Bare with me for one moment in contemplation. I promise I will get to this drool-worthy BBQ Cauliflower Salad in a second but before then, I have a few things on my mind.
We are so accustomed to believing that it is our circumstances that predetermine our state of being. “If only I had __”, “Once I do __ then I will be happy.” Ifs, shoulds, would-bes, If onlys…
The funny thing about those thoughts are that they are a complete waste of time, despite how they actually make you feel like you are accomplishing something. They take you away from the present and rob you from attaining what you truly have: this moment. The more time you daydream about how other people keep you from happiness or how the “seemingly” mistakes you have made have kept you from where you thought you should be, the more time you waste in enjoying the moment. After all, the present is all that we are guaranteed anyway, right?
The moment you find yourself thinking these futile thoughts, stop and think about the fact that you already have everything you need to be happy in the moment. It’s all at your fingertips. You have the choice. Always.
So as you decide what to make for lunch today, give this BBQ Cauliflower Salad a try. It’s incredible! Don’t believe me? This salad is taking over Pinterest! I have heard so many great reviews about it so it’s not just my word you are believing. Plus, the cashew-based vegan Ranch Dressing alone is worth giving a try so Go. Make forth BBQ Salads frometh cauliflower.
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Prep Time:
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PinIngredients
- 1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 c. BBQ sauce
- 1/2 c. black beans
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 ear of corn, cooked and sliced
- 1/4 of a red onion, diced
- shredded carrots
- 3 c. lettuce
- Cashew-based Ranch Dressing
- crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil.
- Place cauliflower florets on the sheet and bake 5-7 minutes.
- Brush the BBQ sauce onto the cauliflower. Bake another 2-3 minutes.
- Assemble all of the ingredients together for the salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Salad (without dressing)
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 393mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 18g
- Protein: 16g
Kimi Copeland
January 2, 2018 at 10:11 amCara, I am so proud of You!! what an exciting adventure you have been on with this blog, your cookbooks etc. I am trying whole foods this month and googling recipes and hello your BBQ cauliflower salad was on another person’s blog. I bet that is a normal thing but it was so cool to see “forkandbeans”and like “i know her!!;)”. love what you are doing. I was just telling someone that you were an amazing roommate.
I love seeing you using your amazing creative, artsy skills.
Have you tried any other store bought milk with this like cashew etc? Im too lazy to make my own hemp milk
★★★★★
Cara
January 5, 2018 at 2:41 pmOh you, Kimi! I just heart you so much and am forever grateful for your friendship. Thank you for all the sweet words–they mean so much to me <3 To answer your question, you can use any nondairy milk (or dairy, if that is your thing too). Just make sure that you use an unsweetened and original dairy free milk (ie not vanilla, etc). Hope that helps!
Anna M
March 19, 2017 at 5:27 pmJust made this and it tasted amazing! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us.
★★★★★
Whitney D.
April 6, 2014 at 5:07 pmEating this right now. Seriously, the best thing ever. BBQ CAULIFLOWER?!?! You are a genius.
kara
February 4, 2014 at 6:50 pmi dont have an oven at home. is it possible for me to pan fry this or pan grill it?
Julie
January 23, 2014 at 10:40 amI inhaled this. It was that good. Will definitely be making it again, its so filling. No one in my house was convinced that cauliflower and black beans could go together, until they tasted this and were immediately won over. I omitted the ranch and used extra bbq sauce-it was delicious. I used gluten free crispy corn chips and I think its really important to use the chips or tortillas or what you prefer-it gives the salad a crunchy texture that makes it a million times better. Thanks a ton for the recipe!
Ashley
November 27, 2013 at 12:48 pmI had this for lunch today and wow…I wasn’t expecting it to be as tasty as it was! It’s a delightful caucphony of flavors and textures that literally left me saying ‘MMMMMMMM’ aloud! I made my own homemade ranch and BBQ, and it was truly a treat. I had been getting tired of boring salad and this definitely hit the spot! Thanks!
Colleen
October 25, 2013 at 5:51 amDo you serve it warm or cold? Which is best?
Cara
October 25, 2013 at 1:21 pmIt depends on your preference. I like having the cauliflower cooled down a little while still warm. Kinda like the same as having grilled chicken on a salad, does that make sense?
Megan
October 8, 2013 at 8:09 pmThis sounds amazing! I was wondering though, are the black beans cooked?
Lindsay S
September 25, 2013 at 1:24 pmLoved this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Abbie
September 11, 2013 at 1:21 pmMy non-vegan husband actually said, and I quote, “This is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted!” Thank you for such a DELICIOUS recipe!
