Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Cilantro lime cauliflower rice is the perfect low carb side dish! It pairs perfectly with just about any cuisine but is especially delicious with Mexican and Thai inspired dishes. This side dish only has 5 ingredients and takes 10 minutes and is vegan, Whole30 , grain free and keto friendly!

Why this recipe works:

• If you have ever had the cilantro lime rice from Chipotle, you know how good that combination is with Mexican inspired food! This is a lower carb version that you can make at home and enjoy anytime!
• This recipe only requires 5 ingredients that you can find in pretty much any grocery store (thanks to frozen cauliflower rice becoming such a common ingredient). These simple ingredients create a recipe that is Whole30, paleo, low carb, vegan, gluten free and dairy free.
• Quick and easy – this recipe comes together in about 10 minutes thanks to frozen cauliflower rice, making it the perfect side dish for any Mexican or Asian inspired meal!
• Cilantro lime cauliflower rice is great way to get in more veggies!

Ingredients

• Cauliflower Rice – this recipe is best when you use frozen cauliflower rice, but you can also use fresh (store bought or freshly made at home with a food processor or grater).
• Limes – lime juice helps to bring a bright, fresh flavor to the dish. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best in this recipe since it’s such a big part of the overall flavor.
• Cilantro – cilantro adds so much flavor to this recipe. You can use the cilantro leaves as well as the thin stems (those are full of flavor too). Avoid using any thick, woody stems though.
• Spices: Salt, black pepper (optional) – Salt helps to elevate the flavor of the lime juice and also helps to season the cauliflower. Black pepper adds a little heat and a savory quality. You could also use crushed red pepper flakes.

How to make cilantro lime cauliflower rice

Preheat a large skillet (cast iron or stainless steel) over medium heat.

Spray the skillet with non-stick spray (I love avocado oil) and add the riced cauliflower.

Cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Note: if you are cooking fresh cauliflower rice, cook covered for the first 4 minutes for the best texture.

Once the cauliflower is cooked through, turn off the heat. Add the lime juice, cilantro and salt and black pepper (optional).

Top tips

• Break up any large chunks of frozen cauliflower rice before pouring it into the hot skillet.
• Add the frozen cauliflower rice to a hot skillet (cook over medium high heat) and cook it long enough to ensure all the water that cooks off the cauliflower as it defrosts evaporates.
• Don’t overcook the cauliflower rice or it will get mushy.
• If you are cooking fresh cauliflower rice, cook covered for the first 4 minutes for the best texture.
• Use the thin stems and the leaves of the cilantro! Don’t waste all the flavor in the stems, just ensure you are cutting them up well before adding! Don’t add the thick stems though.

What else could you add to cilantro lime cauliflower rice?

• Sliced jalapenos (fresh or jarred)
• Fresh onion and garlic, finely chopped and cooked for a few minutes before adding the cauliflower rice to the skillet.
• Garlic powder (or garlic olive oil)
• Red pepper flakes
• Chipotle powder or Chipotle in Adobo
• Cumin
• Pineapple
• Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

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What can you serve with cilantro lime cauliflower rice?

• 10 minute skillet taco chicken
• Black bean burgers with vegan sriracha mayo
• In burrito bowls with shredded chicken or Mexican black beans, homemade guacamole and Mexican style veggies
• In taco salads or Buddha bowls with spicy tahini sauce
• Along side of Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos or Buffalo Shrimp
• Serve with tostadas
• As a base for your favorite Thai meal!
• In tacos with jalapeno cilantro hummus on top

Common Questions

What is riced cauliflower?

Cauliflower rice is cauliflower that has been grated or chopped into small rice like pieces. You can make riced cauliflower at home using a box grater or a food processor or you can buy it in most stores in the frozen food sections.

How do you make cauliflower rice at home?

To make cauliflower rice at home, you can use a box grater (which can be quite a messy process) or use your food processor.

To make cauliflower rice in your food processor:

• Cut the green leaves and thick bottom stalk away from the cauliflower. Chop the cauliflower into small enough pieces that they will easily fit into your food processor (you don’t need to worry about the shape of these pieces).
• Add about ½ of the cauliflower to the food processor and process on high for about 20 seconds, until the cauliflower resembles rice. Note: Some people like to use the larger grater attachment of their food processor for this since it creates a more uniform consistency.
• Process all the cauliflower and you can use it immediately, store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months in a well-sealed freezer safe bag or container.

Where can you buy cauliflower rice?

• Most large grocery stores now carry cauliflower rice. Look in your frozen food section near the other frozen produce.
• Some large grocery stores (like Walmart, Costco, Target) also have fresh cauliflower rice.
• I like to buy the frozen cauliflower rice because I don’t have to worry about it going bad or not using it fast enough, so I usually only buy that if I know I will be using it in the next 2-3 days.

Storing Leftovers

• Fridge: Once cooked, you can store this cilantro lime cauliflower rice in a well sealed container for up to 4 days in the fridge. I love these glass container for this!
• Freezer: Once cooked and fully cooled, you can store this cilantro lime cauliflower rice in the freezer for up to 2 months. Be sure you store it in a freezer safe bag or container.
  • To defrost, you can defrost the cauliflower rice in the fridge overnight and cook it in the microwave or skillet the next day or cook it from frozen in the microwave or skillet.

If you love this recipe, you should try

• Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice
• Healthy Broccoli Tots (vegan, Whole30)
• Low carb cheesy broccoli cauliflower soup (dairy free)
• Crockpot low carb vegetable soup
• Vegan Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
• Low carb pasta
• Italian Cauliflower Rice
• Cauliflower Rice Stuffing

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Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is the perfect weeknight side dish! This vegan, gluten free, grain free dish pairs perfectly with Mexican or Thai food and is ready in just 10 minutes! All you need is 5 ingredients to make this low carb, Whole30 friendly recipe!

5 from 6 votes

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Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: cilantro lime cauliflower rice, vegan cilantro lime cauliflower rice, whole30 cilantro lime cauliflower rice

Prep Time: 3 mins

Cook Time: 7 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Servings: 4

Author: Samantha Rowland

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

• 1 package frozen cauliflower rice - or 1 small cauliflower, riced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1/4 cup cilantro - chopped
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Heat a pan to medium heat. Spray with non-stick spray (avocado oil)
• Add package of frozen cauliflower rice and cook for 7-8 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Take off of heat and add lime juice, chopped cilantro and salt and black pepper (to taste)

Notes

Note: if you are cooking fresh cauliflower rice, cook covered for the first 4 minutes for the best texture.

How do you make cauliflower rice at home?

To make cauliflower rice at home, you can use a box grater (which can be quite a messy process) or use your food processor.

To make cauliflower rice in your food processor:

• Cut the green leaves and thick bottom stalk away from the cauliflower. Chop the cauliflower into small enough pieces that they will easily fit into your food processor (you don’t need to worry about the shape of these pieces).
• Add about ½ of the cauliflower to the food processor and process on high for about 20 seconds, until the cauliflower resembles rice. Note: Some people like to use the larger grater attachment of their food processor for this since it creates a more uniform consistency.
• Process all the cauliflower and you can use it immediately, store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months in a well-sealed freezer safe bag or container.

Store cooked cilantro lime cauliflower rice in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

See how I calculate food cost.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Amount per Serving

Calories

41

Carbohydrates

 

8

g

Fiber

 

3

g

Sugar

 

3

g

Protein

 

2

g

Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.

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