Here is a vegan Caribbean cauliflower curry you’ll be proud to serve your family and/or guests. It’s simple and easy enough to make for a weeknight meal but flavorful enough for special occasions.
Curry seasoning harkens back to the days in Jamaica shortly after Emancipation. With no more slaves, plantation owners resorted to bringing in indentured servants and immigrants from countries like India. Indians introduced curry to Jamaican which is how we get staple curry dishes like curry goat.
Related Vegan Curry Recipes:
I had every intention to make this post about curry goat, but got the call to participate in the annual Black History Month Virtual Potluck around the same time. This year’s theme is vegan recipes, so curry goat became curry cauliflower and it’s really good; like real real good.
Now I got me a new dish, I call it “Karma!” Today is your lucky day; not only do you get this delicious curry dish, but be sure to scroll to the end of this post to see all the other great vegan recipes by my talented food blogger friends.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with Cauliflower curry)
Lucky Daye's song "Karma" pairs beautifully with curry cauliflower for several reasons:
"Karma" has a smooth, soulful vibe with its mellow beats and silky vocals. Curry cauliflower, with its warm spices and creamy texture, creates a comforting and soothing culinary experience that complements the song’s relaxed ambiance.
The song features intricate melodies and rich harmonies, offering depth and complexity. Curry cauliflower is a dish with layers of flavors, from the aromatic spices to the tender, roasted cauliflower, making it a complex and satisfying dish.
The song's balance of smooth vocals and intricate instrumentals creates a harmonious listening experience. Curry cauliflower balances the robust spices with the natural sweetness of the cauliflower, creating a harmonious and well-rounded flavor profile.
Cauliflower Curry Ingredients
This is a vibrant dish in both flavor and color, but relies on just a few key ingredients. The key to the curry is the spice mix (curry, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper) paired with the fresh aromatics (onions, garlics, ginger, habanero, and thyme). I prefer to blend my spices up together in a small bowl or ramekin before cooking and add portions of it as I go.
Ingredients
For the curry spice mix
- Curry powder
- Turmeric
- Smoked Paprika
- Cumin
- Coriander optional
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper (optional)
For the cauliflower
- Coconut oil; olive or canola are fine too
- Yellow onion
- Garlic cloves minced
- Fresh ginger minced
- Whole habanero
- Diced tomatoes fire-roasted
- Canned Coconut milk
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Bay leaf
- Whole Cauliflower
- Lime Zest
How To Make Cauliflower Curry (Step by Step)
Step 1: Saute the aromatics (Vegetables)
Step 2: Make the curry base
Step 3: Finish the dish
What To Serve With Cauliflower
I like my curried cauliflower served topped over coconut ginger rice and finished with fresh parsley or cilantro. I enjoy it as a main dish and may add a vegan side or two like:
Curry cauliflower is a flavorful and versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of complementary sides and accompaniments. Here are some excellent options to serve with curry cauliflower:
Basmati Rice or Jasmine Rice
The mild flavor of the rice balances the bold spices of the curry.
Naan Bread or Roti
These soft, warm breads are perfect for scooping up the curry and adding a comforting texture.
Lentil Dal
Adds protein and a complementary flavor profile to the meal.
Chickpea Salad
Adds a light, tangy element to balance the richness of the curry.
Pickles or Chutneys
These add a burst of tangy and sweet flavors to the meal.
I like my curried cauliflower served topped over coconut ginger rice and finished with fresh parsley or cilantro. I enjoy it as a main dish and may add a vegan side or two like:
Expert Curry Roasted Cauliflower Cooking Tips
- Choose fresh cauliflower. Blemishes or browning of any sort indicate old cauliflower.
- Chop the florets as small and evenly as possible. Smaller florets cook faster and are easier to chew without having to cut them during eating.
- Time permitting saute the cauliflower on medium-high heat in olive oil for 5 minutes before adding to the curry. This is an optional “level up” step. Don’t fret if you don’t have the time or want to keep things simple, as the recipe is still delicious without the step.
- Deglaze the pan with the diced tomatoes
- Season at every step
- After about 10 minutes of cooking poke the florets with a fork to test for desired texture. You want tender, but with a little bit of bite to them. You’ll have to check a few times to get to your preferred texture.
- Add lime zest at the end of cooking to brighten the dish. I also like to add some lime juice with my bowl!
- Add green peas for another vegetable add and more satiety
- Go with full fat coconut milk over the light version
- Garam masala is another good spice mix add to your curry seasoning. Add it if you already have on hand, but no need to go out and buy some just for this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Yellow Cauliflower Different than White Cauliflower?
Yes and no. They both taste and feel the same. Orange/Yellow cauliflower is different in that it has a much higher beta-carotene count (about 25X). More beta-carotene means more Vitamin A which is good for immune system, skin, and heart disease. For this recipe color doesn’t matter. I chose yellow because it was available and I wanted it’s color would be perfect visually for the dish.
