The Easiest Way to Cut Cauliflower, According to a Chef

My main dinner goal each day is to ensure I get at least one serving of vegetables, even if it’s just a simple bowl of rice with a fried egg. My favorite veggie is broccoli, which I toss with olive oil and salt on a parchment-lined sheet pan, pop it in the oven, and set a timer. The hardest part is cutting off the florets, which always creates a messy crumbly situation. And when I switch to cauliflower, the mess seems to multiply.

That’s why I was so excited when I saw this tip from TikTok’s thechefsmartypants on how to cut cauliflower and broccoli without making a mess. It’s so simple, I almost feel embarrassed I didn’t think of it sooner.

How to Cut Broccoli and Cauliflower Without the Mess

The TikTok chef suggests never cutting directly into the head of cauliflower or broccoli. Instead, cut the stem close to the base of the vegetable. Then, flip it over so the flat, cut side is facing up. Slide your knife into the stem and gently work it to split the cauliflower or broccoli into two neat halves.

From there, you can continue cutting the cauliflower or broccoli into smaller pieces. Be sure to only slice through the stem, leaving the florets whole, instead of cutting all the way through them and creating a messy crumble.

While many viewers on the video already knew this handy tip, with comments like, “I thought it was common sense, guess it's not so common lol,” I was comforted to see quite a few others who, like me, needed this simple trick. Some even said, “I’m just like most people. Thanks for the lesson!” and “I didn’t know this at 40! Appreciate the tip!”

Now, this tip joins the collection of clever prep hacks we’ve gathered for everything from bell peppers to onions to zucchini. Or, if you're short on time, just grab some pre-cut vegetables—sometimes the easiest prep is no prep at all!