What Are Cauliflower florets and How Can I Use Them?

Here's everything worth knowing about cauliflower florets and how to pick them, what they are, how to store them, and what to use instead, plus 287 recipes to cook tonight.

What are cauliflower florets?

Cauliflower can be roasted, boiled, fried, steamed or eaten raw.

When cooking, the outer leaves and thick stalks are removed, leaving only the florets.

The leaves are also edible, but are most often discarded.

The florets should be broken into similar-sized pieces so they are cooked evenly. After eight minutes of steaming, or five minutes of boiling, the florets should be soft, but not mushy (depending on size).

Stirring while cooking can break the florets into smaller, uneven pieces. Cauliflower is often served with a cheese sauce, as in the dish cauliflower cheese.

Low carb dieters can use cauliflower as a reasonable substitute for potatoes for while they can produce a similar texture, or mouth feel, they lack the starch of potatoes.

Cauliflower is low in fat, high in dietary fiber, folate, water and vitamin C, possessing a very high nutritional density. 

Cauliflower also contains other glucosinolates besides sulfurophane, substances which may improve the liver's ability to detoxify carcinogenic substances.

A high intake of cauliflower has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.  

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find cauliflower florets: Cauliflower florets are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Cauliflower florets are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

菜花小花

British (UK) term

Cauliflower florets

en français

fleurons de chou-fleur

en español

coliflor

How much do cauliflower florets weigh?

Related

Vegetables and Vegetable Products

Recipes using cauliflower florets

There are 287 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Gobhi Paratha

Gobhi Paratha: Indian stuffed cauliflower flatbread made with whole-wheat dough and a spiced filling of cauliflower, cumin, turmeric and green chili. Pan-fried in ghee until golden.

Paneer Basmati Pilaf--Paneer Pulao

Paneer Pulao is a delightful and mildly aromatic Indian rice dish that combines basmati rice with paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese.

Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer

Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.

Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce

This delicious spaghetti sauce is loaded with heart healthy ingredients. After trying this sauce, you will always skip the store-bought ones.

Yummy Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Creamy cauliflower soup made light with low-fat milk and a flour roux instead of cream. Bright lemon juice, a whisper of nutmeg, and pureed florets give it body without the heaviness.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

A comforting dish that combines tender cauliflower florets with a rich and creamy cheese sauce. This delicious casserole is baked to perfection, creating a golden and bubbly top that is simply irresistible. It's a great vegetarian main or side dish for any weeknight, and a great way to sneak in some veggies for those who might be a bit picky.

Cauliflower purée

Hell's Kitchen rich and smooth Cauliflower purée, prefect for garnishing other dishes

Basic Cauliflower Fried Rice

Cauliflower fried rice: riced cauliflower stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and onion, then seasoned with tamari. A quick, low-carb, paleo-friendly stand-in for takeout fried rice.

Cauliflower & Savory Soup

I cooked this soup 3 times lately, and the best base is turkey- chicken stock in my opinion. Just a summer soup made of many stems.

Roasted Curried Cauliflower

Just made this roasted curried cauliflower for lunch, and it was very tasty. Loved how sweet the onions came out after the roasting with the strong caramelized flavor as well, yum. The cauliflower florets were tender with a little bit crisp, perfect texture :)

Dot's Pickled Vegetables

Old-fashioned fermented and pickled mixed vegetables with cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, celery, pearl onions, and red peppers. Crock-fermented giardiniera-style.

Easy Crescent Vegetable Pizza

This easy crescent roll vegetable pizza is a favorite go-to for potlucks, showers, or wherever there's a hungry crowd. Use leftover veggies or your lastest garden harvest for toppings.

Roasted Spiced Cauliflower with Tomatoes

Delicious! I wasn't sure about the flavor before I made this dish, I was so glad that I made it, and it came out so flavorful and tasty.

Garden Primavera Fettuccini

"This delicious main dish is really open to your own taste in fresh vegetables. Feel free to switch your favorites for your not-so-favorite ones. Some have even suggested adding mushrooms, garlic, diced cooked chicken and extra sauce."

Cauliflower & Couscous Pilaf

In this recipe, we use whole wheat couscous instead of rice, we add orange juice and currant, so the pilaf is sweet too.

Indian Rice Pilaf

Indian vegetable rice pilaf with potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, green beans, and cashews bloomed in mustard seeds, ginger, garlic, and curry powder. A one-pot oven-baked pilau ready in 35 minutes.

Susie's Low Fat Cheesy Veggie Bake (Crockpot)

My version of a low fat but cheesy vegetable bake for your slow cooker (CrockPot).

Golden Tofu & Fresh Veggies with Maple Barbecue Sauce

There are a lot of ways to cook tofu, this is one of the most tasty way, tofu is cooked golden brown, coated by maple barbecue sauce, if you think tofu is no flavor, try this recipe, you will be satisfied.

Chana aur Sarson ka Saag Biryani (Basmati Rice & Curry Casserole)

This Indian dish is made with several kinds of spices, mustard greens, cauliflower and chickpeas; it's baked with basmati rice, topped with golden raisins and cashews. You can serve it as a side dish or a tasty main dish.

Roasted Cauliflower with Asiago/Parmesan & Orange Zest

Roasted cauliflower with Asiago and orange zest brings bright citrus and nutty melted cheese to high-heat-roasted florets. A fast, golden side that transforms a humble head of cauliflower.

Thai Cauliflower Curry

A bit sweet, sour with slightly spicy, this Thai cauliflower curry has lots of deliciousness that coconut milk, fish sauce and Thai curry paste have delivered. Serve it over a bed of rice that helps to soak up all the goodness.

