Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower Recipe
Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower is a flavorful and slightly smoky dish that features tender cauliflower florets grilled to perfection and topped with a zesty, creamy crema made of mayonnaise, sour cream, and spices. Finished with crumbly Cotija cheese and a squeeze of fresh lime, this recipe brings a delicious vegetarian twist to traditional Mexican street food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cauliflower and Seasoning
- 1 large head fresh cauliflower (cut into florets)
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Crema Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (your favorite)
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 1–2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp lime juice
Toppings
- 1/3 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cauliflower: Cut the head of cauliflower into florets. Preheat your grill to 375-400°F (190-204°C). Place the cauliflower florets into a disposable aluminum pan.
- Season the Cauliflower: Sprinkle the florets with salt, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Drizzle with olive oil and toss thoroughly to coat each floret evenly with the spices and oil.
- Grill the Cauliflower: Place the pan on the preheated grill and cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally to promote even cooking. The cauliflower should be tender and exhibit caramelization and light charring when done.
- Alternative Oven Method: If using an oven, bake the seasoned cauliflower at 400°F (204°C) for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally until the florets are tender and golden brown.
- Make the Crema Sauce: In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, finely minced garlic, salt, and lime juice. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and well integrated.
- Assemble the Dish: Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the crema sauce. Top with crumbled Cotija cheese and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
Notes
- You can adjust the chili powder and garlic amounts in the crema to suit your spice preference.
- Grilling adds a smoky flavor, but the oven method is a great alternative for convenience or when outdoor grilling is unavailable.
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and use a dairy-free cheese.
- Serve as a flavorful side dish or a vegetarian main with warm tortillas.
Keywords: Grilled cauliflower, Mexican street food, Cotija cheese, spicy crema, vegetarian side dish
