A weeknight staple, Roasted Cauliflower Tinga Tacos with Chili-Lime Slaw are chipotle spicy, and packed with flavor. These vegan tacos are freezer friendly and done in about 30 minutes! Serve with your favorite Mexican inspired sides and don’t forget the guacamole! This recipe is vegan, vegetarian and easily gluten free.
Table of Contents
A Holiday Pause
I’m interrupting the copious amounts of cookies to bring you quick-to-pull-together mouthwatering Roasted Cauliflower Tinga Tacos with Chili-Lime Slaw. Perfectly appropriate for the holiday table.
Have you made cauliflower tacos? Surprising, yes but…
…but before we talk vegan tacos, let’s continue from last week’s blog post regarding the holiday season and how I’ve transitioned from holiday crazy lady to holiday calm without all the tangible stuff the holiday usually brings with it.
I appreciate your comments, both public and private, regarding my previous post. I realize this is not something so easily talked about due to much of the American tradition that surrounds the holidays. I get it. Going against the grain can feel awkward. It’s still hard for me to talk about, even with some family. But breaking tradition is not such a bad thing when one considers the individual, collective and broader impacts. Who says tradition is the right way anyway?
No More Holiday Crazy Lady!
This is the first year I’m asking family and friends that if they’re considering a gift for me, to give to either of two charitable organizations in lieu of anything tangible and my reasons behind it. A few I’ve yet to tell, because it’s not an easy conversation to have.
Years ago, Rob and I were having longer conversations about how we wanted to celebrate the season different than what we’d done traditionally. Gift giving needed to shift from tangible to experiential or donated to an organization/non profit that the recipient values or supports. If a tangible item is gifted, it needs to fill a specific need, come from a local maker or greater art community, or food, preferably made from my kitchen – this is my favorite.
Setting goals and priorities for gift giving gives us a framework, allowing flexibility yet reduces demand for the collective stuff our natural resources and our planet is already overburdened with.
A Different Kind of Holiday
So, what does this look like?
On a personal level, it means Rob and I take a trip and/or donate to causes we support rather than exchange gifts. The trip can be local and short, or further away for a longer stay. It can be with family, or not, and it’s generally something we start discussing many months ahead, depending on the destination.
Planning travel together and looking forward to the experience is something we treasure. Too, the memories last far longer than the latest gadget or fashion.
I’ve listed some of my favorite gifts to give below under the cauliflower taco recipe. The Foodie Ideas section is my favorite, and I’ve tried to be concise (there are so many!). I think my Grandmere’ who always gave the grandkids foodie gifts influenced my gift giving ways.
There’s so many ways to give during the holiday season. But, there are no rules and the gift doesn’t have to be something you can put your hands on.
While you’re considering your gift list, and making plans for food, be sure to put a head of cauliflower, tortillas and cabbage on your list to make this vegan taco recipe! Cauliflower tacos come together quick and feed a small crowd. For those not feeding a crowd, the cauliflower taco mixture is freezer friendly and can be portioned and frozen for up a month.
Quick Guide: How to Make Cauliflower Tacos
- First, roast the cauliflower.
- Second, while the cauliflower is roasting, saute the onions, then sprinkle in the spices, minced chipotle chilis and adobo sauce.
- Next, add your favorite salsa (homemade if you like) and fire roasted tomatoes, then the roasted cauliflower and simmer for about five minutes.
- Last, pull together the taco slaw, and sides and these vegan tacos are ready!
These vegan tacos pair deliciously with pepita creama and while it does require a high speed blender (I use Vitamix), jalapeno-lime guacamole, sour cream or avocado cream is fabulous as well (and the latter two don’t require any pre-planning like the pepita creama). Just smear any one you choose on the bottom of the tortilla, then pile on the cauliflower and slaw.
What to Serve with these Tinga Tacos
- Creamy Guacamole with Sour Cream
- Spanish Brown rice
- Mexican Black Beans
- Homemade Chipotle Salsa
- Roasted Jalapeno-Lime Guacamole
A Few Recipe Notes
- These tacos are simple enough to make, but the components and sides can take a bit of time to pull together. If meal prepping, the pepetia creme, and salsa can be made ahead.
- Make it Gluten Free: use your favorite corn tortillas.
- Freezer Friendly? Yes please! The tinga cauliflower freezes with ease and is perfect for meal prep!
