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    Home » main course

    Harissa Cauliflower with Tahini Dill Dressing (30 minutes)

    Published: Sep 17, 2023 · Modified: Sep 26, 2023 by Richa 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    Harissa cauliflower over creamy hummus and drizzled with sweet-and-savory tahini dressing is a show-stopping entree. You can adjust the heat to suit your tastes, so don’t worry if spicy food isn’t your thing.

    harissa cauliflower wrap tahini sauce on a bed of hummus
    Table of Contents
    • Why You’ll Love Harissa Cauliflower
    • More Ways to Use Harissa
    • Recipe Card
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Tips
    • How to Make Harissa Cauliflower
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    This is a simple cauliflower, hummus, and tahini combination, is absolutely flavorful. Cauliflower is marinated in harissa and herbs and roasted to perfection, ten served over hummus, topped with tahini sauce and pumpkin seeds. 

    You can also make wraps with this caramelized, delicious harissa cauliflower, tahini dressing, and some chopped, crunchy veggies. Add some hummus to the wrap, along with lettuce, cucumbers and onion. 

    harissa cauliflower wrap with tahini sauce and vegetables

    You can either bake the cauliflower or cook it in a skillet. I cooked in a skillet for the video, because I shot this video in summer, and turning on the oven just makes the kitchen too hot. I have both methods listed in the recipe, so you can choose what works best for you.

    I use spicy harissa paste, but you can use mild, if you find the heat too much. You can also use harissa spice blend, if you don’t have harissa paste. Just mix the harissa spice with a little bit of lemon juice and two tablespoons of chopped red pepper and use.

    close-up of harissa cauliflower, so you can see the texture.

    Why You’ll Love Harissa Cauliflower

    • spicy, flavorful, caramelized cauliflower with creamy hummus and tahini dressing
    • sweet tahini dressing contrasts with the spicy cauliflower flavor
    • 30-minute meal
    • naturally gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free

    More Ways to Use Harissa

    • 1-Skillet Harissa Pasta
    • Harissa Chickpeas
    • Harissa Stew
    harissa cauliflower on a plate with hummus and tahini dressing

    Recipe Card

    harissa cauliflower wrap tahini sauce on a bed of hummus
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Harissa Cauliflower

    Harissa cauliflower over creamy hummus and drizzled with sweet-and-savory dill tahini dressing is a show-stopping entree. You can adjust the heat to suit your tastes, so don’t worry if spicy food isn’t your thing.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: African Inspired
    Keyword: harissa cauliflower
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 279kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    For the Harissa Cauliflower

    • 3 1/2 to 4 cups (350 g) cauliflower, chopped into medium-sized pieces, about 1- to 1 1/2-inches

    For the Marinade

    • 2 teaspoons oil
    • 2 tablespoons harissa paste or harissa sauce
    • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    For the Tahini dill Dressing

    • 3 tablespoons tahini
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
    • pinch of salt and pepper
    • 2 to 4 tablespoons hot water

    For Serving

    • 1 cup (246 g) hummus or more, to taste
    • 3 tablespoons chopped pumpkin seeds or use other seeds or nuts, like hemp seeds, pecans, or pistachios
    • chopped cilantro, pepper flakes as needed

    Instructions

    Make the cauliflower.

    • Chop the cauliflower, if you haven't already. Prep the rest of the ingredients.
    • To bake the cauliflower: In a large bowl, add all of the marinade ingredients and mix really well, then add in the cauliflower and toss well to coat. Then, spread the cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400° F (205° C) for 28 to 32 minutes, or until the cauliflower is done to preference. Remove the cauliflower and use.
    • To cook the cauliflower in a skillet: Add the cauliflower to a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes, then add in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. Close the lid, let the cauliflower steam for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender-crisp, then open the lid. In a small bowl, mix in all of the remaining marinade ingredients, and add them to the skillet. (You can also add everything to the skillet in the middle and mix it together right there instead of using a bowl). Then toss the cauliflower well to coat, and continue to cook, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes, so that the sauce thickens and the cauliflower starts to caramelize on the edges. Depending on your skillet and cauliflower floret size, you might have to cook a bit longer. Or, if it's already getting very tender, then switch off the heat.

