Here's a quick and easy Cauliflower sabzi recipe that takes just a few ingredients and spices which you already have on hand. Cauliflower a.k.a Gobi sabzi takes less than 30 mins to put together and tastes amazing too.
With garden-fresh cauliflower florets, a sauteed recipe such as this one is sure to steal the limelight at any outdoor get-together.
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About this recipe
An Indian Cauliflower stir fry that can be done in a snap and a kid's favorite too!
As a matter of fact, I am sharing this recipe based on my kid's suggestion. That's how much they liked it and they think this Gobi sabzi is going to be everyone's favorite in your home too!
If you love Cauliflower as I do, you will love this recipe too. Crispy cauliflower florets simmered in spices go very well with hot steamed rice, Avocado chapati, phulka roti.
The amazing thing about this gobi sabzi is, it is really simple to make with few spices. And you can also make it just with a bag of frozen cauliflower florets and no other veggies.
There are several other Indian recipes with Cauliflowers like Gobi Manchurian and Chilli Gobi but none nearly as easy as this one.
So, if you are looking for a quick-fix meal for kids or yourself, this is a sure winner. I have also posted Cauliflower recipes in the past like and Gobi Paratha Cauliflower Masala Curry. Check them out too!
Ingredients note
- Cauliflower: I used one whole cauliflower head for this recipe. The size of the head doesn't really matter as long as we adjust the spice level accordingly.
- Onion: I made this gobi sabzi many times using both white and red onions. I liked both for their own unique flavor. If you prefer a mildly sweet note, red onions would suit better for your dish.
- Spices: The choice of chili powder makes a big difference. If you don't prefer a spicy sabzi, go with Kashmiri red chili powder. Kashmiri red chili powder provides bright red color and flavor without the heat.
How to clean cauliflower
Before we start with the recipe, I want to mention a couple of small hacks we could use when we cook cauliflowers.
To clean cauliflower florets before cooking them, just place them in hot water with salt for 10 minutes.
This gets rid of all the bacteria. After 10 minutes, dry them by placing them on a dry towel. I did not show this in the step-by-step video, but it is definitely an important (but easy) step any time you cook cauliflowers.
If the florets do not drain properly, your stir fry will get a little watery. But there is a fix for that too. Just add besan flour or gram flour to suck it up and that's it!
Check my video for details on that.
How to make this recipe
Place a medium-size pan over medium heat and add oil. When the oil heats up, add cumin seeds.
As the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add chopped onions and fry until they turn transparent.
Add all the Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder and saute well.
Now add in the Cauliflower florets and mix well. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
If you see water stagnating in the bowl, add a little besan flour and mix well. Let it fry for another 5 minutes.
Crispy and dry cauliflower sabzi is ready.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you could use frozen cauliflower florets for this recipe, but be sure to thaw them for 10 minutes before using them in the stir fry.
Cauliflower is one of the popular low-carb vegetables. With a very mild taste, it can be used as a substitute for potatoes, rice, and other higher-carb foods.
You could also prepare this 'sabzi' by baking. Mix everything except gram flour and spread the cauliflower evenly on the baking sheet and bake at 425˚F for 20 minutes, until you find the desired crispiness.
Expert tips
- Use red onions or white onions whichever is available to you. I have used both types of onions with similar success. Red onions add a mildly sweet taste as we saute them.
- Using gram flour or besan flour is optional. If your cauliflower sabzi turns liquidy, add 1tbsp of besan four. This will quickly absorb the water from the dish to get the right texture.
- Use red Kashmiri chili powder for a bright red color. If you also prefer a spicy version, add ½ teaspoon of red chili powder.
- Cauliflower florets need to be tender and crisp and not soft as they could disintegrate as you prepare the curry.
- Store the leftover dry cauliflower curry in the fridge for up to a week.
Serving suggestions
Enjoy this easy cauliflower sabzi with steamed brown rice or phulka roti along with rasam and dal fry. Another way to serve this dry cauliflower curry is by packing them with cooked quinoa and wrapped like a burrito. Sometimes I add leftover sabzi to a salad to spice it up.
Check out my other sabzi, or stir fry recipes...
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📖 Recipe
Cauliflower Sabzi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil - or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 3 cups Cauliflower or 1 head of cauliflower
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder - or 2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Besan/Gram flour - (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Place a medium size pan over medium heat and add oil.
- When the oil heats up, add cumin seeds.
- As the cumin seeds start to sizzle, add chopped onions and fry until they turn transparent.
- Add all the dry ingredients listed above and saute well.
- Now add in the Cauliflower florets and mix well. Let it cook for 5 minutes.
- If you see water stagnating in the bowl, add a little besan flour and mix well. Let it fry for another 4 -5 minutes. or until you get a crispy gobi sabzi.
- Crispy Cauliflower Stir Fry is ready.
Video
Notes
- Use red onions or white onions whichever is available to you. I have used both types of onions with similar success. Red onions add a mildly sweet taste as we saute them.
- Using gram flour or besan flour is optional. if your gobi sabzi turns liquidy, add 1tbsp of besan four. This will quickly absorb the water from the dish to get the right texture.
- Use red Kashmiri chili powder for a bright red color. If you also prefer a spicy version, add ½ teaspoon of red chili powder.
- Cauliflower florets need to be tender and crisp and not soft as they could disintegrate as you prepare the curry.
- Store the leftover dry cauliflower curry in the fridge for up to a week.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Update Note: This recipe was originally published in July 2017. It was updated on June 2021, with new photos and details.
HAYLEY DHANECHA
This easy and delicious cauliflower sabji is just what I like to have on a regular menu. Lovely share
Geetanjali Tung
Cauliflower sabzi is one of my favorites. Perfect with roti or rice for me. Your version is slightly different. Would love to try this sometime.
Sasmita Sahoo
One of my fav winter vegetable is cauliflower. These Crispy cauliflower florets simmered in spices sound just perfect for me. I will enjoy these with some hot phulka even paratha.
Sapana Behl
For us it is always aloo gobi, never tried making only gobi sabzi. Your recipe sounds and looks so delicious, I will make sure to try it the next time I buy cauliflower.
Poonam bachhav
Your cauliflower subzi looks so simple yet so flavorful! A soulful treat with some phulkas.
Pavani
What a simple and delicious stir-fry with cauliflower. Thanks for the detailed recipe, I am sure my whole family will enjoy this dish.
Vandana
Your cauliflower stir fry looks so perfect and delicious. Loved how the florets have retained their shape even after cooking and not turned mushy. Great recipe.
Priya Srinivasan
Cauliflower subzi looks tempting! Love such simple to make stir-fries. Wonderful combo with rice dishes or as a stuffing for rolls/wraps!
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth
The cauliflower sabzi looks absolutely delicious... Thank you for sharing those tips, I am surely going to use them...
Lata Lala
That's super favourite at my place and we too make almost the same way. Yours looks fabulous Uma. I can have this any time. Yummy.
Seema Sriram
Looks perfect to go with a home meal. I love the way the colour has developed.
Mayuri Patel
A simple to make but super tempting cauliflower sabzi. What I like is that not too many ingredients are required to prepare this sabzi. Sometimes we need simple but tasty recipes.
jayashreetrao
Looks delicious Uma and easy to prepare also.
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Jayashree:) My kids favorite dish!