• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Sula and Spice
  • Recipes
  • Tips and Tricks
  • About Sula
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Tips and Tricks
  • About Sula
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Main Dishes » Cauliflower Tacos - with Cashew Crema

    Cauliflower Tacos - with Cashew Crema

    Published: Jan 17, 2020 · Modified: Dec 4, 2022 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    When I first heard about cauliflower tacos I was skeptical, but once I tried them at a local restaurant I was really impressed. And, that wasn’t the only surprise I discovered with this recipe.

    Cauliflower provides such a perfect blank slate for flavors, and really lets the taco spices shine. And the fixin’s – mmm, best part. So many ways to dress your taco and make it your own.

    So I was delighted to see this recipe from Bon Appetit. I think I first made it 24 hours later. It happens to be vegan, which made me pause. As you know, vegan means no animal products of any kind. No honey, milk, and - cringe! - no CHEESE. I should’ve known, but it was still a surprise. I mean, a taco without cheese?!

    Well, I was willing to give it a try (after verifying the presence of shredded cheese and sour cream in the fridge . . . just as backup).

    How to make cauliflower tacos

    Make the cashew crema sauce

    cashew sauce in a red bowl

    The first step for these tacos is the sauce. It’s made from cashew butter, to which lime juice, spices, a grated serrano pepper and garlic clove are added.

    Anyone ever try to grate a serrano pepper? It’s pretty near impossible. The first time I made these, I grated the best I could and then used a knife to mince the rest of the pepper. That took a long time. So, after that I switched to just mincing, and then evolved to mincing and using a garlic twister to help break it up it a little more. Even though it seems like you’re pulverizing the pepper by mincing and using a garlic twister, you still end up with some pepper chunks in the sauce, but it’s not noticeable.

    cashew sauce mixed in a red bowl

    Once the sauce is mixed, set aside while you make the cauliflower.

    Cook the cauliflower

    The cauliflower is cut into florets, about one to two inches each. This is a little larger than a typical floret; if they are smaller they will cook too quickly and likely burn so keep a close watch! The florets are mixed with oil spiced with cumin and paprika. I felt there wasn’t enough of this for my first batch, so I doubled the oil and spices for this recipe. If you feel hesitant about the spices, feel free to cut back, but I didn’t find them overpowering in these quantities.

    roasted and spiced cauliflower on a baking sheet

    The coated cauliflower is roasted at 450F for 15 minutes, tossed, and then roasted 15 minutes more.

    Prepare garnishes

    In the meantime, prepare the other “fixins”. Sliced onion, avocado, and radishes are all good. Cilantro, of course! Maybe a few lime wedges for a piquant squeeze of lime juice.

    The corn tortillas can be used right out of the package but they’re even better if you warm them. Just heat the tortillas in a skillet briefly, about 30 seconds to a side.

    Serving

    Corn tortilla with sauce and cauliflower, ready for garnishes

    To serve, spread each tortilla with sauce, top with cauliflower and add garnishes as desired.

    cauliflower tacos with extra sauce on a white plate

    And don’t be afraid to use generous amounts of sauce for those who like it because the sauce is what really makes this work! (Note: The recipe provided for the sauce is double the original recipe amount, based upon this)

    2 cauliflower tacos on a white plate

    After eating these cauliflower tacos without cheese, my “Wisconsin girl” roots are in shock , but I have to say: You really won’t miss the cheese!

    2 cauliflower tacos on a white plate
    5 from 28 votes
    Print Pin it!
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Cauliflower Tacos

    A truly delicious vegan meal!
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 470kcal
    Author: Sula

    Ingredients

    Sauce

    • 2 serrano peppers finely grated
    • 2 garlic cloves finely grated
    • ½ cup cashew butter
    • 3 TB lime juice
    • 6 TB water
    • Salt

    Tacos

    • 6 garlic cloves finely grated
    • ½ cup grapeseed or canola oil
    • 4 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 medium heads cauliflower cut into 1”-2” florets
    • 12 corn tortillas 6-inch diameter
    • 1 small onion sliced thin
    • Sliced avocado sliced radishes, cilantro leaves with tender stems and lime wedges (for serving)

    Instructions

    Sauce

    • In a small bowl, mix serrano peppers, garlic, cashew butter, lime juice and water. Season with salt and set aside.

