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How to Cut Cauliflower

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updated: 12/02/25

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

This easy tutorial for how to cut cauliflower will help you with so many great recipes.

Overhead view of cutting board with cut up cauliflower and a knife for how to cut cauliflower recipe

I love using cauliflower in recipes, but it was years before I knew how to cut it quickly and easily. This simple tutorial will help you cut up a head of cauliflower in a snap.

How to Cut Cauliflower

Cut the Cauliflower in Half

I like to put it stem-down on the cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the head of cauliflower in half.

Overhead view of person's hands cutting up head of cauliflower.

Cut Each Half in Half Again

Lay the flat side down on the cutting board and cut each half again. You will now have four quarters.

Overhead view of person's hand cutting up head of cauliflower

Cut Out the Stem and Core

Angling the knife down, cut the core and stem out of the cauliflower.

Overhead view of person's hands cutting up head of cauliflower

Break Up the Pieces

Use your hands to break up the remaining cauliflower. For any large pieces, you may need to use your knife.

Overhead view of person's hand holding pieces of cauliflower over cutting board of cut up cauliflower

Washing Cauliflower

Once your cauliflower is cut up, rinse it thoroughly under cold running water and pat it dry with a clean towel to remove any dirt or debris.

Recipes Using Cauliflower

Overhead view of cutting board with cut up cauliflower and a knife for how to cut cauliflower recipe
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How to Cut Cauliflower

Author: Lisa Longley
(tap # to scale)

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower

Instructions

  • Cut the cauliflower head in half.
  • Cut each half in half again so you have 4 quarters.
  • Angling the knife down, cut the core and stem out of the cauliflower.
  • Use your hands to break up the remaining cauliflower. Keep your knife nearby for pieces that are big and need to be cut down, or additional parts of the core and stem that need to be cut off.
Overhead view of cutting board with cut up cauliflower and a knife for how to cut cauliflower recipe

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How to Cut Cauliflower

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Lisa is the founder of Simple Joy. Lisa, is a self taught cook and avid lover of all things food, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For the last 10 years Lisa has been reading cookbooks, experimenting in the kitchen, and learning everything she possibly can about cooking. The result has been the ability to create recipes, both classics and new twists, that readers fall in love with and make with ease. Lisa loves not only providing delicious and easy recipes, but also giving the why behind what we are doing in the kitchen. She gets such great joy in sharing my love for food.

Lisa has been featured in many media outlets. These outlets include Country Living, Real Simple, Today, Parade, Good Housekeeping, Buzzfeed, Delish, Elle, and many others.

Prior to becoming a food creator, Lisa was a social worker. She received her master’s in social work from the University of Milwaukee and worked in child welfare.

Lisa is the mom to four amazing kids: Gavin, Elliot, Quinn, and Piper. Gavin, Quinn, and Piper are happy, amazing kids she loves spending time with.

Her husband, Nathan, is her partner in life and in business. He is her rock in more ways than one and supports all of her crazy dreams.

Lisa and Nathan lost their second child, Elliot, when he was 8 days old. If you want to know more about Elliot, you can read it here. If you want to read more of Lisa’s experience of grief, you can read this post.

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