This easy cauliflower stir fry is a healthy and easy dinner idea! It’s full of nutrients and covered in a punchy sauce.
Hands up if you love cauliflower! This vegetable has star status among veggies these days, and there are endless creative ways to use it. You can make it into tacos, use it as a plant based stand-in buffalo wings, or hide it in vegan alfredo sauce.
Here’s one of my favorite ways to use these tasty florets: in a cauliflower stir fry! I just pan fry it until lightly charred and tender, then add bell peppers and a punchy stir fry sauce. To me, it’s one of the best ways to make eating veggies taste irresistible! Try it as a healthy side dish or an easy plant based dinner with protein adders (see below).
5 Star Reader Reviews
“Amazing recipe. Especially the stir-fry sauce! I also added the marinated tofu which I loved.” -Abby
“Made this tonight and it was delightful! I added the cashews and at the end some shelled edamame beans. So flavorful. Great recipes!!” -Wendy
Ingredients in This Cauliflower Stir Fry
This cauliflower stir fry is fast and easy to make! On its own it works as a side dish, but eat it with a plant based protein (see below) and it’s an easy dinner. The main thing to note is that cauliflower requires much more time to stir fry than other veggies, so you’ll need to add it to the pan first. Here are the basic ingredients you’ll need for this stir fry:
Nutrition note: This recipe uses 2 bell peppers along with the cauliflower. 1 medium red bell pepper provides 169% of your daily vitamin C, so using 2 knocks this vitamin off the charts (Source)!
Notes on the Stir Fry Sauce
This cauliflower stir fry has an incredible stir fry sauce that brings in lots of savory, salty and sweet flavor! Use the recipe as printed, or another option is our Go To Stir Fry Sauce. It’s just as good and is an oil free option. Here are a few notes on the ingredients in the stir fry sauce:
Soy sauce: Use regular sodium to get the full seasoning. Tamari is a gluten free soy substitute, or use coconut aminos for a soy free gluten free substitute. You may need to add a pinch more salt in both cases.
Miso: Miso is a Japanese fermented soybean paste that’s full of nutrients and savory flavor. It’s a must in this sauce and can’t be replicated. You can find miso in the international foods aisle near the Japanese ingredients. There are lots of types of miso: we used yellow or light miso here (use the rest for these 10 Easy Miso Recipes).
Gochujang (optional): Want to add a little spicy funkiness to your sauce? This Korean chili paste steps it up a notch.
How to Stir Fry Cauliflower: My Best Tips
This cauliflower stir fry is easy recipe, but there are a few things to note to make it come out perfectly. Here’s what to know:
Stir fry the cauliflower about 5 minutes before adding other veggies. Here’s the kicker: cauliflower takes much longer than other veggies to stir fry. If you add them all at once, it will come out too tough. Make sure to follow the instructions exactly.
Use medium high heat. The point of a stir fry is to cook at high heat: quickly. This will get nice char marks onto your cauliflower.
Don’t double the recipe. The biggest tip for a stir fry: you can’t crowd the pan! If there are too many veggies, they’ll steam instead of stir fry. If you want to increase quantities, cook the veggies in batches then re-warm everything together.
Add Protein to Make It a Main Dish
Are you serving this cauliflower stir fry as a main dish? It’s a perfect healthy meal or fast and easy dinner idea. Just make sure to serve with a whole grain and consider adding protein to keep it filling. Here are some ideas:
Cashews: Throw ¾ cup cashews into this stir fry when you add the cauliflower. This makes a main dish of about 2 to 3 servings.
Edamame: Add 1 cup shelled, frozen edamame in the last 2 to 3 minutes of the cook time. Or eat edamame in the shell as a side: try Easy Edamame or Spicy Edamame.
You can refrigerate leftover cauliflower stir fry in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this stir fry because leftovers can come out mushy.
Dietary Notes
This cauliflower stir fry recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cauliflower good in a stir fry?
Yes, it’s one of my favorite stir fry vegetables! Cauliflower holds its shape at high heat, gets nicely browned edges, and soaks up sauce well.
How long does cauliflower take to stir fry?
About 9 to 12 minutes total. Cook the florets undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until charred, flip and cook 2 more minutes, then add the remaining vegetables and cook 4 to 6 minutes until everything is tender.
Can I add other vegetables?
