How To CUT CAULIFLOWER Into Florets

This is the absolute easiest way of how to cut cauliflower into florets done like in restaurants. Also, as a bonus, see how to store cauliflower for freshness. Keep reading to learn how to cut a cauliflower into florets or large sections. Also, this is a part of our Food Guides & Resources category.

Easy 6 Steps of How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets

Follow these easy steps from start to finish of how to cut up a cauliflower. You can stop when you’re ready to use the large chunks. Or continue until they’re small bite-sized florets. Keep reading to learn a way to prepare cauliflower without making a crumb mess. Here are the steps in summary.

1. Rinse the entire head of cauliflower.
2. Next, remove any brown spots.
3. Then, cut away and remove leaves from the base.
4. Cut the core out.
5. Then, pull apart into large florets.
6. Cut the cauliflower into small florets. Then, use it or store it.

1. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Wash Cauliflower

Start with washing off the whole cauliflower with just plain water in the sink. During the initial large cutting stages, repeat rinsing the cauliflower and the knife.

2. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Remove Brown Spots

• Use a knife, like a chef’s knife, and trim off bad brown areas. After that, rinse the cauliflower and the knife.
• Then, position knife close to core stem end of cauliflower.

Trim off poor areas and rinse.

Position knife close to core stem end.

3. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Cut Off Outer Green Leaves

• Start by cutting off these green leaves surrounding the bottom side.
• Repeat all around the base of the cauliflower. Then, trim off all excess of its leaves.

Cut off green leaves from bottom side.

Repeat all around base, cutting off excess leaves.

4. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Remove Core

• Go around again to cut deeper trimmings around the cauliflower core.
• Then, make final deep cuts into core edges of cauliflower.
• Use your hands and twist to pull out core stem of cauliflower. Then, discard the core.
• Finally, throw out the core.

Go around base to cut deeper trimmings off core.

Final deep cut around core edges.

Twist and pull out core.

Throw out the core.

5. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Carve Into Large Florets

• Cut and trim to remove last leaves and bad spots. Then rinse.
  • You now decide on what forms you want.
  • Then, cut thick slices, quarter the cauliflower into four sections, or continue with florets. The rest of these steps continue with florets.
• Pull apart large sections of cauliflower. They snap off easily and break apart.
• Finally, cut bases of all sections of cauliflower to have large pieces.

Cut & trim to remove last leaves & bad spots.

Pull apart large sections of head. They come off easily.

Cut bases of each removed section to have large florets.

6. How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets: Cut Into Florets

We’ll now proceed with the way to cut the cauliflower larger florets into pieces. This is just a continuation after you’ve prepped and cut it into large pieces, as shown earlier. So, here are these simple steps of what to do with these larger chunks.

• Use knife to cut bottom branches of florets into smaller pieces.
• Then, cut cauliflower florets to final sizes desired. Depending on what it’s for, you might want moderate-sized chunks for a veggie dip or small, bite-sized pieces for a cauliflower broccoli salad.

Cut bottom of branches to have smaller florets.

Optionally, cut each small floret down into smaller pieces.

Use Cauliflower

You can now use the cauliflower for several purposes and store the rest. Also, you can use the different sizes for salads, dipping, casseroles, or roasting. Finally, store the fresh leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

Best Way To Store Cauliflower

Here is the best way to store cauliflower. So, if you have any leftovers, you’ll want to understand how to store fresh cut cauliflower florets. Here are some refrigerator storage ideas.

• Place the freshly cut florets in a food storage container with a lid.
• Then, put it in a food storage bag and sealed tightly or just wrapped in plastic.
• Store it somewhat loosely, instead of securely or tightly, where some air can escape.

