Looking for a
vegetarian centerpiece for your summer grill-out? Make these teriyaki cauliflower steaks. Slathered in a brown sugar and soy glaze and showered with scallions and toasted sesame seeds, these saucy cauliflower steaks might just upstage the ribs. Here are some tips on how to make them:
The “steaks”:
Cauliflower steaks can be tricky to fabricate, since only the cross-sections connected to the center cauliflower stem will hold together as cohesive “steaks” once sliced. For best results, use a sharp chef’s knife to cut the cauliflower, and slice the steaks as evenly as possible; this will help them to cook through evenly on the grill. The outer pieces of cauliflower (those not connected through the center stem) will fall apart as you slice, but don’t throw them away. Grill them separately on a wire rack (so the smaller pieces don’t fall through the grill grates) and toss them in the leftover teriyaki glaze or—better yet—save them to make stir-fried cauliflower rice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 c.reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 3cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp.unseasoned rice wine vinegar
- 2 tsp.grated peeled ginger
- 1 tsp.toasted sesame oil
- 1large head cauliflower
- 2 tbsp.cornstarch
- 1/3 c.light brown sugar
- Neutral oil, for grill
- 1/4 tsp.kosher salt
- 2scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp.toasted sesame seeds
Directions
-
- Step 1
Arrange cauliflower head stem down on a cutting board (trim stem if necessary so bottom of cauliflower can rest on cutting board). Using a sharp knife, cut cauliflower into slices about 1/4″ thick. (The ends will crumble and that’s okay; reserve pieces for another use. There should be 3 or 4 center “steaks” that hold together.) Arrange cauliflower steaks in a single layer in a 13″ x 9″ baking dish.
- Step 2In a medium bowl, combine garlic, vinegar, ginger, sesame oil, and 1/4 cup cold water. Pour over cauliflower and turn to coat. Let sit, turning halfway through, 30 minutes.
- Step 3Meanwhile, in a small pot, whisk cornstarch and 1 tablespoon cold water until cornstarch is dissolved. Add brown sugar and whisk to combine.
- Step 4Carefully transfer cauliflower to a metal baking sheet; season with salt.
- Step 5Pour marinade into pot with brown sugar mixture. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove sauce from heat.
- Step 6Meanwhile, prepare a grill for medium heat (or heat a grill pan over medium heat); preheat 5 minutes. Clean and oil grates with neutral oil.
- Step 7Arrange cauliflower steaks on grill, spacing evenly apart. Grill, undisturbed, until deeply marked on the bottom, 6 to 8 minutes. Using a large metal spatula, carefully flip steaks. Continue to grill until grill marks appear on the bottom and steak is tender enough to pierce with a fork, 6 to 8 minutes more.
- Step 8Arrange cauliflower on a platter. Slather with teriyaki sauce. Top with scallions and sesame seeds.
- Step 1
