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Grilled Mexican Street Cauliflower Bites Recipe

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4.2 from 72 reviews

These Grilled Mexican Street Cauliflower Bites are a delicious vegetarian twist on the classic Mexican street corn. Tender par-cooked cauliflower pieces are tossed in a creamy, tangy lime-mayo sauce, sprinkled with chili spices, and topped with salty cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or side dish, this recipe captures all the smoky, spicy notes of traditional street corn with a satisfying cauliflower crunch.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Cauliflower

  • 1 Head Cauliflower
  • 2 TBS Avocado Oil

Sauce

  • ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ Cup Sour Cream
  • 2 TBS Lime Juice

Spices & Toppings

  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ Cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese
  • ½ Cup Chopped Cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cauliflower: Cut the head of cauliflower into approximately 1-inch pieces, ensuring evenly sized chunks for uniform cooking.
  2. Par-Cook Cauliflower: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the cauliflower pieces and boil for 5 minutes to soften the interior while avoiding overcooking.
  3. Dry Cauliflower: Remove cauliflower from boiling water and place on paper towels to pat dry, preventing excess moisture that could hinder grilling.
  4. Preheat Grill or Oven: Preheat your grill or grill pan on medium-high heat for traditional grilling. Alternatively, preheat your oven to 425°F if you prefer baking.
  5. Toss with Oil: Coat the par-cooked cauliflower pieces evenly with avocado oil to promote caramelization during grilling or baking.
  6. Cook Cauliflower: Grill cauliflower pieces for 8-10 minutes per side until charred and caramelized. If baking, spread pieces on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  7. Make Sauce: While cauliflower cooks, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice in a bowl. In a separate small bowl, mix chili powder, salt, paprika, and garlic powder.
  8. Toss with Sauce and Spices: When cauliflower is cooked, toss the pieces in the creamy lime sauce until well coated, then sprinkle with the prepared spice mixture evenly.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Top the sauced cauliflower bites with crumbled cotija cheese and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors.

Notes

  • Why par-cook the cauliflower? Par-cooking by boiling ensures the cauliflower cooks through without burning on the grill, preventing an undercooked center while achieving a perfect char.
  • Grilling vs. Oven Cooking: Traditional Mexican street corn is grilled for smoky flavor, but baking is an excellent indoor alternative that still crisps the cauliflower nicely.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/grilled-mexican-street-cauliflower-bites-recipe/