Sautéed Cauliflower

This Sautéed Cauliflower is a simple and delicious side dish to complement your next meal. It is easy to make and packed with tons of flavor and nutrients!

About the Recipe

Made with a fresh head of cauliflower, garlic, salt and pepper, this dish is a great way to add some variety to your vegetable rotation.

The cauliflower is cooked to perfection in a pan with just a few simple ingredients, and then finished with pine nuts, lemon zest and fresh thyme for an extra burst of flavor.

This Sautéed Cauliflower recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick and healthy side dish, or as a flavorful addition to any dinner party menu. It's a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables while enjoying a tasty and satisfying dish.

If you are looking for more cauliflower recipes, check out our: Roasted Italian Cauliflower, Super Simple Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe and Vegan Cauliflower Tacos.

Jump to:

• About the Recipe
• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Directions
• Expert Tips and Tricks
• Kitchen Equipment
• Recipe Substitutions/Variations
• What To Serve With
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe Storage and Reheating
• Other Recipes to Try
• Sautéed Cauliflower

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Healthy - Cauliflower is a low calorie vegetable that's packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Sautéing it with garlic and olive oil is a great way to add some flavor and nutrition to your diet.

Easy - This recipe is very easy to make and takes only a few minutes to prepare. All you need is a fresh head of cauliflower, some garlic, pine nuts, and lemon zest. It's a perfect side dish for a busy weeknight when you don't have much time to cook.

Delicious - Sautéed cauliflower is not only healthy, low carb, and easy to make, but it's also very delicious! The combination of garlic, pine nuts, and lemon zest gives it a unique and flavorful taste that will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this sautéed cauliflower recipe: 

• Cauliflower: You will need one head of fresh cauliflower that is washed, trimmed and cut into pieces. I like cutting it into small florets. 
• Olive oil
• Fresh garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic is best, but if you don't have it on hand, you could use garlic powder.
• Kosher salt & black pepper
• Lemon zest
• Pine nuts
• Thyme: Use fresh thyme for serving.

Directions

Let's make this easy recipe together! 

Step 1: Heat a large pan over medium heat until hot.

Step 2: Add the olive oil and the cauliflower florets to the pan. Sauté for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 3: Cover the pan and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender.

Step 4: Add garlic, salt and black pepper to the pan. Continue to sauté for 5 more minutes.

Step 5: Remove from the heat. Transfer to a serving plate and op with thyme, pine nuts and lemon zest. Serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Here are some expert tips to make this cauliflower side dish: 

Cut into bite size pieces: You will want to be sure to cut the cauliflower into bite sized pieces. This allows for even cooking and will ensure the cauliflower is tender and easy to eat! You could even use this method to make cauliflower rice.

Use a large enough pan: Be sure to use a sauté pan that is big enough to allow the cauliflower to cook in a single layer which will allow it to cook more evenly. If you don’t have a pan large enough, work in batches.

Meal prep: This cauliflower is delicious for meal prep! I love making a big batch and eating throughout the week.

Kitchen Equipment

Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this simple recipe. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

Non-Stick Pan - A good non-stick pan will not only last, but it will make cooking a breeze!

Serving Bowl - I love serving this cauliflower in a beautiful bowl. This one is so pretty and dishwasher safe!

Serving Spoons - These serving spoons always get compliments when I'm hosting!

Recipe Substitutions/Variations

Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this cauliflower recipe.

Pine nuts: Try substituting other nuts for the pine nuts. Toasted almonds would be a great substitution.

Spice Variations: You can add in spices as you wish. You can add spices such as cayenne, crushed red pepper flakes, curry powder, chili powder, or Italian seasoning blend for extra flavor.

Oil Substitution: You can swap out the olive oil with canola oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil.

Additions: Give the cauliflower a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.

What To Serve With

Here are some recipes to serve alongside this versatile side dish recipe:

Brie Grilled Cheese - This Brie Grilled Cheese is a delicious sandwich that you will want to make for your next lunch or dinner meal.

Margherita Flatbread - This Margherita Flatbread is made with slices of fresh tomatoes, flavorful basil, gooey mozzarella cheese, and dollops of pesto all on top of a crispy flatbread crust.

Lemon Pepper Salmon - This simple lemon pepper salmon recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy dinner. A hearty portion of juicy salmon is coated with a lemon pepper and garlic mixture and topped with lemon slices while it bakes in the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Storage and Reheating

Here are storage and reheating instructions for leftover sautéed cauliflower.

Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.

Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.

Reheating: You can reheat these in the air fryer, in the microwave or with a little olive oil in a frying pan.

Other Recipes to Try