Imagine biting into perfectly roasted cauliflower florets with crispy edges, each piece generously dusted with tangy, vibrant sumac and finished with a silky, nutty tahini sauce that brings all the flavors together. This Sumac Roasted Cauliflower dish isn’t just a side—it’s a statement piece that transforms the humble cauliflower into something extraordinary. The beautiful contrast between the warm, caramelized vegetable and the cool, creamy sauce creates a symphony of textures and temperatures that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Sumac, if you haven’t yet discovered it, is the secret ingredient that Middle Eastern cuisine has been treasuring for centuries. This deep burgundy spice delivers a bright, lemony tang without any acidity, elevating the natural sweetness of the roasted cauliflower. Paired with a rich tahini sauce, enhanced with fresh garlic and lemon juice, this dish bridges tradition and modern plant-based cuisine in a way that’s both accessible and impressive. Whether served as a show-stopping side or the star of your meatless Monday, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
I first encountered the magic of sumac-spiced cauliflower during a trip through the Levant, where this combination appears on mezze tables from Damascus to Jerusalem. The local chefs taught me that the secret lies not just in the ingredients, but in allowing the cauliflower enough space on the baking sheet to truly caramelize rather than steam. This recipe honors those traditions while making the flavors approachable for any home kitchen, regardless of your familiarity with Middle Eastern cuisine.
Sumac Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
For the Roasted Cauliflower:
- 1 large head cauliflower (about 2 pounds), cut into florets
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sumac
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Tahini Sauce:
- ⅓ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 3-4 tablespoons cold water (to thin)
For Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts or sesame seeds
- Extra sumac for sprinkling
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
Prepare the Cauliflower:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil until well coated.
- In a small bowl, mix together the sumac, cumin, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture over the cauliflower and toss until evenly coated.
- Spread the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure not to overcrowd (use two sheets if necessary).
- Roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown with crispy edges.
Make the Tahini Sauce:
- While the cauliflower is roasting, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt in a medium bowl.
- The mixture will thicken and seize up – this is normal.
- Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until the sauce reaches a smooth, drizzle-able consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more lemon juice or salt to taste.
Serve:
- Transfer the roasted cauliflower to a serving platter.
- Drizzle generously with the tahini sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, toasted pine nuts or sesame seeds, and a final sprinkle of sumac.
- Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrus kick.
The beauty of this Sumac Roasted Cauliflower lies in its versatility. It works beautifully as part of a larger mezze spread alongside hummus, baba ganoush, and warm pita bread. For a more substantial meal, serve it atop a bed of fluffy couscous or with a side of crispy za’atar roasted chickpeas. The tahini sauce isn’t just delicious on the cauliflower—save any extra to drizzle over grilled vegetables, falafel, or even as a unique salad dressing the next day.
If you’re new to sumac, this recipe offers the perfect introduction to this versatile spice. It’s widely available in Middle Eastern markets, specialty food shops, and many larger grocery stores. Its bright, lemony profile is less aggressive than lemon juice itself, providing a more subtle tang that won’t overwhelm the other flavors. While it’s the star in this dish, sumac is also fantastic sprinkled over hummus, yogurt dips, grilled meats, or even scrambled eggs for a morning surprise.
The tahini sauce deserves special attention for its remarkable ability to transform with just a few ingredients. The trick to perfect tahini sauce is understanding how it behaves—it will initially thicken when you add lemon juice, almost seizing up completely, before gradually loosening again as you incorporate water. This chemical reaction creates that signature silky texture that clings to the cauliflower without sliding off. Quality matters here—look for tahini made from hulled sesame seeds for the smoothest result without bitterness.
Don’t be afraid to customize this dish to your preference. For a more robust flavor profile, try adding a teaspoon of za’atar to the spice mix. If you enjoy heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of Aleppo pepper. For a richer version, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the cauliflower during the last five minutes of roasting (though this would no longer make the dish vegan). The tahini sauce can also be enhanced with fresh herbs like dill or mint, or given a sweet twist with a drizzle of honey or date syrup.
What I love most about this Sumac Roasted Cauliflower is how it challenges preconceptions about vegetable dishes being bland or boring. The complex layers of flavor—from the caramelized sweetness of roasted cauliflower to the tangy sumac and rich, creamy tahini—create a dish that feels both nourishing and indulgent. It’s the kind of recipe that might just convert vegetable skeptics and delight plant enthusiasts alike. So heat up your oven, break out that sumac you’ve been saving for a special occasion, and prepare to fall in love with cauliflower all over again.