Cauliflower might look unassuming, but this common vegetable is deliciously versatile, and a must in any paleo kitchen. Yes, you can boil it and serve it as a side, but that’s really just the start of what cauliflower is capable of.
There’s cauliflower rice, cauliflower mash, roast cauliflower, cauliflower salad, cauliflower steak — and that’s only a small selection of what you can do with cauliflower.
The nutty taste is a perfect flavor base for many different dishes, and the adaptable texture can go from crisp and crunchy to soft and creamy.
Find your perfect paleo cauliflower recipe with this guide.
Let’s start with the obvious, and one recipe we can almost guarantee you’ll turn to time and time again on the paleo diet: cauliflower rice.
Cauliflower rice can be dressed up, kept simple, and even eaten raw. It’s the perfect alternative to grains, allowing you to enjoy more of your favorite dishes while keeping to your paleo diet.
Master cauliflower rice, and you’ll always have the perfect side dish for your paleo proteins!
Cauliflower can be used as much more than just a rice replacement! Missing your favorite mashed potato recipes? Make them paleo with this delicious mashed cauliflower.
Using several tablespoons of ghee — a paleo friendly alternative to butter — mashed cauliflower is creamy, rich, and the perfect side dish for a holiday party (see also ‘15 Awesome Paleo St Patrick’s Recipes You Have To Try‘). It’s also a tasty base for your favorite stews and casseroles, when you need a warm meal for a winter day.
If you haven’t found a cauliflower recipe that makes you fall in love with the vegetable, then we recommend giving this one a go. Florets of cauliflower are tossed in olive oil and a simple flavoring combination of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Roasted until golden brown, the edges go beautifully crispy, while the inside turns perfectly tender. Drizzle with a paleo friendly lemon herb tahini dressing, and enjoy as a side dish, or for a lighter lunch (see also ‘15 Awesome Paleo Lunch Recipes For Paleo Lovers‘).
Mexican food lovers, rejoice! You can make all your favorite Mexican dishes (see also ‘15 Awesome Mexican Paleo Recipes For Paleo Lovers‘), from burritos to rice bowls, with this cilantro lime cauliflower rice. The addition of lime gives the rice a tang and punch, while a handful of chopped cilantro adds a fragrant aroma.
Once you’ve mastered cauliflower rice, this cilantro lime version is a quick and easy upgrade. And for such a big flavor, it only takes a few minutes to make! Fantastic for midweek meals.
Soft and pillowy gnocchi bites are a decadent and luxurious dinner choice, but with this paleo friendly recipe, they get a touch lighter (while remaining just as tasty).
Traditionally, gnocchi is made from potatoes, which are a controversial food on the paleo diet. Here, you can avoid them altogether by switching your cooked potatoes for steamed cauliflower florets. Once you’ve tried this method, you won’t even miss the potatoes!
Looking for side dishes to serve for a special occasion? You can’t go wrong with this paleo cauliflower gratin. It requires a little extra work, but the end result is basically the definition of “decadence”.
Serve it as a holiday party, and it’s guaranteed to be the star of the show. (Sorry, turkey!)
To make this cauliflower gratin, you have to create your own paleo Parmesan. It’s much easier than you might expect. All you need is cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and a good food processor!
Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad traditionally made with bulgur wheat. Finely ground cauliflower is used in this recipe as a paleo replacement, thanks to the similar texture and a mild taste.
Finished with a simple dressing of salt, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil, tabbouleh is one of those dishes that gets better as it sits. Make up a big batch for your meze, and enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Cauliflower really can do everything! And in this case, it can stand in place of your “everything bagel”. These are a great paleo snack food, for when you need a little pick me up during the day.
To get these cauliflower bites just right, make sure to use a fresh head of cauliflower. This is then ground down in the food processor until it is super fine, so you get just the right texture in your roll.
If you want a dinner recipe that will shake up your weeknights, you have to try this ginger scallion chicken fried cauliflower rice. It’s so easy to make, but it brings a massive hit of flavor. The perfect dish to get you out of your midweek rut.
