Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower
Oven-roasted cauliflower florets tossed in a tangy, sweet, and mildly spicy General Tso’s inspired sauce with Mediterranean herbs for a unique vegetable side. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, mediterranean twist) ready in about 35 minutes pairs cauliflower florets, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 160 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb cauliflower florets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb cauliflower florets with 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp dried oregano until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Step 2: Roast the cauliflower for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and edges are crispy.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, whisk together 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl.
- Step 4: When cauliflower is roasted, transfer to a large bowl and pour the sauce over it. Toss gently to coat all pieces.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts over the cauliflower before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cauliflower florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Roasted Mediterranean General Tso’s Cauliflower vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple but impressive. Served it to friends and they couldn’t believe it was cauliflower!
- ★★★★★
The Mediterranean twist on General Tso's was genius! My family kept asking for seconds and the cauliflower roasted perfectly.
- ★★★★★
Loved how healthy it felt without sacrificing flavor. Roasted cauliflower is now my new staple for weeknights.