Storing Cauliflower Florets over 5 Days in Fridge

If you want to keep them longer than about 5 days, the best way is to store them in 2 stages. Here they are:

• For the first 2-3 days, store them loosely in a food container, crisper, loosely wrapped plastic wrap, or food plastic bag. Also, the food storage container will have the lid ajar. Or, the food storage bag is not closed up nor tucked under. They will release any excess moisture.
• Once they appear to have no excessive moisture, usually after 2-3 days, you can then close up the airtight container or ensure the food bag is closed or twisted shut.
• Trim off any yellow or brown spots before consuming or home cooking. When you see brown or black spots (or any other coloring), during trimming off, ensure they aren’t deep. Also, if these colorings are deep into this vegetable, it’s safest to no longer use and discard it. The same guide of discarding is if the texture, coating, or odor appear different.

Storing Cauliflower in Freezer

Freezing cauliflower is successful if stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freezing this vegetable is perfect if you’re going to use the pieces for roasting, soups, or other forms of cooking. Also, we don’t recommend it for use as a fresh food like salads after freezing.

Roasted Cauliflower

There are many recipes for these and some as a main dish. For very easy and basic, just drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. A microwave will cook evenly but a hot oven gives it nicer texture. So, a microwave is usually only used to preliminary cook or steam.

Some recipes have you partially cook it before roasting. You can steam fresh cauliflower in the microwave for just a few minutes. So, check it periodically with a fork. Piercing it should leave some resistance.

Another easy way is to put it into a pan with a shallow layer of water. An alternate method is to place it into a full pot of boiling water for about a minute or two to blanch it.

How To Cut Cauliflower For Roasting

You can have roasted cauliflower. Cut it as 1 large head, thick slices, large quartered sections, or florets. Then bake, broil, or grill. Prevent it from becoming mushy by undercooking it a bit. Here’s a good article on “How to Cut Cauliflower Steaks“. It shows you how to cut thick slices that will hold up for roasting or grilling.

Helpful Tips and Tricks of How To Cut Up a Cauliflower Head

Here are a few additional tips to make cutting cauliflower a consistent, positive outcome.

• The key to making the cauliflower better prepped, is to ensuring you’re cutting deep into that center core stem. You’re intending to cut the stem out, not off.
• You can keep it whole (like for baking). Use the knife tip and pierce-cut down along the outer edge of the core stem and inward slightly. Don’t cut downward more than halfway. You can do this type of piercing, cutting action for about 4 different sides of the stem. It should twist out a lot easier after that.
• After you’ve cut and twisted out the central core stem, the smaller leaves come out a lot easier.
• Cauliflower gets moldy in spots. If the area is still firm, you can usually just slice off those poor areas.
• After washing my hands to begin, I rinse the entire cauliflower. I do it once right away and again after the core’s stem’s removed. Reduce the chance of cross-contamination with the knife. Rinse off the knife during each cauliflower rinse.

Favorite Cauliflower Recipes & Side Dishes

Here are some recipes that use cauliflower. Firstly, it’s very popular to have it as a salad along with broccoli. And it’s a great ready-to-use appetizer when using crumbled blue cheese in a dip. Overall, you can have lots of healthy recipes using it. It goes well with other sides like brussels sprouts and kale.

• Cauliflower Broccoli Salad Recipe as a side dish
• Veggies Dip Recipe (great for cauliflower floret dipping)

And here’s our guide for how to cut a cantaloupe, as a great fruit side dish idea.

About Cauliflower

Learn more about this cruciferous vegetable. So, read this article “The Top Health Benefits of Cauliflower” by Nutritionist Kerry Torrens for BBC Good Food.

More Step-By-Step How To Cut Foods Articles

• How Do You Cut Watermelon
• Learn How To Cut Up A Full Chicken
• How to Cut a Cantaloupe
• How to Peel an Onion

Conclusion of How To Cut Cauliflower Into Florets

You’ve now seen the 6 easy, fast steps of how to cut cauliflower into florets, just like the restaurants do. You’ve seen how to wash it, trim off any spots, remove the outer leaves, cut out the core, and then to carve it down. And you’ve seen how to store it and cook it, along with some recipes. So, plan for an appetizer or salad using this way to cut cauliflower. And, with leftover florets, it might come in handy because cauliflower makes a great night snack with a dip. Update your grocery list now!