Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower Recipe
This Mexican Street Style Grilled Cauliflower recipe features tender cauliflower florets charred to perfection on the grill, coated with a blend of bold spices, and topped with a zesty, creamy lime crema and crumbled Cotija cheese. It’s a flavorful, satisfying side dish or vegetarian main that brings authentic Mexican street food vibes to your table with simple ingredients and easy preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 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
Topping
- 1/3 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
- Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cauliflower: Cut the large cauliflower head into florets. Place them in a disposable aluminum pan.
- Season the cauliflower: Sprinkle the cauliflower florets with salt, chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well to ensure the florets are evenly coated with the seasoning and oil.
- Grill the cauliflower: Preheat your grill to 375-400°F (190-204°C). Place the pan with cauliflower on the grill and cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cauliflower should become tender and develop a nice char or caramelization on some edges.
- Alternative oven roasting: If you prefer to cook indoors, bake the seasoned cauliflower in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden brown.
- Make the crema sauce: In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, finely minced garlic, salt, and lime juice. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the dish: Once the cauliflower is cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Drizzle the prepared crema sauce generously over the warm cauliflower.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle crumbled Cotija cheese over the top and garnish with chopped cilantro, if using. Serve immediately as a delicious side or light main dish.
Notes
- For a vegan version, substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with plant-based alternatives and omit Cotija cheese or replace with vegan cheese.
- The disposable aluminum pan helps in easy transfer and cleanup when grilling.
- If you don’t have a grill, oven roasting yields great results with similar smoky flavor from the spices.
- Adjust chili powder quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Fresh lime juice in the crema enhances brightness and balances the richness.
- Adding chopped cilantro for garnish adds freshness but can be omitted if desired.
Keywords: Mexican street food, grilled cauliflower, vegetarian, side dish, Cotija cheese, spicy cauliflower, easy summer recipe
