Roasted Cauliflower Quinoa Salad

Roasted cauliflower quinoa salad is a sweet and mildly spicy salad that combines roasted cauliflower, quinoa, orange and sultanas for a satisfying main meal or side salad.

I love to throw a combination of ingredients together to create substantial salads that satisfy as a complete meal.

My basic salad formula

I generally intuitively create salads with a basic formula that includes:

• a base of a grain or starchy vegetable (as this satisfies my hunger and gives salads substance)
• other veggies and fruits
• protein
• a flavour profile that encompasses sweet, salty, sour and spicy (to satisfy taste)
• a variety of textures

Most often, what I combine into the salads I create depends on what is available in the fridge and pantry. But I also consider flavour combinations of various cuisines.

About this recipe for roasted cauliflower quinoa salad

In the case of this recipe, I’ve drawn on some of the flavours traditionally combined in Moroccan couscous.

Like traditional Moroccan couscous, it contains cumin, turmeric, sultanas, and herbs. However, I’ve taken a lot of creative licence with this recipe—and you can, too!

Specifically, I have used quinoa rather than couscous. Not that there is anything wrong with couscous!

However, quinoa provides a high-protein, high-fibre alternative to couscous and is gluten-free.

A vegan and gluten-free cauliflower salad

This recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

What you’ll need for this cauliflower quinoa salad

To make this quinoa salad, you will need:

• one head cauliflower
• cooked quinoa
• sultanas
• pumpkin seeds
• parsley
• orange (for juice and zest)
• extra virgin olive oil
• smoked paprika
• garlic powder
• cumin
• turmeric
• cracked black pepper
• salt

Make this roasted cauliflower salad your own

Feel free to add or extract from the recipe as you wish.

For example, you could use lemon instead of orange. Add a can of drained chickpeas, or top the salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons.

You could use slivered almonds instead of pumpkin seeds. Or mint instead of parsley.

Hey, you could even omit the cauliflower and replace it with baked carrots, capsicum and zucchini.

I hope to help you get more creative and intuitive with salad preparation rather than provide a perfectly curated recipe.

How to make roasted cauliflower quinoa salad

Roast the cauliflower in the oven with smoked paprika, olive oil and salt. Then, combine the roasted cauliflower with all the other ingredients.

I share below how to achieve perfectly roasted cauliflower for this salad.

If you are new to quinoa, you can also find my tips on cooking quinoa with the perfect texture for this and other salads.

Tips for perfect roasted cauliflower florets

Slice cauliflower to maximise flat edges:

Cutting cauliflower into bite-sized pieces with plenty of flat edges will help to increase caramelisation.

To maximise flat edges, start by slicing off the leaves and stems to form a flat base. Then, place the flat side on a cutting board.

Cut the cauliflower into quarters and then cut it into 1 cm slices.

Cut apart any florets that are stuck together.

Don’t overcrowd the baking tray:

If crowded on the baking tray, the florets produce steam and minimise crispiness. Thus, keep the florets spaced out.

Bake at a relatively high temperature and flip over during cooking:

200^oC is optimal for giving golden edges to your cauliflower.

Check it at 15 minutes. Then, flip the pieces over so they caramelise on both sides.

Cook for a total of 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

How to serve this vegan cauliflower salad?

You can serve this salad warm or cold.

To serve it warm, serve immediately after preparation while the cauliflower and quinoa are still hot.

Serve alongside BBQ meats, kebabs, grilled salmon or lemon chicken.

Storage tips

Keep this salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. You can make it the day before serving.

Have you tried this quinoa and cauliflower salad recipe?

If you have tried this recipe or roasted cauliflower, I’d love to hear how it went.

Let me know in the comments below.

Are you looking for more salad inspiration?

If you are looking for more inspiration for satisfying salads, check out my other salad recipes that contain quinoa:

• Pumpkin quinoa salad
• Lentil quinoa salad
• Brussels sprouts with quinoa salad
• 25 Delicious Grain Bowls and Formula for Easy Grain Bowls

Or, if you are interested in trying more salads with sweet fruits, you may find something to your liking in my round-up blog of recipes with fruits in salads.