Sweet and Savory Glazed Baked Cauliflower Recipe
This Sweet and Savory Glazed Baked Cauliflower recipe offers a delicious twist on a classic vegetable side dish by roasting cauliflower florets to golden perfection and coating them with a flavorful glaze made from maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ginger. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and umami, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for an added touch of texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey if not strictly vegan)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves minced garlic)
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder (or fresh grated ginger)
Optional Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup to ensure the cauliflower doesn’t stick and you have an easy cleanup.
- Prepare Cauliflower: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, salt, and pepper until they are evenly coated, which helps them roast evenly and develop a nice golden color.
- Roast Cauliflower: Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the baking sheet to avoid overcrowding which prevents steaming. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown, turning once halfway through cooking for even roasting.
- Make the Glaze: While the cauliflower roasts, whisk together maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger powder in a small bowl until fully combined to create the sweet and savory glaze.
- Glaze and Return to Oven: After roasting, remove the cauliflower from the oven, drizzle the glaze over the florets, and toss gently to coat all pieces evenly. Return the cauliflower to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes so the glaze can caramelize and become bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the glazed cauliflower from the oven once caramelized, then sprinkle with optional sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- Ensure cauliflower florets are similar in size to promote even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to allow proper roasting instead of steaming.
- If using fresh garlic and ginger instead of powder, finely mince or grate them for best flavor distribution.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Try rice vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar to vary the flavor.
- For gluten-free versions, substitute tamari for soy sauce.
- Frozen cauliflower can be used if thawed and patted dry completely before roasting.
- Coconut aminos is a good soy-free alternative to soy sauce.
Keywords: baked cauliflower, glazed cauliflower, roasted cauliflower, sweet and savory side dish, maple syrup glaze, healthy vegetable recipe, vegetarian side
