Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (2024)

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By Jamie Vespa

on May 12, 2023 Updated Apr 04, 2024

5 from 5 votes

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Chili-Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos topped with a refreshing mango salsa. These vegan cauliflower tacos are packed with feel-good, flavorful ingredients.

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (2)

Table of Contents

  • Why You’ll Love these Vegan Cauliflower Tacos
  • The Ingredients
  • Substitutions/Additions:
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions:
  • More Vegan Taco Recipes to Try:
  • Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) Recipe

Why You’ll Love these Vegan Cauliflower Tacos

Crispy and boldly spiced, these tacos are a vegetarian dream dinner that meat eaters will also happily devour.

Thanks to protein-packed chickpeas and fiber-rich veggies, this hearty, healthy meal will leave you feeling full and fueled.

I love making cauliflower the star ingredient of vegetarian dishes. When properly prepared, it becomes downright crave-worthy, like in these Teriyaki Cauliflower Bowls and Cauliflower Shawarma Bowls.

These tacos offer an assortment of textures and flavors, plus a little kick of spice – everything that makes a taco so beloved.

The sweet, refreshing mango salsa is the perfect counter to the spice of the taco seasoning. Feel free to also garnish each taco with a dollop of yogurt or spritz of lime juice.

And if you’re looking for more vegan taco recipes, check out my Butternut Squash Tacos and zesty Quinoa Tacos next.

The Ingredients

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (3)
  • Cauliflower: You need onemedium headof cauliflower, which should amount to6 to 7 cupsof florets. Cauliflower is a great low-calorie, goes-with-everything veggie
  • Chickpeas: For a one-two punch of protein and fiber, chickpeas are roasted alongside the cauliflower florets.
  • Spices: A mix of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika makes the tacos robust and smoky.
  • Mango: You need1 cupof fresh cut mango, which amounts to 1 medium mango. Just make your mango is sufficiently ripe, which makes the slicing and dicing infinitely easier.
  • Bell Pepper: I prefer usingred bell pepperfor the salsa, however you can also use yellow or orange.
  • Jalapeño: Make sure you remove the seeds and ribs to reduce the spice.
  • Cilantro: Chopped fresh cilantro does double duty in the mango salsa and as a garnish.
  • Lime: For freshness and a little acidity to cut through the sweetness of the mango.
  • Tortillas: You can use flour, corn, or any gluten-free tortilla you like. Just make sure you warm the tortillas in a pan or over a gas flame.

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (4)

Substitutions/Additions:

  • Skip the tortilla! Try serving the roasted cauliflower and crispy chickpeas over a bed of arugula or quinoa with your choice of toppings for a healthy vegetarian taco bowl.
  • Add Sauce: The green tahini sauce is these BBQ Cauliflower Tacos is a fan favorite.
  • Add Avocado: The Avocado-Mango Salsa on these Chipotle Shrimp Tacos would be incredible on vegan cauliflower tacos.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare cauliflower and chickpeas by tossing them in oil and spices, and arranging on a baking sheet.

Step 2: Roast cauliflower and chickpeas at 425ºF for 30 to 35 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until crisp.

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (5)

Step 3: Prepare mango salsa by combining mango, bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice in a bowl. Season with salt and toss to combine.

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (6)

Step 4: Assemble tacos by warming your tortillas and filling with cauliflower and chickpea mixture, a scoop of mango salsa, and a dollop of yogurt (if desired).

Recipe FAQs

How to Store:

Store cauliflower mixture and mango salsa in separate airtight containers for up to 5 days. The chickpeas will become softer as the filling sits.

When ready to reheat, warm the cauliflower mixture in the microwave or in a 350ºF oven until warm.

Can I Prepare these Tacos in Advance?

The filling tastes best right out of the oven (the chickpeas lose some crispness as they sit). To get ahead, chop the cauliflower up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate. The chickpeas can be drained in advance and left out to dry until ready to bake.

What Can I Substitute for Cauliflower?

The neutral flavor of cauliflower works best here, however you can also use diced butternut squash or sweet potatoes. Mushrooms can also be substituted, however I suggest sautéing them instead of roasting.

Serving Suggestions:

I love serving these vegan cauliflower tacos alongside a salad. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Moroccan Butternut Squash Salad: Gluten free, rich in key nutrients, and the perfect alchemy of sweetness and spice.
  • Shish*to and Corn Salad: Easy to make and always a crowd pleaser!
  • Mexican Brussels Sprouts Salad: The creamy tomatillo dressing can double as a sauce for the tacos!
Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (7)

More Vegan Taco Recipes to Try:

  • 30 Minute Lentil and Mushroom Tacos
  • Al Pastor Chickpea Tacos
  • Zesty Quinoa Tacos with Cilantro Sauce
  • Vegan Chorizo Tacos

If you give this recipe a try, be sure to snap a pic and tag#dishingouthealthon Instagram so I can see your creations. Also, follow along onFacebookandPinterestfor the latest recipe updates!

5 from 5 votes

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan)

By Jamie Vespa MS, RD

Chili-Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpea Tacos topped with a refreshing mango salsa. These vegan cauliflower tacos are packed with feel-good, flavorful ingredients.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Large rimmed baking sheet

  • Mixing bowls

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets (about 6 to 7 cups)
  • 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 8 corn or flour tortillas, warmed
  • Optional Lime Crema: sour cream or plain full-fat Greek yogurt mixed with a spritz of fresh lime juice.

Mango Salsa

  • 1 cup fresh diced mango
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh jalapeño (seeds and ribs removed) optional
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425ºF. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt; mix to combine. Add cauliflower florets and chickpeas and toss to coat in oil and spices. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet, avoiding any overlap.

    Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until chickpeas are crisp and cauliflower is caramelized.

  • Meanwhile, prepare mango salsa by combining all ingredients in a medium bowl; stir to combine. Let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.

  • Fill each warm tortilla with cauliflower and chickpea mixture, and top with mango salsa. If desired, add a dollop of yogurt or drizzle of your favorite sauce.

Notes

*I love adding a creamy component to these tacos, such as dollop of Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt if making vegan) or drizzle of my Green Tahini Sauce.

*You can also skip the tortilla and serve the cauliflower and chickpea mixture over a bed of quinoa topped with the mango salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tacos | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Sodium: 690mg | Fiber: 8.5g | Sugar: 11g

I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and review below!

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Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa (Vegan) (2024)
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