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Home » Vegan Indian “Butter” Cauliflower with Coconut Brown Rice

Gluten-free

Vegan Indian “Butter” Cauliflower with Coconut Brown Rice

Created On: April 11, 2013  |  Updated: March 17, 2023  |   41 Comments

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A vegetarian Indian butter cauliflower instead of butter chicken!  If you love the flavors of butter chicken, you’ll love this lighter vegetarian version, with delicious coconut brown rice!

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

I’ve been holding onto this one for almost a week now, but you have to trust me, this is goooood!  I’m pretty sure this kind of sauce is only supposed to be on chicken… You know “butter chicken” right? If you prefer a recipe using actual chicken, this whole30 slow cooker butter chicken looks wonderful! So does this dairy-free chicken tikka masala!

But I’ve been seeing so many awesome uses for cauliflower lately and I already love cauliflower as mock mashed potatoes (but don’t take my real mashed potatoes away either!).  I haven’t tried it, but love the idea of roasted buffalo cauliflower, but I wasn’t in the mood for that at this particular moment. 

Somehow all that translated into butter cauliflower in my head.  And let me tell you, it is amazing!

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Let me just start by saying this doesn’t taste vegan.  It’s still buttery and rich and thick and creamy and just plain lovely. Same is true of these vegan samosas.

If you like butter chicken and want a lighter alternative, you need to try this.

If you do eat chicken and want something authentic, try this Chicken Vindaloo!

I served this with some brown coconut rice as well so I included the rice recipe.  I have to say though, the first time I ever had coconut rice was when I stayed with my Filipino best friend and her mother made some amazing food.  I seriously wish I could remember all the awesome different foods I got to try. 

I’m kind of sad to admit that this coconut rice isn’t quite as good as the rice I had then.  Although, it was so long ago that I can’t remember if the rice was that incredible or if it was just a great memory of the time I spent visiting 🙂

Coconut Brown Rice

But anyways, the rice is delicious.  I actually made the rice the day before and ate a bowl of it just by itself when it was ready.  Yum!  And the options are endless, you could serve this with so many dishes, it doesn’t have to be reserved just for currys.  I feel like I must warn you I go through food phases and I think I feel a curry phase coming up.  I can’t get enough of it 🙂

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Look at that color!  The tomato base for the sauce + those awesomely colorful spices = beautiful!  I love it! 

Enjoy!

Coconut Brown Rice

 

No ratings yet

Coconut Brown Rice

Author Heidi @ Food Doodles
Servings 4 -6 servings
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 C long grain brown rice jasmine rice is preferable but any kind works
  • 3 tbsp flaked coconut
  • 1 can full fat coconut milk or just over 1 1/2 C
  • 1 1/2 C water
  • 1 tsp honey or alternative
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan heat the coconut oil.
  • Add the brown rice and stir while cooking over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to toast. Add the flaked coconut.
  • Stir in the coconut milk, water, honey and salt. Bring to a boil, stir, cover and turn down to a simmer. Simmer rice for 50 minutes then turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Tried this recipe?Tag me today! Mention @easywholesome or tag #easywholesome!

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

No ratings yet

Vegan "Butter" Cauliflower

Author Heidi @ Food Doodles
Servings 4 servings
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins

Ingredients
  

For the cauliflower:

  • 3-4 cup cauliflower 1 small head
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 - 1 1/2 tablespoons tandoori seasoning
  • juice of half a lemon about 2 tbsp
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 4 large cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 2 teaspoons chilli powder
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 quart or a 32 oz can jar tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 tablespoon raw sugar
  • 1 can full fat coconut milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt + more to taste

Instructions

  • In a large skillet heat the oil over medium low heat. When hot add the onion and saute until completely softened and some pieces are starting to caramelize and turn dark, 10-15 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir. Add the chilli powder, turmeric, coriander, cumin and cinnamon and stir again. Pour in the tomatoes and stir well. Bring up to a boil and then turn down and simmer while preparing the cauliflower.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • To prepare the cauliflower chop into bite sized pieces and lay out on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with tandoori seasoning, fresh lemon juice and salt. Toss well to combine. When the oven is hot, place cauliflower in the oven and roast until the edges of the cauliflower are beginning to caramelize and turn dark but the cauliflower is still firm, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, stir the sauce occasionally until it thickens, about 20 minutes. Add 1 tbsp of sugar, 1/4 tsp of salt and the can of full fat coconut milk(*see note). Stir well.
  • Once the cauliflower is done, remove from the oven and stir into the sauce. Stir well and serve hot over rice.

Notes

*if you prefer a thicker sauce, do not shake your can of coconut milk before opening, Open the can, and spoon the thicker coconut "cream" off the top reserving the thin clear liquid at the bottom for another purpose.
Tried this recipe?Tag me today! Mention @easywholesome or tag #easywholesome!

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower

Vegan Indian Butter Cauliflower with Coconut Brown Rice

posted in: Brown Rice, Cauliflower, Coconut, Dinner, Gluten-free, Lunch, Main, Side

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Zoe Clark says

    Made this recipe and it tasted great! It didn’t really taste like butter chicken tho, not sure if i did something wrong or not, either way it still tasted good!

    Reply
  2. Kristi says

    This was amazing! I think we will be fighting for the leftovers.

