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Home Recipes Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
P Paleo GF Gluten-Free DF Dairy Free V Vegan VG Vegetarian NF Nut-Free

Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

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Posted:4/15/20
Updated:4/16/20

NEW FAVORITE SIDE DISH – Lightened up Sweet and Sour Cauliflower! A vegan friendly spin on the favorite Chinese takeout. Easy, gluten free and paleo friendly too!

sweet sour cauliflower in bowl this recipe

Now hear me out… I’m not trying to pass this cauliflower off as sweet and sour chicken.

IMO – you can’t just say something that is clearly a vegetable, is meat. The meat lovers will always have your head.

But what I will tell you is:

This sweet and sour cauliflower is a delicious side dish that just so happens to be completely plant based and you definitely need it in your life.

If you want to get whoever it is that says they don’t like veggies, to add some cauliflower into their life, adding sweet and sour sauce is the way to go.

This absolutely delicious recipe comes from my friend, Lindsay Freedman, of The Toasted Pinenut and her really awesome, “Cauliflower Power” cookbook!

cauliflower power cookbook with pink towel

This book has over 75 recipes, all featuring the star ingredient: CAULIFLOWER. But these recipes are anything but basic, I promise.

You’ll come a long way from just making cauliflower rice into making delicious recipes like:

  • Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake
  • Vegan Queso
  • Chocolate Mousse
  • Strawberry Ice Cream

Just to name a few…

So I am giving you a little preview of one of the most popular recipes that is sure to turn cauliflower haters into lovers

Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Recipe

sweet sour cauliflower in turquoise bowl with spoon

Ingredients needed

  • cauliflower – the star ingredient, obviously!
  • coconut oil  – the cooking oil used on the cauliflower prior to baking. You can also use avocado or olive.
  • tapioca flour – this is added to the cauliflower for a “breaded” like consistency.
  • apple cider vinegar – the sour ingredient.
  • agave nectar, maple syrup or honey – the “sweet” ingredient in this sweet and sour sauce. Use agave nectar or maple syrup if strictly vegan.
  • ketchup – use a no added sugar variation or a paleo friendly brand if you’d like.
  • tamari or soy sauce (or coconut aminos) – tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce, or you can use coconut aminos for a paleo friendly option.
  • minced garlic, grated ginger root and onion powder – these seasonings add so much flavor! Especially the fresh ginger, don’t skimp out on that.
  • scallions and sesame seeds – for garnishing
head of cauliflower and ingredients in small dishes on wooden board

Make this recipe in 2 Steps

This sweet and sour cauliflower recipe is easy and is ready to go in about 35 minutes! Chop the cauliflower into medium florets, gather your ingredients and let’s do this.

First bake the cauliflower florets

Add the cauliflower florets to a bag with (melted) coconut oil and toss to coat. Then add tapioca flour and toss again.

Transfer to baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes at 425ºF.

cauliflower florets in plastic storage bag

Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

While the cauliflower is baking, you’ll make the sauce:

Place the vinegar, sweetener, ketchup, tamari, minced garlic, grated ginger and onion powder in a small pot over medium high heat.

Whisk for three minutes, until mixture is smooth then bring the sauce to a simmer; continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until sauce thickens.

Combine

Transfer the baked cauliflower to a bowl, then toss with the sweet and sour sauce. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and sesame seeds and devour!

open cookbook next to teal bowl

See how easy that was?

I mean truly, I am not sure I’ll ever want to enjoy cauliflower another way.

This dish would go great with your favorite stir fry or serve alongside spaghetti squash noodles for even more veggies!

close up cauliflower dish with sweet and sour sauce in teal bowl

Let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and rating below! It helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley

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Sweet and Sour Cauliflower

sweet sour cauliflower in turquoise bowl with spoon
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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

You are going to LOVE this lightened up Sweet and Sour Cauliflower! A vegan friendly spin on the favorite Chinese takeout. Easy, gluten free and paleo friendly too!

  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2-4 1x
  • Category: Sides & Appetizers
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Chinese Takeout
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower

  • 4 cups medium cauliflower florets
  • 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil, melted (or sub avocado, olive, etc.)
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour

Sweet & Sour Sauce

  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1/4 cup ketchup 
  • 2 TBSP tamari or soy sauce (coconut aminos for paleo)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder

For Garnish

  • 1 scallion, light green part, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425ºF and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Bake the cauliflower: place cauliflower florets and oil in large bag; shake until evenly coated. Add tapioca flour to bag and shake again. Transfer florets to baking sheet; bake for 30 minutes until florets begin to brown.
  3. Meanwhile, make the sauce: place vinegar, maple syrup (or honey or agave), ketchup, tamari (soy sauce or coconut aminos), garlic, ginger and onion powder in small pot over medium-high heat. Whisk mixture for 3 minutes until smooth. Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until sauce has thickened. 
  4. Place the baked cauliflower in a bowl and toss with sweet and sour sauce. Top with scallions and sesame seeds and dig in! 

Notes

Use paleo-friendly coconut aminos and ketchup as needed.

Keywords: vegan sweet & sour,

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @fitmittenkitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #fitmittenkitchen

Save this recipe for later & pin it.

sweet & sour cauliflower pinterest

About Ashley

"Ashley Walterhouse is the founder of Fit Mitten Kitchen, based in the Greater Lansing Area of Michigan, AKA “the Mitten.” Ashley grew up as a picky eater but later discovered that eating healthy was actually easy and fun. She started FMK in 2015 as a way to share her newfound love of developing healthier recipes for all to enjoy."

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Lindsay Grimes Freedman says

    4/15/2020 at 12:57 pm

    One of my absolute FAVORITE ways to eat cauliflower!! Thanks so much for sharing!! xo

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      4/18/2020 at 2:38 pm

      It’s so good!!

      Reply
  2. joan gray says

    4/18/2020 at 12:09 pm

    Made this for family of older teens. Big hit. Next time I might cut back on vinegar & up my sweetness a little. I used pure maple syrup that really isn’t that sweet so needed to add a pinch a brown sugar. If I used the honey suggested, probably right on point. I might try with o.j. too. Thanks, also ordering book too

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      4/18/2020 at 2:38 pm

      Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback, Joan 😀

      Reply
  3. Ellen says

    4/22/2020 at 1:58 pm

    SO good! Thanks for sharing, we loved it,

    Reply
  4. Chelsey says

    11/28/2020 at 9:24 am

    Im convinced this recipe makes crack…we couldn’t stop eating these delicious morsels of cauliflower until they were all gone. Yum!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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