Vegan Smoky BBQ Cauliflower Tacos (Print version)

Crispy smoky cauliflower with pineapple salsa, layered on warm tortillas for a flavorful plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cauliflower

01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into bite-sized florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
07 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ BBQ Sauce

08 - 1/2 cup vegan BBQ sauce
09 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
10 - 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

→ Pineapple Salsa

11 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely diced
12 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
13 - 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
14 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
15 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - Juice of 1 lime
17 - Salt to taste

→ For Serving

18 - 8 small corn or flour tortillas
19 - 1 avocado, sliced
20 - 1/4 cup shredded red cabbage
21 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
22 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread seasoned cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together vegan BBQ sauce, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar.
05 - Remove cauliflower from the oven. Toss with BBQ sauce mixture until well coated. Return to the oven and roast for 8 to 10 minutes until caramelized and slightly crispy.
06 - Combine pineapple, red onion, tomato, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
07 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or wrap in foil and heat in the oven for a few minutes.
08 - Layer BBQ cauliflower, pineapple salsa, avocado slices, and shredded cabbage in each tortilla. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cauliflower gets so crispy and charred that even meat lovers forget they're eating vegetables.
  • Pineapple salsa is a total flavor game-changer, bringing bright sweetness and tang that cuts through the smokiness beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the baking sheet when roasting the cauliflower or you'll steam it instead of getting that crispy caramelization you're after.
  • The pineapple salsa is best made fresh right before serving because the lime juice will start breaking down the texture if it sits too long.
03 -
  • Toast some pepitas or crispy chickpeas as an extra topping if you want even more crunch and protein.
  • The BBQ sauce mixture benefits from sitting for a few minutes so the flavors meld together before you coat the cauliflower.
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