Honey Free Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Tahini Dressing
Roasted cauliflower gets the full treatment here — tossed in cumin, turmeric, and smoked paprika, then blasted at high heat until the edges caramelize and the chickpeas turn irresistibly crisp. The result is a salad that actually feels like a meal, layered over peppery arugula with toasted pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries for texture and a little brightness in every bite. Many tahini dressings sneak in a drizzle of something sweet to balance the bitterness, but this one relies entirely on fresh lemon juice and grated garlic to do that job — and it works beautifully. The dressing comes together in minutes and clings to every floret without any added sweeteners in sight. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive on a platter but asks very little of you beyond some chopping and a hot oven. Serve it warm straight from the sheet pan or let it cool slightly — either way, the flavors hold up and the textures stay satisfying.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the roasted cauliflower
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 lbs), cut into bite-sized florets
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the tahini dressing
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
- 2–3 tbsp water, to thin
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 5 oz baby arugula
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets and chickpeas with 3 tbsp olive oil, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on the prepared sheet pan, making sure the florets are not crowded.
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