These Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar make a fantastic side dish. The tender steaks are covered in rich flavor and crunchy flax seeds for a balanced bite that works well with grains, pasta, and more.
It's easy to see why this Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar recipe is such a hit. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a side that combines baked cauliflower that's tender but firm with ground flax seeds that add considerable crunch. The Za'atar spice has an earthy, floral taste that is versatile enough to make this dish easy to pair with others.
Since cauliflower has a mild flavor, it's the perfect vessel for these seasonings, as well as others if you decide to make variations of this veggie dish. I like it with just some Za'atar, onion powder, and salt, but you can tweak it to fit your preferences. I'll walk you through the best way to cut cauliflower steaks and some substitutions to try. But let's look at the main ingredients first.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Cauliflower. You'll need two small to medium-sized cauliflower heads to make 4 "steaks."
- Ground flax seeds. This will give the cauliflower a delicious crunch.
- Olive oil. Or use any oil you like, such as avocado or grapeseed oil.
- Za'atar Spice. You can find this spice in large health food stores or on Amazon. It's great with other vegetables and dishes, so it's worth having on hand.
- Seasonings. Salt and Onion powder (optional).
How to Make Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar
1. First, remove the stems and leaves from the cauliflower. Slice each of the heads down the middle, then slide your knife about 1 ½ - 2 inches to the left and cut again. Do the same to the right. This leaves you with 2 steaks from each head. (The leftover cauliflower can be used in other recipes.)
2. Place the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil over them, Then sprinkle the ground flax seeds, Za'atar, salt, and onion powder on top. Tap the seasonings into place so they stick to the cauliflower.
3. Bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Then flip them carefully over and bake for another 5-10 minutes. Broil them for 2 minutes to get a golden brown crust on top, and serve with creamy tahini sauce (recipe below).
Creamy Tahini Sauce recipe
½ cup tahini
¼ cup water, or more for a thinner consistency
¼ cup lemon juice, from about 2 freshly squeezed lemons
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp cumin
Mix together all of the ingredients above until smooth.
Tips for the best Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar
- Choose the best cauliflower. Look for heads that are white and creamy in color. There should be no blemishes or dark spots on the heads or leaves. They will be heavy for their size and have almost no smell.
- Cut them evenly. Once you remove the leaves from the heads, cut them in half before slicing one steak from each half. Trying to get more than 2 from each head will result in flimsy pieces that break when flipping.
- Cook time varies by steak size. After you have flipped the cauliflower steaks, the cook time will vary based on how thick you cut them. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.
- Use the leftover cauliflower. Don't waste the remaining florets. Make mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice with them. You can also use them for Crunchy Cauliflower Bites.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Substitute chia seeds. If you prefer chia seeds to flax seeds, you can substitute them. They will both offer a light crunch and plenty of health benefits.
- Add some spice. Add some heat to this dish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or Sriracha with the oil on these Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar.
- Substitute other vegetables. Cauliflower isn't the only veggie that works here. Try this recipe with steaks made from cabbage or sliced eggplant for a different taste and texture.
- Add marinara. You might like to try this dish with a light coating of marinara sauce on the cauliflower steaks. The seasonings are really complemented by this sweet, slightly acidic sauce.
How to Store
You can store these Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them in the oven to keep them crunchy, but you can also warm them in the microwave.
What to Serve with it
- Main dishes. Make this recipe the side dish to some Black Bean Tacos, Vegan Gyros, Eggplant "Meatballs", or Vegan Black Bean Burger.
- Grains. Serve these Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar on a bed of Spinach Rice, Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, or Mushroom Rice.
- Pasta. Pair them with Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce, Creamy Lemon Spaghetti, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Spinach, Mushroom Couscous, or Mushroom Bolognese Pasta.
- Soups and stews. Try these cauliflower steaks with a bowl of Red Lentil Soup, Three Bean Chili (Vegan), Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup, or Creamy Broccoli Soup.
These scrumptious Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar make a great appetizer or side dish for your family dinners. With so much flavor and textures that are crunchy and tender, you can't go wrong serving this dish!
More vegan cauliflower recipes:
- Roasted Curried Cauliflower
- Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Steaks
- Cauliflower Steaks with Roasted Pepper Sauce
- Crispy Cauliflower Bites
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar
Ingredients
- 2 medium heads of cauliflower
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 tbsp. za'atar spice
- 4 tbsp. ground flax seeds or breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. sea salt or to taste
Instructions
- First, remove the stems and leaves from the cauliflower. Slice each of the heads down the middle, then slide your knife about 1 ½ - 2 inches to the left and cut again. Do the same to the right. This leaves you with 2 steaks from each head. (The leftover cauliflower can be used in other recipes.)
- Place the cauliflower steaks on a baking sheet and drizzle olive oil over them, Then sprinkle the ground flax seeds, Za'atar, salt, and onion powder on top. Tap the seasonings into place so they stick to the cauliflower.
- Bake them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Then flip them carefully over and bake for another 5-10 minutes. Broil them for 2 minutes to get a golden brown crust on top, and serve with creamy tahini sauce (recipe below).
Notes
Creamy Tahini Sauce recipe
½ cup tahini¼ cup water, or more for a thinner consistency
¼ cup lemon juice, from about 2 freshly squeezed lemons
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp cumin Mix together all of the ingredients above until smooth.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Substitute chia seeds. If you prefer chia seeds to flax seeds, you can substitute them. They will both offer a light crunch and plenty of health benefits.
- Add some spice. Add some heat to this dish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or Sriracha with the oil on these Cauliflower Steaks with Za'atar.
- Substitute other vegetables. Cauliflower isn't the only veggie that works here. Try this recipe with steaks made from cabbage or sliced eggplant for a different taste and texture.
- Add marinara. You might like to try this dish with a light coating of marinara sauce on the cauliflower steaks. The seasonings are really complemented by this sweet, slightly acidic sauce.
Elsie says
The ingredients list is missing the za’atar.
Tania Sheff says
Oh! Thanks for catching that! Mistake corrected. 🙂