Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
What these veggie tacos lack in meat, they make up for in big, bold flavors. Bite after bite your tastebuds are treated to a medley of textures and tastes that hit all the high points you expect. From the lightly charred and spiced cauliflower florets to the crispy, tangy pickled cabbage, to the cool avocado-yogurt crema, this is how to tackle Taco Tuesday, veggie-style.
Rely on Make-Ahead Magic for a Faster Dinner
While the roasted cauliflower and toppings are certainly easy enough to pull together on the spot for a weeknight dinner, this recipe comes with packed with make-ahead potential. Which is precisely why I keep this recipe in regular rotation in my meal plan when I have a packed schedule, with just a tiny window of time for dinner prep.
Pickled cabbage takes as little as 10 minutes to prepare, and because it’s so hearty and durable, it can be made up to a week in advance. Consider making a double batch to give your lunch salad a pop of color and tangy flavor. As for the roasted cauliflower and avocado-yogurt sauce, both can be made a day ahead, with the florets quickly reheated in the oven before assembling the tacos.
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the pickled red cabbage:
- 1 cup
distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup
water
- 1 tablespoon
granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4
small head red cabbage, cored and shredded
For the cauliflower:
- 1
medium head cauliflower (about 2 1/2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons
olive oil
- 2 teaspoons
chili powder
- 1 teaspoon
ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon
unsalted garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
For the tacos:
- 2
medium avocados, halved and pitted
- 1/2 cup
plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup
chopped fresh cilantro, divided
Finely grated zest of 1/2 medium lime
Juice of 1/2 medium lime
- 8 to 12
small corn tortillas, warmed
Instructions
Make the pickled red cabbage:
Place the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Place the cabbage in a medium, heatproof bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the top. Stir to submerge the cabbage as much as possible. Let it sit while you prepare the cauliflower, then drain and discard the liquid.
Roast the cauliflower:
Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven while it is heating.
Core the cauliflower and cut it into small 1-inch florets that don't have any stem attached. Place the cauliflower in a medium bowl, add the remaining ingredients, and toss to combine.
Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven, transfer the cauliflower onto the sheet, and spread into an even layer. Roast until browned in spots but still crisp-tender, stirring halfway through, about 20 minutes total.
For the tacos:
While the cauliflower is cooking, scoop the avocado in a medium bowl and mash. Stir in the yogurt, 1/4 cup of the cilantro, lime zest, and juice; set aside.
When the cauliflower is ready, drain off the liquid from the pickled cabbage. To assemble, fill the tortillas with the pickled cabbage and cauliflower, then top with the avocado mixture and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.
Recipe Notes
- Make ahead: The cauliflower can be roasted and the avocado-yogurt topping can be made up to 1 day in advance. Store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the cauliflower in a 350°F oven before assembling. The pickled red cabbage can be made, drained, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week in advance.
- Storage: Leftover cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Leftover cauliflower can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Leftover avocado-yogurt topping can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.