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Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Paprika and Turmeric

Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Paprika and Turmeric

As a child, I would pretend that broccoli florets were little green (summertime) trees and cauliflower florets were little trees covered with snow.

Me being a giant or a big scary dinosaur overlooking all the tiny trees, I would pick one up and chomp off the poofy tops before polishing off the stems.

“Goodbye, little trees. You sure were tasty.” Just to note: I love the environment.

Lucky for my parents, I had a hearty, adventurous palate and I would try almost all foods growing up… even “gross” vegetables. Just as long as I got to play with my food.

For this recipe, I decided to keep it nice and simple using white cauliflower as the basis of this quick to prepare sheet pan side dish.

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Paprika and Turmeric!

How do you make this simple roasted spicy cauliflower recipe?

Side angled view of cauliflower florets, spices, lemon, olive oil, and cilantro.

All the ingredients required for this delish recipe. Ingredients and complete instructions available in the recipe card listed below.

Cauliflower covered with spices and oil and spread in a layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Toss the cauliflower with the oil and spices before roasting at 450 degrees F. for 25-30 minutes, flipping the cauliflower halfway, until browned and tender.

Each tender floret gets a wonderful slight brown char on its surface, which I think is the best part of any roasted vegetable.

Side view of a wide bowl full of roasted spicy cauliflower with fresh cilantro.

After removing the cauliflower from the oven, drizzle with lemon juice and cilantro. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

What’s in this roasted cauliflower recipe?

Cauliflower: Not only does cauliflower have a fun shape (woo hoo fractals), but it has awesome health benefits. It is a good source of vitamins and nutrients including as vitamins C, K, and folate.

Spices: I decided to use the combination of smoked paprika, turmeric, and cumin along with a few red pepper flakes for a little more heat.

As it roasts, the spices permeate into the cauliflower giving it not only delicious spiced flavours, but a lovely golden orange colour.

Lemon juice: As soon as the cauliflower is removed from the oven, squeeze a little bit of fresh lemon juice over the top.

The acidity from the lemon compliments the spices (it cuts the heat slightly too) and adds a lovely fresh and zesty note to this side dish.

Cilantro: The final touch is a sprinkling of fresh cilantro (aka coriander) on top. I love the taste of cilantro. To me, it has a bright, kind of lemony, unique taste that goes so well with spicy flavours.

On the other hand, I know that others have described it as tasting like soap or metal so it is a definite no-go for them. Substitute with parsley if you are in the latter category. Do you like cilantro?

Overhead view of a wide bowl full of roasted spicy cauliflower with fresh cilantro.

Overall, this dish is mildly spicy. Just enough to warm you up on the inside. If you like it really spicy, I suggest that you up the spice level to suit your needs.

Plus, it just happens to be vegan and gluten-free too.

I like to eat it right away, but it re-heats well so it would be great for meal prep or as leftovers.

A wide bowl full of roasted spicy cauliflower with fresh cilantro with more cilantro and a lemon in the background.

Check out these other easy roasted vegetable side dish recipes!

I hope you enjoy this roasted cauliflower recipe! If you make this recipe, please leave me a rating and comment down below or tag me on any of my social media. I’m @yay_for_food on Instagram. I’d love a picture!

Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Paprika and Turmeric

Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Paprika and Turmeric

Yield: 4 as a side dish
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This tasty roasted spiced cauliflower side dish is easy, flavourful, and healthy. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free too.

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. (1 head) cauliflower florets
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked (or sweet) paprika
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric
  • ¼ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet (lined with aluminum foil for easy clean-up).
  2. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil and spices (including salt and pepper) until the cauliflower is well coated.
  3. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping the cauliflower halfway, until browned and tender.
  4. After removing the cauliflower from the oven, top with lemon juice and cilantro. Season with additional salt and pepper if you like. Best served immediately.

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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 7.7gCarbohydrates: 12.9gProtein: 5g

Sharing is caring!

Ev

Thursday 13th of October 2022

I don’t know if I ever left a comment - my husband request this all the time, I love it too. Making it right now. Thank you.

Marie | Yay! for Food

Monday 17th of October 2022

I'm glad you two love this recipe. Thank you!

heather (delicious not gorgeous)

Wednesday 25th of October 2017

let's be real, i still think of broccoli as trees (; i love roasted cauliflower, and normally do it plain with salt and oil (cauliflower rut alert), so this version sounds like it'd be pretty great!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Wednesday 25th of October 2017

You should definitely try this version! Thanks for stopping by, Heather!

Catherine

Thursday 19th of October 2017

My family has really been enjoying cauliflower lately..I have to try roasting them like this. Looks so good!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 20th of October 2017

Thank you!

Elaine

Thursday 19th of October 2017

I too used to pretend that broccoli florets were trees, and I guess I wasn't as inventive as you by pretending the cauliflower florets were snow trees. I just thought they were trees that were white. :) Your recipe looks so delicious and I can't wait to make it! Love the turmeric!!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 20th of October 2017

Gotta love our imagination! :) Thanks for stopping by Elaine!

Maggie Unzueta

Thursday 19th of October 2017

I need more recipes using tumeric. Will be trying this one soon. Thank you!

Marie | Yay! For Food

Friday 20th of October 2017

Enjoy it! :) Thanks Maggie!

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