More Vegetarian and Vegan Taco Recipes to Love
- Creamy Corn, Zucchini and Poblano Tacos
- Rancheros Tofu Scramble
- Black Bean and Quinoa Tacos – from Foolproof Living
- Mexican Inspired Tofu Tacos with Chili Lime Slaw
- Chipotle Zucchini and Corn Tacos – from Floating Kitchen
the recipe
Roasted Cauliflower Tinga Tacos with Chili-Lime Slaw
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
- 1 Head of Cauliflower* (see note) chopped into small bite size pieces, about 1 3/4 lb (790g)
- 2 1/2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil divided
- 1 C (110g) Purple Onion chopped, about 1 medium
- 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Cumin ground
- 1 1/2 - 2 Tbs Chipotle Chilis + Adobo Sauce mince the chilis and mix with adobo sauce - omit or reduce to 1 tsp adobo sauce for a much milder tinga! Look for gluten free if needed.
- 1 C (274g) Fire Roasted Tomatoes + its juices, leftovers may be frozen
- 1/2 C (135g) Prepared Salsa I like homemade
- 12-14 6" Corn or Flour Tortillas
For the Chili-Lime Slaw:
- 3 C (150g) Purple and Green Cabbage shredded, loosely packed
- 1 Tbs Fresh Jalapeno seeded and chopped fine, or to taste (add more to take the spicy up!)
- 1/2 C (20g) Cilantro chopped
- Juice of Two Limes
- 1/2 tsp Fine Sea Salt
Serve With (options):
Instructions
For the Tacos:
- Set oven rack to center of the oven and preheat to 425F (218C). Line a sheet pan with silpat or parchment paper.
- Toss the cauliflower with 1 1/2 Tbs olive oil and roast for 15-20 minutes, tossing and flipping the cauliflower once while roasting. When done, it should still be firm, yet toasty around the edges. Set aside.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, heat the remaining 1 Tbs olive oil in a large saute pan until it shimmers. Add the onion and saute on medium low for about 5-8 minutes, or just until softened. Sprinkle in the salt and cumin and add the chipotles + adobo sauce. Stir to coat. Add the tomatoes, salsa and roasted cauliflower. Stir to warm through, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and put a lid on it until ready to serve.
For the Chili-Lime Slaw:
- In a medium bowl, mix the red and green cabbage, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice and sea salt. Set aside or rest in the refrigerator until ready for service.
To Assemble:
- I like to warm my tortillas on a low open flame on the stove top turning with tongs a few times to lightly char the tortillas. To hold them warm, place the tortillas in foil and into a warmed toaster oven on low heat.
- On the tortilla, spoon a good smear of guacamole, sour cream or pepita crema down the center of the tortilla. Spoon the cauliflower mixture evenly over the top, then add the slaw and any condiments you prefer.
- Store the leftover cauliflower mixture in the fridge in a lidded container for up to three days or it may be frozen for up to a month.
Notes
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Foodie Gift Ideas (my favorite!):
- dark chocolate shortbread and for vegan friends too
- #PlasticFreeFoodie vol 1 and #PlasticFreeFoodie vol 2 – eBook collaborations featuring over 60 healthy, plant based recipes; 100% of proceeds donated to ocean conservation organizations.
- setting a date to make something wonderful in the kitchen, whether it’s planning and cooking a fabulous meal or baking the most epic cake together
- sweet and spicy nut and pretzel mix
- a bottle of their favorite liqueur or wine (always a winner!)
- bourbon date nut truffles
- a local farm may have braided garlic or seasonal fruit
- setting a date and plan for an epic picnic and hike to a new destination
- vanilla sugar
Other Than Foodie Gift Ideas:
- donation to an environmental/habitat protection organization – this resource lists some of my favorites
- support your local land trust who do tremendous work to protect open spaces – there’s most likely one near you
- look for used on Craigslist
- a trip to the symphony
- Headspace App for meditation
- a gift card for a spa treatment
- a subscription to Audible or Kindle gift card.
- movie passes
- find local makers/artists/vintage on Etsy (you can search by city!)
- Pandora music gift subscription or iTunes gift card
OMG, Traci! I made these along with your Pineapple Jalapeño Margheritas for May 5th. I’m Scottish but had a fab holiday in Mexico and loved everything about the culture, friendliness, food…I could go on! Thank you for reminding me how great Mexico and it’s people are! Will be recommending your site and all things Mexican to anyone who’ll listen. xx
Hi Yvonne! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a note! What a lovely combination and celebration for May 5th. I’m pretty smitten with Mexican food and was practically raised on Tex Mex… so those flavors are so comforting to me. Thank you too for sharing the blog, Yvonne! Day made! :D
This looks delicious and I’m planning on making it tonight! Fortunately we have all the ingredients in the fridge!
Hooray! I love it when that happens! I hope you enjoyed the recipe Shareen!
