(Note: this post was originally published on September 8, 2019. It has since been updated with new photos and a few tweaks.)
Do you love Mexican-inspired flavors but prefer appetizers that are on the lighter side? If so, this Mexican cauliflower is going to be your new favorite finger food. Inspired by the flavors in a margarita (lime, tequila, and salt), this cauliflower is easy to make, delicious, and light. It's a great appetizer option since it's vegan, grain-free, and friendly for almost any diet (and yes, it can be alcohol-free if you prefer; see the notes below).
This recipe is part of my "Cauliflower is Bar Food" series, in which I create indulgent finger foods with cauliflower. My goal in this series is to provide some veggie-filled, nourishing recipes designed to go alongside cocktails for happy hour. If you're as excited about this as I am, you'll definitely want to check out my Cauliflower Poutine with Vegan Squash Gravy (perfect alongside a whiskey cocktail) and my Furikake Cauliflower (perfect alongside a Mai Tai).
Whether you enjoy this cauliflower appetizer before a meal, for a margarita happy hour, or as a gameday snack, it's one I hope you'll fall in love with. We make it almost every time we make margaritas and it's fabulous!
This cauliflower appetizer is bursting with the three key flavors of a margarita: lime, tequila, and salt. To make it, you'll roast the cauliflower to perfection (see the section below for details). Then, you'll give it a flavorful bath in tequila, lime zest, salt, and pepper, and let that cook off for a few minutes. Finally, you'll give it a big kiss of lime juice after cooking.
Because the cauliflower itself is relatively simple, this is definitely a dish that is enhanced with some fun garnishes. I like to scatter citrus slices throughout the cauliflower for celebrating the margarita vibe and squeezing onto individual portions as desired. I also like to add some freshness with finely chopped cilantro and/or mint as well as some crunch (and that classic margarita saltiness!) with roasted salted pepitas. Top it off with some avocado slices and a sprinkling of chili salt for the perfect healthy Mexican appetizer.
Cauliflower is easy to roast and the resulting flavor is a delight. Something magical happens when you roast this hearty veggie at high temperature; it becomes tender, packed with flavor, and crispy on the edges. It's my preferred way of cooking this cauliflower appetizer so that it feels succulent and indulgent.
To roast cauliflower, you'll start by cutting off the florets. Make sure they're all about the same size so that they cook evenly. Lay them on a well-oiled sheet tray (or conversely, toss them in a dash of oil), ensuring that the florets are in a flat layer with ample breathing room in between. The cauliflower won't brown if it doesn't have contact with the metal, so split it between two sheet trays if needed. Roast at high temperature (450 degrees) for 20-30 minutes until the cauliflower is browned on the edges and tender. After cooking, I suggest tossing the cauliflower in some sort of sauce, dressing, or marinade to keep it moist; for this Mexican cauliflower recipe in particular, you'll use a mixture of tequila and lime juice.
If you have an air-fryer, it's a good option for this recipe if you want to prepare it more quickly. Follow the same steps as in the recipe card, but air-fry it at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Toss it in the tequila and lime zest, then return it to the air fryer for several more minutes to cook off the tequila. Note that you won't be able to fit as much cauliflower into the air-fryer as you will onto a sheet tray, so it might be a better option if you're only making this healthy Mexican appetizer for just a few people.
Not into tequila? No worries, this recipe works fine without it. Instead of drizzling the cauliflower with tequila, just add a splash of water or veggie stock to moisten it and to help the lime zest release its flavor.
Here's what you'll need for this healthy Mexican appetizer recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
I'm so excited to be sharing this healthy Mexican appetizer with you. It's one we make again and again at home because it can become so many things. Of course it's great as a happy hour snack but it's also a wonderful side dish. If you have leftovers, I love adding extras to a burrito bowl or a taco the next day.
My advice? Make this cauliflower appetizer on a Saturday evening when you want to stay in but are craving a going-out vibe. Pair it with some margaritas and guac or salsa for an instant tequila bar vibe. However you serve it, it's an excellent happy hour snack!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
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Inspired by the flavors in a margarita, this cauliflower appetizer is fresh, light, and perfect alongside Mexican fare. Bonus points for enjoying it alongside some margaritas!
For the Cauliflower
For Garnishing
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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