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    Oh My Veggies » Vegan Recipes » Vegan Main Dishes

    Cauliflower Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

    Published: Dec 14, 2016 · by Sarah · Updated: Sep 15, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    cauliflower-steaks-with-mushroom-gravy

    If you've ever had a cauliflower steak before, then you know it's nothing like the real thing. I certainly wouldn't serve them to an avid meat eater and call them that, unless I was looking to be criticized, of course. However, if you're able to see beyond the original application of the name, you'll find a satisfying plant-based meal that you can feel a lot better about eating than it's red meat counterpart.

    In this context the term "steak" simply refers to how the cauliflower is cut. Rather than chopping off the florets, we're slicing the head through the stem so that you have several thick pieces. This method can be kind of tricky to achieve at first, but I've found that the larger the head of cauliflower is, the better. No matter what size you use, you are likely to have a few floret stragglers here and there, but that's okay! Just throw them on the pan and roast them right along with the steaks. They'll still taste delicious smothered in mushroom gravy.

    cauliflower-steaks-with-mushroom-gravy-0

    What makes the vegan mushroom gravy stand apart from others is the flavor it gets from the dried porcini mushrooms. Soaking them in hot water allows them to rehydrate and release their rich umami taste. It's one of my favorite ingredients to use for vegan dishes (like this Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon) because it adds so much complexity. If you can't find dried porcini mushrooms, any dried variety will work.

    Other than that, the ingredients for the gravy are pretty straightforward. I like to blend it at the end for smoothness while reserving some of the fresh mushrooms, so that it still has a little bit of texture.

    cauliflower-steaks-with-mushroom-gravy-03

    These steaks pair well with mashed potatoes, green beans or a side salad. Whether you serve them for a special occasion or a weekly dinner, they're sure to be a hit!

    Cauliflower Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

    Cauliflower Steaks with Mushroom Gravy

    Thick roasted cauliflower slabs are smothered in porcini mushroom gravy to create this satisfying and umami-packed vegan main course.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Email Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Keyword: Cauliflower Steaks, Cauliflower Steaks with Mushroom Gravy, vegan main course
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 248kcal
    Author: Oh My Veggies

    Ingredients

    For the mushroom gravy:

    • 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms or another variety of dried mushrooms
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 small onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
    • 8 ounces fresh cremini mushrooms or another variety of fresh mushrooms, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
    • 4 tablespoons arrowroot starch
    • 3 cups vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon tamari

    For the cauliflower steaks:

    • 1 large head of cauliflower
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • high heat oil or cooking spray for misting
    • fresh parsley for topping
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large measuring cup or a small bowl, combine 2 cups hot water with the dried mushrooms, then allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
    • In a medium-size pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, fresh mushrooms and garlic salt, and cook for 10 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender. Next, separate the dried mushrooms from the liquid (reserving the liquid for later), chop them into small pieces, and then add them to the pot with the cooked fresh mushrooms. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Sprinkle the arrowroot powder in the cup with the reserved liquid and whisk until smooth. Pour in the pot with the mushrooms and broth. Lower heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened, while stirring intermittently. Remove from heat, season with tamari and set aside to cool.
    • Preheat oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a large sharp knife, trim the leaves from the bottom of the cauliflower and cut off the very bottom of the stem. Cut the cauliflower in half down the middle, through the stem. Take one half of the cauliflower and cut it into ¾ to 1-inch thick slices—you should end up with 2-3 steaks, with some florets falling from the sides. Repeat with the other half of the cauliflower.
    • In a small bowl, combine the thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Arrange the cauliflower steaks on the baking sheet a few inches apart and lightly spray them with oil. Sprinkle the seasoning on top, and then bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Flip them over and continue to bake for another 15 minutes, until light golden brown and crispy.
    • While the cauliflower bakes, transfer the gravy to a blender and blend until smooth. If you prefer some larger pieces of mushrooms in your gravy, be sure to scoop them out before blending. Pour the gravy back into the pot and warm over low heat. When the cauliflower steaks are done, serve immediately with warm gravy. Top with fresh parsley, if desired, and enjoy!

