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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    Cauliflower Tacos

    Published: Dec 16, 2019 · Updated: Apr 20, 2020 by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 28 Comments

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    Pin for cauliflower tacos

    These cauliflower tacos will take taco night to the next level. Made with delicious garlicky roasted cauliflower, fresh toppings, and a creamy chipotle cashew sauce. These mouthwatering cauliflower tacos make the perfect weeknight dinner.

    A close-up of the tacos with spicy cashew sauce.

    The humble cauliflower is one of the most versatile ingredients that has been in the spotlight for the last few years. It can be added to smoothies, cauliflower soup, substituted for rice, used to make cauliflower tikka masala.

    Adding cauliflower to tacos is another delicious way to add this vegetable to your meals. These cauliflower tacos are easy to customize based on the vegetables you have sitting in your fridge so feel free to modify.

    A plate of cauliflower tacos with spicy cashew sauce.

    How to make cauliflower tacos –step-by-step

    These tacos come together in less than 45 minutes and make for a delicious weeknight dinner.

    1. Roast the cauliflower: After thoroughly washing the cauliflower, dry completely and cut it into bite-size florets. Toss in a bowl with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Lay flat on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes at 450°F, flipping halfway.

    2. Prepare the cabbage slaw: Be sure to thinly slice the cabbage so it's easy to enjoy. In a bowl, combine with oil, lemon juice, and salt. Massage gently for a few minutes until it's softer and more vibrant.

    3. Prepare the cashew sauce: In a blender, combine the cashews, water, lime juice, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning, if needed.

    4. Make the tacos: Once the cauliflower is roasted, it's time to make the tacos. In each taco, layer the greens, roasted cauliflower, cabbage slaw, jalapeno, avocado, cilantro. Drizzle with cashew sauce. Serve and enjoy immediately.

    Pro-Tip: Prepare the cauliflower in advance to save time.

    Step by step instructions on how to make the tacos

    How to make ahead of time

    If you're planning to enjoy the tacos later, prepare and store the roasted cauliflower, cabbage slaw, and cashew sauce, and other toppings separately. When it's time to eat, you'll just need to warm up the tortilla and other ingredients before assembling the tacos.

    Substitutions & variations

    Tacos make such a great meal because they are so easy to customize. They never get boring because you can do so much with them, even in the same meal.

    Here are some of my favorite ways to elevate these tacos:

    • Add black beans or lentils for a boost in protein and make them even more filling.
    • Use quick-pickled cabbage instead for added taste. Be sure to make the cabbage ahead of time.
    • Use guacamole instead of slices of avocado. If you love guacamole, you know how delicious a little dollop can take on tacos (or really anything).
    • Use broccoli and cauliflower instead of just cauliflower for more variety in vegetables. If you enjoy broccoli, the two make a lovely duo in tacos.
    • Add more toppings or mix them up. Depending on what you have in hand, the possibilities are truly endless. I love adding Pico de Gallo or Mango Salsa.
    • Use a different sauce: I especially love the Avocado Lime dressing with these cauliflower tacos.
    Another close-up of the cauliflower tacos.

    More easy Mexcian recipes

    • Potato Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
    • Classic Margarita
    • Black Bean Soup

    Other cauliflower recipes

    • Cauliflower Tikka Masala
    • Garlic Roasted Cauliflower
    • Creamy Cauliflower Soup
    • Instant Pot Cauliflower

    I hope you love this cauliflower tacos recipe as much as I do. Sign up for email updates to receive new recipes delivered to your inbox or check out my new cookbook Plant Power Bowls.

    This recipe was originally published on April 15, 2019. Since then, it’s been freshened up with new pictures, commentary, and made even more delicious.

    A platter of cauliflower tacos with sauce

    Cauliflower Tacos

    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep time: 10 minutes
    Cook time: 35 minutes
    Total time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 265kcal
    Author: Sapana Chandra
    These cauliflower tacos will take your next taco night to the next level. Made with delicious garlicky roasted cauliflower, fresh greens, delicious red cabbage, and a creamy cashew sauce, these mouthwatering cauliflower tacos are filling, tasty, spicy, and make the perfect lunch or dinner.

