Lemony Grilled Cauliflower

If you ask me, everything tastes better when it’s grilled … even cauliflower! There’s something about grilling vegetables that brings out the sweetness in every bite.

This grilled cauliflower recipe is easy to make and uses simple ingredients that highlight the natural flavor of this versatile veggie. It goes well with everything from BBQ chicken to burgers and brats, and it’s even gluten free and keto-friendly.

Once you’ve given grilled cauliflower a try, you won’t want it any other way!

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What is Grilled Cauliflower?

Odds are, when you think of grilling, you think of steak or pork chops or some other delicious meat sizzling over flames. But grilling vegetables is a thing, too!

Cauliflower is a great vegetable to grill because it’s firm and won’t fall apart on the rack. You can even cut the entire head into “steaks” for the grill, but I like cutting the cauliflower into florets and cooking them in a grilling basket.

When cauliflower is grilled, its natural flavors are released. You’ll taste a slight sweetness, along with a slightly nutty flavor. And the smokiness that occurs from the grilling process adds a delicious layer to the flavor profile, too. With all the healthy benefits of this vegetable, you’ll want to make it a staple all summer long!

What Supplies Do I Need to Grill Cauliflower?

I love grilling veggies of all kinds in my grill basket. They’re usually cast iron or stainless steel, with holes that allow smoke and flames to penetrate whatever you are cooking for delicious flavor.

A lot of baskets also have handles to make carrying easier, but I recommend that you scoop cooked food into a container instead of lifting the hot basket off the grill.

You can find grill baskets in hardware stores, grilling specialty stores, and sometimes in grocery or household stores by the grilling supplies. I found mine on Amazon for a really good price.

If you don’t have a grill basket, you can use heavy duty foil to create a pan shape. While this works in a pinch, I’ve found that it is more difficult to turn and stir because the foil is light and wants to move with the food. I’ve also torn the foil as I’ve been cooking, which leads to a mess.

Can I Grill Other Vegetables This Way?

Yes!

The ease of this dish makes it one of my go-to recipes of summer. I’ve used the same method for broccoli, zucchini, and potatoes. Since each type of vegetable releases a different amount of moisture and contains a different amount of sugar, you’ll want to be attentive each time you try a new veggie.

The important thing to remember is to use enough oil so the vegetables don’t stick to the pan, and to stir often so they don’t burn.

If you’ve never used the grill for veggies before, lemony grilled cauliflower is the best place to start. Trust me, you won’t regret it… and neither will your appetite!

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Directions

• Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Rinse them in cold water, then pour them into a gallon-sized ziplock bag.
• Pour 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper into the bag. Squeeze out the air and seal it. Then squish the bag to massage the oil and seasoning into the cauliflower. If you used a large head of cauliflower, you might need to add more oil to ensure that all florets are covered with the oil mixture.
• Preheat the grill to medium-low. As it heats, pour the oiled cauliflower into a greased grill basket.
• Grill over medium heat, stirring often, until cauliflower is browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
• Place grilled cauliflower in a serving bowl. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon over vegetables. Stir to incorporate. Serve hot.

Looking for More Grilling Recipes?

• Try something new with Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon
• Savor summer with Peach Glazed Grilled Pork Tenderloin
• Turn on the heat when you make Grilled Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers

Lemony Grilled Cauliflower

Recipe by Chicken Soup with DumplingsCourse: Sides, VegetablesDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

Lemony grilled cauliflower is a delicious, easy side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetable.

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil

• 2 teaspoons garlic salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions

• Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Rinse in cold water, then pour into a gallon-sized ziplock bag.
• Add 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic salt, and black pepper to the bag. Squeeze the air out and seal. Squish the bag to massage oil and seasonings into the cauliflower. Add more oil if needed.
• Preheat the grill to medium-low. As it heats, pour the oiled cauliflower into a greased grill basket.
• Grill over medium heat, stirring often, until cauliflower is browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
• Place grilled cauliflower in serving bowl. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon over vegetables. Stir to incorporate. Serve hot.

Notes

• Try using broccoli or zucchini in place of the cauliflower. It’s all YUM!

Original Publishing Date: 08/18/2020

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