Wondering how to cut cauliflower without leaving a white, crumbly mess on your kitchen counter?
There’s a Much Easier Way to Cut Cauliflower. Here’s How.
Updated on Nov. 18, 2022
Is there anything cauliflower can’t do? Besides being the basis for all sorts of roasted, mashed or baked dishes, it’s also a wonderful substitute for rice. But it’s near-impossible not to scatter cauliflower all over the kitchen when you chop it. Until now.
Follow along to learn how to cut cauliflower without making a huge mess.
Ina Garten’s Advice
Ina Garten always knows what’s best for us. She’s shown us how to cut corn off the cob. Now she’s here to help us with a clean way to chop cauliflower. In a letter from a fan of the Barefoot Contessa, this question came up: “How do you cut cauliflower without getting it all over the kitchen?” Ina’s first thought was, “Why does it get all over your kitchen?” (That’s what she wonders aloud in her Instagram video.)
That’s when Ina realized, some home cooks were slicing cauliflower straight through the top, sending bits and pieces of cauliflower all over the countertop.
See more of Ina Garten’s best cooking tips.
The Mess-Free Method for Chopping Cauliflower
- Turn the cauliflower stem-side up.
- With a sharp chef’s knife, cut out the core.
- Pull the cauliflower apart into florets.
- Slice through the floret stems to create smaller florets, if needed.
The method Ina describes is ideal for making roasted vegetables, preparing cauliflower for soup or even when you’re making a veggie tray. It will save you all kinds of time on prep and clean-up!
Cauliflower Recipes You Should Know—But Don't
Buffalo BitesLow-carb cauliflower Buffalo bites cook up fast in the air fryer, making them an easy snack or side dish. I serve them with a flavorful dip made with cottage cheese that's packed with protein compared to most dips. My teenagers happily eat their veggies with this recipe. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Learn how to store cauliflower the right way.
Cauliflower Dill KugelI enjoy cauliflower and kugel, so it made sense to combine the two into one special dish. The ricotta cheese adds a distinctive creaminess and lightness. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Cauliflower AlfredoIf you’re looking for a healthy swap for rich pasta dishes, this cauliflower Alfredo sauce recipe does the trick. Pureed cauliflower adds the desired creaminess, along with melty Parmesan.
Mediterranean CauliflowerI adapted a recipe I received from a friend to make this delicious—and deliciously different—cauliflower dish. It's prepared quickly in a skillet and uses only a handful of ingredients. What a great way to take ordinary cauliflower to a whole new level! —Valerie Smith, Aston, Pennsylvania
Kimchi Cauliflower Fried RiceThis healthier take on kimchi fried rice is one of my favorite recipes because it's customizable. If there's a vegetarian in the family, leave out the bacon and add your favorite veggies. —Stefanie Schaldenbrand, Los Angeles, California
Haven't made cauliflower rice before? Check out our step-by-step instructions for how to make cauliflower rice.
Cauliflower BreadsticksThese cheesy cauliflower breadsticks are made with vegetables rather than grains but deliver all the savory, garlicky goodness of classic breadsticks.
Cauliflower Mashed PotatoesCauliflower mashed potatoes are a great substitute for the real thing, whether you're low-carbing or just want a lighter side dish for those hot summer evenings. They're just as quick and easy as potatoes, and every bit as tasty.
General Tso’s CauliflowerCauliflower florets are deep-fried to a crispy golden brown, then coated in a sauce with just the right amount of kick. General Tso's cauliflower is a fun alternative to the classic chicken dish.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cauliflower CevicheMy 87-year-old mom showed me how to make this delicious vegetarian recipe that tastes so much like seafood ceviche. I often serve it with crackers on the side. —Beatriz Barranco, El Paso, Texas
Roast Cauliflower with PepperociniI never really enjoyed cauliflower but was determined to like it. I tweaked this recipe for many years and finally found an excellent mix of flavors and ingredients. —Hannah Hicks, Marina del Rey, California
Chicago-Style Hot GiardinieraI have been living in Chicago for many years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois
Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower BitesTry these savory bites for a kickin' appetizer that's tasty and healthy, too! —Emily Tyra, Traverse City, Michigan
Cauliflower Potato SaladWhat is cauliflower potato salad? Well, it's just like regular potato salad, except cauliflower replaces the potatoes for a lighter end result.
