Light and fluffy basic Cauliflower Rice recipe used to make delicious gluten-free and low carb sides, risotto, fried rice, salads, soups, burrito bowls, sushi and more! Step-by-step video guide on how to make cauliflower rice using a box grater plus 16 recipes that include cauliflower rice.
The new year started for me with insane amount of food and a stomach flu, so healthy eating is my top priority at the moment.
I’m a proponent of a long-term solution to losing weight and getting fit.
I will take a moment to write about „quick fixes” and why you should NOT do them.
After indulgent eating during holidays (hello Thanksgiving and Christmas!) many of us are thinking about detox, various cleansing programs and restrictive diet.
While it’s tempting to get the result you want in a short period of time, it might be dangerous for your body in the long run. You can’t wash away your dietary sins with a glass of magic detox smoothie. It simply doesn’t work that way.
Don’t get too excited about losing a few pounds after detoxing, because you’ll get them back when you get back to your regular diet.
The reason you might lose a few pounds during detoxing is that you body gets rid of excessive liquid and the overall calorie intake is less than usual. Therefore, the body will learn to store your energy resources (fat) better, when you try to lose weight next time.
Your body will rather lose muscles than fat, making it harder for you every time to stay fit. That is why healthy does not equal weight loss.
You don’t need detox because your body can detox itself. That’s the reason we have liver and kidneys (in addition to lungs and colon).
These organs filter harmful substances and unless you have serious poisoning, they can do it pretty efficiently.
Removing certain food groups from your diet can be dangerous for your body.
We need fat, we need carbs, we need protein. Just make sure you cut off junk food, sugary drinks, eat less processed foods and more fiber-rich seasonal vegetables and fruits, whole grains, drink plenty of water and do exercise.
You’ve heard about this before, didn’t you?
You don’t need diets, cleansing and detoxing programs. You don’t need to be fooled by marketers.
There is no evidence in nutritional science that detoxing is beneficial to your body. There is no evidence that toxins exist either!
Otherwise, you could measure the amount of toxins in human body before and after detoxing, proving its effectiveness.
All you need to stay fir is maintain a healthy lifestyle. As easy and obvious as it is.
Get enough sleep, be active, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet and you’ll see yourself bursting with energy, fit and healthy.
I’m not saying that you can’t have an occasional chocolate fudge bar once in a while. Or that you should not eat your birthday cake. It’s totally fine to indulge yourself from time to time if your overall diet and lifestyle are healthy.
What I found great in following a consistent healthy diet is the idea that it doesn’t have to be bland and unappetizing. If you follow my blog, you know that eating healthy is fun.
I like to create delicious recipes using mostly plant-based ingredients. Sometimes you need a few spices and a bunch of herbs to make your recipe shine.
Why Make Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice is a healthier alternative to white rice that tastes great.
Moreover, it’s so versatile: use it as a side dish, as a base for cauliflower fried rice, serve it with curry stir fry, as a salad, soup, risotto or even incorporate it into burrito bowls or sushi rolls!
You’ll find 16 recipes below to choose from!
Quick dinner side, stand-alone flavorful meal or a base for creative appetizers and salads.
The best thing: it’s easy to make and it takes less time to cook than normal rice.
I’m not saying that you should only eat cauliflower rice instead of white (or brown) rice from now on, but once in a while it’s a great substitute to “real” rice.
Cauliflower used to be one of my least favorite vegetables. It turned out, the way you cook it determines how tasty it is. Please, don’t boil it and serve bland.
Silky vegan cauliflower soup, cauliflower risotto with pears and blue cheese, vegan cauliflower stew with broccoli, chick peas and kale made me fall in love with cauliflower and it’s for life.
Cauliflower is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables out there. It contains high amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants and dietary fiber.
How To Make Cauliflower Rice Without a Food Processor
One way to make cauliflower rice is to use a food processor to chop the cauliflower.
Another way is to use a box grater. It’s a very easy method that also ensures that all the „rice” pieces are the same size.
If you want to protect your hands during grating (or chopping), a great way to do so is to use cut resistant gloves.
Discard the leaves and cut a medium-sized cauliflower head in quarters and grate each of them using a box grater with medium holes.
Heat a lug of olive oil in a large skillet. Sautée minced garlic until golden. Add cauliflower rice, stir and cover with a lid.
Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Add chopped parsley (optional), salt, black pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Enjoy!
You’ll find the full recipe on the bottom of this post.
Cauliflower Rice Recipes
1. Vegetarian Red Curry Stir Fry by Happy Kitchen.Rocks
Easy and wholesome Vegetarian Red Curry Stir Fry Recipe makes for a nutritious weeknight dinner ready in just 30 minutes! It’s also vegan, gluten free and paleo, not to mention flavorful and easy to make!
2. Creamy Cauliflower Garlic Rice by Pinch of Yum
This creamy cauliflower garlic rice is simple, healthy, and so surprisingly good.
3. Healthy Cauliflower Fried “Rice” by Eat Yourself Skinny
Healthy makeover of an all-time favorite dinner meal.
4. Cauliflower Risotto with Caramelized Pears, Blue Cheese and Walnuts by Happy Kitchen.Rocks
Cauliflower Risotto with Caramelized Pears, Blue Cheese and Walnuts: A healthy and gluten-free makeover of a traditional risotto packed with flavor! Easy 30-minute step-by-step recipe.
