Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

Cauliflower Tacos- Steamed cauliflower, chickpeas, and fresh tomatoes are combined with a splash of hot sauce for some heat to make the filling for these delicious tacos. Top each taco with baby spinach and homemade ranch dressing for a savory treat that will impress even the pickiest of eaters.

Taco Tuesday is a cherished tradition in many households. What could be better than a delicious, handheld meal that you can customize to your liking? Tacos are the perfect way to use up those leftovers from the previous night. But if you're tired of the same old ground beef tacos, why not try something new?

Cauliflower and chickpea tacos are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional tacos. The cauliflower provides a hearty, meaty texture, while chickpeas add a boost of protein. Plus, they're both packed with nutrients like fiber and vitamins C and B6. So next time Taco Tuesday rolls around, think outside the box and give cauliflower and chickpea tacos a try. You may find that they're your new favorite way to enjoy this Mexican classic.

Why You'll Love This Vegan Cauliflower And Chickpea Taco Recipe

Mouthwatering- The combination of spices in this recipe creates a delicious flavor that will have you coming back for more.

Healthy- These tacos are packed with healthy ingredients like cauliflower, chickpeas, and tomatoes. And it's even more nutritious when you top it with baby spinach and homemade vegan-friendly ranch dressing.

Quick and Easy- This recipe is quick and easy to make, so it's perfect for busy weeknights.

A Real Crowdpleaser- These tacos are sure to please whether you're serving them to meat-eaters or vegans. So go ahead and invite all of your friends over for a taco party!

Customizable- Don't like spicy food? No problem. Just leave out the hot sauce. Prefer black beans over chickpeas? That works, too. These tacos are easily customized to fit your taste.

Equipment Needed To Make Cauliflower Tacos 

• Food Processor
• Large Bowl
• Vegetable Steamer or Microwave

Ingredients For Vegan Ranch Cauliflower Tacos

For The Dressing:

• Cashews
• Dairy-Free Milk
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Maple Syrup
• Onion Powder
• Dried Chives
• Dried Dill
• Dried Parsley
• Ground Black Pepper

For The Tacos:

• Cauliflower
• Chickpeas
• Tomato
• Hot Sauce
• Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Vegan Corn Tortillas
• Baby Spinach

How To Make Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos With Homemade Vegan Ranch Dressing

Making vegan cauliflower tacos at home is much easier than it sounds! Start by making the dressing. Add soaked cashews, maple syrup, liquid ingredients, herbs, and spices to a food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to the mixture to achieve a more dressing-like consistency.

Once the dressing is made, store it in a jar with a lid in the refrigerator so the flavors can meld together. 

To make the filling, steam cauliflower, let cool, break them up into very small pieces, and place them in a large bowl. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, hot sauce, salt, and pepper to the large bowl and mix well.

Soft taco shells should be fried in oil for a minute or two on each side, folded over to drain, and cool into a taco shape. If you are using hard tacos, you are ready to assemble.

Spoon the cauliflower chickpea mixture into each taco, add baby spinach, and drizzle with the homemade ranch dressing. Serve and enjoy!

What to Serve/Pair With Vegan Cauliflower Tacos

These tacos are delicious on their own, but they would also be great with a side of rice and beans or roasted potatoes. For a lighter option, serve them with a simple salad.

If you're looking for a tasty beverage to pair with these tacos, I suggest serving them with an ice-cold beer or a glass of cold water with a slice of lime.

Popular Substitutions & Additions

There are so many ways to customize this recipe to make it your own. Here are a few ideas:

• Add some heat- If you like your food with a bit of spice, add a diced jalapeno or red pepper flakes to the dressing.

• Make it creamy- Add 1-2 tablespoons of tahini or avocado for an extra creamy dressing.
• Pack in the veggies- Feel free to add more veggies to the tacos, such as shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, or chopped kale.

• Change up the tortillas- Use your favorite type of tortilla or lettuce wraps.

• Add protein- Top your tacos with grilled tofu or tempeh. You could also add cooked quinoa or lentils for an extra protein boost.
• Toppings- Add guacamole, salsa, a dollop of dairy-free sour cream, or sprinkle with vegan shredded cheese.

📋 Recipe

Ranch Cauliflower Tacos

Ligia Lugo

Ranch Cauliflower Tacos are full of a great mix of veggies that have been cooked just right.

5 from 8 votes

Print Save Saved

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Mexican Style, Tacos

Servings 10 Tacos

Calories 159 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Ranch Dressing:

• 1 cup cashews - cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight, then drained
• ¾ cup dairy free milk, plus more if needed
• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspons onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried chives
• ½ teaspoon dried dill
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Tacos:

• 1 head cauliflower - cut into florets, probably about 3 cups
• 15 ounces chickpeas - canned, chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ¾ cup tomato, diced
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 10 tortillas - vegan corn tortillas of your choice, hard or soft
• 2 ounces baby spinach, rinsed well

Instructions

 

To Make the Ranch Dressing:

• Put the soaked cashews in a food processor. Add all the remaining 8 dressing ingredients
• Process until smooth. Add more milk, if needed, to get the consistency of dressing.
• The flavors will meld after resting in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, but you can still use it immediately.  Pour into a container and store in the refrigerator. The ranch dressing will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

To Make the Tacos:

• Steam the cauliflower florets for 15 minutes.
• Let cool and break up into very small pieces. Place in a large bowl.
• Add the chickpeas, tomato, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.  Mix well.
• If you have soft tacos, fry them in hot oil for a minute or two on each side. Fold over to drain and cool in a taco shape.  If you are using hard tacos, you are ready to go and to go oil free.

To Assemble:

• Spoon the filling into each taco, add baby spinach, and drizzle with ranch dressing. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1TacoCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 220mgPotassium: 462mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 870IUVitamin C: 34.1mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 2.3mg

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