What To Serve With Cauliflower Steaks: 10 BEST Sides!
Cauliflower steaks are a tasty option for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking to change up their dinner.
They are so easy to make, and all you need to do is cut raw cauliflower into 1″ thick slices and roast them until tender.
Those caramelised crispy edges make these veggie steaks absolutely delectable.
Cauliflower steak provides an excellent base for almost any flavour combination.
But as enjoyable as they are, you can’t eat them alone!
What to serve with cauliflower steaks
Cauliflower steaks are so versatile and you can get creative when it comes to your sides to showcase all the flavours you love the most. Some of the best choices for what to serve with cauliflower steaks are Marmite roasted potatoes, broccoli with lemon and parmesan, and Indian three bean salad.
Let’s take a look at these recipes in a little more depth…
1. Marmite roasted potatoes
If you’re into keeping it simple, serving Marmite roast potatoes with your cauliflower steaks will be right up your alley.
They take hardly any time at all to prepare, and the addition of Marmite adds such a depth of savoury flavour and goodness.
They’re perfect for Christmas, but can be enjoyed any time of the year!
For more roastie inspiration, check out my recipe for Oxo roast potatoes too.
If you need to keep things strictly vegetarian, use a veggie stock cube.
2. Fluffy mashed cauliflower
Double up that cauliflower goodness with a side of mashed cauliflower.
It’s super fast to make at home! It only takes about half an hour from start to finish.
It’s got a great flavour that you can jazz right up or keep super simple, depending on the recipe and your personal tastes.
You can mix in garlic powder, basil, or oregano.
A shaking of chilli flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce works well if you’re a heat lover.
Or, you could mix in oats to provide more fibre and nutrients.
For a real treat, top with your favourite cheese and allow it to melt slightly before serving.
This fluffy parmesan mashed cauliflower recipe is one of my favourites, and it’s a delectable choice for what to serve with mashed cauliflower when you want to make things a little sophisticated!
(Be sure to also check out what to serve with broccoli gratin for more plant based meal ideas).
3. Roasted broccoli with lemon and parmesan
Roasted broccoli with lemon and parmesan is ready in 45 minutes, and it’s one of those side dishes that proves that you really can’t beat fresh vegetables when prepared with a little love, care, and creativity.
This side is great on its own, though you could also gently toss it with some wild rice to make it a little more satisfying whilst keeping it classy and elegant.
4. Homemade Nando’s spicy rice
If you’ve ever visited the popular Portuguese restaurant chain, you’ll know just how popular spicy rice is there. It’s the must have side dish, and it’s bright, filling, and full of flavour.
This Nando’s rice recipe takes 20 minutes and one pan, so there’s no faffing about with tons of washing up afterwards.
Chilli flakes, turmeric, and smoked paprika come together to create that authentic Nando’s taste that we all love, though I like to chuck in a chopped red chilli pepper for that extra kick. It’s something that I always have in the fridge to add heat to my favourite dishes, and I highly recommend doing the same if you love spicy food!
5. Mediterranean baked sweet potatoes
If you’re following a plant based diet, it’s super important to try out new things and experiment with flavours. It’s far too tempting to live off a diet centred around chips and other convenience foods, and whilst a little bit of what you fancy does you good, it’s vital that you’re getting all those essential vitamins and minerals.
These Mediterranean baked sweet potatoes are a great example of what you can come up with when you get experimental with basic ingredients.
You’ll top your sweet spuds with chickpeas, garlic sauce, and a parsley and tomato salad. Serve them alongside your cauliflower steaks, and you’ve got yourself a balanced and delicious meal.
6. Creamy garlic mushrooms
For deep earthy flavour with a beautiful creamy sauce, try these creamy garlic mushrooms for what to serve with cauliflower steaks.
They’re fairly low in calories so they’re a brilliant choice if you’re keeping an eye on your intake, yet the creaminess makes them feel like a special treat.
7. Couscous salad
Couscous is a great source of fibre, and it makes a delectable base for all kinds of salads that work so well with cauliflower steaks.
This lemon and herb couscous salad is wonderful on a warm evening with a glass of crisp, dry white wine.
One of my favourite couscous combos however is what I like to call a ‘back of the fridge’ salad! Just round up any veggies that need using up, such as tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and peppers, chop up, toss in a bowl with your couscous and some olive oil, chopped chillis and garlic.
8. Greek salad
If you’re dreaming of summer holidays, you really need to try a Greek salad as an option for what to serve with cauliflower steaks.
Add tomato, cucumbers, olives, peppers, and feta cheese, dress with olive oil, and sprinkle with dried oregano.
9. Three bean chaat
If you’re a lover of an Indian food, three bean chaat is a delightful side dish for cauliflower steaks.
You’ll combine kidney beans, chickpeas, and green beans, and toss with potatoes, tomatoes, and cucumber, and dress with a mixture of olive oil, chaat masala, and lemon juice.
For a filling meal, you could also add some Bombay potatoes or a naan bread. Be sure to also add a generous dollop of mango chutney before serving.
This dish demonstrates the true versatility of cauliflower steaks, and hopefully gives you some food for thought when it comes to exploring your own personal favourite cuisines.
10. Creamed spinach
Take fresh spinach and cream cheese, and try out this easy creamed spinach recipe.
It’s the perfect choice for what to serve with cauliflower steak when you want something hot and comforting, and suitable for those colder winter evenings when you’re just not in the mood for a cold salad.
This one is family friendly too, and will even be popular with fussy kids!
The best side dishes for cauliflower steaks
I hope you’ll love these ideas for what to serve with cauliflower steaks! For a satisfying meal, my favourites are:
- Marmite roast potatoes
- Three bean chaat
- Greek salad
Choose sides with your favourite flavours, use herbs and spices generously, and you’ll have a dinner everyone will love.
Be sure to also take a look at what to do with leftover cauliflower.