With bright and fresh flavors from the ginger and scallions, this recipe is perfect for warm summer evenings when you want to spend as little time as possible in the kitchen.
Raw cauliflower maintains that slight nutty taste of cooked cauliflower, adding a crunchy texture that you’re sure to fall in love with.
If you’ve never tried raw cauliflower before, save a few florets next time you make cauliflower rice, and try them dipped in your favorite condiments.
This paleo salad combines raw broccoli and cauliflower florets with cooked bacon, crunchy sunflower seeds, and a simple dressing. Enjoy at a cookout, or bring to a potluck.
The secret to this “potato” salad is that it doesn’t contain a single potato! Instead, cauliflower florets are roasted until they’re just turning golden and tender.
These cauliflower florets are then cooled and tossed with your favorite potato salad ingredients (including crumbled bacon bits) for a perfect picnic side.
Garlic lovers, unite! This recipe for cauliflower hummus uses two whole heads of garlic, roasted until they become oozy and the flavors have turned slightly less pungent (but still very garlicky).
Blitzing roast cauliflower with roast garlic and tahini makes a low carb, paleo friendly substitute to hummus. Serve with your favorite raw veggies, such as carrots, celery, cucumber, and, yes, even more cauliflower!
Honestly, what can’t you do with cauliflower? If rice, mash, hummus, and potato salad wasn’t enough, you can also use cauliflower to make a delightful pizza crust.
Simply combine shredded and cooked cauliflower with egg, coconut flour, and some seasonings, for a pizza dough you can enjoy on the paleo diet!
Admittedly, this isn’t exactly a perfect match for regular pizza dough, but it’s still incredibly tasty, and a wonderful base for your favorite pizza toppings.
Cauliflower isn’t quite the star of this show — that would have to go to the avocado cream dressing — but adds a nutty taste and a ton of texture to this warm, Thai inspired salad.
Healthy and wholesome, you can enjoy this salad on its own, or serve with your favorite protein. If you’re looking for a quick way to bulk up the meal, try stirring through some shredded chicken.
When you start planning your paleo thanksgiving dinner, you might imagine that stuffing is the first thing to leave the menu. After all, how can you make stuffing without bread or grains?
Well, it turns out paleo friendly stuffing is not only a real thing, but it’s also absolutely mouthwatering.
Fill your Thanksgiving table with this cauliflower stuffing and a cauliflower gratin, and you might start wondering why you bothered with any ingredients other than cauliflower!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Eat Cauliflower On The Paleo Diet?
Yes, cauliflower is allowed on the paleo diet, and as it’s packed with vitamin C and plenty of fiber, it’s an excellent paleo food to add to your repertoire.
Cauliflower also acts as a substitute for many non-paleo items, such as rice and potatoes, and can even be used to make dough!
How Do You Make Cauliflower Rice?
To make cauliflower rice, all you need is one head of cauliflower, a spoonful of oil, and a skillet with a lid. Begin by washing and drying your cauliflower, and removing all the green leaves.
Either grate the cauliflower into rice using a box grater, or blend using the “grate” attachment on a food processor. Dry on a paper towel, and sauté alongside a spoonful of oil in your skillet with the lid on for roughly 5 minutes.
Can You Eat Cauliflower Raw?
Yes, you can eat cauliflower raw! Raw cauliflower has a subtle taste and a crunchy texture. It’s good in salads, or dipped in your favorite condiments and sauces.
Final Thoughts
Cauliflower is the cornerstone of many paleo diets, particularly as it makes such a good substitute for rice and potatoes. We hope this guide has expanded your approach to cauliflower, so you can make the most of this exceptional vegetable!
Hi, my name is Jenna Lane and I have been following the paleo diet for almost three years.
I am a dietary specialist and help my clients find the right diets for them.
Unfortunately, I can only take on so many clients at a time. Though, thanks to the internet, I can upload my knowledge onto this website and help more people around the world!
That is my aim with this website, so please peruse it and learn. Dieting doesn’t have to be tough - you just need to find the right one for you.
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