Perfectly Caramelized Mexican Roasted Cauliflower – Dairy Free!

Name: Perfectly Caramelized Mexican Roasted Cauliflower - Dairy Free!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets (about 2 1/2 pounds – if you’re using a smaller cauliflower, reduce the amount of avocado oil, salt, and spices just a little bit. You can always add more salt after it’s done cooking); 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon cumin; 1/2- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Cilantro; Red or green onion; Fresh lime wedges; Avocado

Feb 16, 2023 (updated Feb 7, 2024) by Nyssa Tanner 30 Comments

This Mexican-inspired roasted cauliflower is so flavorful and easy it might just become your new favorite veggie side dish! Cauliflower florets are tossed with flavorful spices and roasted until crispy and caramelized, served with a generous squeeze of lime juice, cilantro, red onion, and maybe even some avocado for good measure. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, and an absolute crowd pleaser!

A large plate of Mexican spiced roasted cauliflower, garnished with cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, and finely diced red onion. — Lightly charred and caramelized roasted cauliflower being served with a scatter of fresh cilantro, diced red onion, and avocado is the ultimate taco night flex.

Mexican spiced roasted cauliflower with the crispiest of edges and some serious flavor!

👉🏼 I don’t know about y’all, but if you’re anything like me you go crazy for just about any roasted vegetable. Some of our faves besides this cauliflower side dish include this Sweet and Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Turmeric Spiced Roasted Cauliflower, Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower, 15-Minute Oven Roasted Broccolini, or our Roasted Chopped Red Cabbage. So much yum!

But roasted cauliflower has truly always been on the top of my list. There’s something about the way it gets crispy, tender, sweet, and salty ALL AT THE SAME TIME that makes it straight up irresistible.

I often opt for the simple classic combo of a cooking oil with salt and pepper for cauliflower, because it’s easy and also so delicious. I have definitely been known to roast and devour a whole head of cauliflower all by myself.

Although sometimes dinner deserves to be made a little more special by stepping the flavors up a notch (or five)!

This Mexican-inspired roasted cauliflower does exactly that. Through testing some different flavor combinations, I realized that by adding just a few spices and garnishes you can take a side dish that’s already pretty-much-the-best-thing-ever to next level DELICIOUS.

And seriously, it couldn’t be any easier to make.

To top it off this recipe is also gluten free, dairy free, AND paleo / whole30 friendly. A win/win for anyone you’re feeding – yourself, your family, some friends, or a beautiful combination of all three.

Straight on shot of a plate of mexican roasted cauliflower, topped with chopped red onion, cilantro, and lime wedges. — The only thing that could take this cauliflower to the next level is a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten up the flavor!

Ingredients for Mexican Roasted Cauliflower in various ceramics, on a light blue background. — All you need to make this roasted cauliflower recipe is cauliflower florets from a large head of cauliflower, a simple spice blend, and your cooking oil of choice. Avocado oil and olive oil are two of my fave choices.

Spices for Mexican Roasted Cauliflower on a small speckled plate. — All you need to make this roasted cauliflower recipe is cauliflower florets from a large head of cauliflower, a simple spice blend, and your cooking oil of choice. Avocado oil and olive oil are two of my fave choices.

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Never underestimate the magic of a garnish!

This cauliflower is delicious straight out of the oven, but the garnishes are what make it feel like something really special.

I know for a fact that adding some diced red onion or thinly sliced green onion, cilantro, fresh avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice just before serving transforms this dish into something truly unforgettable.

How to make Mexican spiced roasted cauliflower

How to make Mexican Roasted Cauliflower: Raw cauliflower florets tossed with oil and spices on a white speckled baking sheet. — Throw your chopped cauliflower pieces into a large bowl and drizzle with the oil and then add the spices. Toss it together until you can tell that each piece of cauliflower is coated with the mixture!

How to make Mexican Roasted Cauliflower: Up close shot of raw cauliflower florets tossed with oil and spices on a baking sheet. — Throw your chopped cauliflower pieces into a large bowl and drizzle with the oil and then add the spices. Toss it together until you can tell that each piece of cauliflower is coated with the mixture!

There’s two essential rules for getting super crispy roasted cauliflower:

Make sure your oven is hot enough
Don’t over crowd the pan

👉🏼 If your oven isn’t hot enough the cauliflower will get overly soft before it has a chance to caramelize. And then even if your oven is hot enough, if the sheet pan is over crowded the cauliflower will steam before it crisps up, so make sure to leave a little space between your florets before you start roasting!

A silver serving spoon filled with Mexican spiced roasted cauliflower.

Serving suggestions

This cauliflower is the perfect easy side dish for just about any meal! Tacos and enchiladas are for sure two of our favorites.

It is also SO GOOD served on top of a Southwest-style salad or in a rice bowl!

Pinterest pin for Mexican roasted cauliflower.

If you enjoyed this cauliflower recipe we’d love it if you would take a moment to rate and review it below! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 It’s also a great place to get your questions answered, and helpful for other readers if you share any modifications you made to the recipe.

Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK. We’re so grateful you’re here!