Butter Cauliflower in Creamy Spiced Sauce

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Created on July 13th, 2025 at 04:43 pm

Vegetarian Butter Cauliflower

This cozy and creamy Butter Cauliflower is the ultimate vegetarian comfort food 🌿 Tender cauliflower florets simmered in a rich, spiced tomato-cream sauce — it’s everything you love about Butter Chicken, minus the meat!

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp corn starch
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric (divided)
3 tsp garam masala (divided)
1½ tsp salt (divided)
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
1 medium head of cauliflower, cut into florets
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp freshly grated ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp paprika
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce
2 cups vegetable broth
½ cup heavy cream (or full-fat coconut milk)
Cooked basmati rice, for serving
Fresh cilantro and Greek yogurt, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Marinate the Cauliflower:
In a large bowl, mix lemon juice, corn starch, cumin, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp garam masala, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.
Brown the Cauliflower:
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower florets and cook for 7–8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned and softened.
Season and Sear Again:
Toss browned cauliflower in the spice mixture. Return to the skillet with a little more oil and cook another 7–8 minutes until crisp-tender and charred in spots. Set aside.
Start the Sauce:
Add remaining oil and butter to the skillet. Sauté chopped onions for 8 minutes until soft and golden.
Build the Flavor:
Stir in garlic, ginger, and tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the remaining turmeric, garam masala, salt, paprika, cinnamon, and optional cayenne. Cook 1 minute more.
Simmer it Down:
Pour in tomato sauce and broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
Creamy Finish & Simmer:
Stir in the cream or coconut milk. Add cauliflower back to the pan and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. ✨
Serve and Garnish:
Serve over fluffy basmati rice, top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon juice! 🍋

Pro Tips:

Add protein: Toss in chickpeas or serve over quinoa for a complete, protein-rich meal.
Storage: Keeps well for 3–4 days in the fridge — the flavor gets even better!
Swaps: Sub in coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Prefer it spicy? Add extra cayenne or red chili flakes.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving):

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 cup	325	4g	24g	28g	6g	7g

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.