    Make the tahini dressing.

    • In a bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, dill, salt, and pepper and mix. Add in 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in, and start whipping it. If it's too thick, then add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in. Then, continue to whip it, so that the tahini mixture gets light and fluffy. This will take a minute. The mixture will feel too thin in the beginning, and then it will start to get thick, and there will be resistance, keep whipping it, so that the mixture isn't too thick. The dressing will continue to thicken as it sits, so if you are making it ahead, you will have to add some hot water to thin it out before using.

    Assemble and serve.

    • Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup of hummus to a plate, then top it with the harissa cauliflower. Drizzle the tahini dressing generously over the top. Top it with some chopped pumpkin seeds or other seeds and nuts choice. You can also sprinkle in a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat. Garnish with some cilantro or other fresh herbs, like parsley, and serve immediately.
    • To make it a wrap: Add the hummus to warmed pita bread or a warm tortilla, then top it with harissa cauliflower, some chopped cucumber, onion, and/or lettuce. Add a good helping of the tahini dressing and serve.

    Notes

    You can make this with spicy or mild harissa paste. To use powdered harissa spice blend, mix the harissa spice with a little bit of lemon juice and two tablespoons of chopped red pepper and use.
    This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free, if you’re not making wraps. To make the wraps gluten-free, just choose gluten-free pita or gluten-free tortillas.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Harissa Cauliflower
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 279 Calories from Fat 162
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 18g28%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Sodium 658mg29%
    Potassium 598mg17%
    Carbohydrates 23g8%
    Fiber 7g29%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 11g22%
    Vitamin A 578IU12%
    Vitamin C 46mg56%
    Calcium 77mg8%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    cauliflower, harissa paste, and other ingredients in bowls on a kitchen counter

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • cauliflower – Chop into 1″ to 1 1/2″ pieces.
    • oil – To help the cauliflower get crispy and caramelized.
    • harissa paste – You can use mild or spicy harissa pasta. You can also use powdered harissa spice. Just  mix the harissa spice with a little bit of lemon juice and two tablespoons of chopped red pepper and use.
    • ground spices – Paprika, thyme, garlic, and onion powders season the harissa cauliflower. The sweet tahini dressing gets an amazing flavor from a touch of dried dill!
    • tahini – This is the base for the creamy dressing.
    • lemon juice – For tang.
    • maple syrup – For sweetness.
    • hot water – To thin the dressing, as needed.
    • hummus – You’ll serve your harissa cauliflower over a bed of creamy hummus. Use your favorite store-bought or make from scratch.

    Tips

    • Adjust the heat of this recipe by using mild or spicy harissa paste. You can add even more heat by garnishing with crushed red pepper, if you like!
    • When you’re making the tahini dressing, patience is a virtue! It takes a little while for it to whip up light and fluffy, so don’t give up.

    How to Make Harissa Cauliflower

    Chop the cauliflower.

    To bake the cauliflower: In a large bowl, add all of the marinade ingredients and mix really well, then add in the cauliflower and toss well to coat. Then, spread the cauliflower on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400° F (205° C) for 25 to 32 minutes, or until the cauliflower is done to preference. Remove the cauliflower and use.

    cauliflower in the pan, before cooking

    To cook the cauliflower in a skillet: Add the cauliflower to a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then mix in 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. Close the lid, let the cauliflower steam for 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender-crisp, then open the lid. In a small bowl, mix in all of the remaining marinade ingredients, and add them to the skillet.

    (You can also add everything to the skillet in the middle and mix it together right there if you don’t want to use another bowl). Then toss the cauliflower well to coat, and continue to cook, uncovered, for 2 to 4 minutes, so that the sauce thickens and the cauliflower starts to caramelize on the edges.

    adding harissa paste and spices to the partially-cooked cauliflower
    harissa paste and spices toss with the cauliflower, before cooking

    Depending on your skillet and cauliflower floret size, you might have to cook a bit longer. Or, if it’s already getting very tender, then switch off the heat.

    harissa cauliflower in the pan, after cooking

    Make the tahini dressing while the cauliflower cooks.


    adding tahini to a bowl
    adding other tahini sauce ingredients to the bowl with the tahini

    In a bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, dill, salt, and pepper and mix. Add in 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in, and start whipping it.

