Out of all the vegetables who would have thought that Cauliflower could be smoked and turned into such an amazing recipe? Smoked Cauliflower recipe is a low-carb, healthy side meal or light and easy main dish. Soft on the inside and oh so crispy and crusty on the outside.
Smoked Cauliflower
Many people would be a little curious to know how this tastes and what exactly this thing is. Well, it is just a simple cauliflower head that is rubbed with some amazing and yummy marinade from where it gets its tandoori meat-like flavour or taste. Then it is placed in the smoker to cook slowly. it is really soft and tender from the inside and crispy and flavoursome from the outside. You can also call these smoked cauliflower steaks.
If you have any dietary restrictions or you are on a keto diet then this recipe is the perfect fit for you as it is gluten-free and also approved for the keto diet as well. this is going to be the most healthy yet taste, scrumptious and yummy smoked cauliflower recipe that you have ever tried or tasted.
How To Make Smoked Cauliflower
Step 1: Preheat the smoker
The first and foremost step is to preheat your smoker it can be a Charcoal grill or electric grill but the preferred ones are charcoal and wood smokers because they will serve the purpose. Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F. Here we will be using a method called indirect grilling, For those who don’t know what that is in this method the food is heated far from the main heat source. For this, you can check out the manual guide which comes along with your equipment because every smoker is a bit different from the others so it is better to follow the instructions.
Step 2: Prepare the Cauliflower
Take the whole cauliflower and chop off all the leaves while doing this you will have to be careful that the head cauliflower is intact and uncut.
Step 3: Boil it (Optional)
This part is optional but it can help a lot in speeding up the smoking process, you have three options you can steam the cauliflower, You can boil it or you can microwave it. Just do any of these for 5 minutes. once it is done allow it to cool down in a colander wait till all the steams out. This would roughly take 10 minutes more or less. Again this is Optional but it will help in the smoking process to speed up.
Step 4:Â Make Marinade and Rub Cauliflower Head
Take a small bowl and put all the ingredients of the marinade in it and blend all that really well so that this mixture is formed like a paste. that’s the consistency we need for the marinade. If you are making it for the purpose of the keto diet then it’s recommended you use sugar-free maple syrup instead of the regular one or the honey.
Once the marinade is ready apply it to the cauliflower with the help of a pastry brush. make sure to coat it really well as this going to give the sweet and tangy flavour to the cauliflower.
Step 5:Â Smoke The Cauliflower
Here comes the main part place the cauliflower on the grate and put it in the smoker away from the heat source as we talked about earlier this is going to be the indirect grilling. Close the lid of the smoker. Using the wood chips mentioned above these wood chips will give amazing flavour to the cauliflower.
Smoke cauliflower for at least an hour. Don’t open the cover or lid of the smoker as this will release the heat and it won’t be cooked well. To cook cauliflower make sure that the temperature inside is set constant. If you notice the heat is too much place a foil box filled with water this will lower the temperature and if you see the temperature is low turn up the heat. It should always be at 250 degrees F.
Step 6 – Serve!
Once you check that the smoked cauliflower is fork-tender take it out allow it to cool a bit and then feel free to serve with freshly made pure tomato sauce and avocado dressing.
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Cauliflower
- Don’t Overcook. Do not over roast the cauliflower as it will not add any extra smokey flavour to the cauliflower. But if you love roasted cauliflower and don’t have a smoker then you can use the iron skillet place the cauliflower in it cover it with the foil and bake this in a preheated oven at 220 Degrees F. cook it until it is tender this would take about 44 – 50 minutes.
Best Beer To Pair With Smoked Cauliflower
This dish is a flavor-packed delight that will tantalize your senses. But what’s a flavor adventure without the perfect beer companion? Let’s dive into the top beer pairings that will make your smoked cauliflower even more extraordinary.
Wheat Beer
Wheat beer, with its light and slightly fruity character, is like a breath of fresh air for your Smoked Cauliflower. The beer’s gentle sweetness complements the smoky, roasted flavors of the dish, creating a flavor harmony that’s simply delightful. The effervescence of wheat beer cleanses your palate, making every bite of cauliflower feel like a refreshing flavor adventure. This pairing is as easy-breezy as a sunny day and as tasty as a summertime picnic.
Pale Ale
Pale ale, with its hoppy zest and citrusy notes, adds an exciting twist to your smoked cauliflower experience. The hoppy bitterness of a pale ale contrasts the smokiness, creating a lively dance of flavors that will have your taste buds doing a happy jig. This pairing is like a flavor adventure, where each bite of cauliflower is met with a burst of hoppy excitement. The pale ale’s refreshing character ensures your palate is ready for the next mouthful.
Sour Ale
Sour ale, with its tangy and refreshing profile, is like a zesty companion for your Smoked Cauliflower. Its tartness plays off the smoky notes, creating a tantalizing contrast that awakens your taste buds. This pairing is like a flavor rollercoaster, where the cauliflower’s savory smokiness meets the lively, tangy character of the sour ale. The beer’s acidity keeps each bite interesting, making your cauliflower experience even more vibrant.
Related Recipes of Smoked Cauliflower
- Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe
- Brisket Marinade Recipe
- Smoked Garlic
- Grilled Frozen Burgers
- How Long Does Smoked Meat Last
Smoked Cauliflower Recipe
Equipment
- wood chips
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp liquid sweetener (it can be Honey or maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 2 tsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F for indirect grilling.
- Cut off all the leaves of the cauliflower make sure the cauliflower head is intact.
- Boil the Cauliflower or microwave it (optional).
- Make the marinade by mixing all the ingredients well together until becomes a paste.
- Rub the marinade on the cauliflower.
- Now place the cauliflower on the grate and put it in the preheated smoker and smoke it for 1 hour.
- Once it is fork-tender take it out and serve with some amazing avocado dressing and tomato sauce.
Smoked Cauliflower FAQs
What main dishes go with smoked cauliflower?
You can try this recipe for dinner and serve it with pasta as the main dish. you can use the leftover smoked cauliflower with a frittata or maybe you can try it with an omelet with some parmesan cheese on it. this would taste soo good. Although it can be served as a great side dish.
Can I use an oven to smoke cauliflower?
Of course, you can try the oven but there’s a drawback back of using an oven that is you will not get that signature smoke flavour that you can get from wood or charcoal smokers. But still, it is a good option if you don’t have an outdoor smoker at home.
Can this process be speed up?
Yes, it can for sure. just boil the cauliflower head or you can just give it some steam for about 5 minutes before coating it with the marinade. this will cut down the smoking time by 45 minutes.
Why is cauliflower not crispy?
The answer is pretty simple that is because of the water that is in the cauliflower. so keep in mind when baking or smoking the cauliflower make sure the florets have enough room so that the air can pass through them.
How do you know when cauliflower is done?
You can check that by piercing it with a knife’s tip or you can use a fork for that. It should be tender and crisp. When it is ready to be served give smoked cauliflower some rest before serving as it will dry up any water present in the cauliflower head.
Is roasted cauliflower mushy?
No the baked or smoked cauliflower isn’t mushy at all it has crisp outside when you bite it and then feel the tender and flavoursome inside of the cauliflower.
Does roasted cauliflower freeze well?
You can absolutely freeze them once they are cooled down. put them in an airtight container and freeze them they will be good for about 2-3 months and whenever to plan to have them in dinner just take them out from the freezer in the morning and place them in the fridge they will be good to eat in about two hours.
How long does cooked cauliflower last in the fridge?
It will last for at least 3 to 5 days. If you want to increase the life of cooked cauliflower in the fridge it is recommended you wrap it tightly in high-quality aluminum foil and put it in an air-tight container.