Grilled whole roasted cauliflower meets classic Alabama white BBQ sauce for delicious vegetarian BBQ option that meat-eaters will love.
A whole cauliflower head is seasoned inside and out then roasted on the grill. After roasting, the grilled cauliflower head is dipped into a tangy and delicious mayonnaise-based bbq sauce.
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People complain about the blandness of cauliflower and thus avoid it like the plague. The reality though is that people have been cooking cauliflower the wrong way.
Grilled Cauliflower Ingredients
- Whole Cauliflower Head
- Olive Oil
- Cajun/Creole Seasoning
- Bay Leaf
- Mayonnaise
- Cider Vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Brown Sugar
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Horseradish
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Hot Sauce
How To Roast Cauliflower on the Grill
The key to this dish is seasoning the interior of the cauliflower first. To do this, boil the cauliflower in water seasoned with the bay leaf and the cajun seasoning mix. Boil the cauliflower for 5 minutes flipping with a large spoon after the first two minutes.
Transfer the cauliflower stem side down to a colander and drain for 10 minutes.
Place the cauliflower heads on the indirect side of the grill. Close the lid. Smoke the cauliflower for 45 minutes to an hour, maintaining the temperature inside the grill at around 250 degrees until they are fork-tender but not mushy.
While cauliflower is smoking, make the Alabama white BBQ sauce. Mix together all the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Using a silicone brush mop the entire grilled cauliflower with the bbq sauce until it is completely covered. Serve.
Grilled Cauliflower Cooking Considerations and Tips
Definitely follow the pre-smoking steps to add extra flavor. The key to this recipe is boiling the cauliflower in SEASONED broth/water.
Feel free to use your favorite spice seasoning for the recipe, as cauliflower really does work with any flavor. So don't feel obligated to use creole/cajun spice
Do not try and speed up cooking by increasing temperature. You'll end up with a dark exterior and uneven flavor
Make the BBQ Sauce ahead of time if you prefer. Refrigerate until ready to use and allow to reach room temperature before serving.
Serve with sides like collard greens, stewed okra, or grilled cabbage.
If using the cauliflower as a side serve with mains like grilled jerk steak, smoked rib tips, or brown stew chicken
For a more detailed breakdown of cooking whole cauliflower visit this older post.
More Cauliflower Recipes
Smoked Cauliflower with Jerk Rub
Cheesy Oven-Roasted Cauliflower
Braised Whole Cauliflower in Coconut-Wine Broth
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Equipment
- Smoker
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower
- 1 Whole Cauliflower Head trimmed with leaves removed
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoon cajon or creole seasoning mix
- 1 bay leaf
For the Alabama White BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup Mayo
- ¼ cup Cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 tablespoon horseradish
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Hot sauce
Instructions
Cook the Cauliflower
- Boil the cauliflower in water seasoned with the bay leaf and the cajun seasoning mix. Boil it for 5 minutes flipping with a large spoon after the first two minutes.
- Transfer the cauliflower stem side down to a colander and drain for 10 minutes.
- Place the cauliflower heads on the indirect side of the grill. Close the lid. Smoke the cauliflower for 45 minutes to an hour, maintaining the temperature inside the grill at around 250 degrees until they are fork-tender but not mushy.
Make the Sauce
- While cauliflower is smoking, make the Alabama white BBQ sauce. Mix together all the remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Using a silicone brush mop the entire grilled cauliflower with the bbq sauce until it is completely covered. Serve.
Video
Melanie
Monday 26th of July 2021
What a great vegetarian option! I love anything with cauliflower so this would be a winner! Yum!
Heidy
Monday 26th of July 2021
This recipe for grilled whole roasted cauliflower with Alabama white sauce was great. Heck, even the kids loved it, and they are picky at times with veggies. I will be passing your recipe link on to a few friends-- That was over when I made it.
Kate
Sunday 25th of July 2021
The combination with the white sauce was amazing! Never thought I could enjoy eating cauliflower this much. Great recipe.
Tracy
Thursday 22nd of July 2021
What a great recipe! So fun - while still being super delicious and with all the BBQ flavor you want, without the meat!
Anaiah
Tuesday 20th of July 2021
This cauliflower looks delicious and the Alabama BBQ sauce sounds so flavorful! I'll be making this recipe for tonight's family dinner with some grilled corn. Yum!