Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean Bbq Recipe

Zesty Korean BBQ Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps Recipe

Crispy roasted cauliflower brings unexpected magic to these korean bbq lettuce wraps that dance with flavor.

Each bite promises a delightful collision of textures and spices.

The tender cauliflower pieces absorb rich marinade like culinary sponges of deliciousness.

Crunchy lettuce cups cradle those perfectly seasoned morsels with elegant simplicity.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel like gourmet adventures with this quick recipe.

Restaurant-quality tastes emerge from your own kitchen with minimal effort.

Grab some fresh ingredients and let’s make something spectacular that will surprise everyone at the table.

Fun Flavors To Add To Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

  • Spicy Sriracha Sensation: Replace Korean BBQ sauce with homemade sriracha glaze by mixing sriracha, honey, and lime juice for an extra kick of heat that transforms the cauliflower's flavor profile.
  • Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap BBQ sauce with a lemon-oregano vinaigrette and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over roasted cauliflower for a Mediterranean-inspired wrap experience.
  • Teriyaki Tofu Companion: Add crispy tofu cubes alongside roasted cauliflower and drizzle with teriyaki sauce, creating a protein-packed vegetarian version that provides more substantial texture and nutritional balance.
  • Coconut Curry Remix: Coat roasted cauliflower in mild yellow curry sauce, then garnish with shredded coconut and chopped cilantro for a South Asian-inspired interpretation that brings complex, warming flavors to the original recipe.

Your Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ Questions

  • What makes Korean BBQ sauce special?

Korean BBQ sauce blends sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors using ingredients like soy sauce, gochujang (Korean red chili paste), honey, and garlic, creating a unique and bold taste profile that elevates roasted cauliflower.

  • Is cauliflower a good meat substitute?

Absolutely! Cauliflower has a meaty texture when roasted and absorbs flavors wonderfully. It’s packed with nutrients, low in calories, and provides a satisfying alternative for vegetarians and those looking to reduce meat consumption.

  • Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure your gochujang is gluten-free. Most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making this recipe easy to adapt for gluten-sensitive diets.

  • Why roast cauliflower at such high temperature?

High-temperature roasting (425F) helps caramelize the cauliflower’s natural sugars, creating crispy edges and a golden-brown color while maintaining a tender interior, which enhances both texture and flavor.

Why Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ Are So Bold

  • Savor Quick Flavor Explosion: These cauliflower lettuce wraps deliver an incredible taste experience in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous meal adventures.
  • Master Easy Healthy Cooking: Roasting cauliflower transforms a simple vegetable into a delicious, nutritious dish that's packed with flavor and requires minimal cooking skills, ideal for home cooks of all levels.
  • Create Customizable Meal Magic: These wraps offer endless personalization potential – swap vegetables, adjust spice levels, or add protein to match your dietary preferences and keep every meal exciting and fresh.
  • Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Comfort at Home: Bringing Korean BBQ-inspired flavors into your kitchen allows you to recreate a gourmet experience without expensive takeout, creating delightful restaurant-style meals with simple ingredients.

Everything You Need For Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

Roasted Cauliflower:
  • Cauliflower Florets: Fresh vegetable base with hearty texture, perfect for roasting and absorbing bold flavors.
  • Olive Oil: Helps cauliflower roast evenly and become golden brown.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing natural cauliflower taste.
Korean BBQ Sauce:
  • Soy Sauce: Provides rich, salty umami base for the Korean-style sauce.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create caramelization.
  • Gochujang: Korean chili paste that brings deep, spicy complexity to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and traditional Korean flavor profile.
  • Rice Vinegar: Introduces tangy brightness to balance the sauce.
Wrap and Garnish:
  • Lettuce Leaves: Light, crisp wrapper for holding roasted cauliflower.
  • Carrots, Cucumber: Fresh vegetables that add crunch and cool contrast.
  • Green Onions: Provides sharp, fresh onion flavor and garnish.
  • Sesame Seeds: Nutty topping that adds texture and traditional Korean element.

How To Make Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

Step 1: Prepare Roasting Workspace

Crank up the oven to a toasty 425F (220C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a perfect non-stick surface for your cauliflower adventure.

Step 2: Season and Roast Cauliflower

Grab your cauliflower florets and coat them with:
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Spread the seasoned florets evenly on the baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, giving them a loving flip halfway through. You’re looking for a golden-brown exterior with a tender inside.

Step 3: Craft the Korean BBQ Sauce

In a small saucepan, whisk together:
  • Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • Soy sauce
  • Honey
  • Rice vinegar
  • Minced garlic
  • Sesame oil

Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens into a glossy, flavor-packed coating.

Step 4: Combine Cauliflower and Sauce

Pull the roasted cauliflower from the oven and generously toss it in the warm Korean BBQ sauce. Ensure every floret is beautifully glazed and glistening.

