Sesame Orange Cauliflower Ramen is a fun homemade version of a favorite takeout meal. I made this recipe with more wholesome ingredients without sacrificing any flavor and it’s ready in 30 minutes.
SESAME ORANGE CAULIFLOWER RAMEN
This cauliflower is a little sweet, a little spicy, and will satisfy your Asian flavor cravings. Furthermore, you can serve it over lettuce or in lettuce cups or you can serve it over rice. As well, if you’re looking for a healthier appetizer, serve the cauliflower by itself with extra orange sauce for dipping.
I’m eating less and less meat and replacing beef, chicken, and pork with more plant-based meals. I took my sesame orange chicken recipe and adapted it for cauliflower which, honestly, wasn’t a difficult substitution. You can totally make this recipe with 1,5 pounds of chicken breasts or chicken thighs. (More on that below.)
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR SESAME ORANGE CAULIFLOWER RAMEN
The full ingredient list with amounts is below in the recipe card where you can save it to your recipe box.
- Egg white.
- Tamari sauce. You can use soy sauce
- Orange zest.
- Black pepper.
- Cornstarch.
- Avocado oil. You can substitute olive oil or sesame oil.
- Low sodium vegetable broth. You can use chicken broth.
- Orange juice. Use freshly squeezed oranges, you can squeeze the oranges after you zest them.
- Rice vinegar.
- Honey. You can also use maple syrup or agave syrup.
- Garlic. Fresh cloves of garlic
- Ginger. Fresh ginger.
- Chili flakes.
- Sesame seeds.
- Optional, add broccoli or edamame for more nutritious veggies.
- Green onions and sesame seeds, for garnish, if desired
WHAT IS TAMARI?
There are dozens of different types of soy-based sauces from all over Asia. Each has slightly different flavors, colors, and consistencies. Tamari is one of these sauces. It has a distinct flavor, mainly because it is made differently from all other soy sauces. Tamari is pressed from the liquid that drains from miso paste (which is fermented soybean paste) as it ages. Soy sauce, on the other hand, is made of a fermented and brewed mixture of soybeans, wheat, and other grains. Tamari is often priced a little higher than soy sauce.
Tamari is a Japanese soy sauce that’s typically made without wheat while soy sauce typically contains wheat. Furthermore, tamari has fewer ingredients compared to soy sauce, containing only water, soybeans, and salt.
How to choose a good head of cauliflower
- Cauliflower should be firm and tightly closed.
- White cauliflower should be pale with no soft or mushy parts and no dark spots.
- The head of cauliflower will feel heavy for its size.
- Ideally, the cauliflower heads will have a few green leaves attached.
- Overall, the cauliflower head should look fresh and vibrant.
Can I use frozen cauliflower?
I don’t recommend using frozen cauliflower. It’s mushy and just doesn’t result in a good final product.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES
- Easy Chili Garlic Noodles
- Crock Pot General Tso Chicken
- Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Chicken
- Baked General Tso’s Cauliflower
- Sriracha Ramen Noodle Recipe
- Thai Peanut Noodles
MORE HEALTHY RECIPES YOU’LL ENJOY!
- Oven-Fried Green Tomatoes
- Turkey Sausage Frittata
- Roasted Winter Vegetable and Pesto Quinoa Bowl
- Panko Crusted Broccoli
- Low-Carb Peach Mascarpone Dessert Flatbread
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with 5 STARS. Thanks!
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible
BAKED SESAME ORANGE CAULIFLOWER RAMEN
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 1 head cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 medium egg white whisked
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
Orange Sauce
- ⅓ cup avocado oil or sesame oil or olive oil
- ⅓ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- ⅓ cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey or agave
- 4 cloved garlic minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced or grated
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes more is you like it spicier
- 2 packages ramen discard the seasoning pack or use this kind
- 2 tablespoons sesame seed
- green onions and sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- Combine the whisked egg white, tamari, orange zest, and pepper. Toss well to coat. In a separate bowl, add the cornstarch.
- The egg white mixture will adhere to the cauliflower better if the cauliflower is dry. Place the cauliflower florets in a bowl and pour the egg white mixture over the cauliflower. Stir and toss to coat the florets with the egg white mixture.
- I like to use a sifter to dust the cornstarch over the cauliflower. Stir and cust more cornstarch over the cauliflower until all the cornstarch is used and the cauliflower is coated all over with cornstarch.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth, orange juice, tamari, rice vinegar, and honey.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the oil to the skillet, when it starts to ripple add the cauliflower. Work in batches if needed and don't crowd the pan. Cook until golden all around usually about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the cauliflower from the skillet.
- Add the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
- Next, pour the orange sauce into the skillet. Bring it to a boil. Add the uncooked ramen, reduce heat to low, and cook until ramen is done and the sauce thickens. (about 5 minutes.)
- Add the cauliflower back into the pan and toss it with the sauce.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve.
Nutrition
lly tamari is most often made without wheat, while soy sauce typically contains wheat
Andrea says
I love that this only takes 15 minutes to cook. Thanks!
Glenda says
What a great idea to sub the cauliflower for the chicken! We didn’t miss it. The seasonings and spices you’ve used made this such a flavorful and satisfying dish.
Glenda says
What a great idea to sub the cauliflower for the chicken! We didn’t miss it. The seasonings and spices you’ve used made this such a flavorful and satisfying dish.