Vegan Smoky BBQ Cauliflower Tacos (Printable)

Roasted cauliflower coated in smoky BBQ sauce and topped with fresh pineapple salsa in warm tortillas.

# 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

→ To Serve

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 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, toss cauliflower florets with olive oil, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper 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 for even browning.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together vegan BBQ sauce, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar until combined.
05 - Remove cauliflower from oven. Toss with BBQ sauce mixture until thoroughly coated. Return to oven and roast for 8 to 10 minutes until caramelized and crispy.
06 - Combine diced 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 over medium heat or wrap in foil and heat in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable.
08 - Layer BBQ roasted cauliflower, pineapple salsa, avocado slices, and shredded red cabbage in each tortilla. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky-sweet-tangy balance hits that taco craving without any heaviness afterward.
  • Roasted cauliflower gets genuinely crispy and caramelized, not sad and steamed like you might fear.
  • It comes together in under an hour, so weeknight dinner doesn't require a second job.
02 -
  • Don't skip flipping the cauliflower halfway through the first roast, the bottom side won't crisp if you do and you'll have soft spots in every bite.
  • The pineapple salsa gets watery if you make it more than a couple hours ahead, so prep it fresh while the cauliflower cooks.
03 -
  • Make the pineapple salsa fresh right before you assemble, it stays bright and doesn't get soggy that way.
  • Pat the cauliflower dry with a towel after washing it, any moisture will steam it instead of roasting it into crispness.
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