Roasted Cauliflower Salad – cauliflower tossed with turmeric & curry powder, roasted until tender and golden, and then tossed with protein-packed lentils and sweet, juicy grapes. It’s flavor and texture dynamite!
The Cauliflower Queen strikes again! I call myself that because not only do I love love love cauliflower, but two of the most popular recipes on this blog are cauliflower recipes – my Crispy Baked Cauliflower Tacos and my Buffalo Cauliflower Bites! Clearly, you guys love cauliflower too. I hope you love this new Roasted Cauliflower Salad as much as I do! It has some of my favorite flavors and textures and it’s perfect as a side or even as a light entree.
Roasted Cauliflower
Roasting vegetables brings out their flavors and their sweetness. Veggies that you don’t like raw, you might find you like roasted. The slightly charred edges and tender insides – so good! Cauliflower happens to be one of my favorite vegetables no matter how it’s served, but roasting it makes the texture even that much better. It’s very hearty and filling, yet super low in calories.
And did you know that cauliflower leaves are edible too? Don’t throw them away! You can use them just like other leafy greens. Add them to salads or soups, veggie and grain bowls, you can even roast them until crispy for a healthy snack!
Add Fruit for Natural Sweetness
The grapes might seem like an odd choice for a warm salad (which is actually just as yummy at room temperature or even cold – so perfect for a lunchbox!), but they lend a great fresh burst of sweetness that nicely balances out the earthy flavors of the spices (turmeric & curry powder) used here. I also use fresh grapes in my Raw Veggie Chopped Salad and my Vegan Chickpea Salad – two more reader favorites – and they work just as well in this Roasted Cauliflower Salad.
Nutritious Cauliflower
Cauliflower doesn’t look like much. It’s just plain white, not brightly or deeply colored like most of the superfoods you hear about, though there are several colorful varieties to choose from as well. But don’t discount this cruciferous veggie. Cauliflower is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, fiber, folate, healthy omega-3 fats, potassium, and protein. Bottom line – this crunchy veggie should be on your plate and this Roasted Cauliflower Salad is a great way to start.
Almond Butter Based Dressing
This golden dressing pairs wonderfully with the Roasted Cauliflower Salad. It gets it’s creaminess from delicious almond butter. The gorgeous hue is from turmeric and curry powder. AÂ hint of sweetness comes from pure maple syrup. And I brightened it all up with fresh lemon juice. Use as little or as much as you like on this salad. I like to drizzle just a bit on top and then serve the rest on the side for anyone who might want more.
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
I hope you guys love this Roasted Cauliflower Salad as much as we do. Â If you try it, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
- 1 head cauliflower (chopped into florets)
- 1/2 red onion (sliced thin)
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp curry powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup halved red seedless grapes
- 1/2 cup dried lentils
- 1 1/2 cups water (or vegetable broth)
- 2 tbsp raw almond butter
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 3/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp curry powder
- 2-3 tbsp water (to thin)
- pinch salt/pepper (to taste)
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets and sliced red onion with olive oil, 1 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp curry powder, and a pinch of salt. Spread into an even layer own the prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender and the red onion starts to caramelize.
- In the meantime, bring the lentils and water to a boil, cover, turn heat down to med-low and simmer 15-20 minutes until tender, but not mushy.
- When everything is cooked through, toss the cauliflower and onion mixture with the lentils and added in the red grapes.
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl, adding just enough water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle some of the dressing lightly over the salad and serve with extra dressing on the side. This salad tastes great warm, at room temperature or even cold!
This salad is great warm, at room temperature or even cold.
More Cauliflower Recipes to Love:
Crispy Coconut Lime Baked Cauliflower Tacos
This is such a beautiful salad and it sounds incredibly delicious! I actually hated cauliflower until this year and now I absolutely LOVE it! It’s so crazy how much I enjoy it now. I love it roasted and I love it totally pureed into a soup, omg, so good. I’m in love with the sound of that dressing too. I love almond butter dressing, it’s so rich and delicious!
Thank you, Brandi. I’m glad you came around on the cauliflower! It’s one of my favorite veggies. So delicious and so versatile!
Cauliflower is probably one of my favourite vegetables – so versatile and so many great recipes you can make from it. And to be honest, I always crave it roasted. This combination looks delicious 🙂
Yes, roasted is my favorite way to enjoy it as well! Thanks, Laura!
What a lovely salad! I’ve honestly never been a fan of fruit in salads, but the grapes do sound like they offer a nice sweet/crisp contrast.
