Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini

Inspired by my one of my favorites at True Foods Kitchen, this Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini is my new go-to. The soft yet crisp roasted cauliflower florets are tossed in a creamy and subtly spicy harissa tahini sauce that’s bursting with flavor.

I love how the tahini sauce coats the roasted cauliflower and garlic and honestly could drink the sauce by the spoonful it’s that good!! And besides the incredible flavor, this dish is also super easy to make. Plus it’s vegan, gluten/dairy/grain free, and nut free if you leave out the pistachios! Healthy, delicious, and the perfect side dish for anyone and everyone.

If you’re looking for more cauliflower inspired dishes, check out this Whole30 Cauliflower Fried Rice. It’s an easy and healthy version of traditional fried rice made with cauliflower rice, sautéed vegetables, fresh scallions and garlic, and all topped off with a protein of your choice. So delicious!

Ingredients in this Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini

Cauliflower Florets – You can either buy pre-cut florets or chop your own!

Olive Oil – Helps keep the cauliflower from sticking and gets the crisp texture.

Garlic – Fresh minced cloves are best for flavor but you can always sub for garlic powder if needed. Just swap 3 tsp garlic powder for the 6 garlic cloves.

Tahini – A creamy blend made from sesame seeds. My favorite brand to use is Soom Foods because it’s 100% sesame with nothing else added! To try it for yourself use code themindfulhapa for 10% off your first order!

Harissa – A hot chili paste that adds immense flavor to this roasted cauliflower with tahini! You can find this at most grocery stores these days, and I know it’s something Trader Joe’s keeps in stock year round as well!

Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed is best, and you’ll need 1-2 lemons.

Pistachios – An optional topping that adds great crunch for texture and salty flavor.

Medjool Dates – The sweetness of dates balances the spicy harissa in the tahini sauce. Give it a try!

Mint – Fresh mint adds such a pop of cooling flavor to balance the heat of harissa.

Dill – One of my favorite herbs to use because of it’s fresh flavor.

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How to Roast Cauliflower

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. To a large mixing bowl, add cauliflower florets, olive oil, and garlic. Mix well until all cauliflower is coated.
3. Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking tray and roast cauliflower at 375 F for 30 minutes or until bottoms start to crisp/brown.
4. While the cauliflower is roasting, make your sauce.

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How to Make Tahini Harissa Sauce

1. Add all ingredients for the sauce to a small bowl and whisk to combine. That’s it!

Once the cauliflower is done and you’ve made your sauce, all you have to do is combine everything. For the next steps, just:

1. Remove cauliflower from the oven and add back to the large mixing bowl. Add the harissa tahini sauce and stir to combine.
2.  Just before serving, finish the dish by stirring in add-ins: chopped dates, roasted pistachios, and chopped fresh herbs.
3. Add extra salt & pepper to taste. Garnish with extra chopped mint, dill, and roasted pistachios. Enjoy!

What is Harissa?

Harissa is an underrated spice blend that can pack so much flavor and a little bit of spice! Traditional harissa is a chili paste infused with vibrant spices for an in-depth flavor profile. It originates from Tunisia and adds such a pop of spice to recipes.

What’s great about harissa is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can make a dressing with it (like this harissa tahini sauce) or mix it with another spread like pesto or hummus. You can roast vegetables in it or toss roasted sweet potatoes with the paste. Make a marinade with it or stir into rice/pasta. The options are endless!

Ways to Enjoy Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini

I’m not joking when I say I’d eat an entire batch of this right from the oven. I’m one of those people snacking on the roasted cauliflower while making dinner because it’s so dang good!

See below for a few of my favorite dishes to serve this along side. They pair perfectly with the kick of harissa spice!

Seared Salmon with Shallot & Gruyere Risotto – The creamy and cheesy risotto is topped with roasted broccolini and seared salmon filets for a mouth watering combination of flavors. This roasted cauliflower with harissa tahini would be a delicious addition!

Southwestern Vegan Burrito Bowl – Chipotle inspired buddha bowl with brown rice, roasted sweet potatoes, corn, and fresh veggies all dressed with a homemade cilantro lime sauce. Adding this roasted cauliflower to the bowl would be a tasty way to incorporate yet another bite of veggie!

If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating in the boxes below! I always love to hear from you and it helps other people find this recipe when they search online for the BEST Roasted Cauliflower with Harissa Tahini 🙂