Xanthan Gum Free Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Tahini Dressing
Roasted cauliflower gets the full treatment here — tossed with cumin, turmeric, and smoked paprika, then blasted in a hot oven 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 dried cranberries for a little sweetness and toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch. The tahini dressing comes together with just a whisk — tahini, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and a splash of water — no stabilizers or thickeners needed, which is exactly the point. Every single component is naturally free of gums and binders, so there's no label-scanning or ingredient swapping required. It's the kind of dish that looks impressive on a platter but comes together with straightforward pantry staples and one sheet pan. Serve it warm right after tossing, when the cauliflower is still hot enough to gently wilt the arugula just at the edges.
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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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