Description
Smoky roasted cauliflower tucked into corn tortillas with a creamy, spicy chipotle romesco sauce. A bold, plant-based taco recipe ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 small heads cauliflower, chopped into bite-sized pieces
2–4 tbsp avocado or coconut oil (or water)
3 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt
Sauce:
4 small-medium cloves garlic (skin on)
1/4 cup raw almonds
1 (15 oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
1–2 medium cloves raw garlic, peeled
2 tbsp olive oil (or water)
Juice of 1 medium lime (~3 tbsp)
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
1 tbsp maple syrup (plus more to taste)
1–2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (more for extra heat)
For Serving:
12–15 whole corn tortillas
Lime wedges or juice
Fresh cilantro (optional)
Thinly sliced red cabbage (optional)
Pepitas (optional)
Sliced avocado (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Spread cauliflower on two baking sheets, drizzle with oil (or water), and toss with cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Roast on bottom rack for 20–25 minutes until golden and tender.
- On a separate sheet, roast almonds and unpeeled garlic cloves for 10–12 minutes, checking at 8 minutes. Remove almonds when cracking; keep garlic until lightly golden. Peel roasted garlic once cooled.
- In a high-speed blender, combine drained tomatoes, roasted almonds, roasted garlic, raw garlic, olive oil (or water), lime juice, paprika, cumin, salt, maple syrup, and chipotle peppers. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping sides as needed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Warm tortillas until pliable. Spread 1–2 tbsp romesco sauce on each, top with cauliflower, and add garnishes as desired.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Swap almonds for cashews, sunflower seeds, or pepitas for a nut-free option.
- Add roasted bell peppers to sauce for sweetness.
- Use plantain tortillas or lettuce wraps for grain-free tacos.
- Mix in roasted sweet potatoes or black beans with cauliflower for more substance.
- Increase chipotle peppers or add cayenne for extra heat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tacos
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 11g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg