Here's a little something for your next picnic or family dinner: our Ridiculously Good Cauliflower Salad. This dish is everything you love about hearty, flavorful salads and will make you fall in love with cauliflower all over again. Packed with fresh herbs, crunchy veggies, and a tangy dressing, this salad comes together in no time and is what I make when I want serious flavors and don't have much time.
Is it me or does it seem like cauliflower is the vegetable of the moment right now?
Personally, I was slow to jump on the bandwagon, but once I did, I haven't looked back.
Is there anything that this vegetable can't do?
From cauliflower pizza crust, to "bread", to cauliflower rice and "mac" n cheese, cauliflower makes a great wholesom substitute in so many dishes.
This Spicy Cauliflower Salad Recipe with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes, and basil is packed with flavor, and I can promise you that no one will feel like they are making a sacrifice. It is a perfect side dish for your next grillout, and it would be great to take on a picnic!
One thing I love about this Cauliflower Salad, is that since cauliflower something I can find year around, I can enjoy it in the cooler months. It is a great way to mix up the rich comfort food that I crave in fall and winter.
Ingredients
- Cauliflower: Cut into florets, this serves as the hearty base of the salad, offering a mild flavor that pairs well with bold ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: I like mayo here, but you can use plain Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option.
- Heavy Cream: Adds creaminess to the dressing; quinoa cream is an excellent dairy-free alternative.
- Broth: Provides depth and enhances the overall flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Red wine vinegar could be used in its place.
- Chipotle Chile Pepper: Finely diced for a smoky heat that adds just the right amount of punch. You will find these in small cans labeled chipotle chiles in adobo sauce in the ethnic foods section.
- Grape Tomatoes: Halved for a burst of freshness and sweetness in every bite.
- Smoked Gouda Cheese: Cubed for its rich, smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
- Basil: Sliced thin to add a fresh, aromatic touch that rounds out the salad's profile.
Tips and Tricks
- Steam Perfectly: Steam the cauliflower until tender but still slightly crisp to maintain texture.
- Proper Cooling: Let the cauliflower cool completely on paper towels to avoid excess moisture in your salad.
- Chipotle Kick: Adjust the amount of chipotle chile pepper to control the level of heat in your salad.
- Cheese Choice: Smoked gouda adds a wonderful depth; feel free to experiment with other cheeses like cheddar or feta.
- Serving Options: Serve chilled for a refreshing side or at room temperature for a more pronounced flavor blend.
- Make Ahead: Make this at least a few hours before you plan on serving it to allow the flavors to combine. (Hold off on adding the cheese and the basil.)
- Go Small: If you can find it, opt for a smaller head of cauliflower and use two if necessary. They tend to be sweeter!
Variations
- Add bacon, and in place of the gouda cheese, use blue cheese.
- Omit the chipotle chili pepper and instead use 1 tablespoon of prepared horseradish and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
- Add ½ small red onion and use ½ cup fresh parsley in place of the basil.
- For an extra kick, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to the dressing.
- Try roasting the cauliflower for a fun twist! Roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness. To roast, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 25 minutes
Recommended Tools
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- Steamer
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More Cauliflower Recipes to Try
- Cauliflower Rice: This low-carb side is a super-quick, flavor-packed alternative to traditional grains.
- Chicken and Cauliflower: A delicious everyday meal that comes together in the time it would take you to run to the store.
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad: Perfect for quick family dinners, this salad is perky and bright with fresh veggies and a tangy dressing.
- Cauliflower Quinoa: This dish is a vegetarian weeknight go-to. It combines quinoa and cauliflower for a hearty, nutrient-rich meal.
25-Minute Cauliflower Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes and Basil
Here's a little something for your next picnic or family dinner: our Ridiculously Good Cauliflower Salad. This dish is everything you love about hearty, flavorful salads and will make you fall in love with cauliflower all over again. Packed with fresh herbs, crunchy veggies, and a tangy dressing, this salad comes together in no time and is what I make when I want serious flavors and don't have much time.
Servings: 8
Calories: 217kcal
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- ½ cup mayonnaise or Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or quinoa cream
- 2 tablespoons vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 chipotle chile pepper finely diced (from a can of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce)
- 6 ounces grape tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces smoked gouda cheese cubed
- ½ cup basil sliced thin
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Steam cauliflower for 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Combine mayonnaise or Greek Yogurt, cream, broth and chipotle chile pepper in a small food processor or blender. Process until smooth.
- Add tomatoes, cheese and basil to the cauliflower and toss with dressing. Garnish with additional basil if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Variations for Cauliflower Salad
- Add bacon and in place of the gouda cheese use blue cheese.
- Omit the chipotle chili pepper and instead use 1 tablespoon of prepared horseradish and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
- Add ½ small red onion and use ½ cup fresh parsley in place of the basil.
- Use red wine vinegar in place of the apple cider vinegar.
- For an extra kick, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic to the dressing.
- Try roasting the cauliflower for a fun twist! Roasting cauliflower brings out its natural sweetness. To roast, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet for 25 minutes.
Tips for Making Cauliflower Potato Salad
- Make this at least a few hours before you plan on serving it to allow the flavors to combine. (Hold off on adding the cheese and the basil.)
- Opt for a smaller head of cauliflower if you can find it. They tend to be sweeter!
- Save the cauliflower stems and julienne them for salads. (Or add them to this salad.) . Believe it or not, you can even add them to a smoothie. For real! It is a great way to boost nutrition without added sugar. Check out this recipe for a little inspiration. Disclosure: I haven't tried adding cauliflower to my smoothies but I have friends that swear by it. I plan on trying it soon!
Nutrition
Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 129mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Amanda says
I have to give this a try! I've been trying to watch my carbs too.