If you're like me and always on the go, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick, healthy, and delicious side dish. Stir fry cauliflower is a fantastic way to mix this nutritious vegetable into your diet. Stick around as I share the ingredients and steps to make this mouthwatering dish!
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Simple ingredients
You'll need a few simple ingredients to make a quick and easy cauliflower stir fry recipe. Here's what you'll need:
Fresh cauliflower head: I used a small cauliflower head and cut it into small pieces.
Cooking oil: For stir-frying, choose a high-smoke-point oil like vegetable, peanut, or canola oil.
Dried red chili peppers: Dried red peppers have a spicy, piquant flavor that adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile. Adjust to taste.
Minced garlic: Adds a hint of garlicky flavor. You can also use garlic powder if you don't have fresh garlic.
Sichuan peppercorns: Sichuan peppercorns are a unique ingredient in Chinese cuisine, especially in Sichuan dishes. They have a distinctive numbing sensation known as "mala," which complements the heat from chili peppers. Their citrusy and floral aroma adds a fragrant and slightly tangy flavor to this stir-fry. You can get them from most Asian grocery stores.
Water: I use water to create steam during the cooking. It helps cook the cauliflower evenly.
Light soy sauce: Light soy sauce provides a savory and umami taste and adds a slight color to this recipe.
Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory flavors of the soy sauce and Shaoxing wine.
Pinch of salt and black pepper: to taste.
Step-by-step guide to stir-frying cauliflower
Wash the cauliflower thoroughly under cold water. Then, chop it into bite-sized florets, removing any tough stems. I also like to pat the florets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture before cooking. It helps to achieve a nice crispy texture in the stir fry.
Heat one tablespoon cooking oil in a large skillet or large wok over medium-high heat. Add the chopped cauliflower and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes or until it softens. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the cauliflower from the heat and transfer it to the plate for later use.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns, dried red chili peppers, minced garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn them. Add the cauliflower florets back to the skillet and continue stir-frying for 1-2 minutes.
Sprinkle in the Shaoxing cooking wine, light soy sauce, coconut sugar, and water. Stir continuously until the sauce coats the cauliflower evenly.
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions if using. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
Here are a few helpful tips for achieving the perfect cauliflower texture in your stir fry, as well as some variations:
Cooking time: Pay close attention to the cooking time to ensure the cauliflower and vegetables retain their crunch. It should still have a slight crunch when you bite into it.
Adding vegetables: Add another fresh vegetable like brussels sprouts or bell peppers for a different twist.
Adding flavors and spices: When it comes to stir-fried cauliflower, adding ginger gives a nice kick to the flavor if you like ginger. You can also experiment with spices like paprika, cumin, or red pepper flakes to add some heat and depth of flavor. Don't be afraid to customize the taste to your liking.
Avoid overcrowding: When stir-frying, avoid overcrowding the pan, which can cause the cauliflower to become mushy. Cook in batches if you want to achieve a higher quality.
Slightly brown: Allowing the cauliflower to brown slightly is okay and actually preferred for the first round of stir-frying. It adds great flavor and texture for the second round of stir-frying!
Serving suggestions
Stir-fried cauliflower can be served as a side dish or a main dish—the options are endless!
One of my favorites is to serve it alongside steamed rice or quinoa for a balanced and filling meal. You can also add it to a Buddha bowl with other vegetables, grains, and a delicious sauce.
Stir-fried cauliflower pairs well with noodles. Get creative and enjoy the versatility of your favorite dishes!
Final thoughts
Stir-fried cauliflower is a quick and easy recipe that offers tons of flavors. It is a stir-fry dish that balances sweet flavor, spiciness, and crunch. This simple recipe makes a delicious and healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights. Try it next time, and enjoy your cauliflower stir-fry!
Simple Stir Fry Cauliflower Recipe: Sichuan Style
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 4 dried red chili peppers
- 6 small cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the cauliflower thoroughly under cold water. Then, chop it into bite-sized florets, removing any tough stems. I also like to pat the florets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture before cooking. It helps to achieve a nice crispy texture in the stir fry.
- Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a large skillet or large wok over medium-high heat. Add the chopped cauliflower and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes or until it softens. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the cauliflower from the heat and transfer it to the plate for later use.
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns, dried red chili peppers, minced garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn them. Add the cauliflower florets back to the skillet and continue stir-frying for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the Shaoxing cooking wine, light soy sauce, coconut sugar, and water. Stir continuously until the sauce coats the cauliflower evenly.
- Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions if using. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Juyali says
I was looking for a different type of cauliflower recipe, and this hit the spot!
So simple yet very tasty & savory. A bit spicy, but I handled it. 😉
Marta says
I'm going to add this to our Meatless Monday meal plan. I love that this cauliflower looks so filling and the spice will be something my entire family is going to love.
Colleen says
This is a delicious way to cook cauliflower. So simple and we loved the spicy flavors.
veenaazmanov says
Cauliflower is one of my favorite veggies and I like your recipe. Unique, simple and flavorful. Perfect side dish for any meal.
Mikayla says
What a great nutty flavor this had when all cooked up, healthy and delicious and even my kiddos liked it very much!
Adriana says
This is the best way to eat cauliflower! The spicy notes are perfect, and the cauliflower is so tasty. I have picky eaters at home, and they devoured this meal.
vicky says
My spice loving son absolutely loved this recipe! He has already asked me to fix it again. Thank you, now I have another good recipe for cauliflower.
Jacqueline Debono says
Such a tasty way to cook cauliflower. I loved the spiciness! I served this with chicken and rice. It really gave the whole meal a lot of flavour!
Tammy says
What a delicious idea for cauliflower! I'm always looking for fresh and new ideas. Love this and I know my family will too!
Jamie says
This is my new favorite way of preparing cauliflower! I added extra chili peppers since I like spicy food. So delicious and flavorful. Making this again soon!