Cauliflower Substitutes

Out of cauliflower? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert cauliflower between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the cauliflower converter.

What to use instead of cauliflower

  • Broccoli

    Produce swap

    1 cup chopped cauliflower = 1 cup chopped broccoli (1:1 by volume)

    Same brassica family and a direct swap for roasts, stir-fries, and bakes. Broccoli (95 g/cup) is a touch lighter and greener with a stronger flavour, and the florets cook a little faster, so check a couple of minutes earlier.

    See broccoli substitutes →

  • Potato

    Produce swap

    1 cup chopped cauliflower = 1 cup cubed potato (1:1 by volume)

    Use when you want a heartier, starchier mash or gratin. Potato (156 g/cup) holds far more starch than cauliflower, so the result is denser and creamier but higher in carbs. No need to drain the way you would with boiled cauliflower.

    See potato substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for cauliflower?
There are 2 workable substitutes for cauliflower, depending on what you have on hand and which property of cauliflower matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup chopped cauliflower = 1 cup chopped broccoli (1:1 by volume). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting cauliflower change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the cauliflower converter
How do I measure cauliflower accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The cauliflower converter on this site converts between whole items, cups, US cups, grams, ounces, and pounds, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the cauliflower converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

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