Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower

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This chile-lime roasted cauliflower is the perfect side to spice up your dinner! The combination of zesty lime and ancho chile powder creates a tangy, mildly spicy dish perfect for pairing with anything from tacos to roasted chicken or fish. If you enjoy an extra kick, add some cayenne pepper for a boost of heat.

an image of the Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4
  • The high oven temperature creates a lightly charred, tender cauliflower with deep flavor and texture.
  • Fiber-rich cauliflower aids digestion and may help protect against cancer.
  • The capsaicin in chiles can promote heart health and reduce inflammation when eaten regularly.  

Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower is your solution to the weeknight side-dish woes. This roasted cauliflower is deliciously seasoned with a combination of ancho chile and smoked paprika that gives a deep, earthy flavor that you can’t achieve with regular chili powder.  The oven temperature is high enough to give a light char to the edges of the cauliflower while ensuring a tender inside, adding a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with the spice blend. The lime zest and fresh cilantro at the end finish it off with bright flavors and a kick of antioxidants. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to cut down on prep time in the kitchen, how to change the flavors in this recipe and ideas to turn this into a plant-based main dish. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • To enhance the flavor of the dish, try using a variety of chile powders. Some of our favorite options include Kashmiri, ancho and guajillo.
  • For quicker preparation, you can buy precut cauliflower florets.
  • Top the roasted cauliflower with cotija cheese and toasted pumpkin or squash seeds for added taste and texture.
  • This recipe would make a delicious filling for veggie tacos or burritos.

Nutrition Notes

  • When you hear “eat the rainbow,” cauliflower isn’t typically on your color wheel, but it is brimming with nutrients that benefit your health. Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable and contains compounds called glucosinolates which may help prevent the development of cancer. It is also rich in fiber, which is great for your gut health and digestive system. 
  • The chile spice blend in this recipe—ancho chili powder, smoked paprika and cayenne—is not only flavorful, but also health-promoting. Chiles, even when dried, contain a compound called capsaicin, which has been shown to be beneficial for good heart health and reducing inflammation. When eaten regularly, dried spices can positively impact health, so feel free to add more to your weekly meals. Using these spices helps add flavor without increasing the sodium content.
an image of the ingredients to make the Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 6 cups cauliflower florets

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus lime wedges and zest for garnish

  • 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

  • 1 tablespoon torn fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Combine 6 cups cauliflower with 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon each ancho powder and smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder and salt and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne, if using, on the prepared baking sheet. Toss until evenly coated; spread in an even layer.

    an image of the cauliflower on a baking sheet

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

  3. Roast, stirring once, until tender and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

  4. Transfer to a serving bowl; sprinkle with cilantro. Garnish with lime zest and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

    an image of the cauliflower topped with cilantro and lime

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How should I store Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower?

    When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this dish will be good for up to 3 days. To reheat, just place it in a 350°F oven or microwave until the desired temperature.

  • How can I prevent roasted cauliflower from becoming mushy?

    After you rinse the cauliflower florets, dry them well. Then when you arrange them on the sheet pan, be sure not to cram them together. Give them some space. Otherwise, the cauliflower will steam, and it’s the steaming that will cause the mushiness.

  • What should I serve with Chile-Lime Roasted Cauliflower?

    This roasted cauliflower is excellent with pretty much any main dish that includes chicken, pork, beef, lamb or seafood. Try it with some of our favorite recipes such as Paprika Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts, Almond-&-Lemon-Crusted Fish with Spinach, Cranberry-Rosemary Stuffed Pork Loin and Pan-Seared Strip Steak.

  • How do you cut cauliflower into florets?

    For perfectly cut florets, start by placing the cauliflower head stem-side up and slicing through the stem and crown. Then, lay the cauliflower on its side and cut lengthwise through the core to create wedges. Repeat with the other half and cut each half into thirds, keeping the core intact to hold the florets together. Finally, remove the core and break the florets into your desired size.

EatingWell.com, January 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

83 Calories
7g Fat
5g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 83
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g 3%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Vitamin A 27µg
Vitamin C 29mg 33%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 1mg 8%
Folate 33µg
Vitamin K 14µg
Sodium 282mg 12%
Calcium 17mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 12mg 3%
Potassium 224mg 5%
Zinc 0mg 2%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.