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Learn How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets quickly and easily. Cauliflower Florets are great for roasting, making rice or adding to casseroles.

Whole Cauliflower on a cutting board
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How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets:

These step by step on How to cut cauliflower into florets so you don’t have crumbles of cauliflower everywhere. Cauliflower can be an intimating vegetable to cut but using these steps will help.

We love cooking cauliflower in many different ways and in some yummy home cook recipes. Cauliflower florets can be made into rice, roasted for a side dish or finely chopped and placed in casseroles or for cauliflower soup.

Using these steps will help you enjoy this family favorite vegetables. There are many different ways and recipes to use florets.

Close up image of a cauliflower florets on a cutting board.

What is Cauliflower?

Cauliflower is in the cabbage family and it has a bright, sweet flavor. Cauliflower has a large stem which has a flowering cauliflower buds attached to it. It is great raw in salads, on a vegetable tray, or cooked in a stir-fry.

Cauliflower is great as a rice or potatoes because it is gluten-free and low carb. It is loaded with nutrients such as vitamin k and vitamin c.

Close up image of a whole cauliflower on a cutting board.

What supplies do you need?

Make sure you have the following supplies to prepare cutting your cauliflower.

Cauliflower florets in a white bowl on a cutting board.

1. Wash the Cauliflower:

When preparing your cauliflower to cut, make sure you wash the head of cauliflower and remove any stickers. I like to wash and cut my vegetables all at once at the beginning of the week.

I have found that we will cook and eat the vegetables if they already cut.

Cauliflower florets in a white bowl on a cutting board.

2. Cut off the leaves:

Place cauliflower florets side down on the cutting board. Cut off the leaves with a large chef’s knife from the base of the cauliflower.

Whole Cauliflower being cut with a knife on a cutting board.

3. Cut off the Cauliflower from the main stem:

Place the cauliflower florets side down on the cutting board. Then take the knife and cut the main stem from the cauliflower.

Cauliflower on a cutting board with a knife.

4. Break Bigger Florets into Smaller Ones:

Take the whole cauliflower and start breaking off large florets of cauliflower with your hands. This allows you to easily cut into smaller florets.

Cauliflower being held with two hands.

5. Cut off Longer Stems:

With the smaller florets begin cutting off the longer stems. This allows you to cut them in the sizes that you need for recipes. I try to cut in about the same size so that they cook evenly.

Cauliflower being cuts with a knife on a cutting board.

Picking the Right Cauliflower:

When picking the right cauliflower at the grocery store, make sure the florets are tight and are a pale white color. If there are yellow or brown spots, I would avoid purchasing that cauliflower.

The leaves around the cauliflower should be tight as well and have a bright green color. You might see black spots appearing on the cauliflower, it is not mold but age spots. It just means that it needs to be cooked soon to avoid wasting it.

Cauliflower is best to purchase during the fall and winter months. But it is available year round.

Cauliflower florets being cut on a cutting board with a knife.

How to Store cut Florets:

After purchasing your cauliflower and bring it home, place in a loosely wrap plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. It will stay good for about a week. Once you are ready to cut into florets, it is best to use them within a week.

To store florets, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Cauliflower florets on cutting board with knife.

Cooking Cauliflower Florets:

Here are some quick ways to cook cauliflower florets:

  • Roasting – Roasting cauliflower is my favorite way to cook cauliflower. I love that it gets crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Roast in the oven at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes.
  • Boiled – Boiling cauliflower is an easy and quick option. Boil on the stove for 4 to 5 minutes in water.
  • Microwave – Place cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl and cover with saran wrap. Heat for about 3 minutes.
Cauliflower florets in a white bowl on a cutting board.

Print Instructions here for How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets:

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5 from 2 votes

How to Cut Cauliflower

Learn How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets quickly and easily. Cauliflower Florets are great for roasting, making rice or adding to casseroles.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • Cauliflower

Instructions

  • Remove the green leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower.  Then use a knife to cut off the stem of the cauliflower.
  • Cut the head of the cauliflower into large florets.
  • Then cut the larger florets into smaller pieces.
  • Cut off any excess stems.

Notes

Store cut cauliflower in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.  

Favorite Cauliflower Recipes:

Learn How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets quickly and easily. Cauliflower Florets are great for roasting, making rice or adding to casseroles. This is the easiest way to cut cauliflower. #eatingonadime #howto #cauliflower #cuttingtips

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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