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Cauliflower tacos are sure to be a hit at the dinner table! This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is easy to meal prep in advance to save even more time for busy weeknights during the week.
I find adding lentils to vegan cauliflower tacos! It adds more flavor and texture, and also makes the tacos a bit more balanced from a nutritional standpoint. But who’s to say I’m right?!? That’s what makes this recipe so great, its flexibility!
If you enjoy cauliflower tacos you’ve got to also try these other plant-based tacos, tofu tacos, or breakfast tacos! They go great with roasted red salsa or green chili tomatillo salsa.
Why This Recipe Works
- Super easy-to-make taco recipe.
- Great flavor. The cauliflower absorbs all the taco-y flavor of the seasoning.
- A family-friendly vegan meal that both kids and adults will love!
- Weeknight dinners and Taco Tuesday just got a little bit better!
- This cauliflower lentil taco recipe is naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free!
What Goes Into Cauliflower Tacos
A few veggies, lentils, and spices are all that is needed to make this quick and easy vegan cauliflower tacos recipe. Let’s look at the main ones!
- Cauliflower: We use fresh but you could also use frozen cauliflower which is already cut into florets as a time saver.
- Spices: We’re using a blend of cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and chili powder to add flavor transforming cauliflower into a plant-based alternative for taco meat!
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic cook up to give more depth of flavor to the taco mixture.
- Lentils: If added, mixing in the lentils adds protein to the cauliflower taco meat. It’s totally optional but the protein makes these tacos a bit heartier and more satisfying.
- Corn tortillas: You can also swap them for flour tortillas if you prefer!
- Taco toppings: Sprinkle some diced Roma tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro over the top when serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Missing some of the spices for lentil cauliflower tacos? Swap them out for store-bought or homemade taco seasoning!
- No corn tortillas? No worries! Serve it up with Spanish cauliflower rice for a burrito bowl or stuff it into a flour tortilla for soft tacos or a burrito!
- Add your favorite salsa. There’s no need to stick with just tomatoes on top! Change it up with mango salsa, cucumber salsa, or creamy avocado salsa.
- Want to make spicy cauliflower tacos? Add in sliced jalapenos or some chipotles in adobo sauce for that smoky, spicy combination.
- Want to make this an oil-free recipe? Cook the onions in one-quarter cup of water or broth instead.
How To Make Vegan Cauliflower Tacos
- 1) Break up the cauliflower into small florets and roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
- 2) Mix together the cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- 3) Saute the diced onion for 2 to 3 minutes.
- 4) Add the roasted cauliflower to the spice bowl and toss to coat evenly. Then add it to the pan with the onions. Add the garlic and cook for about five minutes.
- 5) Add the lentils and cook to heat through, if including.
- 6) Assemble the tacos by adding the cauliflower mixture to the tortillas and topping them with tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Expert Tips and FAQs
- Don’t skip roasting the cauliflower for a quicker cooking method! Roasting the cauliflower gives it much more depth of flavor making it taste amazing!
- Toss the cauliflower in the spices evenly so all the pieces get completely covered.
- For a heartier meal, don’t skip the lentils.
Yes, you can! It works great for meal prep! After prepping it, allow it to cool and then pack it up to store in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat it in a skillet just until heated through!
Cauliflower definitely has a strong flavor since it’s part of the cruciferous family! They all contain sulfur compounds which give them a strong smell and taste. But no worries, all the spices really work to camouflage the flavors!Â
What to Serve with Tacos
Taco night is always a crowd-pleaser around the house! Here are some quick and easy ideas for serving these cauliflower lentil tacos to turn them into a super satisfying meal.
- Toppings: You can’t go wrong with offering up a variety of toppings for everyone to choose to add to their tacos. This especially works for groups! Spicy nacho cheese sauce, guacamole, vegan sour cream, or pico de gallo.
- Sides: Rainbow slaw salad, Instant pot pinto beans, and Mexican rice all go great!
More Cauliflower Recipes
- Cauliflower and Potato Curry
- BBQ or Buffalo Cauliflower Wraps
- Vegan Mashed Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Rice Bowl
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Cauliflower Lentil Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small head of cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon of oregano
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- a few shakes of pepper
- ½ of an onion diced
- 1 teaspoon of oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ cups of cooked lentils (optional)
- Small corn tortillas
- 2 diced Roma tomatoes
- ½ of an avocado chopped small (optional)
- Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Break up your cauliflower into small florets, place on a baking sheet, and roast for 20 minutes.
- To make the spice mix, combine all spices in a large bowl. That's the cumin, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- About 5 minutes before the cauliflower is done roasting, saute the diced onion for 2 to 3 minutes.
- When cauliflower is done, toss it in the spice bowl and coat it evenly. Then throw it in the pan with the onions and add garlic. Cook about 5 more minutes. Stir in the cooked lentils.
- Assemble the tacos by adding the cauliflower mixture to the tortillas and topping with tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
- Assemble the tacos by adding the cauliflower mixture to the tortillas and topping with tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro.
Notes
- Don’t skip roasting the cauliflower for a quicker cooking method! Roasting the cauliflower gives it much more depth of flavor making it taste amazing!
- Toss the cauliflower in the spices evenly so all the pieces get completely covered.
- For a heartier meal, don’t skip the lentils.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
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Delicious tacos! Really great flavor. An awesome dinner dish!
The perfect flavorful and easy dinner to whip up!
These cauliflower lentil tacos are so good and loved how protein-packed they are!
Right?! The lentils add so much goodness to the table!
These are simple and so nutritious! Perfect recipe to make when you forgot that one cauliflower inside the fridge 🙂
Ha so true! Definitely a great recipe to use up your cauli!
Love how flavorful these cauliflower tacos are! Perfect for taco tuesday!
Yes!! So flavorful and perfect for TT!
These tacos are spot on! So packed with flavor and so so good!