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    Main Dish » Sweet And Sour Cauliflower

    Sweet And Sour Cauliflower

    Posted On February 11, 2022 By Mirlene Last updated February 18, 2022 12 Comments

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    Sweet and Sour Cauliflower Pinterest Pin

    Bright and colorful, sweet and sour cauliflower that’s super-fast to make!

    Sweet and Sour Cauliflower over white rice

    This sweet and sour cauliflower recipe is ideal for meatless Monday, super-fast to prepare and make for a flavorful meal when served over a bed of white rice.  

    Health Benefits of Cauliflower

    We absolutely love cauliflower in our home, and it is considered one of the healthiest foods. Cauliflower is filled with vitamin K which is essential for blood clot, and it is great for your bones. 

     

    In addition to being filled with vitamin K, Cauliflower also helps to reduce the risk of cancer, as well as heart and brain disorders. 

    Cauliflower also helps get rid of toxins as well as helps to strengthen your immune system.

    Deriving from the Latin word caulis, cauliflower means flower and belongs to the Brassicaceae family. 

    Cauliflower is also rich in niacin, fiber, Vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and thiamin, to name a few. 

    The Ingredients

    Cauliflower stir-fry pieces of tender florets, sauteed leeks and red bell pepper strips, then toss in a delicious mildly tangy sauce.

    Prepared with store-bought sweet and sour sauce but is elevated to make you feel like you’ve just ordered from a five-star restaurant.

    This cauliflower dish is not overly sweet and is not sour to make you squint your eyes. 

    Coated generously in an egg and corn starch mixture, then is added in a sticky, mildly tangy sauce, providing you with a perfect sweet-sour balance!

    This budget friendly meal is made with just a few simple ingredients.

    Ingredients to make sweet and sour cauliflower

    Cauliflower: Cut the cauliflower florets into bite size pieces. It is best to use fresh cauliflower instead of frozen cauliflower. The frozen cause flower will not fry well as it is too wet. 

    Oil For Frying: Use vegetable oil, peanut oil, or Canola oil to fry the cauliflower. 

    Egg white and Corn Starch: Help the cauliflower to brown while frying, and keep it from falling apart, while keeping the outer layer crispy. 

    Salt and Pepper: To season the dish. You may also use soy sauce if desired.  

    Lemon Juice: Provide a mild acidic flavor to the dish. 

    Bell Pepper and Leeks: Leeks have an oniony flavor which works well in this dish. They are also related to chives, garlic, and shallots. They provide some depth to many dishes, particularly in this Swedish Potato Salad. Any bell pepper (color) will work. 

    Sweet And Sour Sauce: For this recipe, we used a store-bought sweet and sour sauce. However, a homemade version will also work.

    How To Make It 

    This meal is made in one pan! Small pieces of cauliflower that’s briefly fried in a saucepan or wok to provide a browned surface crust to the vegetable. 

    With this recipe there’s no need to double fry the cauliflower, here’s how to make it: 

    Start by cutting out the florets into bite size pieces. In a medium size bowl, add the corn starch then add in the florets. Mix well until they are all coated. 

    sweet and sour cauliflower

    Heat 1 cup of oil in a large saucepan or wok. Coat the cauliflower florets in the egg whites (a few batches at a time).

    Then fry until the cauliflower is light brown at 375 degrees. Not all the cauliflower will brown while frying. This will not change the recipe or texture of the dish. 

    Once the all the cauliflower has browned, reduce the heat to medium and add in the leeks, bell pepper, and garlic. Stir well and cook for 30 seconds. 

    Next, add in the sweet and sour sauce and add in the cauliflower florets. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to stir to combine and serve over a bed or white rice and enjoy. 

    Recipe Variations

    You may opt in for onions if you are not a fan of leeks. Scallions, shallots, and or green onions will also work. 

    Experiment with the dish by adding in the following vegetables or ingredients listed below. 

    cauliflower in bowl on wooden board

    Sliced carrots

    Snap peas

    Broccoli 

    Pineapples

    Zucchini 

    Sweet peas.

    Bake Instead Of Deep Fry

    For a healthier option, instead of deep frying the cauliflower, bake the cauliflower until golden brown at 375 degrees for 20 minutes; flipping halfway through to crisp on both sides. 

    sweet cauliflower in bowl

    To bake the cauliflower, mix the egg whites and cornstarch together. Then add in the cauliflower to the mixture.

    Mix well to combine then place the cauliflower in a cookie sheet. Spray with oil and bake until golden brown. 

    Recipe Tips and Tricks 

    Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to liven up the sauce. 