Yes! Some readers have added matchstick carrots, broccoli, or snap peas. Just add quicker-cooking vegetables with the bell peppers so nothing overcooks.
To serve as a main dish: Add ¾ cup cashews with cauliflower**, add 1 cup shelled frozen edamame in the last 2 to 3 minutes, or add Marinated Tofu, Pan Fried Tofu, or Sauteed Shrimp and serve with rice
In a medium bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, miso, gochujang, sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch (or make the Go To Stir Fry Sauce).
In large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons neutral oil over medium high heat. Add the cauliflower and a pinch of salt and cook unstirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until charred. Flip the florets and continue cooking for 2 minutes.
Add the bell peppers, white onion, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and cook 4 to 6 minutes until tender.
Turn off the heat. Pour in the sauce and add the green onions. Stir until the sauce coats everything and thickens. Serve immediately.
Cocchi Americano is an Italian aperitivo that’s a fitting addition to your home bar! Its crisp flavor is great on the rocks or in cocktails.
Here’s a tasty Italian aperitif that’s begging to be part of your liquor collection: Cocchi Americano! This popular substitute for Lillet Blanc is worth seeking out. Its flavor is nuanced and intriguing: honey sweet, with citrus notes and a bitter herbal finish.
I’ve made over 300 unique cocktail recipes for this website and this is one of my favorite liquors to stock! It pairs well with club soda for the best bubbly, hydrating drinks: and it features in a few classic cocktails, too. Here’s why to grab a bottle and how to drink it!
What Is Cocchi Americano?
Cocchi Americano is an Italian aromatized wine: a white wine infused with fruits, herbs and other botanicals. It was invented in 1891 by Giulio Cocchi in Asti, Italy. Production has continued to this day with the original recipe.
Cocchi Americano is flavored with quinine, the substitute that gives tonic water its distinctive flavor. Because of this, it’s a great substitute Kina Lillet, a quinine-flavored fortified wine invented in 1887 that stars in the famous Vesper Martini and Corpse Reviver. Lillet Blanc later replaced Kina in 1986, which has a lower quinine content. Cocchi Americano is a popular modern substitute for both, though the flavor is slightly sweeter than Lillet Blanc.
How does Cocchi Americano differ from a fortified wine like vermouth? They are both aromatized wine, a wine that are often fortified with another spirit and then infused with herbs, spices, fruit or other botanicals. The difference is in the flavor profile: Cocchi American is honey-sweet with citrus notes and a bitter herbal finish. Dry vermouth has a very dry flavor, with light floral notes. But you can use Cocchi in a similar way that you’d drink a dry white vermouth!
What Does Cocchi Americano Taste Like?
Cocchi Americano has a sweet and honeyed flavor, with citrus notes and a bitter gentian finish. It’s made with Moscato wine, so it’s sweeter than a dry vermouth (or Lillet Blanc). It tastes like a semi-sweet white vermouth with bitter herbal notes on the finish.
How much alcohol is in Cocchi Americano? It is 16.5% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it has a mid-range alcohol content that’s similar to wine.
Are there any Cocchi Americano substitutes? Since Cocchi is known as a substitute for Lillet Blanc, you can go the other way and use Lillet Blanc as a substitute here. Keep in mind, Lillet Blanc is more crisp and dry.
Why I Love It
The sweet, herbal flavor of Cocchi Americano is so refreshing and perfect for mixing into spritzes, spritzers, or a G&T. In the summer, I grab a bottle and pour it into herb-stuffed wine glasses with club soda: no need to measure! And it makes ne knock-out Corpse Reviver, with stronger herbal notes than Lillet.
How Much Does It Cost?
Compared to other liquors, Cocchi Americano is mid-priced. A 750 ml bottle costs about $20.
Popular Cocchi Americano Cocktails
You can drink it on ice, but there also many great drinks to make with this aperitif! Here are a few Cocchi Americano cocktails to try:
This 1930’s cocktail is a gin sour that’s tart and zingy from lemon juice and orange liqueur, with a hint of licorice on the finish from the absinthe. The original cocktail was made with Kina Lillet, but Cocchi Americano is a perfect substitute.
Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Cocchi Americano, absinthe (see the recipe below!)
