How to Minimize Cauliflower Cooking Odor: 6 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

1. 1

   Add a bay leaf to the boiling or steaming water. The bay leaf will release a pleasant odor that overcomes the cauliflower smell.

2. 2

   Add a few drops of cider vinegar to the cooking water. The vinegar will mask the odor.

   • Alternatively, heat a separate pan of white vinegar on the same stove top as the cauliflower. Don't boil; just warm gently.

   See Also

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3. 3

   Place a slice of white bread in the cooking water. The bread soaks up the odor in its porous texture. Discard the bread after cooking (or feed it to the chickens).

4. 4

   Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or essence to the cooking water. It will mask the cooking odor.

5. 5

   Microwave the cauliflower. The shorter cooking time means that there is less time for the odors to fill the kitchen. However, you may still wish to use the vinegar method to reduce the odor build-up inside the microwave oven.

6. 6

   Don't cook the cauliflower on the stove top. Instead, bake it in the oven (there are many delicious ways to do this, such as baked cauliflower cheese). Or, simply eat it raw, in salads or as a dip vegetable.

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Expert Q&A

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• The bay leaf can be reused. Simply take it out of the water and leave it out to dry. Store as usual and reuse as needed.

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• Add a strip of apple peel to the cooking water. This is another great way to reduce the odor while the cauliflower is cooking.

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• Bay leaf
• Cider vinegar (other vinegar types will work too)
• White bread slice
• Recipes for baking cauliflower

Co-authors: 1

Updated: March 29, 2019

Views:27,701