    It is best to cut the cauliflower to similar size so that they can cook evenly. If you are cutting back or cutting down on calories, we recommend you skip the frying.

    sweet cauliflower in bowl

    Simply sauté the cauliflower in olive oil for about 10 minutes. If you want to cut back on calories, you can skip the frying. After sauteing, 

    Add some heat to the dish by adding either cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. 1

    Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. When ready to eat, simply reheat the dish in the microwave. 

    More Fuss Free Cauliflower Recipes To Try 

    Once you are done trying this delicious sweet and sour cauliflower recipe, take meal prepping to the next level and expand your dinner options. 

    Below are some of our favorite dishes that are fuss free and requires little to no real work. 

    Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings

    Air Fryer Cauliflower

    Instant Pot Cauliflower Mash

    cooked cauliflower with sweet and sour sauce

    Pair This Dish With Your Favorite Haitian Recipes

    Ideally white rice is best. Feel free to mix it up a bit and pair it with any of the Haitian recipes listed below:

    Haitian Black Rice

    Haitian Red Beans And Rice 

    Haitian Fried Plantains

    Boil Plantains

    Haitian Marinade

    Or Enjoy it with this Grapefruit Juice

    It warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site, and we’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe.

    Tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!

    sweet and sour cauliflower over white topped with sesame seeds and bell peppers

    Sweet And Sour Cauliflower

    Savory Thoughts
    This sweet and sour cauliflower recipe is ideal for meatless Monday, super-fast to prepare and make for a flavorful meal when served over a bed of white rice.  
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine Asian
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 921 kcal

    Equipment

    • Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Lb. Cauliflower Florets
    • ½ Cup Sweet and Sour Sauce
    • ¼ Cup Cornstarch
    • 1 Cup Oil for frying
    • 2 Large Egg Whites
    • Juice From ½ Lemon; Optional
    • 14.08 Oz. Sweet And Sour Sauce
    • ⅓ Cup Sliced Leeks
    • 1 Bell Pepper; Sliced. Any color will work.
    • 2 Garlic Cloves; Minced
    • ⅓ Cup Water
    • Cooked White Rice Optional

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the egg whites and cornstarch together. Set aside.
      Add in the cauliflower florets. Mix well.
      Heat the oil in a wok, skillet, or saucepan.
      When the oil has heated through, add in the coated cauliflower.
      step by step guide
    • Remove the cauliflower once they are lightly golden brown on both sides. Set aside.
      In the same skillet, add in the garlic, leeks, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 1 minute over medium low heat, stirring occasionally.
      Next, add in the sweet and sour sauce and water. Then add in the caulflower. Mix well to combine. Continue to cook for about 3 minutes on low heat.
      Remove the dish from the stove and serve warm with white rice.
      Sweet and sour cauliflower in brown bowl

    Video

    Notes

    **** When printing the recipe, please unselect the camera so that the pictures are NOT printed with the recipe (if preferred).
     
    Calories are estimated per serving.
     
    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our full Privacy Policy. We may receive compensation by clicking on the links and or making a purchase.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4PeopleCalories: 921kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 15gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 29gSodium: 216mgPotassium: 458mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 165mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 4mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      April 16, 2022 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      The sauce is perfection! Very delicious recipe.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        April 28, 2022 at 1:17 pm

        YAYY! Thank you

        Reply
    2. Devan

      April 15, 2022 at 6:27 am

      5 stars
      What’s not to like in this recipe because there’s a lot going on. It’s healthy, cheap to prepare and looks SUPER tasty! Nice photos guys and thanks for sharing this!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        April 28, 2022 at 1:18 pm

        Thank you, Devan!

        Reply
    3. Rachel

      April 15, 2022 at 4:43 am

      5 stars
      This is so flavorful and love that it’s made healthier with cauliflower!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        April 28, 2022 at 1:18 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Anita

      April 15, 2022 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      This is the perfect sweet and sour dish to prepare when I am hosting my vegan friends.

      Reply
    5. Jess

      April 15, 2022 at 1:48 am

      5 stars
      This is such a winning flavor combo!

      Reply
    6. veenaazmanov

      February 17, 2022 at 1:47 am

      5 stars
      Love your recipe and love that it is vegan too. This looks like a total comfort meal.

      Reply
    7. Healthy Seasonal Recipes

      February 17, 2022 at 12:31 am

      5 stars
      The sweet and sour sauce perfectly compliments the rest of the ingredients in this recipe! Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

      Reply
    8. Tara

      February 16, 2022 at 11:35 pm

      5 stars
      Such a bright and beautiful color! I don’t use cauliflower nearly enough. This looks perfect with so much flavor.

      Reply
    9. Amanda

      February 16, 2022 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      This sweet and sour cauliflower made a great weeknight meal! It was so easy and quick to prepare, and that sauce was absolutely delicious.

      Reply

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