How Long to Roast Cauliflower
The average head of cauliflower is roughly 2- to 3-pounds. Here’s a rough estimate on how long to cook cauliflower by weight: Step #1: Prep the Cauliflower. Instead of chopping the head into cauliflower florets, simply remove the leaves on the bottom and slice the core flat, so that the cauliflower will stand up evenly on a pan. Rinse the cauliflower well (I like to rinse the bottom after the leaves have been cut off, to make sure there are no tiny bugs inside) and pat well to dry.
Step #2: Season the Cauliflower. It takes at least a full hour to roast a whole cauliflower, so you’ll want to brush the cauliflower with olive oil to help lock-in moisture.
I like to mix together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt, then brush the mixture all over the cauliflower, including the bottom! That way the whole cauliflower will be infused with flavor. Step #3: Roast the Whole Cauliflower. Once it’s seasoned, you’ll place the whole head in an oven-safe dish, and let it roast in the oven until it’s golden and tender, all the way to the center.
2-pound cauliflower: 1 hour 2.5-pound cauliflower: 1 hour 15 minutes 3-pound cauliflower: 1 hour 30 minutes
These cooking times may vary based on how dense the cauliflower is, so check on it periodically as it roasts in the oven. When it’s done, let the whole roasted cauliflower rest for 10 minute before serving, which will help the core to soften even more.
How to Serve It
Slice the roasted cauliflower into wedges, then serve it over mashed potatoes with vegan gravy. It’s a great alternative to turkey if you’re hosting a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving, and it makes an impressive-looking side dish for any meal.
More Vegetarian Recipes
Check out my Vegan Thanksgiving recipes, which includes lots of crowd-pleasing options, or browse my vegetarian recipes, for more veggie-packed ideas. If you try this Whole Roasted Cauliflower, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too. We can all benefit from your experience. – Reader Feedback: Would you serve this as a main course or a side dish? We always serve this with lots of side dishes, so it sort of turns into the “main event” because it’s so beautiful! But, it’s definitely not as filling as my Vegan Meatloaf or vegetarian Nut Roast, if you need something more hearty.
