For a long time, cauliflower has been relegated to a corner of the produce aisle and overlooked in favour of…literally everything else.
But now that everyone you know is jumping on the low-carb bandwagon—whether it’s to try out the keto diet or to give J.Lo’s famous 10-day challenge a go—cauliflower has made its way into the spotlight.
And honestly, it’s about time. The veggie might be mellow in flavour, but it’s full of fibre, along with vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, and choline, according to the USDA. It’s also a versatile vegetable that’s a low-carb stand-in for mashed potatoes and rice.
Which brings me to my next point: There are so many different things you can do with cauliflower. Here, 15 delicious cauliflower recipes that will make you say, “carbs who?”
1. Cauliflower Cheesy Bread
If you’re trying to cut back on carbs, bread is likely to go first—but with this cauliflower cheesy bread recipe, you can enjoy an updated Italian meal (next to some zoodles with marinara, of course). Make the recipe
Per serving: 51 calories, 3 g fat (1 g sat), 120 mg sodium, 1 g carbs, 4 g protein.
READ MORE: 7 Cauliflower Rice Combos That Weigh In At 1050 Kilojoules Or Less
2. Crispy Coconut-Lime Baked Cauliflower Tacos
Breaded and fried cauliflower tacos for when you need something crispy on Meatless Monday? Honestly, this one is genius. Make the recipe
Per serving: 413 calories, 22 g fat (12 g sat), 877 mg sodium, 47 g carbs, 12 g fibre, 11 g sugar, 10 g protein.
3. Cauliflower Tater Tots
Potatoes are super starchy—but these upgraded tater tots made from cauliflower are a great low-carb option. Bonus points: This ketchup dipping sauce has a spicy kick of harissa. Make the recipe
Per serving: 82 calories, 4 g fat (1 g sat), 203 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 3 g fibre.
4. Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
You’ve got two options here: You can make a creamy, cheesy sauce made from cauliflower, or you can make a vegan-friendly cream sauce without the cheese. Either way, it’s a win-win. Make the recipe
Per serving: 130 calories, 5 g fat (3 g sat), 315 mg sodium, 12 g carbs, 3 g fibre, 3 g sugar, 10 g protein.
5. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Bites
There’s one rule I like to live by: You can never have too much garlic. These crunchy, garlicky cauliflower bites are a great addition to a meal (or to snack on alone). Make the recipe
Per serving: 247 calories, 18 g fat (11 g sat), 496 mg sodium, 14 g carbs, 1 g fibre, 1 g sugar, 6 g protein.
6. Cheesy Cauliflower Alfredo Bake
Cauliflower takes the place of noodles in this creamy, cheesy Alfredo bake—and by the time you’ve cleaned your plate, you won’t even miss ’em. Make the recipe
Per serving: 375 calories, 28 g fat (17 g sat), 752 mg sodium, 17 g carbs, 2 g fibre, 2 g sugar, 15 g protein.
READ MORE: This Is The Banting Cauliflower Side Dish Recipe You Need To Know
7. Cauliflower Cheddar Fritters
Potato pancakes are damn good—but also not allowed when you’re keeping it low-carb. The solution? These cauliflower fritters that include a hefty dose of cheddar cheese. Make the recipe
Per serving: 46 calories, 2 g fat (1 g sat), 132 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 2 g protein.
8. Cauliflower Parmesan Crisps
Potato chips and fries are sadly not on any low-carb diet menu. Luckily, these cauliflower Parmesan crisps can hit your crunch cravings. Make the recipe
Per serving: 162 calories, 5g fat (3 g sat), 404 mg sodium, 18 g carbs, 6 g fibre, 6 g sugar, 13 g protein.
9. Creamy Ham And Cheese Cauliflower Soup
Bean soup is one of those comfort foods you just need to have during the winter—but this spin uses cauliflower in place of carb-heavy beans and adds a hearty helping of cheese to become your new fave Sunday dish. Make the Recipe
Per serving: 420 calories, 26 g fat (16 g sat), 1450 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 5 g fibre, 6 g sugar, 30 g protein.
10. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks
Cooking actual steaks can be tricky. You need to get the internal temp right and make sure you don’t overcook it. Luckily, you don’t need to worry about any of that with these cauliflower steaks. Make the recipe
Per serving: 150 calories, 12 g fat (2 g sat), 625 mg sodium, 9 g carbs, 6 g fibre, 3 g sugar, 4 g protein.
11. Mexican Cauliflower Rice
You don’t need to swear off burrito bowls forever just because you’re following a low-carb diet. This Mexican cauliflower rice will pair perfectly with avocado, salsa, and whatever else you choose to top your bowl with. Make the recipe
Per serving: 70 calories, 4 g fat, 347 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 2 g fibre, 3 g sugar, 2 g protein.
12. Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Pizza Crust
There are so many cauliflower pizza crusts in stores now, but why not make your own? With just three ingredients, this recipe is beyond doable. Make the recipe
Per serving: 106 calories, 6 g fat, 5 g carbs, 2 g fibre, 2 g sugar, 10 g protein.
READ MORE: 15 Complex Carbs You Should Def Incorporate Into Your Diet
13. Healthy Cauliflower Nachos
Hear me out on this one: Are you going to get the super-crunchy texture of tortilla chips with cauliflower? No. But will you be able to say you had healthy nachos for dinner? Absolutely. Make the recipe
Per serving: 429 calories, 29 g fat, 14 g carbs, 6 g fibre, 5 g sugar, 27 g protein
14. Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Vegetarians and vegans, rejoice! You can still savour something crunchy and buffalo-flavoured during any game-watching event. Make the recipe
Per serving: 162 calories, 13 g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g fibre, 3 g sugar, 5 g protein.
15. Cauliflower Potato Salad
Summer’s still a few months away, but this cauliflower potato salad is the perfect picnic side dish for anyone watching their carbs. Make the recipe
Per serving: 250 calories, 21 g fat, 11 g carbs, 5 g fibre, 5 g sugar, 6 g protein.
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
