These Cauliflower Steaks with Spicy Cilantro Cashew Cream are a perfect veggie-heavy side or vegan main dish, drizzled with a creamy jalapeño and cilantro sauce made from cashews.
If you haven’t roasted cauliflower before, you need to get on the bandwagon. Roasted cauliflower transitions from its raw base to a nutty, sweet, crispy-edged caramelized flavor.
If roasted cauliflower by itself doesn’t get you jazzed, the → SPICY CILANTRO CASHEW CREAM ← will! Is my excitement palpable or what?
Let’s talk about spicy cilantro cashew cream, because I never knew I was missing out on the heat.
Blended cashews make a delicious creamy base for a sauce, and I packed this version full of jalapeño, garlic, cilantro and a pinch of salt. Spicy, garlicky, and zesty all come into play.
I’ve experimented with cashew cream before (in this lemon cashew cream frosting and this creamy cashew parsley sauce for salads), and the flavor combinations in this version take it over the top drizzled over these roasted cauliflower steaks with lemon wedges and extra jalapeño slices.
- 1 large head of cauliflower
- Scant ½ teaspoon salt
- Fresh ground pepper
- ½ cup raw unsalted cashews
- 1 and ½ inch chunk of jalapeño
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 packed cup cilantro leaves
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For serving: jalapeño slices, lemon wedges
- A few hours ahead of time, cover cashews in hot water and set aside on the counter to soften. Alternatively, cover the cashews in cold water and place in the fridge overnight to soften.
- When ready to proceed, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Set the cauliflower with its base on the counter after slicing off the leaves, and slice the cauliflower into 1" steaks. It's okay if it falls apart a bit - you should get 2-4 full steaks.
- Lightly oil a baking sheet, or use parchment paper or a silpat baking mat, and place cauliflower steaks and extra cauliflower onto the sheet. Sprinkle salt and pepper overtop.
- Bake cauliflower steaks for 25 minutes, until browned but not overly soft.
- Drain the cashews. In a food processor or high quality blender, combine soaked cashews, jalapeño (seeded if desired), garlic, cilantro, hot water and salt.
- Top the cauliflower steaks with ½ of the spicy cilantro cashew cream. Serve as a main or a side with extra sauce, jalapeño slices, and lemon wedges to squeeze overtop.
I buy a big head of cauliflower every few weeks and roast it in florets, and I now seek out the biggest head possible so I can get multiple cauliflower steaks out of it!
The presentation is also a great way to get other people excited about veggie dishes! Double up on the recipe and bring it to your next potluck, and you’ll find your friends drizzling this spicy cilantro cashew cream all over their whole plate.
Are you a fan of roasted cauliflower?
Marisa
Corina says
I love roasted cauliflower but never thought to have it as steaks before. Great idea and that sauce sounds amazing!
Marisa says
You should try it, Corina! Definitely makes it feel more substantial of a side too since you have to take a fork and knife to it 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O yes! Just give me all of this! Love cauliflower any and all ways. But that cashew sauce..the best!
Marisa says
Thanks Rebecca!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Cilantro cashew cream?!!! GENIUS. and so good.
Marisa says
Just call me Saucy Goddess. I’ll call you the Date Caramel Lady. Fair? 🙂
Rachel @ Delicious Balance says
I’ve been wanting to jump on the cauliflower steak bandwagon and this might just push me over the edge. The sauce sounds divine! Pinning for later 🙂
Marisa says
You have to try it! Thanks, Rachel!
Liz @The Clean Eating Couple says
Uh – YUM! This is such a creative side dish!! I’ve never made cauliflower ‘steaks’ but now I’m definitely going to try it!! There’s so many different things you could do with this 🙂
Marisa says
Thanks Liz! Yes definitely, play around with it!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I agree, roasted cauliflower is the best and it sounds amazing topped with that spicy cilantro cashew cream! You would never think such a short ingredient list would come up with something this elegant!
Marisa says
Thanks Sarah! Trying to simplify and streamline ingredients lately – still so happy with the outcome 🙂
Alyssa says
I’ve been wanting to make this recipe for a while, finally did and the sauce is SO GOOD!!! I’m going to put it on everything!!!!!!
Marisa says
I’m so glad to hear, Alyssa!! I LOVE this sauce – definitely good on so many other meals.
Emily says
These are insanely good! I love roasted cauliflower, and the addition of this tasty sauce. Oh my goodness! I could eat it on everything!
Marisa says
It’s so surprising how flavorful cauliflower can be when roasted! So glad you enjoyed.