Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Sautéed Mushrooms and Tahini
Tender roasted cauliflower steaks paired with golden sautéed baby bella and shiitake mushrooms, finished with a creamy tahini-lemon drizzle. The cauliflower develops beautiful caramelized edges while maintaining a tender center, and the mixed mushrooms add earthy depth. Perfect as a hearty vegetarian main course or elegant side dish for dinner parties. The tahini sauce brings richness and Mediterranean flair, while optional sumac adds a bright, floral finish.
Ingredients
- 2 heads cauliflower, checked
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 2 6-ounce containers baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ cup tahini paste
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- ½ teaspoon sumac(optional)za'atar1:1flavor
herbaceous instead of citrus
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
- 2
Slice cauliflower heads into steaks
- 3
Lay cauliflower on parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper
- 4
Roast for 35 minutes or until edges are browning and core is cooked through
- 5
Meanwhile, preheat a large frying pan with remaining olive oil
- 6
Sauté all mushrooms over medium-high heat until browned and no liquid remains, seasoning with salt and pepper
- 7
Plate cauliflower on a large platter and heap with sautéed mushrooms
- 8
Combine tahini, water, lemon juice, salt, and parsley for sauce
- 9
Drizzle tahini sauce over the cauliflower
- 10
Sprinkle with sumac if using
Tips
If cauliflower falls apart while slicing into steaks, don't worry - the broken pieces will still roast beautifully and taste great.
Cook mushrooms until all liquid evaporates for the best caramelized flavor and texture.
Thin the tahini sauce with extra water if needed to reach desired drizzling consistency.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Store components separately if possible.
Cauliflower can be roasted up to 1 day ahead and reheated. Make tahini sauce fresh.
Serve immediately while cauliflower is warm and mushrooms are tender.
Common Mistakes
Avoid overcrowding mushrooms in pan to prevent steaming instead of browning.
Don't skip checking cauliflower doneness as cooking times vary by size.
Substitutions
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
herbaceous instead of citrus
FAQ
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
Fresh cauliflower works best for steaks. Frozen tends to break apart and become mushy when roasted.
What if I don't have tahini?
Substitute with cashew butter or almond butter thinned with water and lemon juice for similar creaminess.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to maintain texture.