Vegan Smoky BBQ Cauliflower Tacos (Printable)

Crispy cauliflower in smoky BBQ sauce with pineapple salsa, avocado, and corn tortillas for a flavorful dish.

# Components:

→ 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 for extra heat
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°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 cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
04 - While cauliflower cooks, whisk together BBQ sauce, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
05 - Remove cauliflower from oven after 20 minutes. Toss with BBQ sauce mixture until well coated. Return to oven and roast for 8 to 10 minutes until caramelized and 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The cauliflower actually tastes exciting—smoky, caramelized, and completely satisfying without pretending to be meat.
  • Pineapple salsa adds a bright, unexpected pop that makes these tacos feel special rather than ordinary.
  • Ready in under an hour, yet impressive enough to serve guests without apologies.
02 -
  • Don't skip flipping the cauliflower halfway through the first roast—this is how you get even browning and those crispy edges on all sides.
  • Make the pineapple salsa fresh right before serving; it gets watery if it sits too long, especially with the lime juice.
03 -
  • Check your BBQ sauce bottle—some brands sneak honey in there, so read the label if you're strictly vegan.
  • Make extra pineapple salsa; you'll want it on the side for extra helpings, and it keeps for two days refrigerated.
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