This drink was created by by James Bond himself. Meet the Vesper martini! The character Bond created this drink in the 1953 book Casino Royale, and it lives on today. The magic ingredient is Cocchi Americano, which brings life and personality into this drink. The original Vesper was also made with Kina Lillet, which Cocchi substitutes.
My favorite way to drink this tasty aperitivo: the Cocchi Americano Spritz! It’s light and bubbly, tart and citrusy, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Mix it up with champagne, lemon and gin, and you’ve got a breezy light Cocchi cocktail.
Replace Lillet with Cocchi in the linked recipe.
Ingredients: Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda
This Cocchi Americano cocktail is botanical and bubbly. The Cocchi G&T features the popular aromatized wine dressed up as a Gin and Tonic. The flavor is perfectly crisp, with herbal notes from the Cocchi and the gin.
Replace Lillet with Cocchi in the linked recipe.
Ingredients: Cocchi Americano, gin, tonic water
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cocchi Americano a good aperitif?
Yes! In Italy, aperitivo hour calls for something lightly bitter and low in alcohol to wake up the appetite before dinner. Cocchi Americano is a textbook aperitif, served over ice with an orange slice or lemon twist.
How do you drink Cocchi Americano?
Three easy ways: on the rocks with a citrus twist, with club soda or tonic water as a low-proof spritz, or mixed into classic cocktails like the Vesper Martini and Corpse Reviver No. 2 (see above).
What is Cocchi Americano similar to?
It’s closest to Lillet Blanc and bianco vermouth, with a flavor that lands between the two. It’s a bit sweeter than Lillet.
How long does Cocchi Americano last once opened?
It lasts about 1 month in the refrigerator for peak flavor, and up to 2 to 3 months for mixing into cocktails.
The Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe is a classic cocktail that’s crisp, tart and perfectly balanced! It’s a delicious sour cocktail just as unique as its name.
These 4th of July recipes have everything you need for a cookout: summer salads, grilled mains, party dips, fruit desserts, and frozen drinks. All crowd-tested favorites!
At my house, the 4th of July means a driveway full of friends, kids waving sparklers, and a folding table loaded with potato salad, fruit skewers, and something frosty blended with watermelon.
After over a decade of hosting and attending these parties, I’ve rounded up my very best 4th of July recipes here! They’re all tested on real people and I’ve picked all the crowd favorite recipes that make people reach for their phone to snap a photo. Here’s what you’ll find in this list:
For a fun 4th of July recipe, try Fruit Skewers! Everything tastes better on a stick, right? This is a simple concept that’s more like an idea than a recipe: but it makes everyone go crazy for pure, fresh fruit. You can use red white and blue fruits, or go for rainbow colors. Serve with easy fruit dip.
A fun dip for 4th of July with a party vibe is Texas caviar (aka cowboy caviar)! This Tex Mex combination of black eyed peas, colorful vegetables, and zingy vinaigrette dressing is a total crowd pleaser, as a chip dip or side dish.
This juicy chicken burgers recipe is so easy: no breadcrumbs, no egg, just five pantry spices. It’s our family’s favorite healthy dinner that’s quick to make using the stovetop or grill!
Here's the 4th of July BBQ recipe that holds our hearts: classic American potato salad! You know, the kind that’s creamy and tangy sweet, loaded with crunchy onions and pickles? It’s that pale yellow color that betrays that it’s swirled with mayo and mustard, and it’s destined for stardom at your cookout.
This crunchy, tangy-sweet broccoli slaw makes broccoli stems into the side dish everyone fights over! It’s easy to make with fresh broccoli or with store-bought mix.
Instead of burgers, make 4th of July fun with Caprese Sandwiches! Throw with baby arugula, soft fresh mozzarella cheese and juicy tomato slices onto ciabatta bread and slather with my favorite pesto aioli. It's a total crowd-pleaser!
This 4th of July recipe will have all your guests talking: dill pickle pasta salad, done up with fresh herbs and crunchy cucumbers. The creamy dressing has a hint of pickle juice for briny pop, and the Mediterranean combination of feta cheese and fresh dill to bring a sophistication to this down-home dish. It’s a total crowd pleaser!
Of course, you've got to have a flag cake for 4th of July! This one is by a friend of ours, Erin at Well Plated, and I love how fun and patriotic it looks! It also uses Greek yogurt in the icing, which is right up my alley.
Are you ready for our best veggie burgerrecipe? This veggie burger is full of satisfying, hearty flavor and doesn’t fall apart on the grill! It's loaded with plant-based ingredients and smoky flavor.
Welcome to your new favorite grilled dinner: juicy grilled chicken thighs! Marinate the thighs in a zingy mixture of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and spices, then throw them on the grill and cook until they’re juicy and smoky.
A perfect red white and blue 4th of July dessert is strawberry shortcake! Here's how to make those classic flaky biscuits and homemade whipped cream. For a patriotic twist, add blueberries along with the strawberries to work in the red, white and blue color scheme.
Grilled corn is the perfect summer side dish! Griling up the cobs makes it smoky, tender, charred, and sweet: a crunchy blast that hits every flavor receptor in your tongue. If you’re not making yours like this: you haven’t lived (yet!).
This grilled chicken salad is perfect for 4th of July cookouts! It combines juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables and a tangy Italian vinaigrette, topped with pepperoncini and Parmesan for a zesty, satisfying meal. Substitute grilled tofu for vegetarian and vegan!
Here’s an icy treat that’s absolutely ideal for 4th of July. Who needs ice cream when you can have a Watermelon Slushie? Blend ripe melon, lime juice, and a little sweetener and you’ve got one deliciously refreshing sweet puree to sip.
This cucumber salad with vinegar is everything summer! It’s perfect for everything from summer potlucks to patio barbecues to picnics. It accessorizes perfectly with everything from salmon to a grilled burger.
This tangy chicken pasta salad is packed with Mediterranean flavors and is our family-favorite! It’s a mix of tender chicken, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette.
This easy Mexican street corn dip makes the classic flavors of elote into an irresistible appetizer ready in just 10 minutes, with sweet corn, tangy lime, and salty cheese! It’s my favorite for parties and cookouts and disappears fast.
This three bean salad recipe is a fresh take on my Grandma’s recipe, with half the sugar and twice the flavor! It’s one of my favorite summer salads because it’s so easy to make, protein-packed, and fits many diets.
This easy green bean salad recipe stars tender blanched beans, salty feta, and a tangy Dijon vinaigrette. Ready in 20-ish minutes, it’s the perfect summer side dish for cookouts, especially 4th of July.
It's so easy to whip up a batch of these Greek yogurt popsicles, which like frozen peanut butter cups! They’re made with wholesome ingredients and dark chocolate for an easy treat both kids and adults love. Plus, no popsicle mold required!
Here’s a fun summer appetizer that pleases nearly everyone: Caprese Skewers! This easy recipe is visually stunning and irresistibly tasty, spearing all the components of a Caprese salad onto a skewer. There’s nothing better than basil and tomatoes in summer, and combined with seasoned mozzarella and a balsamic glaze: you won’t be able to eat just one!
Here’s a creamy, irresistibly spiced party dip you need in your life: our perfect taco dip recipe! It comes together in minutes, and we can confidently say almost no one turns this one down. This one is even better than the standard: it’s got a quick homemade seasoning blend, Greek yogurt, and a colorful mix of fresh toppings for the absolute best flavor.
Homemade strawberry daiquiris are perfect for July 4! There’s no need to buy store-bought daiquiri mix. A homemade strawberry daiquiri with real frozen strawberries tastes infinitely better than a mix from the store. You could even top with blueberries and whipped cream to get the red, white and blue.
This grilled shrimp kabobs recipe is a new family favorite: it’s got a custom seasoning blend that makes this juicy seafood taste irresistible! Thread the shrimp onto skewers and it’s a delicious summer dinner, served with rice or couscous. Take them over the top with our creamy Comeback Sauce.
Introducing Blueberry Pie Bars: all the flavors of blueberry pie in handheld form! These are so simple and satisfying! The same dough makes a thick bottom crust and golden buttery crumbles, and the filling is a bright burst of fresh blueberries and lemon juice. Everyone loves this summer dessert: they’re thick with just the right chewy texture.
Because who doesn’t want more excuses to eat that classic Italian Caprese salad? This salad is a fun combination of juicy cherry tomatoes and fresh peppery basil, tossed together with soft mozzarella and chewy farfalle pasta. It’s ideal for 4th of July cookouts, pitch-ins and outdoor gatherings of all kinds: plus, leftovers work well for lunches.
