In this recipe, I'll show you how to make riced cauliflower - its super simple and inexpensive to make compared to store-bought! Learn how to make fresh, riced cauliflower and cook it on the stovetop or in a microwave! It's the perfect healthy side dish to enjoy on its own or as a rice substitute in other recipes.
This is the Best Cauliflower Rice recipe!
What is riced cauliflower?
Riced cauliflower, also known as cauliflower rice, is a popular low-carb and gluten-free alternative to traditional rice. Using a food processor or a box grater, it is made by grating fresh cauliflower florets into tiny, rice-like grains or small pieces resembling couscous. This cauliflower "rice" can be used as a substitute for rice in various dishes and recipes.
Why you'll love this Cauliflower Rice Recipe
"Making cauliflower rice is my favorite low carb alternative that goes with just about every meal and recipe that calls for rice. I add it add it to soups, stir-fry - or just enjoy it on its own. "
Be sure to take a look at How To Cook Cauliflower and How To Microwave Cauliflower if you want more simple yet delicious ways to make it.
Super Simple
This home made cauliflower rice recipe is so simple and easy to make at home, using only a few ingredients and tools (cheese grater or food processor). To microwave, you need only a head of cauliflower and water. To cook in a skillet, you just need cauliflower and some oil. Season to taste and voila!
Inexpensive
Store-bought cauliflower rice is quite expensive! To rice cauliflower at home is so easy, AND much cheaper!
Healthy
This recipe is keto, low-carb, low-calorie, low fat, gluten-free, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and Whole30. It can be prepared and served in many different ways to serve your dietary needs.
What you'll need for Cauliflower Rice
Here are the ingredients you will need to make riced cauliflower:
- Head of Cauliflower - use a medium to large head cauliflower, depending on how much you want to make.
- Olive Oil - substitute with your preferred oil if you'd like.
- Water - used when boiling or microwaving.
- Salt - I like to use kosher salt or sea salt.
- Ground Black Pepper
- Butter - is used for serving cauliflower rice.
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
How to make Riced Cauliflower
Cut the cauliflower head into small florets, about 1/2 inch in size.
Use a box grater or a food processor with a chopping blade or grater attachment to grate the cauliflower florets into "rice."
If using a food processor with a chopping blade, work in small batches and pulse until the cauliflower is chopped into rice-sized bits.
How to Cook Riced Cauliflower
How to make cauliflower rice on the stovetop or in your microwave:
Stovetop
Here's how to cook cauliflower rice on the stovetop by either sauteeing or frying it in a skillet or boiling it on the stove:
Fried in a Skillet
In a large skillet over medium heat, preheat olive oil. Add the riced cauliflower to the hot skillet and cook, frequently stirring, until it is crisp-tender, about 6 to 9 minutes. (Note: feel free to saute other vegetables such as onions, garlic, and zucchini along with the cauliflower.)
How to Boil Cauliflower Rice
In a large saucepan, fill with enough water to cover the riced cauliflower. Add one-quarter teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add the raw cauliflower rice and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 minutes until crisp and tender. Drain the rice in a colander in the sink and serve.
Microwave
Here's how to cook cauliflower rice in the microwave using either fresh or frozen riced cauliflower:
Cook From Fresh
In a microwave-safe dish, add the raw cauliflower rice and a quarter cup of water. Cover and microwave on high for about 3 to 7 minutes until the desired tenderness is reached. Drain the water, then serve.
How To Cook Frozen Cauliflower Rice
When cooking cauliflower rice from frozen, just place the frozen cauliflower into a microwave-safe dish, add 1/4 cup of water, and cover. Microwave on high for 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the excess water before serving.
Rice Cauliflower recipe tips
- Time-saving tip! Meal prep and rice several heads of cauliflower.
- Do not overcook cauliflower rice, it can turn mushy.
- If using a skillet, preheat the pan before sautéing your cauliflower rice. It will cook faster and keep its texture, preventing it from getting mushy.
- To remove excess moisture drain in a colander and dab with paper towels or a clean dish towel if needed.
How to serve the Best Cauliflower Rice
Here are a few ideas for serving cauliflower rice:
- Cooked cauliflower rice can be seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle a little lime juice or lemon juice along with melted butter.
- Use cauliflower rice in soups and stews such as this Instant Pot Chicken Soup.
- Enjoy as a vegetable side, or use as a replacement for rice in most dishes.
- Use it to make Asian-style cauliflower fried rice or a stir fry.
- Make this recipe for Instant Pot Pepper Steak or Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff to serve over your rice.
- Meal idea! Serve as a side to Mongolian Beef and Broccoli instead of regular rice - the perfect dinner!
How do I substitute cauliflower rice for white rice?
If you just want to serve a dish over cauliflower rice instead of white rice you can simply do an equal substitution. To replace it within a recipe is different because rice absorbs moisture, whereas cauliflower rice does not.
