Go Back
–+ servings
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Does cauliflower rice taste just like rice? Of course not! Don’t be silly. But I promise it IS delicious, and is a great low-carb substitute for any recipe you want to serve “over rice” when you are trying to cut calories. I will show you how to make cauliflower rice, it’s actually super easy.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 156kcal
Author: The Food Charlatan

Ingredients

  • 1 large head of cauliflower
  • 4 tablespoons butter OR olive oil butter tastes better
  • 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • parsley to garnish

Instructions

  • Wash your head of cauliflower well.
  • Slice the cauliflower in half down the center, so that you are splitting the stem in half too (see photos). Split each half in half again, right down through the stem. Use your knife to slice at an angle to remove the stem entirely from each quarter.
  • Food processor instructions: Chop the cauliflower into 1 to 2 inch pieces. You don't need to bother keeping the florets intact, you're just going to pulverize them anyway.
  • Add about 1/3 of the chopped cauliflower to a food processor OR a blender  (but use a food processor if you have it, it will chop more evenly). Pulse in 1 second intervals, until the cauliflower is chopped into pieces about the size of grains of rice. Don't go too crazy. You don't want to accidentally puree your cauliflower! If you are using a blender, you may need to use a spatula to scrape down the sides and pulse again. If the cauliflower gets pretty evenly riced, but there are still a couple big chunks, take the chunks out, chop them a bit smaller, and add it to the next batch.
  • Remove the cauliflower rice to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining batches of chopped cauliflower. (If you add too much cauliflower to the machine at once, it will not rice evenly.)
  • How to rice cauliflower with a box grater: After removing the stem, grate the cauliflower using the biggest holes on your box grater. It will make a mess and you will get cauliflower bits on the floor. Embrace it! Grab the broom! If you don't have a box grater, you could also just use a knife to chop up the cauliflower into rice-sized pieces.
  • Once all of your cauliflower has been riced, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of butter. You can use oil if you like; I prefer the taste of butter. If you are watching your calories, you could definitely get away with adding less oil or butter, even down to 1-2 tablespoons. But, um, butter is delicious and I like to be able to taste it.
  • Once the butter is melted and bubbly, add the cauliflower rice.
  • Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder. You can use any seasonings and any amount that you want. Remember, some cauliflowers are huge and some are tiny, so use your best judgment when seasoning. 
  • Sauté for about 5-10 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon. How long you cook it really depends on how much cauliflower you have. Taste it; the "grains" should be crisp-tender, just like any sautéed vegetable. If you cook it too long, it will get mushy.
  • Remove from heat and serve immediately! See above the recipe for lots of ideas for what to serve this with. 

Notes

How to store cauliflower rice

Cauliflower rice should be stored properly to maintain its freshness and texture otherwise it can get smelly and mushy and that´s no bueno. If you're keeping it in the refrigerator, store it in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag and use it within four days. Be sure to pat it dry first, as excess moisture can cause it to spoil more quickly. 
And yes, cauliflower rice can be frozen. To do this, spread the rice in a thin layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag—this prevents clumping. Frozen cauliflower rice will keep for up to three months and can be cooked straight from frozen without thawing. If the rice has already been cooked, let it cool completely before storing.

How to reheat cauliflower rice

To reheat cauliflower rice, there are a few easy ways depending on your preference and how it was originally cooked. If it's raw and frozen, you don't need to thaw it first—simply add it straight to a skillet over medium heat with a little oil or butter. Sauté for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s hot and tender. If the cauliflower rice is already cooked and refrigerated, you can reheat it in the microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, you can warm it in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry. Avoid overcooking, as cauliflower rice can become mushy if heated too long and no one wants that.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 156kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Potassium: 646mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 501IU | Vitamin C: 101mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg