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Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls Recipe

4.9 from 53 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Cauliflower Shawarma Bowl featuring roasted spiced cauliflower, tangy pickled cabbage, fresh tabbouleh, and creamy tahini sauce. This wholesome vegetarian bowl combines Middle Eastern-inspired flavors for a healthy and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Roasted Cauliflower

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets (about 970g)
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Pickled Cabbage

  • 3 cups thinly shredded red cabbage (185g)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup apple cider or red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup or sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Grains

  • ½ cup dried bulgur wheat or quinoa, or 1 cup couscous

Tabbouleh

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • 2 bunches curly parsley, finely chopped (about 11.5 cups)
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (substitute with roma if needed)

Tahini Sauce

  • ¼ cup tahini (50 g)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • 34 tbsp water (to thin)
  • Salt, to taste

To Serve

  • Hummus
  • Pita wedges, warmed or toasted
  • Optional hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the cauliflower.
  2. Roast Cauliflower: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cauliflower florets, curry powder, cumin, garlic powder, ground coriander, smoked paprika, olive oil, and season well with salt and pepper. Toss thoroughly to coat the florets with the spices and oil. Spread the cauliflower evenly on an unlined baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the florets are golden and tender.
  3. Pickle Cabbage: Place the shredded red cabbage in a heatproof bowl or jar. In a small pot, combine water, vinegar, maple syrup (or sugar), and sea salt. Bring this pickling brine to a simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes until the salt and sugar have fully dissolved. Pour the hot brine over the cabbage, toss to coat, and set aside to pickle. Stir occasionally as it cools to ensure even pickling.
  4. Cook Grain: Prepare your choice of grain—bulgur wheat, quinoa, or couscous—according to the package instructions. Once cooked, let it cool slightly before mixing.
  5. Make Tabbouleh: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, ground coriander, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Add in the chopped parsley, mint, diced cucumber, quartered cherry tomatoes, and the cooked grain. Toss everything well to combine and season to taste further with salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Prepare Tahini Sauce: In a small bowl, mix tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, and cumin. Gradually add 3-4 tablespoons of water to loosen the sauce and whisk until smooth. Adjust consistency with more water if necessary, keeping in mind the sauce will thicken slightly as it rests. Season with salt to taste.
  7. Assemble Bowls: Spoon a generous portion of tabbouleh into bowls. Arrange the roasted cauliflower and pickled cabbage alongside. Drizzle the tahini sauce over the cauliflower for extra flavor. Add a dollop of hummus in the center of the bowl. For additional heat, add your preferred hot sauce. Serve with warm toasted pita wedges for a complete, delicious meal.

Notes

  • Substitute bulgur with quinoa or couscous for gluten-free options.
  • The pickled cabbage can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to deepen.
  • Adjust spices in the cauliflower seasoning to your taste preferences.
  • Use a mini food processor to finely chop parsley quickly for the tabbouleh.
  • Tahini sauce thickness can be adjusted by adding more or less water depending on desired consistency.
  • Leftover ingredients can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Cauliflower Shawarma, Roasted Cauliflower, Shawarma Bowl, Vegetarian Shawarma, Middle Eastern Bowl, Tahini Sauce, Tabbouleh, Pickled Cabbage, Healthy Lunch, Vegan Friendly