Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Almonds, Olives & Feta

If you’re looking for an easy salad that’s dressed to impress, look no further than this Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Almonds, Olives & Feta. This 25-minute salad takes cauliflower to a whole new level. We roast the florets to bring out their sweetness, then toss them with bold-flavored ingredients like feta cheese, lemon juice and Kalamata olives.

This easy salad pairs with just about anything from roasted chicken to pork or, combined with cooked whole grains, you can enjoy it as a plant-based, fiber-packed main dish all on its own. Keep reading for our best tips and advice for making this easy roasted cauliflower salad one of your favorites too.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• You can use cauliflower florets from a bag, or cut the florets off of 1 large head, or 2 small heads, for this recipe. No matter what you choose, make sure they are roughly the same size so they all cook at the same rate.
• We make quick work of mixing up the dressing by using a mini food processor. If you don’t have one, you can finely chop up the parsley and garlic, and whisk in the olive oil, salt and pepper until combined.
• There is no need to wait for the cauliflower to cool down before you mix everything together. The heat will gently wilt the arugula, and the hot cauliflower will better absorb the flavor of the dressing.
• Parsley and peppery arugula add to this salad’s kick, but you can easily swap out the arugula for a milder green like baby spinach if you prefer.
• For the best flavor, toast nuts before using in a recipe. To toast sliced nuts, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

Nutrition Notes

• Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable that is rich in fiber, a key nutrient that can support gut health. The fiber in cauliflower may also help keep your heart healthy and lower cholesterol levels. Cauliflower also contains compounds like sulforaphane and glucosinolates, which may help prevent cancer.
• According to the USDA, parsley provides some iron, vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. You’ll also get a dose of lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidants that support skin and eye health.