Roasted Cauliflower Lemon Herb Tahini (Printable)

Golden roasted cauliflower with lemon-herb tahini, zesty and creamy Mediterranean side. Vegetarian, gluten-free.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Tahini Sauce

05 - 1/3 cup tahini
06 - 1/4 cup warm water, plus more as needed
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (optional)
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Garnish

14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Arrange the seasoned florets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and tender.
04 - While the cauliflower roasts, whisk tahini, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped parsley, fresh dill (if using), ground cumin, and sea salt in a medium bowl. Gradually incorporate warm water while whisking until the sauce achieves a smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust seasonings or water as needed.
05 - Transfer roasted cauliflower to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with lemon herb tahini sauce. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, additional parsley, and lemon wedges. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce is so velvety and citrusy that everyone asks for the recipe before dinner even ends.
  • The cauliflower turns out super golden and crisp at the edges—no soggy veg here.
02 -
  • If the cauliflower is crowded on the pan, it steams instead of crisping—use two trays if you need to.
  • Don’t rush the sauce—adding water slowly keeps it from breaking; I ruined a lot before learning this!
03 -
  • Use the convection setting if your oven has it—the extra airflow crisps cauliflower spectacularly.
  • Let the tahini sauce rest for a few minutes after mixing for the flavors to meld; it truly makes a difference.

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