Description
Honey Garlic Cauliflower is a deliciously sweet and savory roasted cauliflower dish featuring a sticky honey garlic sauce with a hint of tanginess and optional heat. Perfect as a flavorful side or a vegetarian main, this recipe combines tender roasted cauliflower florets with a rich, garlicky sauce made from honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and other simple ingredients. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an easy and satisfying way to elevate cauliflower on your dinner table.
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Honey Garlic Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp optional sriracha
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for roasting the cauliflower.
- Prepare Cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Toss the florets in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until well-coated.
- Roast Cauliflower: Spread the cauliflower evenly on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until tender and slightly browned.
- Start Sauce: While roasting, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and a pinch of salt, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Add honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, water, and an additional pinch of salt to the pan. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning, until the sauce thickens.
- Optional Heat: If you like a spicy kick, stir in 1 teaspoon of sriracha once the sauce has thickened. This step can be skipped if you prefer no heat.
- Toss Cauliflower in Sauce: Once the cauliflower is done roasting, immediately transfer it to the pan with the honey garlic sauce. Toss well to coat all florets evenly.
- Season to Taste: Taste and season the coated cauliflower with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor; avoid pre-minced garlic if possible.
- Adjust the amount of sriracha based on your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Make sure to stir the sauce frequently to avoid burning due to the sugar content in honey.
- To keep the cauliflower crispy, spread it out evenly on the baking sheet without overcrowding.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or oven.
