Keto-Friendly Mexican Cauliflower Rice
I LOVE this recipe for Mexican Cauliflower Rice. It honestly tastes and feels like regular rice! You won’t miss any of the carbs. The flavor’s also so delicious: spicy but not overpowering, so it’s perfect to make Mexican bowls.
I love to pair it with grilled chicken, avocado, lettuce, and salsa to make a filling and nutritious lunch or dinner.
It lasts in the refrigerator for around 4 days so it’s a perfect meal prep recipe!
Super Easy Mexican Cauliflower Rice
If you’re looking for a lower-calorie, low-carb stand-in for regular rice, you’re in luck. This Mexican-inspired Cauliflower Rice is a flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with any of your favorite low-carb Mexican dishes, like low-carb taco bowls, a keto taco skillet, lettuce tacos, enchiladas, etc. It would also be great in low-carb stuffed peppers. It’s a delicious way to fit more veggies into your diet!
This recipe uses fresh cauliflower florets that are grated or processed in the food processor. You can, of course, use cauliflower that is already riced. Non-frozen would work best, but if you use frozen, just make sure you get the extra liquid out before adding it to the dish.
The trick to perfectly riced cauliflower is to avoid processing it too much. If it’s overly processed, it’ll get mushy. So, use a grater, or just pulse in the food processor until it resembles the texture of rice.
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is ready in about 20 minutes, so it’s easy to whip up even on a busy night. Since it keeps well in the fridge, you could double or triple this recipe to enjoy it several times over the next few days.
How to Make Mexican-Inspired Riced Cauliflower:
- 2 cups cauliflower florets, raw
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, grated
- 1 Garlic clove, minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 Tsp cumin
- 1/2 Tsp oregano
- 1/2 Tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cilantro
- Grate your cauliflower florets so they resemble rice. Carefully pat dry with a paper towel.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the cauliflower and sauté for 2 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Incorporate tomato paste and spices and mix well cook for 2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and top with chopped cilantro.
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Cauliflower Mexican Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Cups cauliflower florets raw
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 Cup onion grated
- 1 Garlic clove minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 Tsp cumin
- 1/2 Tsp oregano
- 1/2 Tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Grate your cauliflower florets so they resemble rice. Carefully pat dry with a paper towel.
- Heat the olive oil in a. skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the cauliflower and sauté for 2 minutes or until slightly golden.
- Incorporate tomato paste and spices and mix well cook for 2 more minutes.
- Remove from heat and top with chopped cilantro.
Is cauliflower rice good for you?
Cauliflower rice is a low calorie, high fiber food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s naturally gluten free, lower in carbs and Net Carbs than both white rice and brown rice.
Is cauliflower rice better than white rice?
Cauliflower rice is not diet food, but it may be better in some situations for people who are trying to lose weight or reduce their carbohydrate intake. It is also healthier for people with diabetes since white rice has more sugar and can cause blood glucose levels to spike. However, cauliflower rice can be enjoyed as just another way to get in your vegetables. You don’t have to be on any particular diet plan to make healthier swaps in your meals.
Why does cauliflower rice smell so bad?
Cauliflower is not known to have strong smelling sulfur compounds; it generally has low odor, unnoticeable when raw. It’s only once the cauliflower has been fried or cooked that the smell suddenly becomes much more detectable.
One possible solution that can minimize this reaction is adding small amounts of acid like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your cooking water or sauce before you cook it, as these acids will help neutralize any potential odors.
How do you make frozen cauliflower rice not soggy?
Frozen cauliflower rice gets soggy because cauliflower rice is very high in water content. So before cooking it, you need to drain out the excess liquid by pressing it with a clean kitchen towel or allowing some of the moisture to escape by leaving the uncooked riced cauliflower sitting on paper towels for 10 minutes or so.
If you enjoyed this keto-friendly recipe for cauliflower rice, check out these other keto and low-carb recipes while you’re here:
- Keto Zucchini Mac and Cheese
- Keto Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Keto Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- Low Carb Baked Fish Recipes
And here are a few more yummy cauliflower recipes to try!