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This tahini harissa cauliflower is next-level delicious! Inspired by the crave-worthy dish from True Food Kitchen, this easy copycat recipe features perfectly roasted cauliflower tossed in a bold, creamy tahini harissa sauce and finished with sweet chopped dates. It’s the ultimate side dish or, honestly, the star of the meal. You need to try this!
If you’ve ever been to True Food Kitchen, you know their charred cauliflower is absolutely crave-worthy. Ella kept telling me about it and how she had to order it every time and couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had never tried it myself, so we made a special trip just for the cauliflower… and she was right. It’s that good. Naturally, we had to create our own copycat True Food Kitchen cauliflower recipe, and let me tell you, this version is even better!
We roast the cauliflower until it’s perfectly golden and tender, then toss it in an incredible tahini harissa sauce that brings just the right balance of creamy, spicy, and savory. And to finish it off? A sprinkle of sweet chopped dates for that irresistible contrast. It’s bold, vibrant, and unbelievably delicious.
Trust me, this is one cauliflower side dish you do not want to miss. Make it once, and you might just start craving cauliflower, too!
Why You Will Love This Tahini Harissa Cauliflower
- True Food Copycat: Inspired by the True Food Kitchen charred cauliflower, this recipe features roasted cauliflower tossed in a bold tahini harissa sauce and finished with sweet chopped dates. Dare I say… It’s even better than the original!
- Easy to Make: Just roast the cauliflower, mix the sauce, toss it all together, and enjoy.
- Simplified: We’ve slightly simplified the recipe to make it easier without sacrificing any of that crave-worthy flavor.
- Packed with Flavor: Creamy, spicy, savory, and just a touch sweet. The seasoned roasted cauliflower paired with the tahini harissa sauce is absolutely next-level!
“My family loved this! Easy, healthy and tasty. I repeated it many times. This recipe definitely added rich flavor to the cauliflower.”
– miyuki
Ingredients Needed
- Cauliflower: One large head of cauliflower, cut into florets for even roasting.
- Olive Oil: Coat the cauliflower florets with olive oil before seasoning and roasting. Or, spray them with olive oil spray.
- Seasonings: Season the cauliflower florets with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt.
- Tahini Harissa Sauce: This creamy, bold sauce comes together easily with tahini, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup, harissa paste, garlic, salt, and a splash of water.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make True Food Kitchen Tahini Harissa Cauliflower
Step 1: Cut the head of cauliflower into even-sized florets and add them to a large bowl.
Step 2: Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Mix until the cauliflower is evenly coated.
Step 3: Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 4: Roast the cauliflower at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 5: While the cauliflower roasts, mix the sauce. Add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup, harissa paste, garlic, salt, and water to a small bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Place the pitted Medjool dates in a heat-safe bowl. Pour hot water over them and let them soak for 5-10 minutes to soften.
Drain, then roughly chop.
Step 7: Once the cauliflower is done roasting, let it cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl, drizzle with the tahini harissa sauce, and gently toss to coat.
Step 8: Sprinkle the chopped dates over the cauliflower and serve warm as a flavorful side dish that’s sure to impress!
Expert Tips
- Prep the Dates: Place the dates in a heat-safe bowl and cover with hot water to soften them. Use pitted dates or remove the pits, then drain the water and roughly chop them so every bite gets a touch of sweetness.
- Mix the Sauce Well: Mix the tahini harissa sauce thoroughly until smooth and creamy for the best texture and flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Harissa: Harissa paste adds the perfect amount of heat and depth and beautifully complements the tahini. One teaspoon is all you need.
- Cut the Cauliflower Evenly: Cut the cauliflower into even-sized florets so they roast at the same rate and get perfectly tender.
- Cool Before Tossing: Let the roasted cauliflower cool slightly before mixing it with the sauce to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Serving Suggestions
This roasted cauliflower with tahini harissa sauce and Medjool dates makes an unforgettable side dish that’s creamy, spicy, smoky, and just the right amount of sweet!
At True Food Kitchen, their charred cauliflower is often finished with toppings like fresh mint, dill, and pistachios. We didn’t feel it needed anything extra because the flavors are already so bold and balanced, but feel free to add pistachios or other fresh herbs if you’d like.
This dish pairs beautifully with proteins like oven-roasted brined chicken breast or air fryer salmon. Or, serve it with our Italian turkey meatloaf. For another option, it also shines as part of a spread alongside homemade hummus, warm pita, or a simple salad such as our Italian chopped salad or healthy Caesar salad. We also love serving it with our protein pizza! Whenever we go to True Food Kitchen, we usually order a pizza too, so this combo makes it feel just like a restaurant-style meal at home.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The cauliflower will soften slightly as it sits, but the flavors continue to meld over time. This dish is not freezer-friendly.
More Cauliflower Recipes to Try!
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Buffalo Cauliflower Salad
- Cauliflower ‘Potato’ Salad
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
Copycat True Food Kitchen Tahini Harissa Cauliflower
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or olive oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 pitted Medjool dates, chopped
For the Tahini Harissa Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon harissa paste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Cut the head of cauliflower into even-sized florets and add them to a large bowl.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Mix until the cauliflower is evenly coated.
- Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast the cauliflower at 400°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and tender.
- While the cauliflower roasts, mix the sauce. Add the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup, harissa paste, garlic, salt, and water to a small bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Place the pitted Medjool dates in a heat-safe bowl. Pour hot water over them and let them soak for 5-10 minutes to soften. Drain, then roughly chop.
- Once the cauliflower is done roasting, let it cool slightly. Transfer to a large bowl, drizzle with the tahini harissa sauce, and gently toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the chopped dates over the cauliflower and serve warm as a flavorful side dish that’s sure to impress!
Video
Notes
- Prep the Dates: Place the dates in a heat-safe bowl and cover with hot water to soften them. Use pitted dates or remove the pits, then drain the water and roughly chop them so every bite gets a touch of sweetness.
- Cool Before Tossing: Let the roasted cauliflower cool slightly before mixing it with the sauce to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Optional Additions: At True Food Kitchen, their charred cauliflower is often finished with toppings like fresh mint, dill, and pistachios. We didn’t feel it needed anything extra because the flavors are already so bold and balanced, but feel free to add pistachios or other fresh herbs if you’d like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My family loved this! Easy, healthy and tasty.
I repeated it many times.
This recipe definitely added rich flavour to the cauliflower.
Hi Miyuki, this makes me so happy to hear! I’m so glad you and your family loved it and that it’s become a recipe you make again and again. The tahini harissa sauce really adds such rich flavor to the cauliflower. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!
I literally can’t stop making this cauliflower, it’s that good. The tahini harissa sauce with the sweet dates is such a perfect combo. Don’t miss this one.