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Mexican Street Cauliflower (Elote) Recipe

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3.9 from 15 reviews

This Mexican Street Cauliflower (Elote-style) recipe transforms grilled cauliflower steaks into a flavorful dish inspired by traditional Mexican street corn. Charred on the grill and topped with creamy mayonnaise, zesty chili powder, salty cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime, this dish delivers vibrant, smoky flavors perfect as a vegetarian appetizer or side.

Ingredients

Cauliflower Steaks

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon mild tasting oil (such as canola or vegetable oil)

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
  • 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill to medium heat to ensure it’s ready for grilling the cauliflower steaks.
  2. Prepare Cauliflower: Remove the leaves and trim the bottom of the cauliflower stem so the head can stand upright on your cutting board.
  3. Slice Cauliflower Steaks: Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the rounded edges on two sides of the cauliflower head, then cut it into four thick steaks.
  4. Oil the Steaks: Brush each side of the cauliflower steaks evenly with the mild tasting oil to prevent sticking and enhance charring.
  5. Grill First Side: Place the steaks over direct heat on the grill and cover, grilling for 5-6 minutes until the cauliflower begins to develop a char.
  6. Flip and Grill Second Side: Flip the steaks, cover again, and grill for another 5-6 minutes until nicely charred on both sides.
  7. Check Tenderness: Test the cauliflower with a fork for tenderness. If you prefer softer steaks, move them to indirect heat, cover, and grill for an additional 10 minutes or until the desired softness is reached.
  8. Add Toppings: Remove the cauliflower from the grill and brush each steak generously with mayonnaise.
  9. Sprinkle Seasonings: Sprinkle chili powder evenly over the mayo-covered steaks, then top with crumbled cotija cheese and chopped fresh cilantro.
  10. Serve with Lime: Squeeze fresh lime juice over each steak before serving for the perfect tangy finish. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Use a mild oil like canola or vegetable to avoid overpowering the cauliflower’s natural flavor.
  • Cotija cheese can be substituted with feta or parmesan if cotija isn’t available.
  • Adjust chili powder amount to taste for desired heat.
  • Grilling times may vary depending on grill temperature and cauliflower thickness; use a fork to check doneness.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan by substituting mayonnaise with a vegan alternative and omitting cheese or using a vegan cheese substitute.

Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/mexican-street-cauliflower-elote-recipe/