Fettuccine Primavera

A quick, easy yet delicious one pot meal, perfect supper for busy week days.

Cauliflower Curry

A 30-minute vegetarian cauliflower curry with potatoes simmered in a spiced tomato sauce with mustard seeds, curry leaves, turmeric, and fresh cilantro. Bright, warming, and naturally low in fat.

Vegetable Biryani

Our Indian-Tibetan friend came to our place this past Monday, this vegetarian biryani recipe was the main dish we made for him. It was quite flavorful and tasty, he certainly enjoyed it, and so did we.

Sweet & Sour Vegetables

The flavor was combination was excellent. Next time will add some whole dried chili peppers to give it a bit more kick. We served it over brown rice and could hardly stop eating it.

Cauliflower & Red Lentil Curry

Warm, cozy and delicious. Used hot curry powder to add extra hint to the dish. Had it with homemade nan bread, yum!

Chicken Pesto Vegetable Stir-Fry with Fettuccine

Quick, easy and delicious! An ideal supper on a busy week day.

Cream of Cauliflower & Cheese Soup

Cream of cauliflower and cheese soup combines tender florets, sharp cheddar, and a basil-scented broth thickened with a butter-flour roux. A silky bowl finished with buttery croutons.

Mediterranean Roasted Cauliflower, Tomato Sauce & Olives with Pasta

I roasted cauliflower with 1 each sliced yellow and red onions, which came out delicious with the nice caramelization. The tomato sauce was so flavorful, olives added some depth. I used parmesan cheese, and it enhanced the overall flavor.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Satay

Marinated steamed broccoli and cauliflower, really brings tons of tasty flavor, enjoy delicious fresh vegetables.

Steamed Vegetable Curry with Sauce

Steamed vegetable curry over brown rice with a quick ginger-lime sauce. A 30-minute vegan main with bright, crisp vegetables and an aromatic Indian-spiced finish.

Smooth Broccoli-Cauliflower Soup

Smooth broccoli cauliflower soup blends two cruciferous veggies into a silky, low-fat puree thickened with skim milk and finished with Swiss cheese. Light, creamy, and ready in 30 minutes.

Easy Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Even finicky kids will eat cauliflower with an easy creamy cheese sauce! And Mom's love how quick and easy this one dish casserole comes together.

Parmesan & Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower

These are all kinds of ways to cook cauliflower, and all kinds of ways to use parmesan and balsamic vinegar, in this recipe, mix these three together, after baking, cauliflower just turn out golden brown with parmesan on top and balsamic tossed, wonderful flavor.

Indian Spiced Cauliflower

Quick, easy and tasty braised cauliflower with Indian spices!

Amazing Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad

Quick, easy and refreshing. This delicious salad can also be served as a main course.

Mediterranean Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

Mediterranean broccoli and cauliflower salad tosses quickly steamed florets with a lemon-oregano dressing, Kalamata olives, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. A bright, make-ahead side that holds in the fridge for days.

Pan Seared Scallops with Cauliflower Puree & Crispy Bacon

This quick and easy dish will for sure wow your company with the elegant look and the delicious taste.

Curried Cauliflower Salad

A veggie hating friend was over dinner and declared "wow, if my mom made vegetables like this!" as he went for seconds. The maple coated cashews are excellent in this recipe and the gentle touch of sweetness balanced with the curry is great.

Curried Vegetables

Oil-free curried vegetables built on a water saute with curry powder, coriander, turmeric, cumin, and mustard. Potato-cauliflower-pea stew with bold spice and zero fat.

Best Cauliflower Gratin for Two

Assembles quickly with a creamy Parmesan sauce and fresh bread crumbs baked until crispy and golden brown. This version of Cauliflower Gratin yields a clean flavor and is perfectly seasoned. Sized for serving two as a side dish.

Chicken Stir Fry

Nothing is quicker and easier than a Chinese stir-fry, agreed?! This dish took me less than half an hour to make, and it tasted wonderfully delicious. Served it over a bed of rice, and our dinner was served with tons of goodness and yumminess.

Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Outstanding, super creamy, cheesy and belly warming. We served it with toasted garlic croutons for some added texture. It was a bit like cheese fondue but not as rich.

Simple Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Instead of frozen veggies we used fresh broccoli and cauliflower and steamed them part way. We also used swiss cheese instead of cheddar and the results were surprisingly good.

Mixed Vegetables Jaipur Style (Sabji Jaipuri)

This makes a delicious and colorful vegetarian entree.

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlicky Soy-Ginger Sauce

Roasted cauliflower, a tangy and tasty soy-ginger dressing with fresh scallions, a delicious side-dish that you can serve with any main course; or just having it directly is a joy too!

New York Goodwich

A delicious dish made with broccoli florets, yellow squash, red cabbage and alfalfa sprouts.

Amazing Cauliflower Souffle

Cheesy, fluffy, and packed with yumminess. I mashed the cooked cauliflower quite finely with some small chunks remained, which gave the fluffy souffle additional bites, and we really enjoyed and loved the combination.

Best Moosewood's Cauliflower Cheese Pie

Our dinner yesterday, very cheesy and tasty. Loved the idea of using shredded potato as the crust, and the cauliflower-onion mixture was absolutely delicious. I browned the onions, which made the filling more flavorful; I also added a few dashes of red hot pepper sauce into the crust mixture to give a bit zing. Definitely a keeper and will be making it again!

Oriental Beef & Pea Pods

Microwave beef and snow pea stir-fry with cauliflower, green pepper, and a soy-cornstarch sauce served over rice. An Asian-inspired weeknight dinner made entirely in the microwave.

All 287 recipes