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Nuts and Twigs » Recipes » Vegan Main Courses

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce

Published: Jul 11, 2023 · Modified: Jan 2, 2025 by Regi Pearce · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

A delicious romesco sauce and roasted white and purple cauliflower set the stage for a delicious and quick taco recipe. Behold the roasted cauliflower tacos recipe you will love with your taste buds and eyes.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Pin Recipe
two purple cauliflower tacos with romesco sauce on wooden table surrounded by jalapeno, limes, and cabbage

These tacos are delicious with the romesco sauce, but if you’re in the mood to mix things up, try topping them with my Cashew Cheese Sauce for a creamy finish.

And if you’re looking for more crowd-pleasers, don’t miss my Vegan Nachos or Vegan Jackfruit Nachos—both are loaded with flavor and perfect for sharing!

Jump to:
  • What is Romesco Sauce?
  • Why You'll Love These Soft Tacos
  • How to Make Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce
  • Top Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Cauliflower Tacos FAQS
  • More Mexican-Inspired Vegan Recipes
  • Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce
  • Comments

What is Romesco Sauce?

Romesco sauce, or salsa romesco, is a traditional Catalonian sauce from Spain. Made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, garlic, and olive oil, it has a rich, savory taste.

While traditionally served with grilled meats and seafood, it also works as a dip, spread, dressing, or sauce for vegetables, pasta, rice, and these delicious tacos.

purple cauliflower taco held in hand with romesco sauce blurry in the background

Why You'll Love These Soft Tacos

  • These roasted cauliflower tacos can be a fast, healthy, and satisfying weeknight meal, ideal for busy schedules.
  • It's great for batch cooking. Prepare all the ingredients and store them in separate containers for an easy-to-assemble quick lunch or dinner.
  • As tacos usually go, they are versatile, so you can use whatever toppings you prefer.
  • You are incorporating purple vegetables, rich in antioxidants and nutrient-dense, into your diet.

How to Make Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce

ingredients for roasting cauliflower

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower

  • Slice white and purple cauliflower heads into florets.
  • Place the cauliflower florets, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet and toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated with the spices and oil. Substitute the spices, if desired, with Homemade Taco Seasoning.
  • Roast in the oven for about 25 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender, flipping halfway through.
  • Roasted to perfection, the cauliflower florets should have a tender texture and earthy flavor while developing hints of caramelization - so make sure to get those edges lightly browned.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

ingredients for romesco sauce
  • While the cauliflower is roasting, prepare the romesco sauce. Combine the roasted red bell peppers, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, almonds, a can of fire-roasted tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper in a blender.
  • The jarred red peppers make this sauce easy and quick, but cook them with cauliflower to make fresh roasted peppers. See below for instructions.

Step 3: Assemble the Soft Taco

adding romesco sauce on wrap - 1st step
spoon adding cauliflower to wrap with romesco sauce
a hand topping with avocado on purple cauliflower taco
  • If desired, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until soft and pliable or place in the microwave for 10 seconds.
  • Assemble the soft tacos by placing a generous amount of sauce on the tortilla. Top with cauliflower, shredded purple cabbage or lettuce, sliced purple radishes, jalapeños, chopped fresh scallions, and avocado.
  • Squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos for an extra zing of flavor.
purple cauliflower taco held in hand with romesco sauce and toppings blurry in the background

Top Tips

  • Make homemade roasted red bell peppers by preheating the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place whole peppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred. Transfer peppers to a covered bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. Peel off the skins, discard, and remove stems and seeds. Roughly chop the roasted peppers and place them in the blender with the other sauce ingredients.
  • Taste the romesco sauce and adjust the seasonings according to your preference.
  • Classic romesco sauce is typically served at room temperature.
  • The whole wheat, corn tortillas, and corn and flour combination wraps from Trader Joe's are all delicious. They also have wraps made with cauliflower if you want low-carb.
romesco sauce in a bowl with veggies in the back
romesco sauce

Serving Suggestions

  • Mexican Rice is a classic side dish. You can also use Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.
  • Serve refried beans as a side dish or added directly to the tacos. Heat and stir some of your favorite salsa into fat-free refried beans from Trader Joe's for a quick option.
  • Creamy, tangy, and packed with healthy fats, this Guacamole With Homemade Corn Chips is a perfect accompaniment to cauliflower tacos.
  • Serve with Purple Cabbage Slaw With Tahini Dressing.
hand holding purple cauliflower taco with romesco sauce blurry in back

Cauliflower Tacos FAQS

Can I use frozen cauliflower for cauliflower tacos?