- Cauliflower rice will actually add moisture to a dish if it is cooked within the dish. Pre-cook the cauliflower rice before adding to any recipe. If a recipe is calling for uncooked rice to be added, then the rice is being used to absorb the moisture.
- Substituting cauliflower rice with uncooked rice can be tricky, and you will need to remove enough liquid from the recipe - without losing flavor. For every cup of rice it requires 2 cups of liquid.
- Add in cooked cauliflower rice at the very end of cooking then do a taste test. Adjust flavor with chicken or beef bouillon granules to replace any lost flavor from the liquids removed.
- It ultimately depends on the recipe you are making so use your judgement to decide if a proper substitution will work.
Riced Cauliflower Recipe variations
Now that you know how to make riced cauliflower, here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions to this recipe:
- Use other riced vegetables in with your cauliflower, such as broccoli or even carrots, for a riced medley.
- Season the rice to your liking, such as garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning,
- Add raw cauliflower rice to your salads for a different texture! I love this in my cobb salads.
Cauliflower Rice Recipe storage
Store raw riced cauliflower for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. Cooked riced cauliflower can be stored in an air-tight container or covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.
How To Reheat
Reheat riced cauliflower in a small saute skillet for 2 to 4 minutes on medium low heat. You can also microwave on low for a few seconds at a time.
How To Freeze Cauliflower Rice
Freezing cauliflower rice is simple. Just place it into a zip lock freezer bag and press as much air out of the bag as you can. Frozen cauliflower will keep for up to 4 months.
Cauliflower Rice FAQs
If cooking on a stovetop or microwave, cauliflower rice should be sautéed or steamed for no longer than 4 to 6 minutes. Because it's so small, it cooks very fast!
Cauliflower rice is low carb, gluten free, and keto-approved. If you want to increase fat content, serve it with butter or drizzle with olive oil. If you choose to use bottled sauce for flavoring, double-check the label and watch for hidden sugar and carbs.
Cauliflower rice gets mushy if it gets overcooked. Cook it just until it is tender, checking frequently. Depending upon your method of cooking, this can take anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes. Cauliflower contains water, and when mixed with finely grated cauliflower or overcooked, it can eventually result in a mushy consistency or texture.
Cauliflower rice has very little flavor but has a texture somewhat similar to rice. Because it does not have a strong taste it can be paired with many dishes. This is one reason it makes a great rice replacement.
Riced cauliflower is a versatile ingredient and can be used in many ways. It serves as a great base for stir-fries, curries, fried rice dishes, and as a side dish for various meat, fish, or vegetable-based meals. Since it has a mild flavor, it easily takes on the taste of the other ingredients in your dish.
Yes, absolutely. A serving of cauliflower (1 cup) only contains 0.01 grams of carbs.
Yes, it is nutritious, low calorie and low carb.
📖 The recipe.
How to Rice Cauliflower
Equipment
- 1 box grater, or a food processor with a blade or grater attachment.
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large head of cauliflower
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (if sauteeing)
- water (if boiling or microwaving)
- salt, pepper, butter to taste
Instructions
How to Rice Cauliflower
- Cut the cauliflower head into small florets, about 1/2" in size. Using a box grater or food processor with a grater attachment, grate the cauliflower into "rice". If using a food processor with a chopping blade, work in small batches and pulse until the cauliflower is chopped into rice-sized bits.
How to Cook It On The Stove
- Skillet: In a large skillet over medium heat, preheat olive oil. Add the riced cauliflower to the hot skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until it is crisp-tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. (Note: feel free to saute other vegetables such as onions, garlic, and zucchini along with the cauliflower.)
- Saucepan: Fill a large saucepan with enough water to cover riced cauliflower. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add riced cauliflower and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain rice in a colander in the sink and serve.
How to Microwave It
- In a microwave-safe dish, add the cauliflower and ¼ cup of water. Cover and microwave on high about 4 to 7 minutes until the desired tenderness is reached.
Kori's Tips
- Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
- SERVING SUGGESTIONS: serve it as a side dish with butter, salt, and pepper, or use it in place of rice in many dishes.
- TOP TIPS: save even more time and rice the cauliflower up to 3 or 4 days ahead of time. Store it in an air-tight plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
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More Cauliflower Recipes
If you are looking for more delicious cauliflower recipes, check these out:
- Microwave Cauliflower Recipe
- How To Cook Cauliflower
- Buffalo Cauliflower Recipe
- Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (with Pasta or Cauliflower)
- Seafood Pasta Salad (Use Pasta or Cauliflower)
- Cauliflower Cheese (Cauliflower Mac and Cheese)
- Coconut Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Broccoli Salad
- Best Recipe for Cauliflower Steaks
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