BBQ Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri
Looking for a vegan or vegetarian dish to serve at a BBQ? Thick slices of cauliflower are a great “steak” alternative, they become tender and slightly charred and are delicious served with a spicy chimichurri sauce. These BBQ Cauliflower Steaks are Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Whole30, Paleo, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Specific Carbohydrate Diet Legal.
Vegetarians and vegans rejoice! Put down the vegetable skewer and step away from the bean burger because I have something new for you to enjoy at barbecues this summer. My all time favourite most versatile vegetable is at it again, and this time it’s taking the place of steak.
In this recipe a head of cauliflower is cut into steaks, grilled and then topped with a vibrant chimichurri sauce which is packed full of herby, acidic and spicy flavours.
The chimichurri recipe below makes a large amount so you may have some sauce leftover, which you can serve with steak or chicken. I prefer to hand chop the herbs, chili and spring onions so that the sauce is a bit chunkier but to save time and create a smoother sauce you could alternatively throw everything into a blender or food processor and pulse.
This is an incredibly easy recipe to make, but some caution should be taken when cutting the cauliflower steaks. The 4 steaks will come from the center of the head of cauliflower, but be sure that a portion of the stem is included in every steak so that they hold together.
Depending on the size of the head of cauliflower you will be left with approximately 1 to 2 cups of florets from either end, don’t throw those away!
Here are a few ways you can use the leftover cauliflower florets at your summer barbecue:
- Strawberry & Lemon Cream Parfait
- Hot and Creamy Cauliflower Dip
- Cauliflower Crust Pizza Bites
- Cauliflower Bread
- Radicchio, Butternut Squash, Dried Cherry & Cauliflower Couscous Salad
- Curried Cauliflower, Almond, Grape & Spinach Salad
You can serve these cauliflower steaks as a main or filling side dish to vegetarians and meat eaters alike. You can enjoy the cauliflower steaks for 3 to 4 days after grilling and the chimichurri will last slightly longer.
Here are a few more vegan recipes you might enjoy:
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Portobello Asada Tacos
- Asian Grilled Eggplant
- Charred Asparagus
- Middle Eastern Roasted Eggplant Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower & Butternut Squash Tacos
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
BBQ Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower
Chimichurri
- 2 cups packed fresh parsley
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 shallot
- 1 chilli pepper finely diced
- the juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano
Instructions
- Turn on the barbecue to medium heat.
- To cut the cauliflower steaks, remove the leaves from the base of the cauliflower and cut the cauliflower into 4 steaks that are each 1/2 inch thick, being sure to get a portion of the core in each one as this will hold them together.
- In a food processor combine all of the ingredients for the chimichurri and blitz until smooth.
- Brush the top side of each cauliflower with a spoonful of the chimichurri sauce and then place the steaks oiled side down on the grill. Close the lid to the barbecue and let the steaks cook for 5 minutes. Brush the top sides of each steak with chimichurri sauce before flipping them over and grilling for another 5 minutes. The steaks should be tender with darkened grill marks on both sides.
- Serve the cauliflower immediately with the chimichurri evenly spread on top.
Nutrition
Next time I would make this in the oven in a dish. All the chimichurry saus dropped in the bbq. What a shame.
Is the nutrition content fir the whole cauliflower or one cauliflower steak? How many grams in your single steak?, or in the whole cauliflower?
Thanks
This BBQ Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri seems delicious and unique , excited to try this one , thank you for sharing this with us, will love to try this one.
This is absolutely delicious and so flavorful! My favorite way to eat cauliflower so far. We used the extra chimichurri on a piece of salmon to have with it. Such a great sauce!
Hmm – I may just finally have to get a small barbecue! This looks and sounds delicious! I can see making all 4 and saving 3 for easy re-heat lunches guaranteed to drive my coworkers nuts 😉
You could make these in the oven or on a sandwich grill if you don’t have a BBQ. These taste just as good reheated the next day, so yummy!