Is the recipe kept friendly?
Cauliflower is the poster child for keto vegetables! If cauliflower is the poster-child, then coconut milk is its fat cousin making the combo a great kept combo with the low carb cauliflower and high fat coconut milk.
What are good add in vegetables?
I like the dish with carrots, personally. But I also like broccoli, chickpeas, oddly enough black-eyed peas. At some point I plan to try it with pickled okra. Stay tuned…
For more cauliflower recipes try these:
Grilled Whole Cauliflower w/ Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Make This Cauliflower Recipe
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Ingredients
For the curry spice mix
- 2 tablespoon Curry
- 2 teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Coriander optional
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Pepper
For the cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil olive or canola are fine too
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 whole habanero punctured on all sides with a sharp knife
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes fire roasted
- 15 oz can coconut milk
- 3 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium cauliflower chopped into small florets
- 1 small lime for zest
Instructions
Make the Curry Spice Mix
- Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside
Make the Cauliflower
- Heat skillet on medium-high heat and add coconut oil.
- Sauté onions for 2-3 minutes until they brown a little and become translucent.
- Add the garlic and ginger with a ⅓ the spice mix. Mix well and sauce 30-60 seconds.
- Add the habanero, then the thyme, bay leaf and tomatoes with their juices. Add another ⅓ spice mix and mix well. Cook about 2-3 minutes to reduce the juices from the tomatoes.
- Add coconut milk. Let cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add cauliflower and let simmer until preferred tenderness 15-20 minutes. Start using the fork test after about 10 minutes of cooking. Add the remaining spice mix about halfway.
- Finish the cauliflower by grating some of the zest into the finished dish.
- Serve over rice with fresh parsley or cilantro and some lime juice.
Video
Notes
- Choose fresh cauliflower. Blemishes or browning of any sort indicate old cauliflower.
- Chop the floret as small and evenly as possible. Smaller florets cook faster and are easier to chew without having to cut them during eating.
- Time permitting saute the cauliflower on medium high heat in olive oil for 5 minutes before adding to the curry. This is an optional “level up” step. Don’t fret if you don’t have the time or want to keep things simple, as the recipe is still delicious without the step.
- Deglaze the pan with the diced tomatoes
- Season at every step, but use your own judgement as to how much seasoning you prefer to use.
- After about 10 minutes of cooking poke the florets with a fork to test for desired texture. You want tender cauliflower, but with a little bit of bite to them. You’ll have to check a few times to get to your preferred texture.
- Add lime zest at the end of cooking to brighten the dish
Nutrition
Here is the line-up and recipes for the Virtual Potluck. Be sure to check them out!
Beautiful Eats & Things | Honey Herb Roasted Sweet Potatoes | vegetarian
D.M.R. Fine Foods |Vegetarian Chili | vegetarian
Dash of Jazz |Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits with Spiced Pear Compote | vegan
Dish it with Tisha | Mushroom and Okra Po' Boy |vegetarian
Domestic Dee |Dirty Rice |vegan
Kenneth Temple |Wakanda Cake | vegan
Marisa Moore Nutrition |Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Fritters | vegan
Meiko and the Dish | Cajun Shrooms & Grits | vegetarian
Rosalynn Daniels | Vegan Bread Pudding | vegan
Savory Thoughts | Haitian Black Rice (Diri Djon Djon) | vegan
The Hungry Hutch | Vegetarian Southern-Style Collard Greens | Vegan
Whisk it Real Gud | Vegan Jollof Rice | vegan
A Little Food | Southern Sweet Fried Corn | vegan
AGirlCalledAdri | Pound Cake | vegetarian
Baum Ass Foods | Slow Cooked Black-eyed Peas + Greens | vegan
Collards Are the Old Kale | Red Beans and Tri-Color Quinoa | vegetarian
FoodLoveTog | Black-Eyed Pea Hummus | vegetarian
Her Mise En Place | Rice Pudding | vegetarian
Kalisha Blair | Yeasted Cornmeal Dinner Rolls | vegetarian
Kenya Rae | Sweet potato Biscuits | vegetarian
On Ty’s Plate | Collard Greens Salad with Orange Vinaigrette | vegetarian
Orchids + Sweet Tea | Banana Cake + Cinnamon Browned Butter Buttercream | vegan
Razzle Dazzle Life | Roasted Garlic White Veggie Lasagna | vegetarian
Sweet Tea and Thyme Sweet Potato Casserole with Brown Sugar Topping | vegetarian
Orchids + Sweet Tea | Southerner's Banana Pudding Cheesecake Bites | vegetarian
Marisa Moore Nutrition | Crispy Roasted Okra with Peanut Sauce | vegan