Spicy Cauliflower Tacos
Cauliflower is one of the most versatile ingredients in a plant-based household, and these spicy cauliflower tacos are the perfect recipe to showcase that. Hot and smoky, the cauliflower goes perfectly with avocado crema.
It is no secret that I adore Mexican dishes. Mexican cuisine uses some of my favorite ingredients, including avocados, corn, black beans, and hot peppers. All of that usually comes with warm spices and some form of starch, like tortillas or rice. What’s not to love?
These spicy cauliflower tacos are my latest obsession. Cauliflower works amazingly as a taco filling, and the avocado cream takes it to the next level. I am not even exaggerating when I say I could eat this for every meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- If you’re not sure what to do with a large head of cauliflower, this is just one of many ways you can turn it into magic. And you don’t have to throw away the leaves, either – check out my Scrappy Cookbook for zero waste recipes!
- The biggest advantage of tacos is that every member of your household can customize them to their taste. Spicy roasted cauliflower makes an amazing base for all the other toppings, which can be picked based on preference.
- Get the family involved! There are several elements to this dish, which presents the perfect opportunity to teach the kids how to cook and spend quality time together.
- Tacos are basically a salad served on a warm tortilla plate. You can use wheat tortillas, corn tortillas, or taco shells!
Cauliflower Power
Cauliflower is a highly nutritious vegetable that offers a variety of health benefits. This vegetable from the Brassica family is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin C: Important for immune function, skin health, and antioxidant protection.
- Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
- Vitamin B6: Plays a role in brain development and function.
- Folate (Vitamin B9): Crucial for cell division and DNA synthesis, especially important during pregnancy.
- Potassium: Vital for heart health, muscle function, and maintaining fluid balance.
- Manganese: Important for metabolism, bone formation, and antioxidant defense.
Cauliflower is a good source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain bowel health, and can assist in lowering cholesterol levels. One cup of raw cauliflower contains about 2.5 grams of fiber.
Additionally, cauliflower contains antioxidants like glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, which help protect cells from oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. These compounds have been studied for their potential role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Incorporating cauliflower into your diet can be an excellent way to boost your nutrient intake while enjoying a versatile and delicious vegetable.
Get Creative with Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of creative ways in vegan cooking. Here are some cool and different ways to use cauliflower:
- Cauliflower rice. Grate or pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice grains. Sauté with some olive oil, garlic, and your favorite seasonings for a low-carb rice alternative.
- Cauliflower steaks. Slice a head of cauliflower into thick “steaks,” marinate with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, and then roast or grill until tender and caramelized.
- Buffalo wings. Coat cauliflower florets in a batter, bake until crispy, and then toss in a spicy buffalo sauce. Pssst, there is a recipe in the PlantYou Cookbook with a secret ingredient to create crispy “chicken” skin.
- Cauliflower gnocchi. Steam cauliflower until soft, then mash it with flour. In this recipe, it serves as a slightly lighter potato alternative.
- Cauliflower alfredo sauce. Create a creamy, dairy-free Alfredo sauce. Serve over your favorite pasta.
- Cauliflower popcorn. Toss small cauliflower florets with olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt. Roast until crispy for a snack that resembles popcorn.
These creative uses of cauliflower can help you incorporate more vegetables into your diet while enjoying a variety of textures and flavors.
How to Make This Recipe
Start by preheating the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or reusable silicone lining. Break your cauliflower into florets. Ideally, you want the florets to be even in size to ensure they cook to the same degree in the oven.
Blend the adobo sauce, peppers, yogurt, garlic, syrup, salt, and paprika in a high-speed blender until a smooth.
Toss the cauliflower florets with the resulting spicy sauce in a large bowl. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven for about 40 minutes, tossing halfway through. You want the cauliflower to soften inside and char slightly on the outside, giving it the signature smoky flavor.
Meanwhile, make the avocado crema. Smash the avocado with a fork, then mix it with vegan yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, and salt. Taste and adjust the seasonings if need be.
Finally, make the tacos. Grill or warm up the tortillas, spread some avocado crema on top, and add the spicy cauliflower. Finish your spicy cauliflower tacos with toppings of choice, such as pickled onions, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or salsa. Enjoy immediately.
Hack It!
- If you prefer good old-fashioned guacamole, feel free to use that instead of the avocado crema. You can even just smash some avocados with a fork directly on top of the tortilla for simplicity.
- Go wild with the toppings! I used picked onions and cilantro, but you can top your spicy cauliflower tacos some salsa, jalapenos, chili oil, fresh veggies, and more.
- You can make soft tacos using wheat or corn tortillas. But if you prefer crunchy tacos, feel free to use the shells.
- If you’re one of the people to whom cilantro tastes like soap, sub for parsley, both for the cream and the topping.
- I like to use coconut yogurt because of its thick texture. However, any vegan yogurt will do, so long as it is unsweetened.
Other Mexican Recipes You’ll Love
- Crispy Black Bean Tacos
- Sheet Pan Crunchwrap
- Green Goddess Salad Tostadas
- Vegan Taquitos
- Buffalo Cauliflower Quesadilla
If you’re an adventurous cook who likes to try new recipes every week, you’ll love the PlantYou Planner! It’s an interactive meal planner app that’s fully vegan and largely WFPB. You get to choose from over 600 delicious recipes to create your own meal plan, or follow one of the plans curated by our team. In addition to all that, the app provides allergy swaps for most recipes and generates a custom shopping list. How amazing is that?
Just because you’re eating plenty of fruit and veggies, doesn’t always mean your nutritional criteria is met. I have recently collaborated with an amazing women-led supplement company to create a multinutrient aimed at plant-based and plant-centered eaters. With Complement x PlantYou Essential, thriving on a vegan diet has never been easier!
The Recipe: Spicy Cauliflower Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower, small, cut or broken into florets
- 2 chipotle peppers, in adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- ½ cup vegan yogurt, unsweetened
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
Avocado crema
- 2 avocados, ripe, peeled and pitted
- ½ cup vegan yogurt, unsweetened
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 limes, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
- ½ tsp salt
To assemble
- 12 tortillas, up to 15
- pickled onions
- fresh cilantro, chopped
- jalapeños , fresh or pickled, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- In a blender, combine the adobo sauce, peppers, yogurt, garlic, syrup, salt and paprika until a smooth sauce is formed.
- Add the cauliflower to a large bowl, pour the sauce over top and toss until covered.
- Place onto a baking sheet, and roast for 40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the cauliflower is slightly charred.
- While the cauliflower bakes, make your avocado crema. Add the avocado to a bowl, and smash with a fork until smooth. Stir in the rest of the listed ingredients.
- Prepare the tacos. To tortillas, add the avocado crema, chipotle cauliflower, followed by the pickled onions and cilantro, if desired. Enjoy immediately.