I am normally a bit shy when it comes to cooking Mexican food — I love it so much when I eat out that I can’t really imagine creating it at home. But I saw these Cauliflower Tinga Tacos and decided to give it a whirl — SO GLAD I did! They are jam packed with flavor and have plenty of room for creativity in terms of throwing on whatever toppings fit your taste. I loved the texture of the cauliflower. My husband and I kept going back for more of the Cauliflower mixture sans tortilla (!) and any time I can get him to love a meatless meal I count as a huge win. Thank you Traci for a delicious, filling, unique recipe. Will be making many more of your creations for sure :)
Thank you for your note! Hooray for new flavors, textures and a meal everyone enjoys! FTW! I’m with you on the texture of the cauli… and understand a return for seconds. So happy to read your note!
I love the calm after the whole holiday rush, and these cauliflower tacos are just what I need right now! lately I have really being getting into cauliflower, so this is right up my alley, great post and recipe :)
I’m with you, Albert! And cauliflower is a favorite around here! I hope you enjoy the recipe and thank you for stopping by!
These tacos are everything, can’t wait to try them!
I think donating to a worthy cause is really important in this day and age. Also love the idea of picking a few causes that you feel are important and asking loved ones to donate there – that’s a great idea. These tacos look absolutely delicious – love all the flavoring that you’ve added to the cauliflower – definitely want to try this. Wishing you and Rob a wonderful holiday ang s happy new year! Xo
I couldn’t agree more, Geraldine, about giving back. There’s so much work that needs to be done/supported and I love being a part of it. These tacos… I absolutely love! Especially that they are freezer friendly and are quick to pull together. Best of holidays to you too my dear! xo
I love this post for many reasons. First of all this is such an amazing weeknight or any meal for that matter. So so tasty.
Secondly, who says holidays are meant to be celebrate in a particular way? I am with you and it feels good. I prefer not giving gifts, gifts are giving when I feel like it. I’ve always gone away from the grain and have no regrets. Giving to an organization makes more sense than anything.
You are so inspiring and you inspire me to speak my mind.
Have a beautiful weekend my dear.
Thank you for your sweet words, Asha. My heart is full. xo
I love your gift ideas! I agree that giving experiences is much more valuable than stuff. I’ll take as many spa gift certificated as I can get, lol!
I would also be very happy to have these tacos for Christmas. I’m thinking that roasted jalapeño guac is a must. YUM.
OMGeee the best! I love receiving spa gifts… more time at the spa always wins! lol! That guac is sooo good on tacos… one of my favorite things to slather on all things Mexican food!
Love the sentiment behind this post! Transitioning to a new set of holiday traditions can be difficult, but the idea of a trip or donation in lieu of a material gift is lovely. The tacos also look delicious, using cauliflower as a filling sounds absolutely amazing!
Thank you Luci! Agreed on shifting traditions and tacos!
Traci, I am with you on breaking holiday traditions. Fully understand what you are going through with the family. I gave up gift shopping years ago and it felt like the world was lifted off my shoulders. No stress anymore! But I was met with some resistance from family, too. So glad I made the change. The last two posted recipes are definitely going to be made. Another way to fix fennel! Yah!! So healthy and yummy.
Loved reading your comment, Claudia and that you’ve found a way to bring less stress to your holiday… it’s SO important. Hooray for new recipes… that soup and these tacos come together really quick. I hope you enjoy them!
Hi, Traci! Well, I finally made these tacos last night for the neighbor kids. They were a big hit with everyone, adults included. The kids asked for them to be sent in their school lunches! And definitely to be served more often! What a full flavor taco! Served them with the Spanish brown rice which was a great compliment to the meal. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks.
I love your approach to the holidays. We feel very similarly. And I’m loving all your gift ideas!! And Traci, these tacos have me drooling! Love love love!
OMGee these tacos, Tessa. I think you two would enjoy them! Love that we’re twinning on the holiday xo !
Beautiful post, Traci! Thanks for including the wonderful gift ideas with links! Merry Christmas to your readers! These tacos are everything I want right now…I’m needing a little balance in my life after all the baking we’ve done! Have a lovely week, my dear! XO
No doubt, balance is why I posted some savory (but this week I’m back on the sweet train ;) ) … there are SO many delicious cookies to be had right now and I’m eating way too many! Stretchy pants are my every day casual now (lol). xo
Mind…blown…and not by breaking Christmas tradition. (I am completely on board that boat…I suggest “The Minimalists” podcast if anyone needs reinforcement) These tacos are incredible! I was highly suspect…but this is the blog who introduced me to the best black bean burgers I’ve ever made, so I gave you the benefit of the doubt. I can live without pepitas, cabbage and cilantro. Cauliflower is ok, but put them all together and they have become mandatory. I’ve been a vegan for a long time…so glad I found your blog!
Thank you for your “The Minimalists” podcast suggestion (I’ve watched their story and am inspired!). HOORAY for combining all the goodness to make something delicious! OMGee that burger has me ruined…. Thank you for making and trying my recipes, Delin! So happy to have you here!
