Keto Chili Lime Cauliflower Steaks (Printable)

Spiced roasted cauliflower steaks with cool avocado crema

# Components:

→ Cauliflower Steaks

01 - 2 large heads cauliflower
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons chili powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Zest and juice of 1 lime

→ Avocado Crema

11 - 1 large ripe avocado
12 - 1/3 cup sour cream or coconut yogurt
13 - Juice of 1 lime
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
17 - 1 to 2 tablespoons water as needed

→ Garnishes

18 - Extra chopped cilantro
19 - Lime wedges
20 - Sliced jalapeño

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Remove leaves from cauliflower and trim stem while keeping core intact. Slice each head into 1-inch-thick steaks, yielding 2 to 3 steaks per head. Reserve loose florets for another use.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, lime zest, and lime juice until combined.
04 - Place cauliflower steaks on prepared baking sheet. Brush both sides generously with chili-lime marinade.
05 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden and crisp-tender.
06 - While steaks roast, combine avocado, sour cream, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding water one tablespoon at a time to achieve desired consistency.
07 - Transfer roasted cauliflower steaks to serving plates. Drizzle generously with avocado crema. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges, and jalapeño if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets genuinely crispy on the edges while staying tender inside, which changes everything about how you think of roasted vegetables.
  • Chili and lime together feel like a flavor revelation, especially when you pair them with cool, creamy avocado.
  • It fits every diet conversation at the table without anyone feeling like they're missing out.
02 -
  • Don't slice the cauliflower until you're ready to cook it, because wet cauliflower won't caramelize properly and will steam instead of roast.
  • The avocado crema darkens and separates if it sits around, so make it while the steaks are finishing up and serve it fresh.
03 -
  • Make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe, which means it yields just slightly to thumb pressure, because underripe tastes starchy and overripe turns the crema brown.
  • Brush the cauliflower generously with marinade and don't skip flipping halfway through, because even browning is what makes the difference between good and absolutely craveable.
Return