Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower

Transport your taste buds to India with this deliciously vibrant tandoori cauliflower recipe. In this easy dish, cauliflower is marinated in a medley of aromatic spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. The cauliflower is then roasted, developing a smoky essence reminiscent of traditional tandoori cooking. Served with a cooling side of yogurt sauce and garnished with fresh cilantro, this recipe is a vegetarian delight that can stand on its own as a main course or be a scrumptious appetizer or side dish.

Tandoori cauliflower, also known as tandoori gobi or gobi tikka, is an Indian dish that's marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in a tandoor (clay) oven. We replicate that flavor here by roasting cauliflower in the oven, where it develops a spiced crust while remaining tender on the inside.

The tandoori paste completely covers the cauliflower, getting into all of those little nooks and crannies. You can let your cauliflower marinate in the paste ahead of time, letting it chill in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Serve it as an appetizer or side dish, paired with green bean and mushroom curry, chickpea curry, or naan.

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Recipe is the Best
• 🍽 Ingredient Notes
• 📝 Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How To Make Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🍽 How to Serve Tandoori Cauliflower
• 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
• 🍅 Related Recipes
• Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Recipe

⭐️ Why This Recipe is the Best

• Marinated cauliflower gets roasted in the oven with aromatic Indian spices and served with a savory yogurt sauce
• Healthy vegetarian dish that's high in fiber, vitamin C, and naturally gluten-free
• Quick & easy recipe using simple ingredients
• Versatile Indian recipe that can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even turned into a salad or sandwich
• Vibrant and beautiful dish that looks impressive
• Make ahead instructions provided
• Option to make it in your air-fryer

🍽 Ingredient Notes

• Plain yogurt - I recommend using a full-fat, thick and creamy yogurt here.
• Ground spices: Coriander, red chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, and paprika all combine to create a mouth-watering Indian spice blend that flavors your roasted cauliflower.
• Garlic and ginger - Using fresh garlic and ginger makes a real difference, as they are prominent flavors in Indian dishes.
• Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice will add more bright citrus notes than if you use bottled lemon juice.
• Cauliflower - White, orange, or even lavender-colored cauliflower can be used for this recipe. When choosing cauliflower, be sure to choose a cauliflower head that's firm and tightly closed.

📝 Variations & Substitutions

• Make dairy-free/vegan: Substitute any plant-based yogurt.
• Spicy: This dish is not very spicy, so if you want to add some heat, add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• Add protein: Turn this vegetarian appetizer into a heartier main dish by adding 1 cup of cooked chickpeas or tofu.
• Spice blend: Adjust the spices to your liking. If you love cumin, add a bit more. Not a huge fan of coriander? Just add less. Have fun playing around with the flavors!
• Cook in air fryer: If you don't want to roast in the oven, use your air fryer instead! Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray and place half the marinated cauliflower in a single layer. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked. Repeat process with remaining cauliflower.

🔪 How To Make Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, coriander, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, paprika, salt, garlic, ginger, and lemon juice.

Add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss until well-combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes (or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours).

While cauliflower is marinating, make the yogurt sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, garlic, and salt. If sauce is too thick, add 1 Tablespoon of water to thin it out a bit (it should be the consistency of a dipping sauce).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and place parchment paper on baking sheet. Pour marinated cauliflower onto baking sheet and spread it out evenly.

Roast cauliflower for 40 minutes, tossing halfway through. Serve the tandoori cauliflower garnished with cilantro and pickled red onions, and with the garlic yogurt sauce on the side.

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Make ahead instructions: The yogurt marinade can be made ahead of time (up to 24 hours) and stored in the refrigerator. Make a double batch and use it on mushrooms, tofu, potatoes, fish, or chicken.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight.

🍽 How to Serve Tandoori Cauliflower

This flavorful Indian dish can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a hearty main dish when paired with a protein or grain. Here are some suggestions:

• Serve it as an appetizer paired with my green bean curry recipe or or spinach curry with chickpeas.
• Turn it into a veggie sandwich or wrap using fluffy naan bread.
• Pile it on top of spinach or arugula for a flavorful salad.
• Add chickpeas, tofu, or beans to turn it into a hearty main dish, and serve it over a bed of rice or quinoa.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

🍅 Related Recipes

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