Broccoli vs Cauliflower

The short answer

Two low-calorie cruciferous veg, very close on calories. Broccoli carries more protein, vitamin C and vitamin K; cauliflower is a touch milder and lower in carbs. Broccoli for the vitamins, cauliflower for a neutral base (rice, mash) — near-interchangeable in the kitchen.

Broccoli and Cauliflower, per 100 g and per portion. A gap means USDA has no value for it — not zero.

Broccoli · per 100 gCauliflower · per 100 g
Calories2825
Protein3 g1.9 g
Fat0.4 g0.3 g
Carbs5.1 g5 g
Fiber2.3 g2 g
Sugars1.5 g1.9 g
Sodium27 mg30 mg
Vitamins & minerals — where both carry data
Calcium48 mg22 mg
Folate71 µg57 µg
Iron0.9 mg0.4 mg
Magnesium25 mg15 mg
Niacin0.6 mg0.5 mg
Phosphorus66 mg44 mg
Potassium325 mg299 mg
Riboflavin0.1 mg0.1 mg
Thiamin0.1 mg0.1 mg
Vitamin Ano data0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg0 µg
Vitamin B60.2 mg0.2 mg
Vitamin C93.2 mg48.2 mg
Vitamin D0 µg0 µg
Vitamin Eno data0.1 mg
Vitamin Kno data15.5 µg
Zinc0.4 mg0.3 mg
At equal calories (per 100 kcal)
ProteinBroccoli: 10.6 g, Cauliflower: 7.7 g · FiberBroccoli: 8.2 g, Cauliflower: 8 g · SodiumBroccoli: 96.4 mg, Cauliflower: 120 mg

Generic USDA foods (not brands), so both carry micronutrients. Numbers are per 100 g unless the portion toggle is on. USDA FoodData Central, as of 2026-08-12.

Common questions
Is Broccoli or Cauliflower better?

Neither is “better” on its own — it depends what you want from it. The table shows where each is higher; the short answer says when each one fits. Compare on the same basis (per 100 g) and pick for your dish and your goal.

How were these numbers worked out?

Straight from USDA FoodData Central for the generic form of each food, per 100 g. We show the portion view too, but portion sizes differ between foods, so per 100 g is the fair comparison.

Why does one column say “no data”?

Because USDA has no value for that nutrient in that food — so we leave it blank rather than print a 0 that would read as “none”. A real zero from USDA still shows as 0.

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