These roasted cauliflower tacos are a delightful twist on traditional tacos, offering a flavorful and healthy alternative. The combination of roasted cauliflower with spices, crunchy red cabbage, and fresh cilantro creates a satisfying and vibrant meal. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering, these tacos are sure to impress.
If you don't usually have cauliflower or red cabbage at home, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Cauliflower is typically found in the produce section, often near other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli. Red cabbage can usually be found near the other cabbages and leafy greens. Make sure to also grab some fresh cilantro and lime for that burst of freshness.
Ingredients for Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Cauliflower: A versatile vegetable that roasts beautifully, providing a tender and slightly nutty flavor.
Olive oil: Used to coat the cauliflower, helping it roast to perfection while adding a subtle richness.
Chili powder: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the roasted cauliflower.
Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that complements the chili powder and enhances the overall flavor.
Garlic powder: Provides a savory, aromatic note to the roasted cauliflower.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps to season the cauliflower.
Tortillas: The base for the tacos, providing a soft and slightly chewy texture.
Red cabbage: Adds a crunchy texture and vibrant color to the tacos.
Cilantro: Fresh and aromatic, it adds a burst of flavor and freshness.
Lime: Adds a tangy brightness that balances the flavors of the tacos.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To achieve perfectly roasted cauliflower, ensure that the florets are evenly coated with olive oil and spices. Spread them out in a single layer on the baking sheet to allow for even browning. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause the cauliflower to steam rather than roast, resulting in a less desirable texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cauliflower - Substitute with broccoli: Broccoli has a similar texture and can be roasted to achieve a comparable flavor profile.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for roasting.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and smoky flavor, which can mimic the taste of chili powder.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a warm, citrusy flavor that can complement the other spices in the recipe.
garlic powder - Substitute with onion powder: Onion powder offers a similar savory depth and can be used in the same quantity.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, though you may need to adjust the quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.
tortillas - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a low-carb alternative and a fresh, crunchy texture.
red cabbage - Substitute with green cabbage: Green cabbage has a similar crunch and can be used raw or lightly pickled.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley offers a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can stand in for cilantro.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon provides a similar acidic brightness and can be used in the same way to enhance the flavors.
Other Alternative Recipes
How to Store or Freeze Your Tacos
- Allow the roasted cauliflower to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the cauliflower soggy.
- Transfer the cooled cauliflower florets into an airtight container. If you have a lot, consider using multiple containers to avoid overcrowding.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The roasted cauliflower will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. This helps retain the crispiness.
- If you prefer using a microwave, place the cauliflower in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through.
- For freezing, spread the cooled cauliflower florets on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the cauliflower to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat from frozen, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the frozen cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Store tortillas separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them with parchment paper between each tortilla to prevent sticking.
- Keep shredded red cabbage and chopped cilantro in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. The cabbage will stay fresh for up to a week, while the cilantro is best used within 3-4 days.
- Store lime wedges in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the roasted cauliflower on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This method helps maintain the cauliflower's texture and flavor.
For a quicker option, use a microwave. Place the cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes. Check and stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you prefer a stovetop method, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil and toss in the cauliflower. Stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
To reheat the tortillas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 20-30 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.
For the shredded red cabbage and chopped cilantro, it's best to keep them fresh. If they were mixed with the cauliflower, you can reheat them together, but be mindful that the cabbage might lose some crunch.
Finally, don't forget to add a fresh squeeze of lime after reheating to bring back that zesty flavor.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to roast the cauliflower florets until they are tender and slightly browned.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil and spices.
Baking sheet: Used to spread the cauliflower florets for roasting in the oven.
Dry skillet: Used to warm the tortillas over medium heat.
Knife: Used to cut the cauliflower into florets and to chop the cilantro.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for cutting the cauliflower and cilantro.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
Tongs: Used to handle the roasted cauliflower and to assemble the tacos.
Lime squeezer: Used to squeeze lime juice over the assembled tacos.
Serving plate: Used to serve the assembled tacos.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-cut cauliflower: Buy pre-cut cauliflower florets to save time on chopping.
Use pre-shredded cabbage: Opt for pre-shredded red cabbage to skip the slicing step.
Batch roast: Roast a larger batch of cauliflower and use leftovers for other meals.
Microwave tortillas: Warm tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds instead of using a skillet.
Pre-mix spices: Prepare the spice mix in advance and store it in a jar for quick use.
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 head Cauliflower cut into florets
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 8 pieces Tortillas small
- 1 cup Red cabbage shredded
- ½ cup Cilantro chopped
- 1 piece Lime cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a mixing bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
- Spread cauliflower on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, until tender and slightly browned.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Assemble tacos by placing roasted cauliflower on tortillas, then topping with shredded red cabbage, chopped cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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