Great post Traci! That’s precisely what we’re doing this year! Taking a trip to see my mother in Florida! I’m so excited!
LOVE these tacos! I’m always looking for new cauliflower recipes, so this will definitely be added to my list! Love that this is freezer friendly too. That slaw sounds perfect on top!
You’re going to have so much fun, Mary Ann! So happy to hear you’ll be with your mom… ! Freezer friendly FTW! xo
Love the idea of doing a trip with hubby for a gift. More time spent together is always good. My kids could eat tacos every night of the week so I’ll have to test this recipe out on them!
Oh and it IS, Karen! Rob and cherish these times together… there’s just not enough of them. I hope you and your kiddos enjoy these tacos!
I totally agree with you on the gifts and the whole holiday overload. as you say who gets to say that tradition is right. Here is to new traditions that bring more peace, gratitude, warmth, and love during this cold dark time of year.
Thank you for your note Jacquie… indeed, during the cold, dark time of year. Peace, gratitude and warmth. I love that :D
My husband and I gave up shopping for friends and family years ago. I remember the day we decided to stop as we were shopping in Port Townsend for the last few folks without success. My husband opened his wallet and said I feel like we should just throw the money to the wind…we are not shopping with heart anymore. Now I only give food items like wedges of paneforte or I let friends pick from an assortment of jams I make special for the season(blood orange, lemon, blackberry jalapeno or roasted plum and tayberry are this year’s choices). We all love food and consumables are the only way to go at our age. I agree with the woman who spoke about giving “experience” gifts as well! Having friends over is important to our good health.
Now for these tacos…my son comes home from college this Sunday and we’ll be making these! I just tried mashed cauliflower last night with fried sage leaves crumbled on top. Cauliflower is so versatile!
Happy Holidays!
I loved reading this, Heide! And this is usually how it unfolds. We just get fed up and finally say no more.. indeed like throwing the money in the wind – definitely not how I want my hard earned money spent. . I looove it! At least in Port T you have good pizza and coffee to distract you :D !! I love your gift jams – the blood orange sounds amazing! OMGee my Grandmere used to make us raspberry jam and gift it for Christmas… we all haggled over it. I miss her and her gifts now that she’s passed away. Your mashed cauli sounds fabulous.. I hope you and your’s enjoy the tacos, Heide.
Totally on your page about the gifts, my friend. And the food is yummy and stunning, as always. You rock!
Thank you Deb… sending love, peace and strength. xo
Your thoughtful and caring writing always inspire me Traci. We, too, switched the gifting for Xmas years ago. Now, we buy each other experiences. This year, we are going to do a sleigh ride up in the mountains. They say it is a great experience. We shall see.:)
I am always in awe of the great food you create. This one is no exception. Looks so healthy, filling, and yummy.
Well done, my friend.
Wishing you and Rob happy holidays.
Cheers!
Experiences are the beeest! I love the little coupon too for an epic summer picnic to a new secret place… It’s not only the big experiences… but the little ones too that are the nuggets of life! A sleigh ride sounds like SO much fun! And you’ll have snow?! It sounds incredibly romantic. I can’t wait to hear about it! Happy holidays love… xo
Excellenet post. People think I am a scrooge when I do not want to give the grandkids their 1500th gift or that my husband and I do not exchange gifts but we exchange experiences. Your post was so well “spoken”
Thank you. Thank you for being vegan or at least Whole Food Plant based, thank you for helping the world and thank you for your yummy food.
Thank you for your note and kind words, Suzanne! While I’m a long way from 100% vegan, whole food is so important to me, and living lighter on our Planet. OMGeee I’ve seen the gift thing too and it makes me crazy (even 2nd gift tossed aside as soon as the next gift is presented). Sending my best for a beautiful holiday!
Love everything about this post, Traci. You and Rob totally inspire me, as I too, am trying to reduce the amount of material possessions that I have and the excessive give giving that surrounds the Holidays. It is hard, especially when we get so many messages to do the opposite. Edible gifts are definitely one of my favorite ways to still share something special, without having to buy useless “stuff”. And I love the idea of taking a trip! Thanks for all the links (and for the snack mix love). And these tacos are looking damn sexy. Love everything about them!
I’m with you, Liz… shifting habits and traditions are hard. But I think it’s important to do what we feel good about, and act on that decision. There IS a lot of pressure. I mean, we’re groomed from childhood into this myth of Santa, naughty/nice, presents under the tree etc… it’s woven into the fabric of our culture – (and to consume, consume, consume!). Edible gifts are so fun! This is the first year I’m making and giving dukkah (to someone I tested it out on earlier this year :D ). OMG – these tacos, Liz…. I’d love to share with you! xo