These Cauliflower Steaks with Peri-Peri Sauce are SUPER amped-up in flavor! Perfect as your main meal or as a side!
Hiya folks! After Monday’s decadent and delicious Double Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes, I thought something light and healthy was in order.
So today, I’m taking your ordinary old cauliflower steaks to the next level of awesomeness! These Cauliflower Steaks with Peri-Peri Sauce are my new favorite lunch/dinner. And if you like things hot and spicy, you’re going to LOVE ’em too.
So…What is Peri-Peri Sauce?
It’s a spicy African sauce made with Bird’s Eye Chilies, red peppers, onion, lemon juice and zest, and garlic.
I first saw the recipe for peri-peri sauce on my good friend Alida’s blog, Simply-Delicious. I knew I had to try it. I’ve used this sauce on grilled chicken, steak and even drizzled over my scrambled eggs. So when I whipped up my last batch of cauli steaks, I thought…hmmm…gotta spice these up with some peri-peri sauce.
I halved Alida’s recipe, and still have some extra in my fridge which will keep for two weeks…if it lasts that long. Already eyeing it up for tomorrow morning’s breakfast.
I’m not gonna lie, South African bird’s eye chilies are not common in these parts, but Alida says Thai chilies, or any long, small red chilies will work. I chose Red Fresno chili peppers. I used four chili peppers in mine, each about 2 inches long. My sauce definitely packed some heat! If you like things a bit milder, when adding everything to your processor or blender, start with 2, taste test, and then add another 1 or 2 if you want to amp-up the spice.
While the cauliflower steaks are in the oven roasting you can make your sauce, so from start to finish these will take under 35 minutes! Just top your cauli steak with some sauce, microgreens and a sprinkle of pine nuts. Perfect for a a healthier lunch, dinner or #Meatless Monday…or any other day of the week. Enjoy!
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
- 4 Red Fresno Chilies stems removed
- 1 Red Bell Pepper,
- 1 large ripe tomato, skins removed and roughly chopped
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large lemon, zest and juiced
- 2 1/2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees . Remove leaves from stem of cauliflower. Leave the core intact. Place cauliflower core side down and using a large knife, slice cauliflower into four 1/2 inch steaks from the center of cauliflower. Arrange the cauliflower steaks on a oiled baking sheet with any broken florets.
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Brush the cauliflower slices generously on both sides with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper, then roast in oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden and cooked through. You can flip the steaks halfway through cooking.
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When the cauliflower steaks are done, remove from oven and transfer onto individual serving plates. Top each steak with some peri-peri sauce, micro greens, and a sprinkle of pine nuts. Serve with extra sauce on the side.
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Combine all the ingredients in a blender or a food processor and process until all the ingredients are finely chopped and the mixture becomes a sauce.
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Transfer mixture to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Adjust seasonings if needed. Pour into jars and keep in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
It’s been far too long since I’ve had cauliflower steaks, and this beauty is making me crave them for breakfast!!!! I like things with a ton of heat, so your Peri-Peri Sauce is definitely screaming my name!! I’m going to have to make a triple batch and put it on ALL the things!!! Pinning! Cheers!
I LOVE cauliflower steaks Chey! Of course, you know who isn’t trying them! His loss! These are yummy and so is the peri-peri. If you like things spicy, you’ll love it!
Truly new level and I think it would be OK if I bring it to the office next day; served at room temperature seems just fine ! Thank you for the idea !
Perfect at room temp too! Enjoy!
I love cauliflower and love peri peri so this is definitely made for me! I could totally eat this as is, no other side necessary! Pinned! Have a fabulous weekend, my friend! XOXO
Yay!! Enjoy Dawn!
Forgot to rate this beauty ;)
Thanks love!
I’m so glad you liked my recipe and love the use of it with cauliflower steaks. Such a great recipe Mary Ann!
It’s so delish Alida! Thanks so much for the recipe!
I’ve never heard of peri peri sauce, but now I need to give it a try….especially with cauliflower! I love the way cauliflower looks after it’s been roasted. You can just see all the goodness in the browned edges. This would be perfect for a light, healthy dinner!
