![\"Smoked](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Featured-003-768x768.jpg\"\/)
![\"Smoked](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Featured-003-768x768.jpg\")
\t<\/div>\nBuffalo Mayo<\/strong><\/p>\n For Garnish<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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Microwave<\/em>: Place in a microwave-safe bowl with 2\u20133 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook 6\u20137 minutes, until the stem is fork-tender.
Stovetop<\/em>: Steam over simmering water for 8\u201310 minutes, until fork-tender.
Let cool slightly.<\/li>\nNotes<\/h3>\n
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Last Updated on September 23, 2025<\/p>\n
Smoked Buffalo Cauliflower is the kind of recipe that turns heads at the grill. Instead of breaking it into florets, this whole roasted cauliflower gets the full BBQ treatment, soaking up smoky flavor while staying tender inside. Brushed with a creamy buffalo mayo sauce, it\u2019s bold, spicy, and perfect as a vegetarian main or a show-stopping side dish for game day or your next cookout.<\/p>\n While I love a giant tray of smoked buffalo wings<\/a>, I admit that this spicy, smoked whole cauliflower has its place on the table, too.<\/p>\n It\u2019s tender on the inside, charred on the edges, and bold enough to hold its own next to ribs and brisket. Whether you\u2019re looking for a vegetarian BBQ option or just want to surprise your guests with something unexpected, this smoked cauliflower delivers.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve made SO many versions of this recipe, trying to find the balance between smoky flavors, charred textures, and not having a dry, crunchy bite of cauliflower. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You can combine any of our flavorful homemade BBQ sauce recipes with mayonnaise, and it\u2019ll also taste great for this recipe. Our favorites would be Smoky Sweet Heat<\/a>, Korean BBQ Sauce<\/a>, or the Mexican Buffalo Sauce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One of the key differences between this recipe and many others you may find online is that we are going to par-cook the cauliflower.<\/p>\n Steaming or parboiling the whole cauliflower ensures that it will be completely tender for the final product, and also absorb much more smoke and sauce flavors. This is a KEY step, so I do not recommend skipping it.<\/p>\n Whisk together all of the Buffalo Mayo ingredients until smooth. Brush the cauliflower generously, working the sauce into every crevice. The recipe makes more than enough, so set some aside for serving later.<\/p>\n Tip: Brushing the cauliflower while it\u2019s still a little warm helps the sauce spread and cling better. You can also steam the cauliflower ahead, refrigerate it, then bring it back to room temperature before saucing and smoking.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Preheat your smoker to 350\u00b0F. Place the cauliflower over indirect heat and smoke for 35\u201345 minutes, until the stem is tender and the outside has a light char.<\/p>\n Place the smoked cauliflower on a platter, brush with reserved buffalo Mayo, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Serve with lemon wedges for a bright finish. Slice it into steaks or wedges and watch it disappear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If this smoked cauliflower gets you hooked, try grilling up some of these favorites:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Yes. You can roast the cauliflower in the oven at 400\u00b0F for about 35\u201345 minutes instead of smoking. You won\u2019t get the same smoky flavor, but the buffalo mayo sauce will still caramelize beautifully on the outside. If you want a hint of smoke, try adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the sauce.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n You can swap the mayo for plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. Both give the sauce a creamy base that clings to the cauliflower. Greek yogurt will be a little tangier, while sour cream will be more neutral.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Absolutely. You can steam or parboil the cauliflower earlier in the day (or even the night before). Store it in the refrigerator, then bring it back to room temperature before brushing on the buffalo mayo and smoking.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Stick with mild fruit woods like apple, cherry, or pecan. Cauliflower soaks up smoke quickly, so stronger woods like hickory or mesquite can overpower the flavor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re a regular at Chiles and Smoke, it\u2019s likely that you\u2019re cooking up meats. Don\u2019t worry, we have suggestions to pair with your smoked cauliflower:<\/p>\n Tip: Since the smoked cauliflower needs to be cooked indirectly, any recipe that involves a<\/strong> reverse-sear is ideal<\/strong>. The coals are lit, the smoke is rolling, keep it simple!<\/p>\n We\u2019re here to bring people together with bold flavors, using spice and flames to ignite the food and friendships.<\/p>\n If you try this recipe, please consider leaving an honest review below. You can also find more content by following Chiles and Smoke on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube<\/a>, and\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Slicing](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_002.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Smoked](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Featured-001.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nWhy This Process Works<\/h2>\n
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Key Ingredients<\/h2>\n
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![\"Steamed](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Prep-001.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nHow to Smoke a Whole Cauliflower<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Prepare the cauliflower<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Prep-002.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nStep 2: Brush with Buffalo Mayo<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Prep-003.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nStep 3: Smoke the Cauliflower<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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![\"Charred](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Prep-004.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nTips for Smoked Buffalo Cauliflower<\/h2>\n
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More Veggies on the Grill<\/h2>\n
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/www.chilesandsmoke.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Smoked-Cauliflower_Prep-005-819x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
Grilled Meats to Serve with Smoked Cauliflower<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\nThank You For Trying Our Recipe!<\/h3>\n