Cauliflower rice is an easy-to-make, low-carb, and keto-friendly rice that is light and fluffy and perfect for meal prep or a weight-loss diet. This riced cauliflower can be added as a side to your bowl, stir-fries, burritos, and more, as an alternative to regular white or brown rice.
Why will you love this recipe?
- This cauliflower dish is keto, gluten-free, paleo, vegan (dairy-free), and vegetarian.
- It is one of the best ways to include more vegetables in your diet. You can even add broccoli, carrots, beans, corn, green peas, etc., along with the cauliflower.
- Simple and easy to make, ready in less than 20 minutes.
While you are here, check out our healthy low-carb jicama fries and roasted sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
Cauliflower: Store-bought (fresh or frozen) cauliflower rice can be used or make your own. It's very easy, and instructions are given below.
Butter: Adds rich flavor. But for a vegan diet, use any preferred cooking oil.
Onion and garlic add a delicious flavor to your rice.
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Tomato paste: sauce or ketchup for a hint of sweetness and tanginess.
Herbs like cilantro and spring onions add freshness to the dish.
Lemon juice: Adds a bright flavor to the dish.
Check out the recipe card for the full list of ingredients.
How to prepare cauliflower rice from scratch at home?
- First, cut the cauliflower into florets, discarding any green leaves and stalks.
You can make this rice in two ways at home: with and without a food processor.
- Use a grater that you use to shred cheese blocks.
- Use a food processor -We need small pieces or bits of cauliflower that resemble rice.
- Rice cauliflower is available in the freezer section in most grocery stores these days.
The following recipe is close to Mexican-style rice or Chipotle's cauliflower cilantro lime rice.
How to make cauliflower rice?
- In a pan on medium heat, add oil or butter. Once melted, add cumin seeds and saute for a few seconds.
- To this, add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent—about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Next, add tomato ketchup or sauce, red chile powder, salt to taste, water, and mix well. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add grated rice cauliflower and mix. Cover and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes.
- Open the lid, squeeze the juice of half a lime or lemon, mix, and continue to cook for 3 to 4 more minutes until tender and all the moisture has evaporated.
- Finally, garnish it with cilantro and/or spring onions and switch off the flame.
Tips
- I have used some of my favorite spices.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes or black pepper powder for extra heat.
- Combine vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and beans to make it more nutritious.
- I generally grate cauliflower in a grater. If you are using a food processor, process until the mixture turns into bits or granules. Else, it may become mushy.
- Use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for additional flavor.
- Don't overcook. It can turn mushy.
Recipe FAQs
Raw cauliflower rice - Raw rice smells unpleasant when kept in the fridge for a day or 2. Either use it immediately or freeze it for later use as needed.
Cooked cauliflower rice - You can keep this in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Rice cauliflower is low in carbs and calories, making it a nutritious substitute for rice. It also helps reduce inflammation and boost weight loss.
Use it in stir-fries, fried rice, biryanis, pulao, or while making burritos, salad bowls, etc.
More keto recipes
Recipe card
Easy Cauliflower Rice Recipe | Low-Carb and Keto Friendly
Equipment
- Pan and Grater
Ingredients
- 1 medium Cauliflower , grated or processed into bits, 3 cups
- 1 tablespoon Oil or Butter
- 1 Dry red chili (broken/crushed), optional
- ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
- 6 to 8 clove Garlic , finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Tomato paste ,sauce or ketchup
- ½ teaspoon Red chile powder or Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Juice of Lemon (about ½ lemon)
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro or coriander leaves
- 2 tablespoon Spring onion or Green onions
Instructions
How to prepare cauliflower rice from scratch at home?
- First, cut the cauliflower into florets, discarding any green leaves and stalks.1 medium Cauliflower
- You can make this rice in two ways at home: (with and without a food processor)
- Use a grater that you use to shred cheese blocks.
- Use a food processor -We need small pieces or bits of cauliflower that resemble rice.
- Rice cauliflower is available in the freezer section in most grocery stores these days.
- The following recipe is close to Mexican-style rice or Chipotle's cauliflower cilantro lime rice.
How to make cauliflower rice?
- In a pan on medium heat, add oil or butter. Once melted, add cumin seeds and saute for a few seconds. To this add red chilie and saute for few seconds.1 tbsp Oil, ½ tsp Cumin seeds, 1 Dry red chili
- Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent—about 4 to 5 minutes.1 medium Onion, 6 to 8 clove Garlic
- Next, add tomato ketchup or sauce, red chile powder, salt to taste, water, and mix well. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.2 tbsp Tomato paste, ½ tsp Red chile powder, ½ tsp Salt, ¼ cup Water
- Add grated rice cauliflower and mix. Cover and cook on a medium flame for 3 minutes.
- Open the lid, squeeze the juice of half a lime or lemon, mix, and continue to cook for 3 to 4 more minutes until tender and all the moisture has evaporated.1 tbsp Juice of Lemon
- Finally, garnish it with cilantro and/or spring onions and switch off the flame.2 tbsp Cilantro, 2 tbsp Spring onion
Video
Notes
- I have used some of my favorite spices.
- Feel free to add red pepper flakes or black pepper powder for extra heat.
- Combine vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and beans to make it more nutritious.
- I generally grate cauliflower in a grater. If you are using a food processor, process until the mixture turns into bits or granules. Else, it may become mushy.
- Use vegetable or chicken broth instead of water for additional flavor.
- Don't overcook. it can turn mushy.
Nutrition
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Note: We originally posted this best cauliflower rice recipe in Nov 2021. It has now been modified in July 2025 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.
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