Learn how to make cauliflower rice with this easy recipe! It's a yummy, low-carb substitute for regular rice in bowls, stir fries, burritos, and more.
Cauliflower rice! It’s seems like it’s everywhere and in everything, so I thought I would take a few minutes to “dive deep” on this phenomenon, especially because I keep using it, and now I can just link to this post in future recipes 🙂
So what is it? It’s simply cauliflower pulsed in a food processor until it forms into granules that are about the size of rice. Is it as good as rice? Not on its own, but it’s a great starting point health-wise and texture-wise. When it’s seasoned well and used in a recipe with other great flavors and textures going on, it IS delicious and you’ll feel great about getting more vegetables into your day!
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
Stores often sell “riced” cauliflower in bags, but I prefer to make it myself because you never know how fresh those things are! Plus, it’s SO easy to make… here’s how I do it:
- Cut the cauliflower into chunks, including the cores.
- Place into a food processor.
- Pulse until the cauliflower resembles the texture of rice. Work in batches, if necessary, and be careful not to over-process or it’ll get mushy. If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the cauliflower with a box grater.
After your cauliflower is “riced,” you can use it plain in any recipe that calls for raw cauliflower rice. Follow the directions in that specific recipe.
If you plan to use it as a side dish without a recipe, or if you want to sub it for regular rice, I recommend lightly cooking and seasoning it to take off the raw, often bitter, bite. See specific instructions in the recipe below.
Cauliflower Rice Recipes
Here are some of my favorite recipes that use riced cauliflower, or would be delicious with cauliflower in place of the regular rice:
- Mango Black Bean Burrito Bowl (pictured below)
- Red Curry Lemongrass Soup (pictured below)
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers (pictured below)
- Spiced Cauliflower Couscous with Roasted Chickpeas (pictured below)
- Mango Ginger Rice Bowl
- Turmeric Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Kimchi Rice Bowls
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Or any of these rice bowl recipes!
More Plant-Based Essentials
If you love this recipe, try making these plant-based essentials next:
- Broccoli Rice
- Perfect Brown Rice
- Fluffy Quinoa
- Stovetop White Rice
- Roasted Spaghetti Squash
- Zucchini Noodles
- Lentils (Any Variety!)
For more vegan recipes, check out this post. Then, find more rice recipes here!
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower
For seasoned cauliflower rice:
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup chopped scallions
- Juice of ½ lime
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make sure your cauliflower is fully dry. Chop the cauliflower into large pieces. You can include the cores, but discard the leaves or save for another use. Place the cauliflower pieces in a food processor and pulse until it has the texture of rice. Work in batches if necessary and don’t over process or it will get mushy. Use in any recipe that calls specifically for riced cauliflower. Continue following that recipe’s instructions.
- If you plan to serve your cauliflower as a side dish or use it in place of regular rice, I recommend lightly cooking it and seasoning it to take off the raw bite. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cauliflower and sauté until heated through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice to help remove any bitterness from the raw cauliflower.
What if you don’t have a food processor
Hi Donna, I’ve heard it can be done using a box grater but I haven’t personally tried it that way.
I always use a box grater, comes out perfect.
Delicious and oh so easy!
I’m so glad you loved it!
What if I want to freeze it for future use?
Hi Marian, I haven’t tried freezing it, but I think it could work. I’d freeze it flat on a baking sheet and then transfer it to a container. That way it won’t freeze together as a big clump.
I always freeze it – I put it straight in a zip lock bag and into the freezer. If it does come out a bit clumpy just give the bag a bash on you counter top!
Love your answer ! what would we do without a counter top ! my granite counter top comes in handy for so many things cooking related ! 🙂 🙂
i have not tried cauliflower rice yet. your recipe sounds great and i am sure to try only this one. Its really simple for me. looking in future for more such lovely recipe.
Thank you for a great recipe. Can I pulse the rice in my nutripro or is it best to grate it?
It’s best in a food processor or grated – a blender will start to puree it.
Hi Dawn,
I am not sure what type of Nutripro you have. As long as it’s a blender & not juicer, you should be fine.
You would only run into the trouble that Jeannine mentions, if you left the blender on continuously; instead of pulsing.
Typically I have pulsed the cauliflower in my Ninja blender; with no problem! It only took seconds and 2 pulses to rice 8 ounces perfectly.
If I were you, I would experiment. Try one pulse, then evaluate if another is needed. And if you were feeling ambitious, you might also grate some to see if you prefer the texture of one vs the other.
Hope that helps
How much is one serving? 1 cup?
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi, which blade is best for this? Thank you!
Can lemon juice be used instead of lime when preparing cauliflower rice? Thanks
yep! I would do 1/2 to 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (to taste).
Will try making cauliflower rice when I harvest 6 heads from my small garden . Can’t wait.
Hi! Two days ago I made it and it was the best cauliflower rice I’ve ever tried! Thank you for posting this!
Hi Joshua, I’m so glad you loved it!
How long will riced cauliflower last?
about 2 to 3 days in the fridge.
Can it be frozen for future use?
Yes, I’d spread it out in a thin layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Put that in the freezer for a few hours, and then break apart the frozen pieces and transfer to freezer-safe container. That way it won’t freeze together in one big clump.
Hi new cook here. I do not have a food processor will a blender work? How long should it take?
Thank you.
Hi Diane, a blender won’t work because it’ll puree it before it turns into rice shapes. A food processor is best for this recipe.
You could just use a cheese grater and it will work fine.
that’s a great idea!
You can go to the fresh vegetable are and find chopped cauliflower. All you gotta do is cook it. The hard part is already done for you =) hope this helps
I love cauliflower rice with any kind of meat or even tofu. I will try out your recipe with scallions too, thank you!
My family loves this! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Made this tonight but used onion powder. Put my liver & onions with almond flour gravy over it. Delish!,
awesome recipe its really new recipe for me i like it
This rice is awesome!
I have to say I was sceptical at first as my hubby and I have never tried cauliflower rice.
I doubled up on the lime. Put 1 whole lime 5 scallions, 2 coves of garlic and about half cup of chopped cilantro.
saved it with steamed chicken with chopped fresh ginger! Yummy!
Hi Gerri, I’m so glad you both loved the cauliflower rice!
I just copied your recipe above. It is DECLICIOUS!!!
I made it with my boyfriend to do some variations on our luch, and it is amazing!
Thank you very much!
I made this today and it was so delicious!
Best regards from the hotels in Italy
Everyone needs this recipe in their life!!
Very good, easy to cook no carbs but taste & satisfying like eating rice
I love food processors!