    Cauliflower

    • Place oven rack in lowest position and preheat oven to 450F. Combine garlic, oil, cumin and paprika in a small bowl.
    • Arrange cauliflower on a large rimmed baking sheet and pour spiced oil over the cauliflower. Season with salt and toss to evenly coat the cauliflower.
    • Roast undisturbed for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and toss florets over. Roast for an additional 15-20 minutes until cauliflower is dark brown and crisp.
    • Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium high heat. Toast tortillas singly, for about 30 seconds to a side. Transfer to plates.
    • Spread each tortilla with some sauce, top with cauliflower.
    • Garnish with onion, avocado, radishes and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

    Notes

    Note: Nutrition calculation does not include garnishes

    Nutrition

    Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 89mg | Potassium: 879mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 98mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 4mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    pin for cauliflower tacos

    Try these cauliflower tacos with Brown Rice and Bean Bake!

    « Chocolate Cheesecake Keto Bombs
    Avocado Fries »

    Filed Under: Main Dishes, Vegetarian Tagged With: mexican, Plant Based, Vegan, Vegetarian

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Texasgirl

      March 27, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      5 stars
      Cannot wait to try this delishiness! They looks so yummy!!

      Reply
      • Sula

        March 27, 2021 at 6:26 pm

        They are so healthy and good!

        Reply
    2. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      July 11, 2020 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my! I need this in my life. Must print your recipe. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 12, 2020 at 10:41 am

        I hope you try it soon!

        Reply
    3. Sara

      July 11, 2020 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      I’m “team cheese” on a taco too, but this sounds heavenly!

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 11, 2020 at 3:17 pm

        No kidding - I didn't miss the cheese!

        Reply
    4. Chef Dennis

      July 11, 2020 at 4:25 am

      5 stars
      I am so loving this Cauliflower Tacos right now! Looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 11, 2020 at 3:18 pm

        It is!

        Reply
    5. Erika

      July 10, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for a new vegan dish! Thank you! This looks so delicious.

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 11, 2020 at 3:18 pm

        Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Alexandra

      July 10, 2020 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      Huge cauliflower fan, so was really pleased to come across this tasty recipe - thank you!

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 11, 2020 at 3:17 pm

        You are so welcome!

        Reply
    7. Marina

      July 10, 2020 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      Love tacos and I happened to have cauliflower growing in my garden. I will definitely try this recipe, thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Sula

        July 10, 2020 at 10:32 am

        How lucky to be growing your own cauliflower! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Marg

      February 08, 2020 at 7:57 pm

      We haven't been brave enough to cook vegan, and I would think that we would miss the cheese but they do look delicious!

      Reply
      • Sula

        February 08, 2020 at 8:18 pm

        I thought I would miss the cheese too - but it wasn't an issue!

        Reply
    9. Carole from Carole's Chatter

      February 08, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      Great work

      Reply
      • Sula

        February 08, 2020 at 8:17 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    10. Big Trouble

      January 17, 2020 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      Sula! You magnificent woman, you! This...is...INCREDIBLE!!! These look so friggin good with the sauce and all the fixens! Nice job! I CANNOT wait to try these!!!

      Reply
      • Sula

        January 19, 2020 at 5:01 pm

        Yes, the sauce is the difference. I love that it starts with cashew butter instead of raw cashews.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sula and Spice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. More information on affiliate links can be found here

    Recent Posts

    • Layered Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
    • Spaghetti Squash Casserole with Ground Turkey
    • Easy French Toast Waffles
    • Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup
    • Balsamic Rosemary Chicken Breast: Pan Fried

    Archives

    Subscribe to blog updates

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive periodic emails with updates.

    Please wait...

    Thank you for subscribing!

    Welcome!

    Sula

    Welcome, I am so glad you are here! I once told someone that my favorite reading materials were cookbooks and menus. He didn’t understand. But since you are here, I’ll bet you get it…. at least a little, right?

    Footer

    About Sula and Spice

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Welcome, I am so glad you are here!

    I once told someone that my favorite reading materials were cookbooks and menus. He didn’t understand. But since you are here, I’ll bet you get it…. at least a little, right?

    My Favorites

    jar of layered overnight oats with frozen fruit on the bottom.
    spaghetti squash spinach and ground turkey casserole.
    waffle iron french toast on a plate ready to eat.

    Copyright © 2023 · Sula and Spice