Are you prepping cauliflower by cutting out the core first and then breaking the head into florets? (No shame in this, it's how I did it for 40 years until my friend Chef Kathi Riley set me straight.)
There's an easier way.
Cut the whole head into quarters first, and then angle the knife to cut out the cores.
Note that the cauliflower cores and leaves are perfectly edible; the cauliflower cores are much like broccoli cores. If you want, peel them and slice them for snacks, or chop them and cook them the way you would the florets.
Use Cauliflower to Make These Recipes
- Easy Roasted Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower
- Cheesy Baked Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Curry
- Cauliflower Cheddar Soup
How To Cut and Core Cauliflower
Ingredients
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1 head cauliflower
Method
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Remove the leaves:
Pull the leaves off the base of the cauliflower.
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Cut in half:
Cut downward from the top of the crown through the stem.
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Cut again:
Lay the cauliflower halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut them vertically again.
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Remove the core:
Lay a cauliflower quarter on the cutting board and angle the knife so that it cuts out the core. Repeat with the remaining quarters of cauliflower.
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Pull apart the cauliflower florets.
Use your hands to divide up the cauliflower florets. If needed, use the knife to further chop.
You can chop the core and leaves and cook them along with the florets.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
21 | Calories |
0g | Fat |
4g | Carbs |
2g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 4 to 6 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 21 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0g | 1% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 14mg | 1% |
Total Carbohydrate 4g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 2g | |
Vitamin C 41mg | 207% |
Calcium 15mg | 1% |
Iron 0mg | 2% |
Potassium 133mg | 3% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |