This Butter Cauliflower Recipe is a vegetarian riff on the classic Indian dish, Butter Chicken. In this version, tender cauliflower florets are simmered in a spiced cream sauce and served over rice with yogurt. A cozy weeknight dinner the whole family will love. 
The Best Butter Cauliflower Recipe:
It's official, cauliflower has hit its peak. In this Butter Cauliflower recipe, the versatile veggie takes on bright, vibrant flavors, and creates the heartiest homemade version of a classic. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or your grain of choice for a gluten free, vegetarian bowl of BLISS.
In its purest form, Butter Chicken consists of chunks of chicken marinated in a yogurt-and-spice mixture. The chicken gets simmered in a luxuriously creamy sauce comprising tomatoes, aromatics, a wealth of spices, and butter. This dish differs from Tikka Masala in that its more creamy than spicy, however Butter Chicken can still pack a fiery punch.
It's one of my favorite Indian dishes because it truly has the power to warm you from the inside out. It's also incredibly versatile, and you'll notice most versions has varying ratios of spice.
Butter Cauliflower is best served with a side of naan to sop up any remaining sauce. It also makes the BEST leftovers once the flavors really have a chance to develop and marry. In short, it's the kind of dish I could eat on repeat and never tire of.
How to Make Butter Chicken Vegetarian:
Cauliflower is one of the best plant-based subs for chicken in this recipe. However, in order to achieve the meatiest texture, the cauliflower requires a couple extra steps.
- First, sear the cauliflower florets in a skillet until slightly softened.
- Next, toss them in a corn starch, lemon juice, and spice mixture. Since classic Butter Chicken is marinaded in yogurt and spices, this step mimics the same acid + spice infusion. The corn starch will also help create a crust on the cauli, helping it retain its texture after being simmered in the sauce.
As far as spices, the classic lineup includes garam masala, ginger, cumin, fenugreek, and chiles. Some versions may also call for coriander, cardamom, turmeric, and paprika.
In addition, Butter Chicken always calls for butter, tomatoes, and cream, which compose the base of the sauce. In this version, I try to keep the spices relatively streamlined (turmeric, cumin, paprika, ginger, etc.), however garam masala is a must!
Incase you're not familiar, garam masala is a super fragrant spice blend that includes many of the above mentioned ingredinets. The main difference between garam masala and curry powder is that it does not include turmeric. For this reason, garam masala tends to taste a bit sweeter, more floral, and less earthy.
What to Serve with Butter Cauliflower:
I love serving this dish over basmati rice with a side of naan. However if you're looking to add some protein, I recommend serving it over quinoa or tossing in some chickpeas.
Swirling in a dollop of Greek yogurt at the end also ups the protein ante. Plus, it makes the sauce even creamier and balances the spice. This recipe is quite filling on its own between the fiber and satiating fats, though feel free to adjust and make it your own!
To finish off, add some fresh cilantro sprigs and a spritz of lemon juice!
And, as always, if you give this recipe a try, be sure to tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your beautiful creations!
Other Healthy Cauliflower Recipes to Try:
BBQ Cauliflower Tacos with Green Tahini Sauce
Cauliflower Burrito Bowls with Jalapeño Ranch
Butter Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp. corn starch
- ½ tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. ground turmeric divided
- 3 tsp. garam masala divided
- 1 ½ 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 sub 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 sub full-fat canned coconut milk
- Basmati rice for serving
- Fresh cilantro and whole-milk Greek yogurt for garnish
Instructions
- Combine lemon juice, corn starch, cumin, and ½ teaspoon each of turmeric, garam masala, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook cauliflower, tossing occasionally, until browned in places and beginning to soften, 7 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and transfer cauliflower to bowl with corn starch mixture and toss to coat. Return seasoned cauliflower to skillet and cook another 7 to 8 minutes, until charred in spots and crisp-tender. Transfer cauliflower to a bowl.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and butter to skillet. Add onions and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, and tomato paste; cook 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add remaining ½ teaspoon turmeric, 2 ½ teaspoon garam masala, and 1 teaspoon salt, along with paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne; cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce and broth; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, stir in cream, and return cauliflower to skillet. Simmer mixture uncovered until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and serve over rice with a dollop of yogurt.
Notes
Nutrition
Paige
Amazing recipe. So flavorful - the amount of lemon and spices are just perfect! I made the vegan version using vegan butter and coconut milk and it came out so delicious. Can’t wait to make this again!
LINDA PALMER
tastes great, but i have a question about your serving sizes. i used a large head of cauliflower and added half a bag of frozen peas. i figure we got 9 servings. don't know the size of your serving, mine was about 3/4 cup of cauliflower and same amount of rice/serving
Ariel
This was so tasty! I doubled the recipe and we’ve been eating it as a meal prep this week. Turned out so good and my fiancé said it’s one of his favorite meals that I’ve ever made. Thanks for sharing
Matti Carey
It was a great dish! Made for a vegetarian friend and her family loved it. We are it too and my meatarian family gobbled it up too lol. Wasn't sure if the lemon juice mixture was supposed to be paste-like but it worked out ok! I substituted cassava flour for the cornstarch cause I ran out so that probably had something to do with it.
Bonnie M
Absolutely scrumptious! Wow! My daughter said "tastes like it came from an Indian restaurant, which is hard to do"...Best compliment, but truly this recipe is a keeper!!
Jamie Vespa
So glad you enjoyed this one, Bonnie! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Erin
Absolutely delicious! The flavor is amazing and the cauliflower still bad a bit of bite, which I appreciate. I will be making this again!
Mary Slanker
It was super juicy and flavorful even after being reheated later in the day. This recipe is a BIG keeper. I can’t wait to try the next one! Thank you so much and please visit us: https://www.texasgrassfedbeef.com/
Jamie Vespa
Hi Mary - I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! Thank you for coming back and leaving a review!
Anthea
I love the flavors in this, but the cauliflower took soooo much longer to cook than you said. Next time I think I will roast it in the oven rather than doing it on the stove top.
A bit of home grown spinach on the side was perfect.
Roxana
Verry tasty! 👏
Robin
I love love love this and make it almost once a week.
Amy
Hi there, what is the tomato sauce used? I’m the UK, would that be a Passata type thing or tinned chopped tomatoes?
Lisa Kelly
Amy - I'm in Australia and was wondering the exact same thing. I'm going to use a tin of crushed tomatoes I think. Did you end up making this recipe?