Step 5: Build Your Wrap Masterpiece

Lay out crisp lettuce leaves and fill each with the saucy cauliflower. Top with:
  • Shredded carrots
  • Thinly sliced cucumber
  • Chopped green onions
  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate these gorgeous wraps immediately while they’re warm. For an extra touch, serve alongside steamed rice or rice noodles.

Tips To Elevate Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

  • Maximize Roasting Flavor: Cut cauliflower into evenly sized florets to ensure uniform cooking and achieve that perfect golden-brown caramelization without burning.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer the Korean BBQ sauce slowly and stir constantly to prevent burning, letting it thicken naturally for a rich, glossy coating on the cauliflower.
  • Customize Wrap Freshness: Choose crisp lettuce leaves like butter or romaine for sturdy wraps that hold ingredients without falling apart during eating.
  • Balance Veggie Textures: Julienne carrots and cucumber thinly to add crunch and freshness, complementing the soft roasted cauliflower and providing a delightful contrast in each bite.
  • Make It Dietary-Friendly: Swap rice for cauliflower rice to create a low-carb version, or use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-sensitive alternative.

How To Store Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

  • Refrigerate leftover roasted cauliflower and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
  • Keep lettuce leaves wrapped in damp paper towels inside a sealed container to maintain crispness.
  • Warm cauliflower gently in a skillet or microwave before serving, adding a splash of water to prevent drying out.
  • Avoid freezing prepared wraps, as lettuce and vegetables will lose their texture and become soggy.

Tasty Pairings For Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean BBQ

  • Boost Flavor Harmony: Pair these roasted cauliflower lettuce wraps with a crisp, slightly sweet riesling that cuts through the rich Korean BBQ sauce and complements the tangy vegetable crunch.
  • Cool Down the Heat: Serve alongside an ice-cold Korean beer like Hite or Cass, which provides a refreshing contrast to the spicy and savory cauliflower and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
  • Enhance Texture Contrast: Add a side of kimchi for extra fermented tang and probiotic punch, creating a perfect balance with the roasted cauliflower's soft texture and the lettuce wrap's crisp shell.
  • Complete the Meal Experience: Include steamed white rice or cold soba noodles to soak up the delicious Korean BBQ sauce and provide a satisfying, filling element to the light and zesty lettuce wraps.
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Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean Bbq Recipe

Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps With Korean Bbq Recipe


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4.8 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Korean BBQ Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps bring bold flavors to plant-based dining with crispy, caramelized cauliflower nestled in fresh lettuce leaves. Spicy, sweet, and utterly satisfying, these wraps deliver a knockout meal that keeps you craving more.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
  • 810 large butter lettuce or romaine leaves

Sauce Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons water

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: cooked rice or rice noodles

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by heating to a high temperature of 425F (220C) and cover a baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. Carefully separate cauliflower into uniform florets, coating them generously with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to enhance natural flavors.
  3. Distribute cauliflower pieces evenly across the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded to guarantee proper roasting and caramelization.
  4. Roast the cauliflower for approximately 25-30 minutes, rotating the tray midway to ensure even browning and achieving a golden, tender texture.
  5. While cauliflower roasts, craft the Korean BBQ sauce by combining ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking continuously to create a smooth consistency.
  6. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens slightly and develops a rich, glossy appearance.
  7. Once cauliflower is perfectly roasted, immediately toss the hot florets in the warm Korean BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly and evenly coated.
  8. Select crisp, fresh lettuce leaves as delicate wrapping vessels for the saucy cauliflower.
  9. Assemble the wraps by placing a generous spoonful of sauced cauliflower into each lettuce leaf.
  10. Garnish with julienned carrots, thinly sliced cucumber, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.
  11. Serve immediately while warm, with optional rice or noodles as a complementary side dish.

Notes

  • Experiment with different cauliflower roasting times to achieve your preferred level of caramelization and tenderness without burning the florets.
  • Swap lettuce leaves for rice paper wraps or tortillas to create a fun variation that suits different dietary preferences or texture desires.
  • Select firm, crisp lettuce like butter or romaine for the best wrap structure and minimal leaf tearing during assembly.
  • Adjust the Korean BBQ sauce’s sweetness and heat by tweaking ingredients like gochujang, honey, or rice vinegar to match personal taste preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 7 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Dave Mitchell

Dave Mitchell

Founder & Chief Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Grilling Techniques and Innovations​
  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Culinary Education and Workshops​
  • Food Photography and Styling

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and menu planning, with a special emphasis on grilling and outdoor cooking. ​


Dave Mitchell is the heart behind Daves Grill, a cook, writer, and lover of all things grilled. He studied Culinary Arts at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and spent years cooking, testing, and sharing recipes that actually work.

Dave started Daves Grill to keep things simple: one great recipe at a time. His food is bold, easy to follow, and made for real people with regular kitchens. From juicy steaks to quick sides, Dave’s recipes bring the heat without the hassle.

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