BBQ Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri (Printer-Friendly)

Charred cauliflower steaks brushed with smoky spices and finished with bright chimichurri — vegan and gluten-free.

# What You Need:

→ For the Cauliflower Steaks

01 - 2 large cauliflower heads
02 - 3 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ For the Chimichurri Sauce

08 - 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
13 - 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Remove the leaves and trim the stem of each cauliflower, keeping the core intact. Place cauliflower heads stem side down and cut into 1-inch thick slices to form "steaks" (you should get 2-3 steaks per head). Reserve the loose florets for another use.
03 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
04 - Brush both sides of each cauliflower steak generously with the spiced oil mixture.
05 - Place the cauliflower steaks on the grill. Cook 7–8 minutes per side, turning carefully with a spatula, until charred and tender.
06 - While the cauliflower cooks, prepare chimichurri: Combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red chili flakes, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Stir vigorously until well blended.
07 - Remove cauliflower steaks from the grill and arrange on a serving platter. Spoon chimichurri sauce generously over each steak. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The smokiness and fresh herbs make every bite taste like summer in the backyard, even if you grill indoors.
  • This recipe became a staple because everyone—vegan or not—always asks for seconds and the sauce doubles up as a salad or bread dipper.
02 -
  • If you rush slicing, the steaks will fall apart—patience is key for thick, sturdy pieces.
  • Discovering that a blazing hot grill actually speeds up both charring and tenderness made all the difference for me.
03 -
  • Brush the grill with oil just before adding the steaks to reduce sticking and ripped edges.
  • Let the chimichurri rest for a few minutes before serving, so the flavors meld and soften any raw garlic sharpness.
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