Well, I do love most fruit in salads, but I tend to use grapes the most. They hold their shape so well and don’t get mushy like berries can. And it’ so nice to have a little burst of sweetness. Maybe this will change your mind!
I love everything about this recipe, Jenn! Roasted cauliflower is one of my favorites,and that nut butter dressing sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try this. 🙂
Thank you, Linda! I love roasted cauliflower too! So yummy!
What an intriguing set of flavours, love them all separately but never tried them together, very inventive.
Thanks, Brian! It definitely brings a lot of flavor. So good!
I love cauliflower! Especially when it’s roasted and tossed with all those amazing flavors. Never considered to add grapes to them – but looks like it’s definitely a winner!
I love the fresh burst of flavor from the grapes! So good. Thanks, Anya!
Look at that color! This looks beautiful and delicious. Yummy!
Thanks, Luci!
A millions yesses. This cauliflower salad looks amazing!! All the ingredients are put together and used so beautifully. YUM!
Aw, thank you so much, Jasmin! It’s delicious!
Yum! I haven’t had cauliflower salad! This looks awesome!
Thanks, Brandi! I hope you get a change to try it!
I love lentils in my salads! And roasted cauliflower is really the only way, adds such great flavor. Not much of a curry fan (although I am bringing myself to create a few for the book for all my curry loving peeps) but the salad looks amazing and so colorful!
I used to not be a curry fan either, but just in the last few years, my tastes have totally changed and I can’t get enough! You’ve gotta find a good curry powder though – I really like the one from Trader Joe’s…it’s pretty mild, yet still flavorful. Can’t wait to see your book!!
I love cauliflower! I’m adding this salad to my list of recipes to make.
Thanks, Amy! I hope you enjoy it!
I love that you call yourself the cauliflower queen, a title well deserved! I can’t wait to try grapes in an all new way with this dish!
HaHa! Actually, someone else called me that before and I ran with it! 🙂 Thanks, Emily!
This sounds wonderful, Jenn! I like that you added some lentils to the dish for satiety, and grapes too for added sweetness. A perfect balance!
Thanks, Cadry! It’s definitely filling! And flavorful!
Wow, this looks absolutely gorgeous and the flavors are on point. I also love the grapes!
Thank you, Michelle!
Love cauliflower, especially roasted with turmeric, and this fresh and flavorful salad is my kind of salad. I can’t wait to give this a try!
Thanks, Sarah. I hope you love it!
I love this recipe! Cauliflower is a favourite of mine too and the flavours you have going on here sound so good. Those juicy sweet grapes are a wonderful addition. Loving your pics too!
Thanks, Mel! I was a little worried about the photos because it’s such a yellow dish, but I thought they turned out well too!
This looks amazing! Totally my kind of side dish. can’t wait to try it!
Thanks, Jessica!
Love all the flavors and textures going on in this roasted cauliflower salad! This will be a great side dish for summer potlucks!
Definitely perfect for potlucks! Thank you!
Cauliflower is so versatile! I love it roasted and will definitely have to try it in this roasted cauliflower salad! Love the burst of sweetness from the grapes!
Thanks, Lindsay! It’s super versatile!
What a bright beautiful recipe. I would love serving this at a dinner party!
Thank you! Perfect for entertaining!
I made this for supper tonight it was so EASY and YUMMY!!! I doubled the sauce as I am a “saucy” kinda girl. We ate every morsel!!! Will make it again. THANKS
Hi, Mary. I’m so happy to hear that you loved it! Double the sauce is never a bad idea! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and for your wonderful feedback. Have a great week!
I love roasted cauliflower!! This grape-lentil combination is a great idea…. I would have never thought to put those together but it sounds delicious, especially with that almond butter dressing!!
Thank you, Rebecca! Let me know if you give it a try.
This salad has so many of my favorites in one recipe! I love the addition of grapes.
Thanks, Diane! They add a really nice contrast.
Roasted cauliflower is the best! I’m loving the flavors and textures in this salad! Yum!
Thank you! It’s definitely one of my faves!
Oh wow, this looks amazing! I love the mix of sweet and savory ingredients. My kind of salad!
Thank you, Becky!
I literally want this right now, yes for breakfast! It just sounds warm and filling and delicious!
I actually did eat it for breakfast one day. It was perfect even straight from the fridge. Thanks, Amanda!
I would totally toss the grapes in with the cauliflower and roast them up too! Roasted grapes are my FAVE!
I actually thought about that, but I wanted the contrast of the cool fresh juicy grapes. I’m sure delicious either way! Thanks, Laura!