Brown Sugar BBQ Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
A whole roasted cauliflower coated in a rich, homemade brown sugar BBQ sauce, baked to tender perfection and topped with scallions, roasted peanuts, and a drizzle of sriracha for a sweet, tangy, and spicy flavor combination.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 1/4 lb.), stem trimmed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce & Assembly
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp. sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 scallion, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- Sriracha, for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the cauliflower stem side down in the center of a large heatproof skillet. Brush it all over with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Initial Roasting: Bake the cauliflower for 30 minutes at 450°F. After 30 minutes, brush it with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Carefully pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the skillet to help steam the cauliflower as it cooks.
- Continue Baking Until Tender: Bake for an additional 40 to 55 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender when pierced with a knife and the water has been absorbed.
- Make the Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce: While the cauliflower roasts, combine ketchup, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and freshly ground black pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Glaze the Cauliflower: Brush the roasted cauliflower all over with the prepared BBQ sauce. Return it to the oven and bake for about 5 more minutes until the sauce becomes slightly caramelized.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the cauliflower from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Transfer it to a serving platter, sprinkle with chopped scallions and roasted peanuts, and drizzle with sriracha to taste.
Notes
- Use a large heatproof skillet to accommodate the whole cauliflower and to collect the water for steaming.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and sriracha amounts for preferred spice level.
- Make sure to watch the cauliflower during the last baking stages to avoid burning the glaze.
- This dish pairs excellently with grilled meats or as a hearty vegetarian entree.
- Roasted peanuts add a crunchy texture contrast but can be omitted or substituted for nut allergies.
Keywords: brown sugar BBQ sauce, roasted cauliflower, whole cauliflower recipe, vegetarian BBQ, oven roasted cauliflower