Here’s a fun 4th of July dinner idea that’s calling your name: Salmon Burgers! These burgers are so deliciously satisfying, we’re kicking ourselves this hasn’t been part of our dinnertime repertoire until now. Each bite is hearty and juicy, topped with a creamy remoulade sauce that takes it to rockstar status.
Spritzes are perfect for 4th of July! The St Germain Spritz is a delightful blend of elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water. Try it garnished with strawberries and blueberries for 4th of July!
Try this over-the-top dessert as a 4th of July recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream! This homemade ice cream is decadent and rich, featuring zingy-sweet fruit against a creamy vanilla base and soft graham cracker chunks. Take one bite and you’ll mumble “wow” before immediately poising your scoop for another. Make it 4th of July themed by swirling in a blueberry jam too!
This peanut butter dip is just 4 ingredients and surprisingly tastes like frosting. How is this so good, yet so simple? It works for any occasion: a quick snack for kids, a family party, or a big snacks table.
Here’s a simple summer dessert that’s easy but impressive: Strawberry Sorbet! The flavor is like taking a bite of 100 strawberries at once: sweet, pure, and tangy. The frosty texture is like an Italian strawberry gelato: cold and creamy, with just the right robust vibrancy to each bite. Top wtih blueberries or blueberry syrup for a red, white and blue theme.
Frozen yogurt is perfect for 4th of July! Our whole family goes crazy for this homemade frozen yogurt! It’s tangy, creamy, and full of bold flavor. Essentially a Greek yogurt ice cream, it works as topping for fruit desserts or with its own with all the fun froyo toppings. Try it with strawberries and blueberries for a red, white and blue theme!
This spinach dip is so easy to make: it’s the kind that’s served cold, perfect for dipping pita chips or serving in a bread bowl. The recipe is a little healthier than most, relying on Greek yogurt for much of the creaminess. And because it’s not baked, it’s quick to put together: just 10 minutes!
Here’s a fun pasta salad recipe for 4th of July that’s ultra versatile for picnics and barbecues: this tortellini salad! The tang of the artichoke, chewy pillowy pasta, zippy tomatoes, and peppery basil come together into a symphony of flavor.
Summer feels a propos for dill pickle everything! Here's a favorite dill recipe: dill pickle dip! Creamy and tangy, the flavor is like biting into a dill pickle spear. It’s absolutely perfect with potato chips or cucumber slices.
Try this best-ever fresh Strawberry Pie! It highlights the summery ripe berry flavor, perfectly sweet tart with a delicious hint of cinnamon. The flavor is almost beyond words. Our neighbors promptly declared it was “the best pie I’ve ever had.”
This Greek Pasta Salad pair chewy bowtie pasta for a zingy, fresh combination that can’t be beat. Juicy cherry tomatoes contrast cool cucumber, salty olives, and savory feta cheese, with generous handfuls of parsley, dill, and a Greek-style vinaigrette dressing. It’s ultra satisfying and works for just about any occasion: 4th of July cookouts, pitch-ins, and barbecues.
This strawberry popsicles recipe is homemade with real strawberries and naturally sweetened with maple syrup! They’re tastier than store-bought versions and take just minutes to prepare: and they're great for cookouts because both kids and adults will rave.
Last up: blueberry cobbler! This one is everything you need in a sweet treat: the fruit layer bursts forth with pure berry juiciness. The topping is cakey and fluffy, just sweet enough and baked to golden perfection. It’s steeped in tradition for our family, with loads of barbecues and cookouts and 4th of July celebrations under its belt.
More 4th of July Recipe Inspiration
Need more ideas? Here are a few more types of recipes you might enjoy:
What food is traditionally eaten on the 4th of July?
Classic 4th of July foods include grilled favorites like burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and corn on the cob, plus sides like potato salad, pasta salad, bean salad, and baked beans. Red, white, and blue desserts featuring strawberries and blueberries — like flag cake and berry shortcake — are also a holiday staple.
What can I make ahead for a 4th of July party?
Dips, pasta salads, and potato salad all taste even better made a day ahead. Desserts like blueberry pie bars, strawberry pie, and homemade ice cream can also be made in advance, so you only need to grill on the day of the party.
What should I bring to a 4th of July cookout?
A make-ahead side like Greek pasta salad or cucumber salad travels well and holds up outdoors. If you want to be the hero of the party, bring a cold dip with chips or a fruit dessert.
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