This Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch is a flavor-packed vegan recipe that is piled high with healthy ingredients. It includes fresh veggies, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, protein-packed black beans, & buffalo roasted cauliflower florets all coated in dairy-free cilantro lime ranch. Perfect for an easy dinner or meal prep option!

Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch in a bowl topped with avocado, fresh cilantro, cabbage, kale, spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños, black beans, and lime slices with a fork in it, sitting on a white marble counter with a fork in it.

Mega-flavorful at every bite, this Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch is truly mouthwatering.

Between the bold buffalo cauliflower florets & the tangy cilantro lime ranch, your palate will be well satisfied. And while you could enjoy a big batch of the florets with the dairy-free ranch alone, the salad transformation levels up the heartiness, flavors, & nutrition.

Unquestionably this mashup will be a weekly go-to!

Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Cauliflower Salad

Bold & Healthy: It’s not your average salad, as each bite is full of yummy flavors.
Simple to Make: Ready in about 30 minutes & straightforward to prepare.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch stores well in the fridge, making it the ultimate vegan recipe to meal prep for healthy dinners throughout the week.

Vegan Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch in a bowl topped with avocado, fresh cilantro, cabbage, kale, spinach, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, red onion, black beans, and lime slices with a fork in it, sitting on a white marble counter with a fork in it.

Ingredients

Organic Black Beans: Full of healthy fats & plant-based protein.
Organic Cauliflower Florets: Fresh or frozen will do.
Organic Hot Sauce: I love Erewhon Original Hot Sauce, as it’s made with clean organic ingredients & not too spicy.
Organic Greens: Spinach, kale, arugula, or any combination will do for the base!
Organic Additions: Red onion, cabbage, cherry tomatoes, & jalapeños to elevate the freshness!
Organic Avocado: Diced up for some healthy fats.
Organic Cilantro Lime Ranch: Homemade, vegan, & perfectly tangy. It’s the perfect condiment to drizzle over the salad.
Organic Seasonings: Organic garlic powder, sea salt & black pepper.
Organic Macadamia Nut Oil: This is my favorite oil to use for the homemade buffalo sauce. Not only can it withstand high-heat temperatures, but it also has a rich, buttery flavor without being too overpowering.

How to Make

Buffalo Sauce. In a bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients together.
Cauliflower. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F & line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Add the cauliflower florets & toss with the buffalo sauce. Transfer to the oven & roast for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Cilantro Lime Ranch. Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth & creamy. If needed, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve your desired consistency.
Assemble. Divide the fresh greens, veggies, & avocado between bowls. Top with the warm black beans & buffalo cauliflower florets. Pair with the cilantro lime ranch & garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower on a sheet pan.

Tips for Making This Southwest Salad Recipe Perfectly

Organic Macadamia Nut Oil: This is my favorite oil to use for the homemade buffalo sauce. Not only can it withstand high-heat temperatures, but it also has a rich, buttery flavor without being too overpowering.
Organic Hot Sauce: I love Erewhon Original Hot Sauce, as it’s made with clean organic ingredients & not too spicy. (You can order it too).
Organic Coconut Yogurt: Be sure to use a plain flavor as well as a clean brand. Check out this Coconut Yogurt 101 post for tips, brands, & everything you need to know about the dairy-free alternative.

Storing & Reheating

This Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch is the perfect vegan recipe for healthy leftovers & meal prep!

Storing. Transfer ingredients to separate airtight glass containers & refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Reheating. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the black beans & cauliflower florets to an oven-safe bowl. Place in the oven for about 10–15 minutes, until warmed through. To serve, pair with the remaining salad ingredients.

Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch Recipe in a bowl topped with avocado, red onion, fresh cilantro, cabbage, kale, spinach, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, black beans, and lime slices with a fork in it, sitting on a white marble counter with a fork in it.

More Healthy Vegan Salad Recipes You’ll Love

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If you make this Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch recipe, please leave a review & rating below. I love hearing from you, & it helps others learn more about the blog as well. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.

Southwest Buffalo Cauliflower Salad with Cilantro Lime Ranch

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Author: Christin Gillespie
Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 20
Total Time: 30
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Salad
Method: 4
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Vegan

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Description

Ingredients

Scale

Always opt for organic ingredients.

BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER

4 cups cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen
¼ cup hot sauce
2 tbsp macadamia nut oil
½ tsp garlic powder
Sea salt & black pepper, to taste

CILANTRO LIME RANCH

½ cup plain coconut yogurt
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
½ cup fresh cilantro
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
2 tbsp spring water, plus more to thin

SALAD

1 (15-oz) can black beans, warmed
Fresh greens of choice
1 cup cabbage, shredded
½ red onion, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Jalapeños, sliced
Avocado(s)
Fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Buffalo Sauce. In a bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients together.
Cauliflower. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F & line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Add the cauliflower florets & toss with the buffalo sauce. Transfer to the oven & roast for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Cilantro Lime Ranch. Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth & creamy. If needed, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve your desired consistency.
Assemble. Divide the fresh greens, veggies, & avocado between bowls. Top with the warm black beans & buffalo cauliflower florets. Pair with the cilantro lime ranch & garnish with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Notes

Organic Macadamia Nut Oil: This is my favorite oil to use for the homemade buffalo sauce. Not only can it withstand high-heat temperatures, but it also has a rich, buttery flavor without being too overpowering.

Organic Hot Sauce: I love Erewhon Original Hot Sauce, as it’s made with clean organic ingredients & not too spicy. (You can order it too).

Organic Coconut Yogurt: Be sure to use a plain flavor as well as a clean brand. Check out this Coconut Yogurt 101 post for tips, brands, & everything you need to know about the dairy-free alternative.

Storing & Reheating: Transfer ingredients to separate airtight glass containers & refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the black beans & cauliflower florets to an oven-safe bowl. Place in the oven for about 10–15 minutes, until warmed through. To serve, pair with the remaining salad ingredients.