Name: Whole Cauliflower Instant Pot
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Olive Oil (**use light or extra light); 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp Paprika (**not smoked); 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp thyme; 1/2 tbsp cajun seasoning; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp cayenne (**skip if heat intolerant. ); 1 tsp red pepper flakes (**skip if heat intolerant); 2 tbsp Lemon Juice

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Whole Cauliflower Instant Pot is real and it would take only 5 mins! Smother the Cauliflower head with our secret marinade and roast it whole for a delicious side dish. Instant Pot Whole roasted cauliflower will give you tender juicy cauliflower florets with an amazing savory flavor. This recipe is absolutely beginner friendly.

whole cauliflower instant pot served in a white plate with the sauce and forks — Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Instant Pot Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Beginner in Instant Pot cooking? Make this Instant pot cauliflower whole head Cajun flavored, it’s absolutely beginner friendly, no active cooking involved, doesn’t taste bland & packed with incredible flavors! It might be your new favorite & the best way to include cauliflower in your diet.

If you are a beginner Instant pot cook than don’t miss these – Instant Pot steamed carrots, Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli, Instant Pot Beets and learn how to steam green beans in instant pot.

instant pot whole cauliflower head — Whole Cauliflower head in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Cauliflower – Tips & Tricks

Rinse the cauliflower head: We would recommend rinsing the cauliflower head very well to strip down any pesticides and to remove debris. Follow the detailed instructions shared below.
Marinate whole cauliflower: The seasonings that go in today’s recipe are important. It’s the seasoning mix that will help build all the amazing flavor and also create a delicious sauce at the bottom of the pot with all those tasty drippings from the cauliflower. You can pour or drizzle that sauce and enjoy the steamed whole cauliflower head. If you are heat intolerant skip adding the red pepper flakes.
Perfect cook times: If the cauliflower head is large we would would recommend a 5 mins cook time and if it’s small 3 mins cook time would be enough. In both cases perform a quick pressure release.

Instant Pot Cauliflower Whole Head – Ingredients

Find the Ingredients with actual measurements at the bottom of the post. The list below is just a reference.

recipe ingredients on a black surface — Ingredients

Whole Cauliflower head: Rinsed well and stalks removed. Check out the Notes at the bottom of the post for cook times.
Seasonings: Paprika, oregano, chili powder, cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper (skip if heat intolerant, ground black pepper, red pepper flakes (optional).
Olive oil: Use light or extra light olive oil.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a good punch to the dish. If you do not have it handy just skip using it.

How do you wash cauliflower before cooking?

Organic Cauliflower: Remove the stalks and soak the whole cauliflower head in a large bowl of hot water + 1 tsp salt. Soak it for 30 mins. Rinse well. Pat dry the whole cauliflower head with kitchen tissues and follow the recipe.
Inorganic Cauliflower: Remove the stalks and soak the whole cauliflower head in a large bowl of water + 1 tsp vinegar or 1 tsp baking soda and let it rest for 30 mins. Rinse well several times under running tap water. Pat dry the whole cauliflower and follow the recipe. This process will help strip down all the harmful pesticides & insecticides from the cauliflower head.

How to roast a cauliflower head in instant pot?

Find the detailed step by step recipe along with measurements + Video at the bottom of the post.

pressure cooking whole cauliflower in instant pot — Pressure cook

Step #1 Prepare the marinade

Add all the seasonings, Worcestershire sauce & the olive oil in a bowl and whisk together to mix them well. Do the test taste and add salt if need be. Cajun seasoning already contains salt so you might not need any extra salt at all.

Step #2 Marinate the cauliflower head

Slather the marinade on the whole head of cauliflower. Make sure that all the nooks and crevices are covered with the marinade. Allow the cauliflower head to marinate for at least 30 mins to 1 hour.

Step #3 Pressure Cook

Pressure cook: Set the Instant Pot. Place the steamer rack inside the pot, add 1 cup water and gently place the marinated cauliflower head on the steamer rack. Secure the lid and pressure cook on HIGH for just 2 mins (small cauliflower) and 5 mins (large cauliflower).
Quick Release: Once the pressure cooking cycle is over immediately perform a quick pressure release manually by moving the valve from the sealing to the venting position.

Step #4 Slice & serve

With the help of heat proof mittens carefully pull out the steamer rack from the instant pot. Slice the cauliflower and drizzle it generously with the delicious sauce from the bottom of the pot and enjoy! The sauce will taste amazing as it has all the flavorful drippings from the cauliflower.

whole roasted cauliflower made in instant pot sliced and served on a black plate with forks — Juicy steamed whole Cajun cauliflower in Instant Pot

How do you steam cauliflower in an instant pot without steamer basket?

Remove the stalks & rinse well the whole head of cauliflower following the instructions above.
Form a well / ring with the help of aluminium foil. This will help rest the cauliflower head. Place the ring inside the steel insert of the instant pot. Pour 1 cup water and place the marinated whole cauliflower head on the ring. Set it in a way so that it doesn’t topple. Pressure cook following today’s recipe instruction. You can dice into florets and later while serving or storing the steamed cauliflower.

Storing Tips

You can store the whole roasted cauliflower head made in Instant Pot for upto 3 days in the fridge. Slice the cauliflower and than store it in an air tight container along with the sauce.

Re-heating Tips

Re-heat the fridge cold Instant pot cauliflower in the microwave oven until warm or hot and than serve immediately. For best flavor squeeze lemon juice on top, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and than serve.