Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Smoky roasted cauliflower tacos paired with a spicy, creamy chipotle romesco sauce create a flavorful and healthy plant-based meal. Ready in 30 minutes, this vegan, gluten-free dish is perfect for quick dinners or meal prepping. Garnish with fresh lime, cilantro, and sliced avocado for a satisfying Mexican-inspired entrée.
Equipment
- 2 Large Baking Sheets
- 1 High-Speed Blender
- Measuring Spoons (set)
- Oven Mitts or Heat-Resistant Gloves
- 1 large mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Cauliflower:
- 2 small heads of cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 to 4 tablespoons avocado oil or coconut oil optional; use water for oil-free
- 3 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
For the Chipotle Romesco Sauce:
- 4 medium cloves garlic unpeeled
- ¼ cup raw almonds
- 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 to 2 cloves fresh garlic peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or substitute with water for oil-free
- Juice of 1 medium lime about 3 tablespoons
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt plus extra to taste
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup plus more if desired
- 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce adjust for preferred heat level
For Serving (Optional):
- 12 to 15 corn tortillas or grain-free alternatives like plantain tortillas
- Fresh lime wedges
- Chopped cilantro
- Thinly sliced red cabbage
- Pepitas pumpkin seeds
- Sliced avocado
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Cauliflower: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread the cauliflower florets across two large rimmed baking sheets in a single layer to ensure even roasting. Drizzle with avocado or coconut oil, or substitute with a splash of water for oil-free cooking. Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and sea salt over the cauliflower. Toss thoroughly using your hands or a spatula to coat all pieces evenly with the spices and oil.
- Roast Cauliflower to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheets on the lower rack of the oven. Roast the cauliflower for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the florets are tender and develop a lovely golden-brown caramelization.
- Roast Almonds and Garlic for Sauce: While the cauliflower cooks, arrange raw almonds and unpeeled garlic cloves on a separate baking sheet. Place this sheet on the middle rack of the oven and roast for about 10 to 12 minutes. Check at 8 minutes to avoid over-toasting almonds; remove them once they are crackling and browned. Continue roasting the garlic until it’s soft and lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Blend the Chipotle Romesco Sauce: In a high-speed blender, combine the drained fire-roasted tomatoes, roasted almonds, peeled roasted garlic, fresh raw garlic cloves, olive oil (or water), lime juice, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, maple syrup, and chipotle peppers. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings by adding more lime juice for brightness, extra chipotle for heat, or additional maple syrup to balance the spice.
- Warm Tortillas and Assemble Tacos: Gently warm the corn tortillas by placing them directly on the oven racks in the still-warm oven for a few minutes or microwaving wrapped in a damp towel until flexible. Spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of the chipotle romesco sauce on each tortilla, then pile on a generous helping of roasted cauliflower.
- Garnish and Serve: Top the tacos with optional garnishes like fresh lime juice, cilantro, shredded cabbage, pepitas, or avocado slices. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Leftover sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week or frozen for up to a month. Store any extra roasted cauliflower in the refrigerator and consume within three days. Reheat cauliflower gently in a 350°F (176°C) oven to preserve texture.
- Oil-Free Variation: You can omit oils entirely and substitute with water for both roasting cauliflower and blending the sauce, though it may slightly affect texture and richness.
- Spice Adjustment: Feel free to increase or decrease chipotle peppers based on your preferred spice tolerance. Adding more lime or maple syrup can help balance flavors if sauce becomes too spicy or acidic.
- Tortilla Options: For a grain-free meal, try plantain or cassava-based tortillas instead of corn.
- Serving Suggestions: These tacos pair well with a simple green salad or black beans for a complete plant-based meal.
