Cauliflower Elote (Printable)
Roasted cauliflower coated in smoky, creamy sauce and topped with cotija, cilantro, and lime.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Elote Sauce
03 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
04 - 1/4 cup sour cream
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Toppings
10 - 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 1 teaspoon chili powder for garnish
13 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss cauliflower florets with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until florets are golden and tender.
04 - While cauliflower roasts, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, lime juice, and salt in a large bowl.
05 - Add the hot roasted cauliflower to the bowl with the elote sauce and toss until well coated.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with cotija cheese, cilantro, and extra chili powder.
07 - Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce alone is worth keeping in your refrigerator forever
- Roasting cauliflower transforms it into something people actually get excited about eating
- Everything comes together in under an hour with zero special equipment
02 -
- Hot cauliflower absorbs the sauce better than room temperature pieces so work quickly after roasting
- Overcrowding the baking sheet is how you end up with steamed cauliflower instead of roasted
- The sauce keeps for a week in the refrigerator and makes everything taste better
03 -
- Cut your cauliflower into uniform pieces so everything finishes cooking at the same time
- Let the roasted cauliflower sit in the sauce for five minutes before serving for maximum flavor absorption