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Home / Recipes / Side Dish / Green Cauliflower Rice

Green Cauliflower Rice

By: Samantha RowlandUpdated: January 25, 2021

Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganWhole30PaleoKetoLow Carb
Spoon scooping green cauliflower rice from a white bowl.

Green cauliflower rice is the best low carb side dish that goes best with Mexican meals! This green cauliflower rice is easy to make and ready in under 15 minutes! Naturally gluten free, grain free, low carb, Whole30 and keto friendly.

Spoon scooping green cauliflower rice from a white bowl.
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Why you are going to love this recipe

  • Green cauliflower rice is made green by adding a simple chimichurri sauce to cooked cauliflower rice, making it the perfect side dish to any Mexican meals or even great for breakfast with eggs.
  • Cauliflower rice is the perfect low carb side dish! It’s easy to make, super filling and can be prepped ahead of time, making it perfect for weeknight meals!
  • Pair with your favorite meals! This green cauliflower rice would be perfect with skillet taco chicken or Cajun salmon for a simple yet filling weeknight meal!
  • Great for crowds too! You can easily double this recipe and serve a crowd! This recipe reheats really well and is great for meal prep too!
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Ingredients:

  • Cauliflower rice
  • Kale
  • Flat Leaf Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado oil or olive oil
  • Lime Juice
  • Garlic powder
  • Walnuts
  • Salt
  • Water

Instructions:

Step 1: Sauté fresh or frozen cauliflower rice in a large skillet for 5-7 minutes over medium heat. This will help dry out the cauliflower a bit so it’s not watered down.

Step 2: Make the green sauce (chimichurri sauce) in the food processor while the cauliflower rice cooks.

Step 3: Add the green sauce to the cauliflower rice. Stir well.

Step 4: Serve hot or cold.

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Steps on how to make green cauliflower rice.

How to make the green sauce:

This green sauce is just like chimichurri and can be made in your food processor in about 2 minutes.

  • First blend up the fresh Italian parsley, cilantro, lime juice and avocado oil in the food processor until the herbs are broken down.
  • Next add the salt, garlic powder and walnuts (or pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts or cashews) to the food processor and process on high until well combined and the mixture forms a sauce. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help thin it out.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 3 days ahead of time in a well-sealed container.

What to serve this with:

  • Cajun Crockpot Chicken
  • Everything Bagel Salmon
  • Healthy baked drumsticks
  • 5 Ingredient Black Bean Burgers
  • Oven Poached Eggs
  • Curry Salmon Cakes
  • Vegan Walnut Taco Meat

FAQ’s

How do you make cauliflower rice at home?

Cauliflower rice is made by cutting up fresh cauliflower florets up into little pieces so that it resembles rice. There are 2 ways to make cauliflower rice from scratch:

  • Food Processor: This is the easiest of the two methods. Simply cut the florets from the stalk and add them to a large food processor. Process on high until the cauliflower resembles rice. You likely will need to do this in batches.
  • Hand grater: If you don’t have a food processor, you can also grate the cauliflower by hand. To do this, keep the cauliflower whole (don’t break it into florets) and grate it on the hand grater like you would cheese.

Once the fresh cauliflower has been riced, it can be cooked immediately, stored in the fridge for 3-4 days or frozen.

Cast iron skillet filled with green cauliflower rice.

Can you freeze cauliflower rice?

Yes! You don’t need to cook the cauliflower before freezing!

Once you rice fresh cauliflower, simply add it to a freezer safe bag and take the time to remove all the excess air from the bag. The less oxygen in the bag the better. This also helps the bag lay flat during freezing, allowing it to take up less room in the freezer.

Be sure to date your frozen cauliflower rice and indicate how much is in the bag. Fresh cauliflower rice can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When you finally do want to cook the frozen cauliflower rice, sauté it in a skillet over medium heat 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Can you use frozen cauliflower rice?

Yes! I actually prefer to use store bought frozen cauliflower rice that I buy from Trader Joe’s or Aldi foods.

Although cauliflower rice is easy to make yourself, it can be a bit messy. Frozen cauliflower rice is inexpensive and super convenient.