Cheesy Cauliflower SoupWhen a chill is in the air, I like to make soups for the family. Cheese adds flavor and heartiness to this one, which is my own recipe. —Ruth Worden, Mossena, New York
Grilled Cauliflower WedgesThis side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California
Garlic Mashed CauliflowerI order cauliflower mash every time we visit our favorite restaurant. Lucky us; one night, I figured out how to make it at home. It was so easy! —Jean Keiser, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Cauliflower Pizza CrustThis cauliflower pizza crust recipe is gluten-free, low-carb and super flavorful. Here's how to make cauliflower pizza crust so good, you'll kick regular crust to the curb.
Roasted Curried Chickpeas and CauliflowerWhen there’s not much time to cook, try roasting potatoes and cauliflower with chickpeas for a warm-you-up dinner. It's a filling meal on its own, but you can add chicken or tofu to the sheet pan if you'd like. —Pam Correll, Brockport, Pennsylvania
Roasted Peppers and CauliflowerCaramelization really enhances the flavors in this easy side dish. The seasoned, roasted peppers and cauliflower are just right with nearly any main course. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
Cauliflower GratinThis is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with pork, ham or beef. It's so creamy and delicious! If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over the top for the last five minutes in the oven. — Mary Zinchiak, Boardman, Ohio
Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower SoupI love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them. In this healthier version, the soup's velvety texture makes it feel rich and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Pumpkin & Cauliflower Garlic MashI wanted healthy alternatives to my family's favorite recipes. Pumpkin, cauliflower and thyme make an amazing dish. You'll never miss those plain old mashed potatoes. —Kari Wheaton, South Beloit, Illinois
Marinated Cauliflower SaladI often serve this as an appetizer alongside a meat and cheese tray. But it can also be a side dish. —Stephanie Hase, Lyons, Colorado
Cauliflower with Roasted Almond & Pepper DipThis tasty vegetable side dish can set a chilling scene on Halloween if you style it to look like a brain—try adding spiders and spiderwebs to your table setting. You can also serve it on Thanksgiving and pair it with the turkey and dressing. The festive orange sauce takes some time, but it tastes incredible.—Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Garlic-Rosemary Cauliflower PureeI love this delicious fake take on mashed potatoes, and it doesn't heat up my kitchen! Treat leftovers as you would leftover mashed potatoes and make mock potato pancakes. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina
Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower “Rice”I learned about the paleo diet from some friends who now have tons of energy and are super fit. Since then, I’ve changed my eating habits, too. Everyone from my dad to my little nephew loves this chicken in Spanish cauliflower rice. —Megan Schmoldt, Westminster, Colorado
Smoky Cauliflower BitesThese healthy little treats work well as a side or as fun bite-size appetizers. Roasting the cauliflower adds deep flavor and gives it an irresistible crunch. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Roasted Cauliflower & Red Pepper SoupWhen cooler weather comes, soup is one of our favorite meals. I developed this recipe for my husband and me. I wanted it to be a healthier version of all the cream-based soups out there. After a bit of trial and error, this is the keeper. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Cauliflower & Tofu CurryCauliflower, garbanzo beans and tofu are each subtle on their own, but together they make an awesome base for curry. We have this recipe weekly because one of us is always craving it. —Patrick McGilvray, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cauliflower CasseroleRelish the goodness of homemade Cauliflower Casserole with this effortless and flavorful recipe. This dish combines easy preparation with delicious comfort, perfect for family meals or any special event.
Creamy Mashed CauliflowerFor weeknight dinner I want something fast, easy and not ordinary. This mashed cauliflower side dish is a perfect substitute for mashed potatoes.
Coconut Curry Cauliflower SoupWhen I'm in need of comfort food, I stir up a velvety batch of this Asian-spiced soup. Then I finish it with a sprinkle of cilantro over the top. —Elizabeth DeHart, West Jordan, Utah
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Yogurt SauceI created my own cauliflower recipe in honor of my grandma, who taught me to love this delicious and healthy vegetable. She cooked with it all the time.—Lidia Haddadian, Pasadena, California
Bacon Cauliflower SaladMy Aunt Lavern’s special cauliflower salad recipe combines crispy-crunchy ingredients with a creamy dressing that’s ever so slightly sweet. —Kelly Ward Hartman, Cape Coral, Florida
Cauliflower SoupThis is the cauliflower soup recipe we reach for on a cold winter day. It only takes 30 minutes to transform a head of cauliflower into a cheesy, creamy, ultra-comforting soup.
Cauliflower Broccoli SaladThis cauliflower broccoli salad is so delicious you’ll forget it’s healthy! Pairing two nutrient-rich vegetables, this year-round salad requires just 15 minutes of prep, and any leftovers will still be tasty a day later.
Garlic Asiago Cauliflower RiceThe garlic seasoning and Asiago really pack a punch, making this five-ingredient low-carb side dish a real weeknight winner. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
