything from grains to grilled vegetables.
- Cauliflower becomes deeply caramelized and nutty in the oven, nothing like the steamed florets you might remember.
02 -
- Tahini seizes up when you first add liquid but keep whisking and it will suddenly become silky smooth.
- Crowded cauliflower steams instead of roasts so give those florets breathing room on the pan.
03 -
- Let the cauliflower sit undisturbed for the first 15 minutes of roasting to develop a proper golden crust.
- Taste your tahini before making the sauce since some brands are significantly more bitter than others.