Tacos are probably my all-time favorite. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was stand by the stove and help my mom make tacos. They were the classic childhood tacos – ground beef in a hard corn shell with cheese, shredded lettuce, salsa, etc. The other day I found myself with some leftover cauliflower rice and the perfect “ground cauliflower” tacos were born.

 

I’ve since made these tacos a few times and I prefer to leave the cauliflower in a larger “grain” for tacos so there is still some bite to it when it’s cooked. Adding some slivered almonds in with the ground cauliflower gives it the perfect texture and some added protein. I love these tacos with crunchy slaw, lots of avocado, and spicy almonds. Top with your favorite salsa (any tomatillo one would be great here) and you’re good to go. If you have leftover cauliflower rice, you can serve it deconstructed as a taco bowl!

Ground Cauliflower Tacos with Spicy Almonds and Crunchy Slaw
Ground Cauliflower Tacos with Spicy Almonds and Crunchy Slaw
Ingredients
Makes ~8 tacos

Spicy Almonds

  • 1 cup unroasted almonds
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce of choice
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium, gluten-free tamari
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Crunchy Slaw

  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 small jicama, julienned
  • 1/2 cup whole spicy almonds (see recipe above)
  • Handful of cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Dash of olive oil
  • Sea salt or pink salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ground Cauliflower Tacos

  • 1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds
  • 1/2 of 1 large cauliflower or 1 small cauliflower, cut into florets (or about 3 cups)
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or pink salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • A pinch of freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 package sprouted corn tortillas or (6-inch) corn tortillas

Optional Toppings

  • A few slices of fresh avocado
  • Salsa and/or hot sauce of your choice
Method

For the spicy almonds: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread almonds on the sheet and bake for 8 minutes.

In a medium bowl, mix the hot sauce, tamari and oil. Remove almonds from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the almonds to the tamari mixture, coating evenly.

Spread almonds back out on the baking sheet (leaving excess mixture in the bowl) and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove sheet from oven and let cool completely.

For the crunchy slaw: Toss all the ingredients together, ensuring the slaw is coated with lime juice. Add an additional squeeze of lime juice as needed.

For the tacos: Add the almonds to a food processor (or blender) and pulse until they break up into rice-like pieces. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with the cauliflower florets, 1 cup at a time. Transfer to the large bowl and repeat with the remaining cauliflower.

Mix the chili powder, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium heat with the oil. Once heated, add 1/2 tablespoon of the spice mixture and toast for about 30 seconds. Add the cauliflower-almond mixture and stir to coat well. Cook for about 5 minutes until cauliflower is cooked through. Season with the additional spice mixture.

To serve: Warm the corn tortillas on the stove. If you have a gas burner, turn it on medium and put the tortilla directly on the burner for 20 to 30 seconds or until warm. Remove and keep warm in a clean dish towel while you repeat with the remaining tortillas.

Top tortillas with about 1/3 cup of the cauliflower mixture and some crunchy slaw. Serve with sliced avocado, salsa and hot sauce.

This post is in partnership with California Almonds. All opinions are my own – thanks for your support! 

 Photos taken by Sarah Elliot.