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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower {Low-carb Elote Recipe}

    UPDATED Mar 11, 2020 · PUBLISHED Mar 11, 2020 BY Marjory Pilley · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Street Style Mexican Cauliflower Pin

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower is a low-carb alternative to elote in a cup. Both are delicious and addictive side dishes. But, you can enjoy twice as much of the cauliflower version! It's easy to do when you start with a bag of frozen florets!

    Mexican Cauliflower recipe in a glass bowl.

    If the thought of NOT having Mexican Street Corn is just too much to bear because you're eating keto, then this recipe is for you! 

    In this remake, charred cauliflower is coated with a creamy, spicy sauce then topped with Cotija or feta cheese and garnish. 

    It's another recipe that's hard to name! I'm pretty sure it's not offered for sale on the streets of Mexico. It should be though. There's no reason that this veggie shouldn't be doctored up so it's irresistible!

    Jump to:
    • Roasting Tips
    • Crema sauce
    • Serving ideas
    • More Cauliflower Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    Roasting Tips

    The main ingredient is browned and caramelized cauliflower florets. We used a bag of frozen cauliflower from the grocery store. Just like roasted cauliflower rice from frozen, it's such a time saver!!!

    Use an air fryer or the oven to roast it! My rule of thumb? Cooking for a crowd, go the oven route. Need a quick side for dinner? Use the air fryer if you have one!

    Either way, follow these tips for roasting frozen cauliflower:

    • Do NOT defrost first.
    • Use your hands to rub olive oil into the nooks and crannies of each piece. 
    • Roast at a high heat (450°F oven and 390°F air fryer) so the florets go from frozen to cooked quickly.
    • Flip cauliflower pieces in the oven once or frequently shake the basket in an air fryer so that all sides touch the surface and brown.

    It can also be grilled (see how to grill cauliflower by A Couple Cooks.) It just can't be a soggy mess cooked in the microwave! 

    And, of course fresh cauliflower is delicious too!

    Roasted cauliflower florets on a sheet pan.

    Crema sauce

    In the traditional recipe, corn is slathered with mayonnaise and then sprinkled with spices like chili powder and Mexican cheese.

    For the cauliflower version, a creamy mixture is made by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic and cayenne pepper. 

    Make ahead tip: Make the sauce a couple of days ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until serving time.

    Crema sauce being poured over cauliflower in glass bowl

    Serving ideas

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower is best enjoyed right away! Serve it as a side dish, in a cup or with toothpicks for a fun appetizer.

    Cheese options - Cotija, feta or Parmesan cheese

    Garnish options - cilantro and parsley

    Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream which will up the protein too.

    Elote cauliflower on plate with limes and cilantro in background

    More Cauliflower Recipes

    • Parmesan Cauliflower Bites
    • Cauliflower Muffins
    • Frozen Cauliflower Rice Recipes

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We LOVE to see and share your creations!

    📋 Recipe

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower in a glass bowl

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower

    Mexican Street Style Cauliflower is a low-carb alternative to elote. It's delicious, addictive and VERY easy to make this side dish when you start with a bag of frozen cauliflower.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 204kcal
    Author: Marjory Pilley

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces cauliflower florets frozen or fresh; Do NOT defrost if using frozen
    • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
    • ¼ cup Sour cream or Greek yogurt
    • 1 Tablespoon Lime juice
    • 2 Garlic cloves pressed
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
    • ½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled or Cotija cheese or Parmesan cheese
    • Chopped cilantro or parsley optional garnish
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Roast cauliflower in an air fryer or oven. If using frozen cauliflower DO NOT defrost first.
    • Preheat air fryer to 390 °F or oven to 450 °F.
    • Use hands to coat the nooks and crannies of the cauliflower florets with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Cook for about 20 minutes shaking the air fryer basket or flipping on the sheet pan halfway through.
    • While the cauliflower is roasting, make the sauce. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, garlic and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
    • Add cooked cauliflower to serving bowl and toss with sauce.
    • Fold in feta cheese.
    • Sprinkle with garnish, if using, and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. If using fresh cauliflower florets, it will shave about 5 minutes off of the cooking time.
    2. Mexican Street Style Cauliflower is best enjoyed right away! Serve it as a side dish, in a cup or with toothpicks for a fun appetizer.
    3. Cheese options - Cotija, feta or Parmesan cheese
    4. Garnish options - cilantro and parsley
    5. Greek yogurt can be used instead of sour cream which will up the protein too.
    6. Make ahead tip: Make the sauce a couple of days ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until serving time.
    Grab 5 Low-Carb Saucesand get more easy, healthy recipes! JOIN HERE

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 56mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 1mg
    Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

    More Side Dish Recipes

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    • Cook Whole Butternut Squash {Crock-Pot}
    • What to Serve With Chicken Salad: 15 Healthy Side Dishes
    • Sautéed Baby Carrots with Garlic
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sophie Heath

      March 11, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      I'm obsessed with cauliflower and this recipe is BOMB! So good and delicious and got 10/10 from the kids!

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        March 11, 2020 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks so much for your feedback. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Jill

      January 08, 2021 at 11:16 pm

      5 stars
      My sister made this for me and I had to have the recipe! She shared your link with me. Going to make this for my family. Can’t wait for them to taste it!!

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        January 09, 2021 at 8:51 am

        I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply

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