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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Appetizers

    Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower

    Modified: Jul 4, 2023 · Published: Nov 1, 2021 · by MaryAnne · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Bowl of tandoori cauliflower with cup of yourt sauce in the background.

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    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

    recipe ingredients arranged on a table.
    • 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.
    roasted cauliflower in a white bowl with pickled onions, cilantro, and a spoon.

    🔪 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.

    yogurt, oil, and Indian spices whisked together in a small bowl with whisk in background.

    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).

    marinated cauliflower in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon and napkin in the background.

    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).

    yogurt sauce in a small white bowl with whisk and napkin.

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

    Marinated cauliflower spread out on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    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.

    Cauliflower in a serving bowl with fresh cilantro and pickled onions 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

    Can cauliflower be marinated overnight?

    To marinate cauliflower overnight, add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss until well-combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

    How do you marinate cauliflower in the oven?

    In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt, oil, spices garlic, ginger, and lemon juice. Add cauliflower florets to bowl and toss until well-combined. Cover and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F., pour marinated cauliflower onto baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Roast for 40 minutes, tossing halfway through.

    Why is my roasted cauliflower mushy?

    Mushy cauliflower is often the result of crowding your cauliflower while in the oven. Make sure that it's spread out evenly on a baking sheet before roasting it.

    🍅 Related Recipes

    • green bean and mushroom curry with white rice and two forks.
      Green Bean Curry with Mushrooms
    • bowl of Indian curry with brown rice and two forks.
      Chana Saag - Curried Chickpeas with Spinach
    • five pieces of sourdough naan arranged on a wooden cutting board with parchment paper.
      Sourdough Discard Naan
    • Jar of quick pickled onions resting on a cutting board.
      Quick Pickled Red Onions

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!

    Bowl of tandoori cauliflower with cup of yourt sauce in the background.

    Roasted Tandoori Cauliflower Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    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.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 155 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the marinated cauliflower:

    • ¾ cup plain yogurt
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil (or any neutral oil)
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon garam masala
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
    • juice of ½ lemon
    • 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (garnish)
    • ¼ cup quick pickled red onions (optional garnish)

    For the garlic yogurt sauce:

    • ½ cup plain yogurt
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • pinch of salt

    Instructions
     

    Make the cauliflower marinade:

    • 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).

    Make the yogurt sauce:

    • 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).

    Roast cauliflower:

    • 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, pickled red onions (if using), and the garlic yogurt sauce on the side.

    Notes

    • 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.
    • Garnish with quick pickled red onions.
     
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 524mgPotassium: 587mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 247IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 137mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      December 19, 2021 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      What a great new way to eat roasted cauliflower! I loved the combination of spices, and my partner really enjoyed it too.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        December 20, 2021 at 12:56 pm

        So happy that you and your partner enjoyed this recipe, Emily! It's so easy and yet so flavorful. 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I’m MaryAnne, the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where I bring vibrant, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted mainly vegetarian and vegan (flexitarian) recipes to life. While my focus leans toward wholesome, nourishing dishes, my love for dessert ensures that indulgence always has a place at the table!

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