5. Fiesta Cauliflower Rice Salad by Destination Delish
A fluffy cauliflower rice salad packed with colorful veggies and tossed in a tangy citrus dressing. Enjoy this as a healthy side dish or light lunch!
6. Curried Cauliflower Rice Kale Soup {Paleo, Vegan, Whole30} by Cotter Crunch
Curried Cauliflower Rice Kale Soup is one flavorful healthy soup recipe to keep you warm this season. An easy paleo soup recipe for a nutritious meal-in-a-bowl. Roasted curried cauliflower “rice” with kale and even more veggies to fill your bowl! A delicious vegetarian soup to make again again! Vegan and Whole30 friendly.
7. Pesto Cauliflower Rice by Kirbie’s Cravings
Cauliflower rice is flavored with homemade pesto sauce for an easy, delicious, low-carb and gluten free dish. It’s great to eat on it’s own or as a rice substitute for any meal.
8. Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl by Apples for CJ
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl is a healthy, tasty, one bowl dinner or lunch. Cauliflower Rice seasoned with Mexican flavors, and then topped with all your favorites. Vegan & Gluten free.
9. The Classic Power Bowl by A Virtual Vegan
Find your bliss with The Classic Power Bowl from Blissful Basil. A delightful combination of spicy cauliflower rice, warming & crisp sweet potatoes & creamy, garlicky avocado mash.
10. Vegan Sushi with Cauliflower Rice by Namely Marly
You’ll love this super easy, super healthy Vegan Sushi with Cauliflower Rice. If you haven’t made sushi at home before, don’t worry, we provide step-by-step process photos to make it easy for you to DIY this sushi yourself. Served with a creamy peanut butter sauce, the results are stunning…and delicious!
11. Low Carb Mexican Cauliflower Rice (Paleo, Vegan, Keto) by My Food Story
Low Carb Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a healthy, paleo friendly, keto friendly, vegan side dish recipe that is bursting with Mexican flavours and ready in 30 minutes!
12. Spanish Cauliflower Rice by Trial and Eater
Spanish Cauliflower Rice – a grain-free substitute for Spanish rice that’s quick and healthy. Vegan and gluten-free option.
13. Low-Carb Cauliflower Bibimbap by Living Sweet Moments
This amazing Korean Cauliflower Bibimbap recipe is delicious, low-carb, keto friendly, and easy to make. The perfect quick vegetarian weeknight dinner idea.
14. Grain-free Spicy Cauliflower Fritters with Chipotle Lime Aioli by Tasty Yummies
These Grain-free Spicy Cauliflower Fritters are an amazing way to embrace the cauliflower love, taking the cauli-rice trend to a whole new level. These versatile patties can be adapted to whatever flavor and spice blend you’d like and served with your favorite sauce, we like Chipotle Lime Aioli.
15. Cauliflower Pizza Crust by Chocolate Covered Katie
A simple cauliflower pizza crust recipe that’s so surprisingly delicious, you’d never guess it could possibly be so healthy!
16. Leek and Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto by Jennifer Banz
Creamy and delicious cauliflower risotto made with leeks and mushrooms. A perfect low carb side dish.
Here is a recipe video on how to make the best cauliflower rice and a detailed recipe card, as well as 16 dishes you can incorporate your cauliflower rice into!
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Please give this recipe a 5-star rating if you enjoyed it! That would mean a world to me 🙂
How to Make Cauliflower Rice + 16 Cauliflower Rice Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower washed and dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup parsley, chopped (optional)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- a pinch cayenne
Instructions
- Discard the leaves and cut a medium-sized cauliflower head in quarters and grate each of them using a box grater with medium holes. If you want to protect your hands during grating (or chopping), a great way to do so is to use cut resistant gloves.
- Heat a lug of olive oil in a large skillet. Sautée minced garlic until golden. Add cauliflower rice, stir and cover with a lid. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Add chopped parsley (optional), salt, black pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Enjoy!
Helena
Monday 3rd of June 2019
Fluffy rice = good rice! I really like how your rice looks - jsut the way it should be. One of my favorite sides to go with so many great mains!
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 4th of June 2019
Thank you, Helena! This rice always turns out perfect ;)
Ju-Lyn
Saturday 26th of May 2018
Beautiful selection of recipes & photos - hungry hungry!
It's not always easy for us to get fresh cauliflower in Singapore. Do you have any thoughts about using frozen cauliflower to make rice?
Elena Szeliga
Saturday 26th of May 2018
I would say, go for it! There are a few things I would do differently with the frozen cauliflower though. I would use a blender or a food processor to make rice and not the grinder. I think it would make it easier when you have to deal with smaller florets. Another thing is that frozen cauliflower might contain extra moisture. If it's the case, just transfer the cauliflower rice from the food processor onto a clean towel and squeeze out the excess liquid. Then you can cook it as described in the post. Hope that helps!
Veronika
Tuesday 20th of February 2018
I wanted to make cauliflower rice for a long time already, but never did... I love all the great recipes that you incorporated in this post) will definitely try some of them)
Elena Szeliga
Tuesday 20th of February 2018
Thank you Veronika! I'm sure you'll love it and glad my post got you inspired ;)
Stacey
Monday 19th of February 2018
Oh my goodness, what a great collection. Can't wait to try these recipes!
Elena Szeliga
Monday 19th of February 2018
Thanks so much Stacey!
Leslie
Sunday 18th of February 2018
Cauliflower rice is so useful - I'm glad you appreciate it as much as I do!
Elena Szeliga
Monday 19th of February 2018
Don't know how I was living before I got to know it :D