This sweet & sour cauliflower is a delicious vegan twist on a classic takeaway favourite. The cauliflower is coated in a tangy, sticky sauce that is a perfect balance of sweet and sour. It’s a satisfying plant-based dish that’s easy to make at home. Serve it with rice or noodles for a tasty and comforting meal the whole family will love!
Sweet and Sour Cauliflower: A Delicious Vegan Twist on a Classic
Quick and easy, this tasty vegan Sweet & Sour Cauliflower recipe will soon become a family favourite. It is a great meat-free twist on sweet & sour chicken or pork and a great alternative to a fatty takeaway.
My kids love it and always ask for more. Ready in 30 minutes, I like to serve it with rice and a topping of spring onion and extra chilli flakes.
The cauliflower is roasted in the oven with a little bit of oil. Make sure not to overcook the cauliflower so it holds its shape when you mix in the sweet and sour sauce.
While the cauliflower is in the oven, you can prepare the sweet and sour sauce by mixing together some ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and chilli powder. For additional sweetness and texture, I also added some chickpeas and pineapple.
Cauliflower is truly versatile and pairs well with many different ingredients. Its hearty texture makes it ideal for plant-based recipes such as this Sweet & Sour Cauliflower or my Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Za’atar Couscous, which is the perfect vegan alternative to a roast dinner or Sunday roast.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
A great all-rounder, cauliflower is incredibly versatile. Don’t be fooled by its humble appearance, cauliflower has a hearty texture and can be transformed into tasty vegan wings or steaks.
Choosing cauliflower as the star of this dish isn’t just delicious—it’s nutritious too!
Here’s why cauliflower is a fantastic addition to your diet:
- Low in Calories: With only about 25 calories per 100g (or cup), it’s perfect for those watching their calorie intake.
- Rich in Vitamins: Packed with vitamins B and C, cauliflower supports immune health and energy metabolism.
- High in Fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps you feel fuller for longer.
- Antioxidant Powerhouse: Contains compounds that may reduce inflammation and protect against several diseases.
- Versatile: Its neutral flavor makes it an excellent canvas for bold sauces and spices.
More cauliflower recipes to try:
- Cauliflower and Aubergine Curry
- Stir-fried Cauliflower Rice with Sticky Tofu
- Cauliflower Steak with Salsa Verde
- Cauliflower & Spinach Egg Curry
How To Make This Sweet & Sour Cauliflower
Ingredients
To make this sweet and sour cauliflower recipe, you will need:
- cauliflower
- vegetable oil
- cornflour
- pineapple chunks
- chickpeas
- spring onion (for toppings)
- chilli flakes (for toppings)
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- chilli powder
- cornflour
- ketchup
- sugar
- cider vinegar
- soy sauce
- garlic
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Roast The Cauliflower
- Place the cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Toss in vegetable oil. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cornflour on top and toss again until the cauliflower florets are well coated all over.
- Spread cauliflower florets on an oven tray. Bake for 15-20mins until tender (make sure not to overcook the cauliflower so it holds its shape when you mix the sweet and sour sauce).
Step 2: Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce
- Drain pineapple chunks and pour the juice in a small bowl. Dilute 1 Tbsp of cornflour in the pineapple juice.
- Place pineapple and cornflour mixture in a small pan. Add the rest of the sweet & sour sauce ingredients above. Heat all together and whisk until the sauce has thickened.
Step 3: Mix & Serve
- When cauliflower is done, pour the sweet & sour sauce over it.
- Add drained pineapple chunks and chickpeas. Carefully mix all together.
- Serve with rice topped with chopped spring onions and some extra chilli flakes.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
Sweet & Sour Cauliflower
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Watch How To Make This Recipe
Ingredients
- 675 g cauliflower florets
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 Tbsp cornflour
- 227 g can of pineapple chunks
- 200 g can chickpeas
SWEET & SOUR SAUCE:
- 1 Tbsp cornflour
- 4 Tbsp ketchup
- 5 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 grated garlic cloves
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of chilli powder
TOPPINGS:
- spring onion
- chilli flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C – 425°F/ fan oven 200°C / gas 7.
- If needed, cut the cauliflower florets into medium chunks. Place them in a large bowl. Toss in vegetable oil. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cornflour on top and toss again until the cauliflower florets are well coated all over. Spread cauliflower florets on an oven tray. Bake for 15-20mins until tender (make sure not to overcook the cauliflower so it holds its shape when you mix the sweet and sour sauce).675 g cauliflower florets , 3 Tbsp vegetable oil, 2 Tbsp cornflour
- Drain pineapple chunks and pour the juice in a small bowl. Dilute 1 Tbsp of cornflour in the pineapple juice.227 g can of pineapple chunks, 1 Tbsp cornflour
- Place pineapple and cornflour mixture in a small pan. Add the rest of the sweet & sour sauce ingredients above. Heat all together and whisk until the sauce has thickened.4 Tbsp ketchup, 5 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of chilli powder, 2 grated garlic cloves
- When cauliflower is done, pour the sweet & sour sauce over it. Add drained pineapple chunks and chickpeas. Carefully mix all together. Serve with rice topped with chopped spring onions and some extra chilli flakes.200 g can chickpeas , spring onion, chilli flakes
Nutrition
Find this recipe online:
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/sweet-sour-cauliflower-vegan/
I cannot wait to see your posts!
Other things you might enjoy
Leave a Reply