Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that not only tastes delicious on its own, but also blends well into many recipes. We’ll show you how to cut cauliflower in 3 easy ways so that you can use it in a variety of nutritious meals for your family.

graphic for post - how to cut cauliflower. Images are in a grid against a white background - hands holding a cauliflower, pink plate with florets, blue plate with riced cauliflower and a cutting board with cauliflower steaks.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Jamie Johnson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), and Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

In this guide, you’ll find: show

How to Cut Cauliflower

Have you ever picked out a perfectly ripe cauliflower from the store with its pretty green leaves, brought it home, set it on your counter, and then felt…slightly intimidated on how to cut it properly? Trust us; you’re not alone. So, let’s go over three easy ways to cut this healthy and versatile veggie (psst, good news – 3 ways is all you need!). Our helpful step-by-step pictorial guide will show you how to quickly cut cauliflower so you can enjoy it roasted, steamed, riced or mashed.

A head of cauliflower against a white background.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should you wash cauliflower before cutting it?

You should wash your cauliflower before eating it. After cutting your cauliflower, fill a sink with cold water and then soak the florets for a few minutes. Then, lift them out of the water, place in a colander and rinse again under more cold water.

How can you tell if cauliflower is ripe?

Ripe cauliflower should be a creamy white color, with bright green leaves. Look for a heavy head of cauliflower that has florets that are firm and tightly closed for the best freshness.

Should I choose organic cauliflower?

Previous studies have found that 50% of cauliflowers tested contained no detectable pesticide residues. Cauliflower typically does not make the Environmental Working Group’s list of “the dirty dozen” so choosing conventionally grown is usually a solid choice with this veggie.

Two hands holding ahead of cauliflower against way back drop.

How to Pick a Good Cauliflower

Here’s how to select a head of cauliflower that’s ripe and ready to enjoy:

  • Color:  Look for a creamy white color in cauliflower. Avoid those with a dull yellow color or brown spots. The leaves should look fresh and green.
  • Texture:  You’ll want the heads to be firm to the touch and tightly closed. Avoid heads that are loose or have crumbly florets.
  • Weight: Choose a head of cauliflower that feels heavy for its size.

Benefits of Cauliflower

Typically, white foods don’t have much to offer in the way of vitamins and minerals, but this is not the case with cauliflower. Much like its cousin broccoli, cauliflower has tons of nutrients.

  • It provides tons of vitamin C, which is needed for iron absorption and immune support. 
  • Contains choline, which is essential for brain development and transporting DHA.
  • A good source of fiber to help keep you regular.
  • High in antioxidants for cancer prevention.

How to Store Cauliflower

  • Store fresh cauliflower in a loosely wrapped or perforated plastic bag in the fridge. Cauliflower needs airflow, so don’t seal or knot the bag. If your cauliflower was plastic wrapped from the grocery store, just loosen up the knot.
  • A fresh cauliflower head will keep up to 5 days in the fridge.
  • Uncooked, cut florets (prepped ahead of time) or cooked florets will both store equally well in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Frozen cauliflower will stay fresh for 10-12 months in the freezer.

Tips for Cutting Cauliflower

  • Wash well (when you’re ready to use it) – whether you choose conventional or organic, you should always wash your cauliflower before preparing it.
  • Sharp knife – to avoid any accidents, make sure you are using a sharp knife when you cut cauliflower.
  • Choose the right cutting board – once you start cutting it, there always seems to be more cauliflower than you initially thought. Make sure to start with a large-sized cutting board for easy cleanup.

Wash Cauliflower

Before cooking, you’ll want to wash your cauliflower. You can do this before or after cutting it. Fill a sink with cold water and soak the florets for a few minutes. Then, lift the cauliflower out of the water, place it in a colander, and rinse again under more cold water.

Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
On a wooden cutting board a color flower head is cut in half with two hands holding a cauliflower up.
On a wooden cutting board two hands are cutting the color flower head into fourths.
A wooden cutting board to hands are cutting florets of cauliflower.
On a wooden cutting board against a white background two hands are breaking cauliflower head into florets.
A wooden cutting board with a bunch of cauliflower florets.
A pink plate with cauliflower florets.

How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets

Cauliflower florets are typically the most common way to enjoy this veggie. Cutting cauliflower this way is perfect for roasting, steaming, or cooking and blending into mashed cauliflower ‘potatoes’.

