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How To Cut Cauliflower

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Learn How To Cut Cauliflower into florets with this easy step-by-step tutorial, and make any cauliflower recipe in no time.

Cauliflower florets in a large serving bowl.

I am passionate about cauliflower because it’s versatile and can be turned into so many delicious recipes.

You can turn cauliflower into rice and make keto rice or even make a cauliflower pizza crust with it.

But, the common starting point of all cauliflower recipes is that it needs to be cut into florets like in my roasted cauliflower recipe or cauliflower potato salad.

And if you are a beginner at cooking with cauliflower, it can be intimidating to cut this round-like cruciferous vegetable into florets.

So let me share my favorite way to release florets from the head of a cauliflower.

How To Cut Cauliflower Step By Step

There’s nothing complicated about cutting cauliflower, as long as you have the right tools.

Material Needed

You need:

  • Sharp chef knives with a long blade that is not serrated.
  • A small chef knife
  • A large cutting board

Step 1: Place The Cauliflower Upside Down

Bring the head of cauliflower upside down on the chopping board.

The base of the cauliflower’s stem should be facing up.

Step 2: Cutting The Leaves

Using a long sharp knife, cut the leaves from the base. You can compost, discard, or cook the outer leaves of the cauliflower.

They are edible and can be used in a cauliflower soup for a waste-free cauliflower recipe.

Step 3: Removing From Spotting

Using a small sharp knife, grate or cut the small brown spotting that may appear on the vegetable’s white head.

Discard these parts.

Step 4: Cutting Florets

Using the sharp knife, remove the core, the center part in the base of the vegetable.

Step 5: Releasing Florets

Keep cutting around the base in a circular pattern to release the florets from the stem.

At this time, you end up with fairly large florets.

Step 6: Cutting Into Small Florets

Now, you have two options. You can use a smaller knife to cut the larger florets in half or break the florets with your hands.

Step-by-step instructions on How to Cut Cauliflower

Cutting Cauliflower Into Steaks

Follow steps 1 to 3 from above, then place the cauliflower head with its base touching the cutting board. Next, cut thick slices lengthwise to release the steak.

The center part of the cauliflower provides the best steaks, while the edges tend to fall apart into florets.

As a result, you won’t get more than 3-4 perfect cauliflower steaks from a head of cauliflower.

Ways To Cook Cauliflower

Now that you get cauliflower florets, you have many option to cook them.

You can make:

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are my answers to your most common questions about cauliflower.

Is Cauliflower Good For You?

Like many vegetables, Cauliflower is a low-carb, low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable packed with vitamins and nutrients.
It also has the power to mimic high-carb, higher-calorie vegetables like potatoes because it brings a similar texture.
It keeps you full while providing taste, texture, and nutrients.  Also, for people with diabetes, it won’t trigger insulin spikes.

Can Freeze Cauliflower?

After releasing the florets, steam or boil the cauliflower for 5-6 minutes.
Let it cool down entirely in a colander before freezing in zip-lock bags.
Thaw the cauliflower in the fridge the day before.

How Can I Tell If Cauliflower Turned Bad?

Cauliflower that has turned bad shows many brown, black spots, and the florets are not hard and tight.
In fact, old cauliflower has soft, dry florets that spread apart.

Cut Cauliflower florets in a large serving bowl.

My Favorite Cauliflower Recipes

Below I listed my favorite cauliflower recipes for you to try. It includes side dishes, meals, and more ways to integrate cauliflower into your day.

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How to Cut Cauliflower

How To Cut Cauliflower

17.1gNet Carbs
Learn How to Cut Cauliflower into florets with this easy step-by-step tutorial, and make any cauliflower recipes in no time.
Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 head of cauliflower
5 from 126 votes

Ingredients

This recipe may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Place the cauliflower head on a cutting board and cut/grate the eventual black spots on the flesh using a small sharp knife.
  • Place the head upside down on the board with the base of the cauliflower facing up.
  • Using a long shark chef knife, cut out the leaves from the base.
  • Then, remove the center core of the cauliflower.
  • Finally, cut around, progressing in a circular motion around the center base, to release large florets.
  • Cut the large florets into smaller pieces by hand or use the knife to halve them.
  • Watch my step-by-step pictures above in this post for visual help.

Want My Kitchen Equipment?

Tried this recipe?Mention @sweetashoneyrecipes
Yield: 1 head of cauliflower
Calories: 143.8kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 28.6g (10%)Fiber: 11.5g (48%)Net Carbs: 17.1gProtein: 11g (22%)Fat: 1.6g (2%)Saturated Fat: 0.8g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 172.5mg (8%)Potassium: 1719.3mg (49%)Sugar: 11g (12%)Vitamin C: 277.1mg (336%)Calcium: 126.5mg (13%)Iron: 2.4mg (13%)Magnesium: 86.3mg (22%)Zinc: 1.6mg (11%)
Carine Claudepierre

About The Author

Carine Claudepierre

Hi, I'm Carine, the food blogger, author, recipe developer, published author of a cookbook and many ebooks, and founder of Sweet As Honey.

I have an Accredited Certificate in Nutrition and Wellness obtained in 2014 from Well College Global (formerly Cadence Health). I'm passionate about sharing all my easy and tasty recipes that are both delicious and healthy. My expertise in the field comes from my background in chemistry and years of following a keto low-carb diet. But I'm also well versed in vegetarian and vegan cooking since my husband is vegan.

I now eat a more balanced diet where I alternate between keto and a Mediterranean Diet

Cooking and Baking is my true passion. In fact, I only share a small portion of my recipes on Sweet As Honey. Most of them are eaten by my husband and my two kids before I have time to take any pictures!

All my recipes are at least triple tested to make sure they work and I take pride in keeping them as accurate as possible.

Browse all my recipes with my Recipe Index.

I hope that you too find the recipes you love on Sweet As Honey!

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