    If it’s too thick, then add another 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water, and mix in. Then, continue to whip it, so that the tahini mixture gets light and fluffy. This will take 1-2 minute.

    whisking the tahini sauce together

    The mixture will feel too thin in the beginning, and then it will start to get thick, and there will be resistance, so then whip it, so that the mixture isn’t too thick. The dressing will continue to thicken as it sits, so if you are making it ahead, you will have to add some hot water to thin it out before using. 

    Now, assemble and serve.

    Spread 1/4 to 1/3 cup of hummus to a plate, then top it with the harissa cauliflower.

    hummus spread onto a plate
    harissa cauliflower on a plate with hummus

    Drizzle the sweet tahini dressing generously over the top. Top it with some chopped pumpkin seeds or other seeds and nuts choice.

    harissa cauliflower on a plate with hummus, and fresh herbs.
    harissa cauliflower on a plate with tahini sauce, hummus, and fresh herbs.

    You can also add in a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat. add some cilantro or other fresh herbs, like parsley, and serve immediately. 

    To make it a wrap: Add the hummus to warmed pita bread or a warm tortilla, then top it with harissa cauliflower, some chopped cucumber, onion, and/or lettuce. Add a good helping of the tahini dressing and serve. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is harissa?

    Harissa is a North African spice blend that you normally find as a ground spice blend or as a paste. It has a wonderful, umami-rich, spicy flavor!

    Is this recipe allergy friendly?

    This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free, if you’re not making wraps. To make the wraps gluten-free, just choose gluten-free pita or gluten-free tortillas. 

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    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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    1. Ken

      September 24, 2023 at 1:17 pm

      5 stars
      So much flavor and really easy to make. We topped with toasted and unsalted pepitas. We’ll definitely be making this again.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 29, 2023 at 7:22 am

        yay!

        Reply
    2. Sandra Rumfeldt

      September 24, 2023 at 12:55 pm

      I haven’t tried the recipe yet because I do not know where to find harissa sauce.

      Where do I buy harissa sauce or paste?

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 24, 2023 at 2:22 pm

        From grocery stores or Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=harisaa+paste&crid=159O8BD11DZ0P&sprefix=harisaa+past%2Caps%2C281&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

        Reply
    3. Chanel

      September 23, 2023 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is a revelation. The sauce, cauliflower, hummus, and pepitas together constitute the perfect bite! I devoured the entire recipe in three meals. Absolutely delicious. The cauliflower seems to get spicier as it sits overnight, not an issue for me, but may be a consideration for individuals who are sensitive to heat and make the appropriate adjustments, if planning on eating leftovers.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 29, 2023 at 7:26 am

        wow, thank you! so kind.

        Reply
    4. Annette

      September 20, 2023 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      Thank you loving it

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 21, 2023 at 7:27 pm

        so glad to hear that!

        Reply
    5. Ruth Hardin

      September 19, 2023 at 5:23 am

      Thank you for providing vegan recipes! It is my main source to try new foods. I try one every once in a while and most are delicious!
      Ruth Hardin

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 21, 2023 at 7:31 pm

        thank you so much! glad you enjoy

        Reply
    6. Maneesha

      September 19, 2023 at 5:01 am

      5 stars
      Ah-maaazing recipe, so tasty! Thank you so much, Richa! I love trying different styles of cooking and international cuisine, and this recipe totally hit the spot!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 21, 2023 at 7:31 pm

        yay! thank you!

        Reply
    7. Shashi C Ishai

      September 17, 2023 at 1:18 pm

      I like the recipe for Harrisa cauliflower and tahini but because I am diabetic I cannot use maple syrup. What can I use to substitute for sweetness? Can I use splenda?

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 18, 2023 at 6:12 pm

        Yes

        Reply

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    harissa cauliflower wrap with tahini sauce and vegetables
    harissa cauliflower wrap tahini sauce on a bed of hummus
    close-up of harissa cauliflower, so you can see the texture.
    harissa cauliflower on a plate with tahini sauce, hummus, and fresh herbs.