  1. Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
  2. Cut the cauliflower in half – from the top of the crown through the stem.
  3. Lay the cauliflower halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut them in half again. You will now have quarters.
  4. With your knife at an angle, cut off the core. Repeat on all cauliflower quarters.
  5. Using your hand, pull apart the cauliflower to make florets. If needed, you can use a knife.
Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
On a wooden cutting board and hand is holding a cauliflower head and the other hand is cutting off the base or stem of the cauliflower.
Bored it's a white background two hands are cutting the head of cauliflower in half.
On a wooden cutting board there's a cauliflower head cut in half.
A pair of hands is cutting cauliflower steaks.
On a wooden cutting board there are steaks of cauliflower laying there.
A tail plate with cauliflower steaks.

How to Cut Cauliflower into Steaks

Cutting cauliflower into steaks is a slightly quicker way to prepare cauliflower and is delicious roasted or grilled.

  1. Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
  2. Cut the stem off as close to the base as you can.
  3. Place the head of the cauliflower on the cutting board, stem side down.
  4. Cut the head of the cauliflower in half.
  5. Then cut thick 1/2″ slices through the cauliflower. Try to make the slices the same width so the cauliflower steaks cook evenly. I usually get 4-6 steaks from a head of cauliflower.
  6. The ends will turn into florets, which are great to cook or keep for a later meal or snack.
Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
Bored it's a white background two hands are cutting the head of cauliflower in half.
On a wooden cutting board there's a cauliflower head cut in half.
On a wooden cutting board there are two hands grading a cauliflower head to make cauliflower rice.
But I wouldn't cutting board someone is making cauliflower rice with a box cutter.
I wouldn't cutting board there's a pile of cauliflower rice.
A blue plate with rice cauliflower.

How to Rice Cauliflower

Grating cauliflower into ‘rice’ is perfect for adding to soups and casseroles, as well as a base for stir fry or pizza crust.

  1. Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
  2. Cut the stem off as close to the base as you can.
  3. Cut the head of the cauliflower (makes it easier to hold).
  4. Using a box grater, grate the cauliflower into small ‘rice’ size pieces.
  5. Repeat until you have used up all of the cauliflower.
graphic for post - how to cut cauliflower. Images are in a grid against a white background - hands holding a cauliflower, pink plate with florets, blue plate with riced cauliflower and a cutting board with cauliflower steaks.

Get the recipe: Step-by-Step: How to Cut Cauliflower

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A step-by-step guide on how to cut a cauliflower, 3 fun and easy ways!
Prep: 10 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review

Ingredients 

  • 1 head cauliflower

Instructions 

HOW TO CUT CAULIFLOWER INTO FLORETS

  • Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
    Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
  • Cut the cauliflower in half – from the top of the crown through the stem.
    On a wooden cutting board a color flower head is cut in half with two hands holding a cauliflower up.
  • Lay the cauliflower halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut them in half again. You will now have quarters.
    On a wooden cutting board two hands are cutting the color flower head into fourths.
  • With your knife at an angle, cut off the core. Repeat on all cauliflower quarters.
    A wooden cutting board to hands are cutting florets of cauliflower.
  • Using your hand, pull apart the cauliflower to make florets. If needed, you can use a knife.
    On a wooden cutting board against a white background two hands are breaking cauliflower head into florets.
  • Repeat until finished.
    A pink plate with cauliflower florets.

HOW TO CUT CAULIFLOWER INTO STEAKS

  • Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
    Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
  • Cut the stem off as close to the base as you can.
    On a wooden cutting board and hand is holding a cauliflower head and the other hand is cutting off the base or stem of the cauliflower.
  • Place the head of the cauliflower on the cutting board, stem side down. Cut the head of the cauliflower in half.
    Bored it's a white background two hands are cutting the head of cauliflower in half.
  • Then cut thick 1/2″-1" slices through the cauliflower. Try to make the slices the same width so the cauliflower steaks cook evenly. I usually get 4-6 steaks from a head of cauliflower.
    A pair of hands is cutting cauliflower steaks.
  • The ends will turn into florets, which are great to cook or keep for a later meal or snack.
    On a wooden cutting board there are steaks of cauliflower laying there.
  • Repeat until you have cut the entire cauliflower.
    A tail plate with cauliflower steaks.

HOW TO RICE CAULIFLOWER

  • Remove as many green leaves from the stem as you can.
    Wooden cutting board with two hands taking the leaves of a head of cauliflower.
  • Cut the stem off as close to the base as you can.
    On a wooden cutting board and hand is holding a cauliflower head and the other hand is cutting off the base or stem of the cauliflower.
  • Cut the head of the cauliflower (makes it easier to hold).
    Bored it's a white background two hands are cutting the head of cauliflower in half.
  • Using a box grater, grate the cauliflower into small ‘rice’ size pieces
    On a wooden cutting board there are two hands grading a cauliflower head to make cauliflower rice.
  • .Repeat until you have used up all of the cauliflower.
    A blue plate with rice cauliflower.

Equipment

Cuisinart Knife Set
large cutting board

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