This is one of my favorite vegetarian meals Kathy! So zesty!
I love a spicy sauce and so perfect pairing it with cauliflower steaks! Must try this one :)
Enjoy Jennifer! I bet you’ll love it!
I’ve never had peri peri sauce, but I love spicy, so I’m pretty sure it’s a must try for me! And you can’t go wrong with roasted cauliflower steaks! Love this healthy meal Mary Ann!
If you love spicy, it’s for you Leanne! Nice and healthy too! Enjoy!
I truly can’t think of something I’d rather have for lunch today. I LOVE cauliflower and anything spicy so this recipe was totally made for me!
Woohoo! Go for it Kelse!
So intrigued by that peri peri sauce!!!
Nice and spicy Jennifer!
If your peri peri sauce is as good as your romesco sauce I am in.
Woohoo! Enjoy Gerlinde!
So light and healthy, love that sauce!
My favorite healthy meal! I put that sauce on everything Matt!
I love this light alternative to ‘steak’! So much flavor going on!! Shared!
Thanks Annie!
Love the pairing! Peri-peri sauce is good but a little hot for me haha. I wish I could handle spice better. My husband would totally adore this recipe!
I bet he would Natasha! Nice and spicy!
Cauliflower is seriously a magical vegetable – love these steaks and the idea of serving them with Peri Peri sauce and those buttery pine nuts. Definitely going on our menu!
Hope you enjoy Marissa!
I want this for dinner!
Soooo good Jennifer!
OH yES!! You know I’m loving this, Mary Ann… and I’ve had both but never together… what a fabulous combination. I love the tips on what types of chilis to use.. I never knew. And you know how much I love spicy things and paired with my favorite veggie.. well now, I looove it!
So glad you like this one Traci! I thought you might! That sauce! Fabulous on so many things!
Mary Ann, my husband would flip over this! He grew up in South Africa and LOVES peri peri sauce. This would be an easy way to get some more veggies in him ;) Yum!
I’m so excited Katherine! It’s perfect over the cauli steak! I love peri-peri! I hope he enjoys it!
That plate looks absolutely gorgeous! And I love the spicy kick of the peri peri sauce. :)
Thanks Kevin! You’ll want to put it on lots of things!
Such a good idea. LOVE this recipe, especially since cauliflower is my favorite vegetable.
Thanks Naomi! It’s full of flavor!
Oh my goodness. Even though I’m recovering from being sick and still craving soup and comfort foods, I’m pinning this recipe for when I’m feeling better. I love incorporating vegetarian meals into my diet and this recipe looks downright incredible!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it Christina! Feel better!
I love cauliflower and I can’t wait to try this recipe out! Photos are so beautiful too!
Thanks Leigh Ann! I think you’ll really like this one!
I love cauliflower steaks and these are so delicious with the peri peri sauce!
Me too Laura!
I love this, Mary Ann – I’m a huge fan of cauliflower and roasting is the way to go – it has SO much flavor when you roast it. I’ve never heard of peri-peri sauce – but I bet it’s delicious. I love trying new things so this sauce is going on my to do list. What a great Meatless Monday dinner idea! Pinning!
Thanks Geraldine! I hope you love it!
Hi MaryAnn- I forwarded this recipe to my sister, who cooked it for her husband and family last night; she made the cauliflower dish esp for her husband, who because of illness, is on a vegan diet.
The dish was a HUGE hit with him, and her whole family!
So glad Dolores! It’s one of my favorites too! That sauce is delicious on lots of things!
Love learning new things about food! Peri peri sauce sounds absolutely wonderful (we love spicy!) and such a perfect complement for cauliflower. You got that cauliflower so perfectly roasted!
This is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes Emily! So flavorful!
Don’t know where you are but no need to make peri peri. You can go to a Nando’s and buy it there, it is sold in Whole Foods and numerous other grocery stores, or you can order it online.
I love making it homemade!