How to Cut Cauliflower

Ever wonder How To Cut Cauliflower? Here’s a simple guide to help you through what may look like a daunting task but isn’t. It’s actually quite simple.

Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that may intimidate you when it comes to prepping for a recipe. If you slice it randomly, you will get bits of white pieces all over your cutting board. The trick is to get all those beautiful florets separated from the core while keeping them intact.

First, you need a head of cauliflower. When purchasing cauliflower, look for a head with tight white florets. Avoid one that has dark spots all over. Small spots can be sliced off. It’s hard to find a perfect one but they're out there. You also want the leaves bright green and not wilted or turning brown.

Let's begin:

Place the cauliflower with the stem facing up.

Using the tip of your knife at a slight angle, slice down alongside the core all around turning the cauliflower as you go all the while tilting your knife slightly upward to separate the cuttings from the core. You should feel some resistance, but don't be afraid to use a little force to separate the large chunks. Essentially, you are ripping them off the core.

Once a portion is removed from the core, the core will be visible to you. You can now see where each bunch is attached to the core. Simple cut off the remaining chunks of florets from the core. Continue around the core until there is only one left. Slice that off.

Now, slice those pieces into small florets. I cut on the stem and separate them with a little tug or use my knife again by slightly tilting it to separate them.

You'll notice that by slicing the cauliflower this way, you won't have all those bits of cauliflower flying all over the place.

Another way to slice a cauliflower is to:

Turn the cauliflower so the stem is facing upward. Slice straight down the middle from stem to top.

Slice the two halves in half again straight through the core giving you 4 quarters.

You can rinse them under running water at this point or wash the florets after they're sliced off the core.

Now you have access to the florets attached to the core. Simply slice them off with the tip of your knife. I slice the stem and gently pull the pieces apart.

You can slice the florets into smaller slices for whatever recipe you are using. Try my Cauliflower Pancakes or Curry Roasted Cauliflower to start you off. If you're looking for an incredible soup, try my Silky Smooth Cauliflower Soup.

See? Not that hard.

Recap:

1. Buy a white cauliflower free (or mostly free) of blemishes with tight florets.
2. Make sure the leaves are green and not turning or wilted.
3. Whichever method you choose, always start with the stem facing upward to eliminate tiny fits of cauliflower flying all over the place.
4. Slice the florets into even slices or whatever your recipe suggests.

Now, go make something delicious with cauliflower!

Be happy, eat well.