Sticky sesame cauliflower is the sweet, sticky, and addictively delicious dish that tastes like a better-for-you version of Panda Express!
A few weeks ago, I got a text from a friend saying his sister was trying to add more vegan meals to her diet and asking if I had any good tips.
The first advice I had was something I always recommend to anyone who wants to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet, especially for non-vegans just trying to eat more meatless meals in general.
My first recommendation is to NOT replace meat with vegan meat substitutes, which can just set you up for disappointment when you expect one thing and get another.
Instead, think of it an opportunity to explore new recipes and look at vegetables and natural plant based ingredients in a whole new light.
For example, the popular Buffalo Cauliflower Wings are especially delicious!
So many people never venture further from preparing vegetables in a “mainstream” way, such as steamed or in a side salad.
But when you look at vegetables as the main event, it opens up a brand new realm of culinary possibilities.
Try taking one of your favorite meat-based recipes and recreating them with your favorite vegetable instead.
Or start out by replacing up to half the meat in a recipe with a meatless alternative. Then you can increase the veggies a bit more each time you make the recipe.
Think Kung Pao Eggplant, Sweet Potato Tacos, Mushroom Stroganoff, or this reader favorite vegetarian recipe for Cauliflower Fried Rice.
Or today’s sticky-sweet sesame cauliflower.
Above, watch the sticky sesame cauliflower recipe video
The best part of sesame chicken has always been the sauce.
It’s the sauce, not the chicken, that makes you crave Panda Express every time you walk past the food court in the mall.
It’s the sauce, not the chicken, that makes sesame chicken so addictive.
And this healthy meatless makeover of the classic recipe keeps all the goodness of that sticky-sweet sesame sauce intact. Plus, since you’re not using a fake meat substitute, there’s no expectation—subconscious or otherwise—that the dish will taste like chicken.
Non-vegan dinner guests won’t be wary of trying a taste.
And then another taste…
And then one more…
Want more meatless ideas? Here are over 25 Cauliflower Recipes
Cauliflower, the darling vegetable of the year, is definitely having a moment.
And with more and more cauliflower-based products hitting shelves each day, the cauliflower excitement doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
If you’ve read my blog for a while, you know I’ve loved cauliflower since long before it was trendy.
The following are just a few of the cauliflower recipes you can find on my blog.
I’m predicting cauliflower is going to be the most popular vegetable of next year as well!
Note: When I researched soy sauce alternatives online, I found a few comments who said you can combine one fourth cup of Worcestershire sauce with a tbsp or two of water to replace half cup of soy sauce.
I haven’t tried it, but if anyone successfully tries this or another option, please feel free to report back for other readers.
Also be sure to try this Cauliflower Mac And Cheese and these BBQ Cauliflower Wings.
Sticky Sesame Cauliflower
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower, chopped (6 1/2 cups florets)
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp powdered ginger
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
- 1/4 cup water
- sesame seeds and scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 F. Grease a baking pan or line with parchment. Cut cauliflower into florets, then slice so one side of each floret is flat. Arrange in a single layer in the greased pan. Bake 10 minutes on the center rack. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce, sweetener, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and ginger in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. While waiting, stir together the cornstarch and water until cornstarch dissolves fully, then slowly whisk this into the saucepan as soon as it boils. Turn heat to medium and cook 2 minutes, stirring more frequently once it returns to a boil. Cook until thick. You can also make the sauce ahead of time if desired, and it thickens more as it sits in the fridge. Flip cauliflower florets and bake 10 additional minutes. If desired, you can now move the pan to the top rack and broil 1-2 minutes. Pour sauce over florets. Sprinkle sesame seeds and optional scallions on top, and serve.*A few readers have commented to say this works in the instant pot, but I've not tried it. If you try, be sure to let me know how it goes!View Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
Reader Favorite Recipes:
Fat Bombs (Keto, Vegan, No Bake)
Thin sauce really nails it! I used the lo-sodium tamari, honey and arrowroot options. Very easy and deliscious. I look forward to trying it with tofu.
Not bad. We were looking for a way that we could enjoy cauliflower but since neither of us are actually a fan of it, we couldn’t expect miracles. It was fun to try something new regardless of the fact that for us, this recipe didn’t make the cut.
I don’t like cauliflower at all but this was delicious! Couldn’t even tell it was cauliflower! And I didn’t have any rice vinegar and used apple cider vinegar instead and it still came out really good!
Grateful I found this recipe, delicious. I just wish the directions were labelled step by step rather than a whole paragraph.
Here I am at midnight (insomnia) getting sucked in to all the recipes. I was actually looking for the chocolate frosting shots recipe (found it!) for tomorrow’s Christmas spread and got totally sucked in. I have made this insanely yummy cauliflower before and now I’m craving it like crazy! I’m so sad my menu is set. I will have to wait a day… Snack maybe??
Yummy recipe, but it needs twice as much sauce to cover the cauliflower the way it does in the images! (I suggest doubling the sauce recipe or significantly cutting down the cauliflower florets to make it seem more like sesame chicken for picky eaters)
I have made this recipe three times, it’s amazing! I’ve doubled the recipe and there still is never enough. My family loves it! Thank you for posting it!
I can’t see all the comments but, if someone hasn’t said already, worcheshire says is not vegan or vegetarian. It is made quite literally from anchovies. Just FYI. I didn’t know after years of being vegetarian.
Hi, there are actually brands that make vegan Worcestershire sauce now 🙂
Katie, great ideas. Must point out though that Worcestershire sauce is not even vegan. It’s made from anchovies.
Hi, there are many brands that are indeed vegan, at least in the US. Google it to find a brand hopefully available near you. -Jason
I have made this recipe multiple times – I often add tofu to the sheet pan to roast along with the cauliflower, or use another vegetable altogether. The sauce is fast and delicious. Thanks!
I used coc amino’s instead of soy sauce (soy is GMO)
I used lemon juice instead of vinegar (vinegar + salt = hard on the liver)
I used arrowroot instead of corn starch
And roasted my cauli fat free
It’s AWESOME!
Ummmmm i cant find the recipe??? There is only a photo of it on my screen and i have tried clicking on everything and there is no recipe????? i am a but hopeless with computers though so it could just be me. Please help me!!!!!!!!
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM!!!! I just closed the page and then re-opened it and the rest of the page came up!
This looks so delicious!! I cant wait to make it!!
Hi that’s so strange, the recipe shows up for me! Maybe it was a temporary glitch? Is it still not showing up for you?
Jason
Yum! We’ve made your recipes 2 nights in a row and we’re hooked! Just signed up for your email list. Thanks so much for the delicious, healthy recipes!
Tried this for the first time today. YUM!!! It is also the first savory dish of yours I have tried, but I can see I will be making more in the future! My husband and I don’t like very much sauce on our foods (or dressings on our salad) so I made the full amount for the sauce and saved some for a second dish. Time-saver right there!
Ho. Ly. Crap. This was DELICIOUS!! The sauce is pretty strong, so I definitely recommend eating this with some rice! I also steamed some broccoli and mixed that in cuz it was jealous the cauliflower had sauce… Lol! I also had some pickled radish with it, because yum! Thanks for a great first repetition with cauliflower!
This is ridiculously good. I subbed coconut nectar instead of maple syrup. Coconut vinegar instead of rice. Coconut aminos instead of soy and added a little salt. Did it with arrowroot. SO SO SO GOOD.