Cooking broccoli

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: March 24, 2022
Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in the kitchen in a variety of ways. It also has many beneficial health properties. But it's true that cooking cauliflower produces a distinct and unpleasant odour which permeates the entire house. If you want to continue enjoying this vegetable but without the bad smell, read on in this OneHowTo.com article and we'll explain how to take the smell out of cooking cauliflower.

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Contents
  1. Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: milk
  2. Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: vinegar
  3. Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: lemon
  4. Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: Vanilla
  5. Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower : Bay

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: milk

One of the most popular tricks to prevent the smell when cooking cauliflower is to add a splash of milk to the boiling water. Apparently, milk neutralizes the release of sulphide which causes the unpleasant and notorious smell. Don't worry about the taste, since the milk won't affect the flavour of the cauliflower.

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower - Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: milk

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: vinegar

You can add a splash of wine vinegar to the pot in which you boil the cauliflower to avoid the typical smell of this vegetable. Or you can soak a piece of bread in vinegar and put it on the lid of the pot so that while the cauliflower cooks, it's odourless.

Vinegar also has the ability to neutralize the cauliflower's odour and thus prevents the smell from permeating your whole house.

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower - Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: vinegar

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: lemon

Similarly, it's possible to cook cauliflower without it smelling if you squeeze a little lemon or add the peel to the cooking water. Don't add too much lemon juice, just a squeeze and the cauliflower won't have an acidic taste.

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower - Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: lemon

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: Vanilla

Vanilla essence is another homemade trick to take the smell out of cauliflower. You just need to add one teaspoonful of vanilla extract whilst you cook the cauliflower.

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower - Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower: Vanilla

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower : Bay

Bay leafs can also be added to your cauliflower. This is a good option as it will not only get rid of the smell but it will also give a great scent to your meal.

Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower - Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower : Bay

If you want to read similar articles to Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower, we recommend you visit our Food & drink category.

Tips

  • Note that cauliflower usually smells when boiling it. If you microwave it or cook it in the oven, it will not smell.
  • It's also very useful not to cook the cauliflower in an aluminium or iron pan.
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Elle
Thanks for the tips. I am eager to try them, as I love cauliflower, but my SO does not. One note: Cauliflower most definitely smells when cooking it in a microwave (or steaming it, or pan frying it, or roasting it). Every time I cook it period, my SO yells, "Why are you cooking garbage!" :)
Brent
Even knowing it is close cousins with cabbage, I was completely shocked by the overwhelming sulfurous odor when I cooked it.

I'm sure the neighbors thought I was summoning demons.
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Tricks to take the smell out of cauliflower