Cauliflower rice makes a delicious easy side dish that tastes just like fried rice. And it’s keto, low-carb, and whole 30 compliant too!

Today, we’ve cooked up something extra special in our gluten-free kitchen. Nicole has been craving fried rice these past several days, so we decided to make a version of this recipe with a healthy twist.

This cauliflower dish tastes just like fried rice except that it isn’t stir-fried and doesn’t contain rice. It’s just 100% amazingly delicious and nutritious.

It’s a quick easy side dish to some of our favorite dinner dishes, including my Easy Paleo Chicken With Baby Spinach And Mini Sweet Peppers, fast simple Stir Fry Chicken With Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce, and the elegant Pan-Seared Scallops With Beurre Blanc Sauce.

When we first heard that cauliflower makes a fantastic substitute for rice, we were a bit skeptical. But after tasting that first spoonful, we both agreed that cauliflower rice is now one of our new favorite foods. Our quick one-pan Spanish style chicken with cauliflower rice is also a must try.

Since rice is one of the few safe grains on the gluten-free diet, we tend to serve it up a lot as a side dish at dinner. Unfortunately, however, white rice doesn’t contain many nutrients and is rather high in starchy carbs.

Is cauliflower rice good for you?

Cauliflower, on the other hand, is considered a superfood as it’s rich in nutrients, vitamins (especially Vitamin C), minerals, and antioxidants. It’s said to help prevent cancer and boost heart health and brain health. More here.

If you’re following a paleo diet where rice is off-limits, cauliflower is the perfect replacement (and a much healthier choice too).

And if you’d like more low carb options, I’ve got a bunch of delicious low carb recipes that’ll keep you satisfied while keeping your carb intake in check.

cauliflower

So give your cauliflower a spin in your food processor, and let’s make this easy side dish.

Bowl of florets are minced in your food processor

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Nicole suggested adding bacon to enhance the flavors of the dish. We love using Applegate No Nitrate bacon and cook up several strips in a skillet, then reserve it for later in the recipe.

However, the bacon grease immediately goes to work as we use it for sautéing the onion, garlic and scallions. This takes just three minutes.

Next, we add the chopped cauliflower and stir until the ingredients are combined. Cover the pot and cook on medium heat for about eight more minutes until the cauliflower is tender.

Cook cauliflower and add bacon

Finally, chop up the reserved strips of bacon and tossed them into the rice.

And voila! It’s ready to serve, warm from the stove and seasoned with a little salt and pepper to taste.

Pro tips and recipe notes

In your food processor fitted with the large chopping blade, pulse your cauliflower a few florets at a time (no higher than the top of the blade) just until it is minced.
Can you use store bought cauliflower rice? Yes. It would save on clean up and time, but I’ve found that it’s not as fresh tasting. Perhaps frozen rice would be better, but I can’t say for sure because haven’t tried it.
Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days.

This cauliflower rice is so quick and easy to make: just ten minutes to prepare and fifteen minutes to cook. And if you are feeling creative, the possibilities are endless. You could toss in cooked chicken or shrimp or mixed vegetables.

Have you ever had cauliflower rice before? What ingredients would you add? Enjoy!

More recipes with cauliflower

Cheesy Cauliflower With Ham Casserole (Low-Carb) This healthy cheesy cauliflower with ham casserole comes together in a snap and is a great way to use up ham leftovers.

Creamy Cauliflower Mash Tastes like mashed potatoes! Promise.

Cauliflower Flat Breads Pile high with your favorite toppings.

Cauliflower And Carrot Purée This is a beautiful quick, easy, and elegant side dish.

More delicious side dishes

Pomegranate Spinach Salad With Apple Cider Vinaigrette Bid goodbye to the boring side salad with this bowl of crisp, baby spinach, juicy pear slices, sweet pomegranate seeds, and tangy goat cheese.

Stuffed Zucchini Boats Sticks of zucchini hollowed into cute, little boats and filled with sausage and Gruyere cheese are so incredibly tasty and so fun to eat too!

Quinoa And Sausage Stuffed Peppers These stuffed peppers are a winning pair.

Gluten Free Stuffing (Easy Homemade Dressing) This stuffing is out of this world delicious, easy to make, and everyone at your table will love it.

Bacon Brussels Sprouts Delicious side dishes don’t get any better than this.

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