    Notes

    Recipe makes approximately 4 cups of gravy, which will likely be more than you need. Feel free to save some for mashed potatoes or freeze it for later.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 248kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 1482mgPotassium: 867mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 396IUVitamin C: 72mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 2mg
    Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!
    « 6 Meatless Veggie Loaves Everyone Will Love
    A Guide to Vegan Baking »

    Vegan Main Dishes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Main Dishes, Vegetarian Recipes cauliflower, main dishes

    sarah cook, author of making thyme for health

    About Sarah

    Sarah Cook is a vegetarian food blogger living in Athens, Georgia. Her blog Making Thyme for Health features simple, seasonal, and healthy recipes made from whole food ingredients. Outside of cooking, she enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle, traveling and drinking wine.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachael says

      December 14, 2016 at 10:50 am

      This sounds so yummy, I love cauliflower and mushroom 🙂

      Rachael xx.
      theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk

      Reply
      • Sarah Cook says

        December 16, 2016 at 9:55 am

        They are a pretty delicious combo. Thanks Rachael!

        Reply
    2. JoAnne says

      December 15, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      This is dinner this evening! Thanks for posting.It'll be simply yummy!

      Reply
      • Sarah Cook says

        December 16, 2016 at 9:55 am

        Thanks JoAnne! I hope you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. Graham says

      January 02, 2017 at 10:17 am

      Really nice recipe and delicious flavours. Instead of the tamari, I used oyster sauce to give a thicker and richer texture. I kept to your suggested amounts and then used the excess gravy as a scrumptious soup. Thanks again,
      Graham

      Reply
      • Sarah Cook says

        February 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

        Awesome! Thanks for the feedback, Graham!

        Reply
    4. TANYA says

      January 05, 2017 at 3:30 pm

      What do you think would happen if I left out the oil and sautéed with water instead? Would it change it much?

      Reply
      • Sarah Cook says

        February 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

        Hi Tanya! I haven't tried without the oil so it's hard to say. Please let us know if you get a try!

        Reply
    5. Pamela says

      February 07, 2017 at 4:09 am

      Cauliflower and Mushroom Gravy? Sounds Crazy. This is One of the new recipes that I came across in recent times. I am gonna try this recipe with Broccoli too. 🙂
      Thanks for sharing it Sarah.

      Reply
      • Sarah Cook says

        February 10, 2017 at 10:38 am

        Thanks Pamela! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply
        • Pamela says

          February 16, 2017 at 12:04 am

          I loved the recipe Sarah! Tried that with rice and trust me, it was one of the best gravies that I had ever tasted. Once again thanks for it 🙂

          Reply
    6. Julia Kruz says

      July 11, 2017 at 3:47 pm

      Hi! This cauliflower steak at first blush looks amazing. Mushrooms is my favorite meal, so i am gonna try this soon.

      Reply
    7. mary says

      September 21, 2017 at 6:52 am

      My favorite dish is with cauliflower veg with any dish. But I never tasted mushrooms. need to try this combination.

      Reply
    8. Paul says

      September 29, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      Hey Sarah,
      I just wanted to know that How to make fried cauliflower steaks?

      Reply
    9. Gwendolyn says

      March 03, 2018 at 12:25 pm

      So, so, good! My gravy didn't look like the photo, but was delicious anyway. I am looking for other things to put this gravy over. Thanks!

      Reply
    10. MairaNutrition says

      January 02, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      Really nice recipe and delicious flavours. Instead of the tamari, I used oyster sauce to give a thicker and richer texture. I kept to your suggested amounts and then used the excess gravy as a scrumptious soup. Thanks again,

      Reply
    11. rogue-B says

      March 22, 2019 at 12:53 pm

      do you have a chxn fried version?

      Reply
    12. Kimmy says

      September 19, 2019 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!

      Reply
    13. Michael says

      November 03, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! thank you for your recommendations

      Reply

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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