    Reply
  3. Leslie says

    I’ve made this before and absolutely love it. Quick question – does anyone know if it freezes well?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Ashley says

    This is AMAZING! New staple for me, actually making it right now! lol. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Heidi @ Food Doodles says

      Awesome, enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Sara says

    This recipe looks delicious- thank you for it! My only suggestion is this: can we (everyone) stop measuring things by animal based standards? The write up of this recipe begins with “Let me just start by saying this doesn’t taste vegan.” ‘Vegan’ food tastes amazing! Healthy food tastes amazing! In the same way that many of us are trying to change language from things such as “real cheese” vs “vegan cheese”, can we start doing it across the board with all foods? I get why we make the distinction at times, but describing a dish as not tasting vegan or ‘you’ll never guess it’s vegan’ dismisses and puts down the fact that vegan/plant/health food is tasty as all get out.

    Reply
  6. Wendy says

    pho butter chicken

    Reply
  7. AH says

    Oh my god this is an amazing recipe!!! We made this tonight for dinner and my butter chicken loving father-in- law went back for seconds. Huge hit in our house

    Reply
  8. Caitlin says

    Just made this tonight and holy cow it is a knockout!! Seriously, my fiancé and I were blown away by how amazing this is. We love chicken makhani and this is just as good as what we get in a restaurant!!

    Reply
  9. Rebekah says

    Looks amazing! I have a question- did you use an immersion blender for the sauce or leave it chunky? It looks pretty smooth in the pictures.

    Reply
  10. Mandy says

    Amazing recipe. Both my son and husband absolutely loved it. Taste so much like butter chicken. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe. It is now one of my number one recipes.

    Reply
  11. lb says

    Looks yummy but Coconut Milk has VERY high fat content

    Reply
    • Heidi @ Food Doodles says

      It does, and that’s what makes this taste delicious! You can always use a lower fat coconut milk if you’d prefer that though, but I don’t think it will be as good 🙂

      Reply
  12. Lisa says

    OH…EM….GEE! I just started cooking for a family who wants more Indian food and I will use this recipe for sure! It looks absolutely stunning 🙂

    Reply
  13. Starr says

    I made this yesterday and the cauliflower sauce was absolutely delicious. OMG…I will be making this again and again and again. I didn’t make the rice, but that will be next.

    Reply
  14. Hannah says

    OMG! this is better than going to an indian buffet. AMAZING!!!! I will be making this weekly! Better yet it is cheap!

    Reply
  15. Sindy says

    I have not made the Butter Cauliflower (yet) because I already had my heart set on a peanut curry. But the Coconut Rice was DELICIOUS and super easy!

    Reply
  16. TiffanyAzure@CremedelaCrumb says

    Heidi this looks delish! I love indian and this is going to have to make an appearance in my kitchen very soon

    Reply
  17. Alicia says

    I have made a chickpea and potato butter recipe from a vegetarian cookbook before but cauliflower is one of my favorite veges so I can’t wait to try this.

    Reply
  18. Annie @ Natural Sweet Recipes says

    Wow, this looks so good! I am transitioning to a vegan diet right ow and am finding it hard to come up with meal plans that my meat loving husband likes. I will definitely be trying this! Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Holiday Baker Man says

    Thanks for using brown rice!

    Reply
  20. Richa says

    Woza. This sounds like a perfect anyday meal.. love the color of the sauce. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Jerry says

    Oh Wow. Never thought of making coconut Brown rice.. And I’m sure you’ve heard this before but your photos are scrumptious. Can’t wait to eat some awesome Indian food! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  22. Kim says

    Sounds yummy. Will take some work, though. BTW, what is the fat content per serving?

    Reply
    • Kattis says

      Just so you know cocnut oil is incredible for you !! Honestly read the coconut oil miracle … = D or google info about it. Have no fear of coconut oil.

      Reply
    • Toni says

      I don’t do coconut oil or full fat coconut milk, because I don’t believe either is good for you and is full of cholesterol and fat. But there is an easy and delicious substitution. I use a non-dairy milk and a splash of coconut extract. (I usually use unsweetened almond milk.) You still have all of the delicious flavor.

      Reply
  23. everydayathena says

    Sounds great…but it’s not vegan when you use honey.

    Reply
  24. Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} says

    Oh my. Butter Chicken was my favorite Indian dish in my pre-vegan days. I am so happy that you have created a vegan version. I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  25. Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says

    I pinned this before I even scrolled down to the recipe because I immediately knew from the name and the photo that I would love it. And I do! 😀 I’m going to have to make this one soon!

    Reply
  26. Heather says

    Oh man I can’t believe you have been holding out on us- this looks incredible, I am a sucker for anything Indian inspired!

    Reply
  27. Julie says

    Oh. Em. Gee. This looks and sounds amazing! I often make curries and serve them over plain old brown rice (which I loooove, even plain), but coconut rice??? Wow.

    Reply
  28. Crystal says

    Ooohhh man! What an amazing idea this is! I love butter chicken and I think cauliflower is a great stand in with those flavors. I am dying to try this. Thanks for sharing! : )

    Reply
  29. kristin says

    This looks so great! Looking forward to making this one! And I look forward to more curry inspired dishes! I gave this post some love on fb, even before making it! ; )

    Reply

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