Name: Mediterranean Cauliflower Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 head raw cauliflower (cut into florets); 1 whole bunch parsley (stems partially removed); 3 to 4 Roma tomatoes (very small diced or chopped); 1 English cucumber (hot house cucumber, chopped); 1/2 red onion (finely chopped); 1 to 2 garlic cloves (minced); Kosher salt and pepper; Juice of 2 lemons; Extra virgin olive oil

Simple and bright cauliflower salad, prepared Mediterranean-style with chopped veggies, garlic, and a zippy dressing of fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Watch the video and grab my tips below.

This large salad can be dressed a bit in advance, which makes it perfect for entertaining. And leftovers make a great lunch the next day!

cauliflower salad in a large bowl with fresh parsley for garnish

Cauliflower is the name of the game these days, it’s healthy, nutritious and there are so many ways to use it!

And anyone who doubts how crazy tasty a head of cauliflower can be, just try roasted cauliflower, my rich cauliflower and chickpea stew with Moroccan-inspired flavors, Moroccan-Style Shaved Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad, or today’s fresh cauliflower salad!

I can say this healthy cauliflower salad has allowed me to finally enjoy eating raw cauliflower. It’s bright, packed with flavor, and just the right texture!

Best part, this salad totally belongs on the list of Mediterranean diet recipes and makes the perfect side dish next to anything I serve (a few ideas below).

Raw Cauliflower Salad

Most salad recipes using cauliflower call for bacon, sour cream or some sort of a cream-based dressing. But this healthy option defies expectations by taking on a Mediterranean twist.

This salad looks and tastes bright thanks to a combination of finely chopped vegetables, fresh parsley, and a zippy dressing of fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil.

For me, what makes this cauliflower salad extra special is its’ tabouli-like texture!

Mediterranean cauliflower salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley and red onions, served in a large bowl

Gluten free tabouli anyone?!

Everything in this salad is chopped real small like we do with tabouli. And even the head of cauliflower is finely chopped into a rice-like consistency that mimics the texture of the bulgur used in tabouli. And cauliflower is, of course, gluten free! So for those of you who are looking for a gluten free tabouli recipe, this one is a great option (although not traditional, obviously).

But there is a reason I actually choose to chop the cauliflower for this healthy cauliflower recipe, and it is not just because I am a big tabouli nut (although obviously I am)!

Big Tip: Finely chop the cauliflower

If you’re anything like me and have a hard time eating raw cauliflower salad, this recipe may be your solution.

Raw cauliflower can be unpleasant and bland because it is hard to infuse with flavor, which is why most cauliflower salads employ heavy dressings. But you don’t have to!

The trick to a flavor-packed and healthy cauliflower salad is in turning the large florets into a rice-like mixture (so easy! Just put the florets in the food processor and pulse a few times).

The finer rice-like texture allows cauliflower to absorb flavor well and quickly without turning to heavy ingredients.

Option: If you prefer, rather than finely chopping the cauliflower in the food processor, you can use a good knife and simply chop into very small florets.

ingredients including caulfilower, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and red onions

Ingredients & Variations

Cauliflower-1 head raw cauliflower or a 2-pound bag of raw cauliflower florets (do not use frozen cauliflower)
Parsley- 1 large bunch parsley (2 ounces), chopped as fine as you can get it. I only trim just the very end of the stems, that’s where all the flavor is. If you’d like to add more herbs, try a bit of fresh mint or dill, also chopped.
Tomatoes– 4 Roma tomatoes, diced very small or chopped
English cucumber-1 large English cucumber (seedless hot house cucumbers), chopped. You can use slicing cucumbers, but you’ll need to peel them and
Red Onion- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped (or about 1/2 cup or less). You can also use shallots if red onions are too strong for your taste.
Kosher Salt and black pepper- a dash to your liking
Garlic- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
Dressing- juice of 2 lemons and a generous drizzle of a quality extra virgin olive oil (You can find the olive oils I use at our online shop here).

How to make cauliflower salad recipe

Time needed: 20 minutes

Mediterranean cauliflower salad recipe step-by-step (printable recipe below)

Chop the Cauliflower
Put the cauliflower in the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Close the lid and pulse a few times until cauliflower is fine enough (you’re looking for rice-like texture)
Assemble the Salad
Transfer the “cauliflower rice) to a large mixing bowl. Add chopped fresh parsley (a whole big bunch, finely chopped), and finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions.
Season and Dress the Salad
Add minced garlic. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Toss gently to combine. Add lemon juice (juice of 2 large lemons) and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Mix again to combine.
Serve
For best results, allow the cauliflower salad to sit for a few minutes before serving, that way, the cauliflower will have absorbed more of the flavors

This cauliflower salad will feed a small crowd, if you have any leftovers, store in the fridge in tight-lid glass containers. It should keep for 3 days or so.

What to serve this healthy cauliflower salad with?

This salad can make the perfect addition to a Mediterranean meal and will go with most any entree you’ll find here. But here are a few options:

With chicken or meat like chicken piccata, Greek chicken, souvlaki, kofta, or lamb chops
With fish like lemon garlic salmon, baked cod, fish sticks, or grilled swordfish
With other vegetarian favorites like loaded baked potato, spinach frittata, or falafel

Check out my collection of top Mediterranean diet recipes. Find all Mediterranean recipes.

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