While fresh cauliflower is recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen cauliflower if that's what you have on hand. Just make sure to thaw and drain it well before roasting so you don't have a watery taco.

Can I make romesco sauce ahead of time?

Romesco sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply reheat it gently before serving, and enjoy it chilled or at room temperature.

Can I substitute the romesco sauce with another sauce?

While romesco sauce pairs wonderfully with roasted cauliflower tacos, you can explore other preferred sauces. Options like chipotle mayo, Vegan Yum Yum Sauce, avocado crema, or cilantro-lime dressing can all complement the flavors nicely.

Are cauliflower tacos gluten-free?

It can be. Use gluten-free wraps, corn tortillas, or stick with a theme and try cauliflower wraps. However, always check the packaging or confirm with the manufacturer to ensure they haven't come into contact with gluten-containing ingredients during processing.

How do I store leftover roasted cauliflower tacos?

If you have any leftovers, store the roasted cauliflower, romesco sauce, and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the tacos just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

More Mexican-Inspired Vegan Recipes

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Got a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce. Your feedback is invaluable—did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.

set of three cauliflower tacos on table surrounded by limes, jalapeno, and purple cabbage

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Romesco Sauce

Regi Pearce
Whip up this quick and effortless 30-minute recipe featuring white and purple roasted cauliflower and a delicious and easy romesco sauce.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course main course
Cuisine Mexican, Vegan
Servings 12 servings
Calories 228 kcal

Ingredients
  

Cauliflower

  • 1 head purple cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
  • 1 head white cauliflower cut into bite-sized florets
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or sub with water if oil-free
  • 2 teaspoons salt to taste
  • 1½ teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Romesco Sauce

  • 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers in water or 2 roasted red peppers
  • 1 14 ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes
  • ½ cup roasted almonds
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat

For serving

  • tortillas flour, corn, or gluten free
  • shredded purple cabbage or lettuce
  • sliced purple radishes
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • avocado
  • scallions aka, green onions
  • lime
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Combine: On a baking tray, combine the cauliflower florets, olive oil, salt, chili powder, pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Toss until the cauliflower is evenly coated with the spices and oil. Leave out oil and use water if oil-free.
  • Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for about ~20-25 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden brown and tender, flipping halfway through.
  • Blend: While the cauliflower is roasting, prepare the romesco sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine all the sauce ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
  • Heat: Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat until soft and pliable.
  • Assemble: Assemble your roasted cauliflower tacos by placing a generous amount of the romesco sauce and roasted cauliflower on each warm tortilla.
  • Top: Top with shredded cabbage or lettuce, sliced radishes, scallions, chopped fresh cilantro, avocados, and jalapeños. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the tacos for an extra zing of flavor.

Video

Notes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. I based it on using medium-sized flour tortillas. Use a nutritional app like Cronometer to get information on the exact ingredients and amounts you are using. 
Make these oil-free by omitting the oil when roasting the cauliflower. Add a sprinkle of water instead so the seasoning has something to stick to.
You can make the sauce oil-free, too, by substituting water instead of oil. The viscosity will change slightly, but the taste is still there.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1385mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 3mg
Keywords 30 minute recipe, family friendly, gluten free
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

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About Regi Pearce

Hello! I am Regi, the creator of Nuts & Twigs. I debunk the myths that vegan food is all nuts and twigs and offer plant-based scrumptiousness that goes far beyond that "rabbit food" stereotype. So grab your fork and put on your stretchy pants, 'cause you're gonna want seconds.

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  1. Anonymous says

    August 02, 2023 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    Very good tacos!!

    Reply

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Regina Pearce

I'm Regi.

Head nut, chief twig, and creator of Nuts & Twigs. My husband Rob and I live in Colorado. Here, you can expect delicious vegan recipes that make you realize that a life without cheese is not only possible but still worth living.

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