The best sides for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks are Mashed Cauliflower, Carrot Quinoa Salad, Cheesy Spinach, Harissa Hummus, and Thai Butternut Squash Soup.
The mashed cauliflower can provide a smooth, creamy contrast to the steaks' lightly charred and smoky flavor.
For a lighter option, try Thai Butternut Squash Soup. The soup is full of intense flavor from the combination of red Thai curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and crunchy green beans.
Tired of mashing, streaming, and ricing your cauliflowers? Make cauliflower steaks instead.
We can help you decide what to serve with grilled cauliflower steaks if you need innovative cooking ideas.
Grilled cauliflower steak- it is a nice change from your regular cooking style and makes a great dinner item for any occasion.
They are easy to make, too, so you don't have to worry about spending hours by the stove.
You can make this dish in less than 30 minutes to serve four with simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon, garlic, smoked paprika, brown sugar, black pepper, and cilantro.
Make this flavorful, caramelized, and smoky-tasting main course for your next dinner to impress your people.
10 Complementary Sides for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks
1 - Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower and grilled cauliflower steaks have become increasingly popular in recent years, but few realize how great of a combination they make.
The mashed cauliflower can provide a smooth, creamy contrast to the steaks' lightly charred and smoky flavor.
While these dishes are both traditionally simple, when combined, they create artistry and complexity that is sure to impress any dinner guest.
Give it a try for your next family gathering - you might just become the star host.
2 - Carrot Quinoa Salad
The quinoa adds a nutty richness that goes well with the grilled cauliflower steak.
Also, the spicing of the grilled steaks goes with the toned-down flavors of the carrots and quinoa with amazing harmony - plus, it makes for a fantastic presentation.
With its delicious combination of fiber-filled quinoa, crunchy carrots, and zesty lemon-tahini dressing, this side salad is the perfect way to add variety to your weekly meal plan.
Both will it make mealtimes more exciting, but you can whip up a large batch in advance for easy snacking throughout the week.
3 - Cheesy Spinach
Combining the bold flavor of garlic-infused cheese with wilted spinach, this side dish is one that you won't soon forget.
Start by sautéing garlic and onions in butter to get the flavor going.
Then add spinach and liquid cheese for a creamy finish.
If you're looking for an extra flair of taste, consider adding some diced tomatoes too.
Serve over couscous or rice if you need more substance - it's sure to satisfy your hunger pangs.
4 - Harissa Hummus
With smoky chili peppers, fresh mint, and cumin plus caraway for an extra depth of flavor, harissa is a unique twist on your typical mashed dip.
You can have this tempting combination ready to go in just five minutes.
Simply blend the ingredients with some hummus as a base.
Its bolder flavor provides an earthy kick to the traditional hummus that contrasts nicely with the char of the grilled cauliflower - guaranteed to spice up your next dinner party.
5 - Thai Butternut Squash Soup
Thai butternut squash soup and grilled cauliflower steaks make a delicious, healthy combination.
The soup is full of intense flavor from the combination of red Thai curry paste, creamy coconut milk, and crunchy green beans.
To contrast, the grilled cauliflower steaks are savory and lightly seasoned with thyme and garlic.
Together they create a light meal that is sure to please any palate.
Plus, it's easy to whip up on busy weeknights for a filling dinner.
The recipes also work well as side dishes for backyard barbecues or potluck dinners.
6 - Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
Combining juicy lemon chicken skewers and crispy grilled cauliflower steaks perfectly balances the savory with tart.
The marinated chicken is perfectly cooked in an oven or on a grill - perfect as a main course dinner option.
But it also pairs fantastically well when served alongside other dishes, making it ideal for any occasion.
7 - Baked Sweet Potatoes
Give your meal a memorable burst of flavor with baked sweet potatoes.
These versatile spuds can be served as a side for grilled chicken, fish, or cauliflower steaks.
To save time in the kitchen, consider cutting them into smaller pieces before baking.
Or take it up another notch by adding Indian cumin and turmeric to give an exotic twist to this classic dish.
Also, you might want to keep the peels on to get the most nutrition out of your sweet potatoes.
Don't feel deprived of delicious fast food - baked sweet potatoes and cauliflower steaks can provide a healthy alternative that still tastes great.
8 - Caper Salsa
The combination of Caper Salsa and Grilled Cauliflower Steaks is a great way to liven up any meal.
The salsa flavors go perfectly with the juicy texture of the grilled cauliflower, bringing out the richness of both ingredients.
The salsa itself only requires capers, anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley, giving it a bright and salty taste that goes well with smoky overtones from the charred cauliflower.
Both are incredibly easy to make as well.
Your guests will ask for seconds if you add this delicious duo to your menu.
9 - Roasted Poblano and Corn Guacamole
Have 20 minutes to spare in the kitchen? Take out your juiciest veggies and get cooking.
The guacamole combines roasted corn's sweetness with the poblanos' smoky flavor and is balanced out by cilantro and lime to create a tasty dip.
Meanwhile, the grilled cauliflower steaks have incredible texture and are even better when lightly seasoned with parmesan and garlic butter.
This flavorful dip would be the perfect accompaniment to your cauliflower steaks if cooked with lighter spices.
Its creamy and rich flavors will make up for any missing flavors that your entrée may be lacking, adding an irresistible zest to your meal.
Together, these two dishes make for an incredibly tasty combo - sure to please any guests at your next barbecue.
10 - Huevos Rancheros
Huevos Rancheros is a Mexican-style breakfast dish, typically made of sunny-side-up eggs fried on top of tortillas.
It is then garnished with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and chili peppers.
For serving with cauliflower steaks, we have an exciting yet easy twist.
Swap out the traditional tortilla for a cauliflower steak in the classic huevos rancheros recipe.
This nutritious and delicious breakfast of champions is sure to give you plenty of energy and flavor, making it an unbeatable choice for brunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
The mashed cauliflower can provide a smooth, creamy contrast to the steaks' lightly charred and smoky flavor. Carrot Quinoa Salad The quinoa adds a nutty richness that goes well with the grilled cauliflower steak.
Most home cooks pick this because it adds contrast and rounds out the meal.
A starchy side and a vegetable work well together. This side dish handles the starch, while a simple green salad or roasted seasonal vegetable fills the rest of the plate without competing for attention.
What makes a side dish work well here?
A good side dish either contrasts or goes with the dominant flavor.
If the main is rich and savory, something with acidity or crunch balances the plate without competing.
Yes. Most classic pairings have easy swaps - substitute roasted vegetables for grain sides, or use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice for a lower-carb option.