Best Barbacoa Cauliflower Tacos Recipes

GRILLED BEEF BARBACOA TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for indirect and direct cooking at medium heat. For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners down to medium. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Halve the onions through the root and peel. Cut one half into two wedges. Slice the remaining onion half into 1/8-inch half-moons and reserve for pickling. Drizzle the tomato halves and onion wedges with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomato and onion wedges on the hot side of the grill, covered, until dark grill marks appear, about 5 minutes per side.
• Place the grilled tomato and onion in a food processor, along with the 1/4 cup vegetable oil, chopped cilantro, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cumin, oregano, garlic, chipotle peppers, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and add the beef chunks. Toss to coat.
• Lay out a large double-layered sheet of extra-wide heavy-duty foil. Put the beef in the center. (If using regular-width foil, divide the beef into 2 foil packets.) Bring the short ends of the foil together and fold twice to seal; fold in the other sides to seal, leaving room for steam. Place on the indirect side of the grill and cover. Cook until the meat is tender and shreddable, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 3/4 cup water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When the liquid comes to a boil, stir in the reserved sliced onions and turn off the heat. Let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Shred the beef and return to the sauce; toss well to coat. Serve with warm grilled tortillas, pickled red onions, and other desired toppings.

BARBACOA CAULIFLOWER TACOS

Steps:

• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a glass mixing bowl, stir together the vegetable oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. In a large stainless-steel mixing bowl, pour the combined seasonings over the cauliflower florets. Toss together. Spread out evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until slightly browned and crisp, about 25 minutes.
• For the tomatillo avocado salsa: In a small saucepan, add the tomatillos and jalapeno to boiling water, then boil for about 10 minutes. Drain, then transfer it to a food processor. Add the cilantro, avocado, garlic, salt to taste and pepper. Puree, then adjust salt as needed.
• For the slaw: Combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, lime juice, salt, pepper and olive oil in a mixing bowl and mix to incorporate. Shave the cabbage using a mandoline and drop into the vinaigrette; mix to incorporate.
• For the tortillas: Take 4 tortillas and dip them into your favorite red enchilada sauce. Place the coated tortillas in a well-oiled cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the tortillas are crispy and have a red tint, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• To serve: Place the slaw in a line down the center of each tortilla (divide the slaw evenly). Evenly distribute the cauliflower filling into each tortilla. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the salsa across the top of each taco. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of crumbled Cotija cheese onto each taco.

CRISPY CAULIFLOWER TACOS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Toss cauliflower with olive oil, both chili powders, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cauliflower is tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, onion, capers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper for pico in one bowl. Combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper for aioli in another bowl. Place both bowls in the fridge to let flavors blend until everything else is ready.
• Heat about 1 inch oil in a small pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Pat shallots dry with a paper towel, then lower into the oil; fry until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Remove oil from the pan and wipe dry. Toast tortillas if desired by heating in the pan over medium heat for 30 seconds per side.
• Spoon aioli onto tortillas. Add cauliflower, pico, and shallots. Top with Parmesan cheese.