Ella
August 21, 2013 at 11:09 amThank you for this recipe. I am going to make it just as your directions read. I can hardly wait!
Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie
July 30, 2013 at 6:34 amI made this over the weekend and am completely in love. SO GOOD! <3
Just had to include this recipe in my weekly round-up of posts – Links You'll Love – http://www.moicontrelavie.com/2013/07/28/links-youll-love-75/
Keep up the GREAT work!
Tess @ Tips on Healthy Living
July 26, 2013 at 1:19 pmThis looks so delicious. I love the idea about using barbecue sauce. Who says it’s just for meat?
Ashley
July 14, 2013 at 9:06 pmI’m a vegetarian who loves bbq sauce, I love finding new ways to use it! Thanks 😀
Michelle
July 6, 2013 at 10:45 amThis was a hit! Thanks for the new favorite recipe.
My only changes were that I added some blanched sweet potato that I roasted with the cauliflower. Before roasting I sprinkled both with turmeric and cumin (and then drizzled with bbq sauce when out of the oven like you did). At the end I squeezed some lime over the salad and it tasted perfect!
Martha Courtney
July 1, 2013 at 5:32 pmMade this last night and my Mom and best friend devoured it! It is really scrumptious! The only change I made is that I have my own vegan ranch recipe. Very similar taste probably. Thanks for posting these great recipes!
SouthernSpoonBelle
June 14, 2013 at 5:44 amWONDERFUL idea. Simple and looks absolutely delicious– will be trying this soon!
trish
June 14, 2013 at 8:43 amIt was SO good that we had the salad again for lunch and then wrapped it in tortillas for dinner! Huge hit! We used baby kale so it was still good the next day!
laurasmess
June 12, 2013 at 11:45 pmYum! I love cauliflower so I think I’d love this recipe! The photos are gorgeous. What a great way to spice up vegies!
rachel
June 12, 2013 at 9:17 pmword.
Trish
June 12, 2013 at 4:39 pmOMGizzle!! I just made this for dinner!! SOOOOOO good!!!!
Terri Cole
June 12, 2013 at 11:31 amThis looks amazing! And to those who don’t like ranch dressing, I never liked it until I started making my own. Somer’s recipe at VedgedOut.com is the one I use.
And Cara, thanks for the words of wisdom. I needed to hear that today!
Stephanie
June 12, 2013 at 9:20 amLooks so good, and thank you for the words of wisdom to go along with it!
ellen
June 11, 2013 at 5:26 pmserves 2? I think not…I think I would eat the whole thing 🙂
Cara
June 11, 2013 at 5:35 pmHA! You are my kind of gal, Ellen 🙂
Rosemary
June 11, 2013 at 5:14 pmJust wanted to say, you rock! Everything on this site looks amazing. Can’t wait to make a whole bunch of stuff <3
sheryl miller
June 11, 2013 at 5:09 pmI think Tamari/Soy Sauce is better than BBQ Sauce on the cauliflower
Jenni
June 11, 2013 at 3:30 pmThis is the perfect salad to make for meat-eaters who love BBQ chicken salad! Yum.
Sarah
June 11, 2013 at 3:26 pmBethany- Blue cheese would be great!
Eileen
June 11, 2013 at 10:41 amRoasted cauliflower in a hearty salad with bean and avocado sounds like a perfect lunch! Plus, there’s nothing like a good excuse to eat more barbecue sauce. 🙂
Bethany
June 11, 2013 at 9:51 amI know I’m weird, but I really, really hate ranch dressing! Do you have any suggestions for other dressings/flavors that might complement this salad? It looks wonderful!
Anna
June 11, 2013 at 6:35 pmI agree with the Ranch dressing. (I think it tastes like chemicals. I’m weird.) I was thinking of a cool Greek yogurt based dressing with some citrus and garlic pepper…
Trish
June 14, 2013 at 8:46 amTry the Simply Organic ranch dressing packet made with vegenaise and a splash of almond milk. I added a bunch of dry dill to it and it was amazing in this salad. Not like normal ranch!
Jan
June 11, 2013 at 9:14 amoooooooooooo….you make good for you food actually look appealing. is this done with mirrors?
Suzanne
June 11, 2013 at 8:12 amLooks delish!! I’m big into cauliflower lately, but never have I had it with BBQ sauce!
Ken H
July 18, 2013 at 5:48 amI’m thinking the same thing – I really wouldn’t have thought of BBQ sauce on cauliflower… have you tried it?
Cara
July 21, 2013 at 9:32 amI have tried it and I think it’s deeeeeelicious 🙂
Lisa
June 10, 2013 at 6:50 pmThis looks absolutely incredible!!