Roasted Purple Cauliflower Recipe: Easy Side Dish
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Roasted purple cauliflower is a show-stopper vegetable side dish. The oven roasting brings out the flavor while simultaneously creating crispy edges. The flavor is sweet and slightly caramelized. And it’s made with five basic ingredients!

I am absolutely obsessed with Roasted purple cauliflower. The color is so unique and adds a vibrant color to the dinner table. But more than that, I love it in bowls, soups, and snacks! The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, similar to white cauliflower.
Like many people, I thought cauliflower was white. That’s it. Just white. But over the last ten years, I have seen purple and orange varieties popping up in supermarkets and farmers’ markets. The flavor is the same, but the color brings the wow factor.
You can see that I have used the purple version in my tofu red curry recipe. In the pictures, I focused on purple because of the color pop! Roasted purple cauliflower is also a great side dish or, in my home, an essential holiday vegetable side dish!
Everything You Want to Know About Purple Cauliflower
Ingredients Needed

Purple cauliflower: Look for heads with tight florets and fresh green leaves. Avoid cauliflower with brown spots or wilted leaves.
Olive oil: When roasting purple cauliflower, toss the florets with olive oil to coat them evenly. This will help them to brown and caramelize in the oven.
Garlic powder: It has a strong garlic flavor, so a little goes a long way. When roasting purple cauliflower,
Salt: Enhances food flavor and helps to bring out its natural flavors.
Black pepper: If you can, use freshly ground black pepper. It adds a distinctive flavor. But if you can’t, then that is ok too. Regular table black pepper also adds a lot of flavor!
Instructions

Step One: Prep –
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and pat dry the cauliflower. Using a sharp knife, cut the florets into uniform bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Step Two: Roast –
Roast until the cauliflower is easily pierced with a fork and lightly charred, about 25-30 minutes or until the edges start charing. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, garnish, and serve.
Craving more vegetables? Try complementing this recipe alongside a beet salad with feta. Combined, they make a delish meal!
Garnish Ideas
I like to top any oven-roasted vegetable with fresh lemon juice and parsley. Other popular garnishes include
- Fresh basil
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Roasted garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Pine nuts
- Red pepper flakes
- Roasted Almonds

FAQS
You can, but I do not recommend it. Because ice crystals have formed, the result is a soft steamed vegetable vs. a slightly crunchy roasted one.
Yes, absolutely! It is easy to do and does not alter the flavor!
Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave before serving.

Oven Roasted Purple Cauliflower
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet
- 1 Sharp knife
- 1 Parchment paper
- 1 Large bowl
Ingredients
- 1 purple cauliflower
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step One: Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and pat dry the cauliflower. Using a sharp knife, cut the florets into uniform bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the florets with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Step Two: Roasting
- Roast the cauliflower for 25-30 minutes, or until it is easily pierced with a fork and lightly charred.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving dish.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Optional Charring
- After roasting, broil the cauliflower on low for 3-5 minutes, or until the outside is charred.
- Keep a close eye on the cauliflower while broiling, as it can quickly burn.
Notes
- Fresh basil
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Roasted garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Pine nuts
- Red pepper flakes
- Roasted sliver almonds
Those are beautiful!
Thank you!!