How to Cut and Core Cauliflower

How to quickly, easily, and safely core and cut cauliflower!

Are you prepping cauliflower by cutting out the core first and then breaking the head into florets? (No shame in this, it’s how I did it for 40 years until my friend Chef Kathi Riley set me straight.)

There’s an easier way.

Cut the whole head into quarters first, and then angle the knife to cut out the cores.

Note that the cauliflower cores and leaves are perfectly edible; the cauliflower cores are much like broccoli cores. If you want, peel them and slice them for snacks, or chop them and cook them them way you would the florets.

How to Cut and Core Cauliflower

Ingredients

  • One head of cauliflower

Method

1 Pull leaves off base of cauliflower.

2 Cut cauliflower in half from the top of the crown through the stem.

3 Lay the cauliflower halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut them vertically again.

4 Lay the cauliflower quarter on the cutting board and angle the knife so that it cuts out the core. Repeat with remaining quarters of cauliflower.

5 Pull apart the cauliflower florets.