    Ingredients

    Roasted Cauliflower

    • 4 cups cauliflower florets
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, or 1 minced garlic clove
    • sea salt and black pepper, to taste

    Cabbage Slaw

    • ¼ head of purple cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded
    • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice
    • sea salt, to taste

    Creamy Chipotle Sauce

    • ½ cup raw cashews, soaked for 30 mins and rinsed
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon lime juice
    • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • pinch of cayenne pepper
    • sea salt and black pepper, to taste

    Additional Toppings:

    • 2 cups lettuce, sliced thinly
    • 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
    • ½ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
    • ¼ cup queso fresco cheese, crumbled (optional, skip for vegan-friendly)
    • 1 avocado
    • tortillas

    Instructions

    • Preheat over to 450°F.
    • Prep the cauliflower. Add the florets to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss the florets until their fully coated and place on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the oven 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
    • Prepare the cabbage slaw. In a bowl, combine with oil, lemon juice, and salt. Massage gently for a couple of minutes until it's tender.
    • Prepare the cashew sauce. In a blender, combine the cashews, water, lime juice, paprika, cayenne, and salt.  Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning, if needed.
    • Make the tacos. Fill each taco with fresh greens, cabbage slaw, roasted cauliflower, cheese, jalapeno, and cilantro. Drizzle with spicy cashew sauce and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 265kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 99mg, Potassium: 720mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 550IU, Vitamin C: 60mg, Calcium: 84mg, Iron: 2mg
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Tried this recipe?Mention @realandvibrant and hashtag #realandvibrant!
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    About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

    Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Haley Hoover says

      January 15, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      Tacos of my dreeeeaaammmss!!!

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

        January 17, 2020 at 6:26 am

        Thank you, Haley!

        Reply
    2. Jessica Formicola says

      August 19, 2019 at 6:55 pm

      These tacos will be perfect for Taco Tuesday tomorrow! I can't wait to try them!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:41 am

        I hope you loved them, Jessica!

        Reply
    3. Beth Pierce says

      August 19, 2019 at 2:12 pm

      This looks so flavorful and easy too; adding this to my dinner line up for the week!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:41 am

        That makes me so happy to hear, Beth!

        Reply
    4. SHANIKA says

      August 19, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      Tacos are an absolute favorite in my house! I love that you've used cauliflower and that sauce----AMAZING flavors! YUM!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:41 am

        So glad you love it, Shanika!

        Reply
    5. Dannii says

      August 19, 2019 at 12:45 pm

      I love cauliflower tacos, but the cashew cause sounds amazing with it n5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:42 am

        It really takes the tacos to the next level, Dannii!

        Reply
    6. Taylor Kiser says

      August 19, 2019 at 12:19 pm

      I want these for dinner tonight! They're perfect to add to our meatless meal rotation!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:42 am

        I hope you enjoyed them, Taylor!

        Reply
    7. Cookilicious says

      July 08, 2019 at 11:24 am

      Thanks for this recipe. I had this at a Mexican restaurant the other day and have been wanting to make it at home ever since!

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:36 am

        I think you'd love it! The cauliflower is such a great addition to the taco.

        Reply
    8. Tara says

      July 08, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Oh wow! I love that these cauliflower tacos are so easy to make. They sound absolutely wonderful with all those colors and flavors.5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:36 am

        So glad you love it, Tara!

        Reply
    9. Noelle says

      July 08, 2019 at 10:24 am

      Wow this is such a great idea! Going to buy all the ingredients to make it for taco tuesday tomorrow!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:37 am

        Can't wait to hear what you think, Noelle!

        Reply
    10. Beth Pierce says

      July 08, 2019 at 10:15 am

      I know what I will be having for dinner! These look incredible and so flavorful too! Yum!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:38 am

        Thank you, Beth!

        Reply
    11. Sandi says

      July 08, 2019 at 9:40 am

      These look perfect for our Meatless Mondays!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 11:38 am

        Thanks, Sandi! Yes, definitely a great candidate for a Meatless Monday!

        Reply
    12. Lisa says

      July 08, 2019 at 3:31 am

      What a great recipe, definitely worth a try, thanks for sharing!

      xx
      Lisa5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        July 08, 2019 at 9:28 am

        So glad to hear, Lisa! Hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    13. Stephanie says

      June 25, 2019 at 4:47 am

      Is the cashew sauce a dairy replacement?

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        June 25, 2019 at 7:22 am

        It's not a dairy-replacement, it's just dairy-free.

        Reply
    14. Becky says

      April 15, 2019 at 7:32 am

      I’m making these tonight!5 stars

      Reply
      • Sapana Chandra says

        April 20, 2019 at 11:19 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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    Sapana Chandra

    Hi, I'm Sapana! I’m a recipe developer and author of the cookbook Plant Power Bowls. Here you'll find simple, delicious, vegetarian recipes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Learn more about me

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