Large white bowl filled with green cauliflower rice.

Storage:

  • Fridge: You can store this vegan green cauliflower rice in the fridge for up to 4 days after cooking.
  • Freezer: You an freeze green cauliflower rice after cooking. Freeze in a freezer safe bag (get out as much of the air as possible) for up to 2 months.
    • To defrost, simply store in the fridge overnight or defrost in the microwave or on the stove.
    • You will want to cook this for a few minutes in a hot skillet after defrosting, as there will be some excess liquid from defrosting that you will want to cook off.

Substitutions:

Cauliflower rice: You can also make this recipe with cooked rice or even riced broccoli in place of cauliflower rice.

Lime juice: you can use lemon juice or even red wine vinegar in place of lime juice. The flavor will be slightly different but it’s a great twist!

Walnuts: you can also use hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds (shelled), sunflower seeds, cashews or even almonds in place of the walnuts.

Garlic powder: you can use 1 clove fresh garlic in place of garlic powder, however I like that the garlic is not too overpowering in this recipe.

Wooden spoon scooping green cauliflower rice from a skillet.

If you love this recipe, you should try:

  • Cauliflower Dirty Rice
  • Mexican Cauliflower Rice
  • Cauliflower Potato Salad
  • Mashed Garlic Cauliflower
  • Roasted Cauliflower Hummus

What do you need to make this recipe:

  • Food processor
  • Large cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
White bowl filled with green cauliflower rice with spoon.

Green Cauliflower Rice

Green cauliflower rice is the perfect low carb side dish, great with Mexican meals or even for breakfast with eggs! This simple dish is ready in under 15 minutes and is naturally gluten free, vegan, Whole30 and keto friendly.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chimichurri rice, green cauliflower rice, mexican cauliflower rice
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 7 mins
Total Time: 12 mins
Servings: 4
Author: Samantha Rowland

Ingredients

  • 2 package frozen cauliflower rice - 1 large cauliflower, riced in food processor
  • 1 cup kale - or baby spinach
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 small limes, juiced
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2-3/4 tsp salt
  • 2-3 tbsp. walnuts - see notes for substitutions
  • 2-3 tbsp water - optional

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat cauliflower rice over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until defrosted and most of the water has cooked off.
  • While cauliflower rice is cooking, make the green sauce in the food processor.
  • First blend up the kale, fresh Italian parsley, cilantro, lime juice and avocado oil in the food processor until the herbs are broken down.
  • Next add the salt, garlic powder and walnuts to the food processor and process on high until well combined and the mixture forms a sauce. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to help thin it out.
  • Take rice off of heat and add the green sauce to the skillet. Stir well to fully incorporate.
  • Serve with your favorite protein or use it as a base for a yummy veggie bowl.

You’ll Also Love These Amazing Recipes & Tips

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  • Large white bowl filled with cilantro lime cauliflower rice with limes around the bowl.
    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice (Gluten Free, Whole30)

Notes

How long can this be stored in the fridge?
You can store this vegan green cauliflower rice in the fridge for up to 4 days after cooking.
Can you freeze green cauliflower rice?
Yes! You an freeze green cauliflower rice after cooking. Freeze in a freezer safe bag (get out as much of the air as possible) for up to 2 months.
To defrost, simply store in the fridge overnight or defrost in the microwave or on the stove.
You will want to cook this for a few minutes in a hot skillet after defrosting, as there will be some excess liquid from defrosting that you will want to cook off.
Substitutions:
  • Cauliflower rice: You can also make this recipe with cooked rice or even riced broccoli in place of cauliflower rice.
  • Lime juice: you can use lemon juice or even red wine vinegar in place of lime juice. The flavor will be slightly different but it’s a great twist!
  • Walnuts: you can also use hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds (shelled), sunflower seeds, cashews or even almonds in place of the walnuts.
  • Garlic powder: you can use 1 clove fresh garlic in place of garlic powder, however I like that the garlic is not too overpowering in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
96
Fat
 
7
g
Carbohydrates
 
6
g
Fiber
 
1
g
Sugar
 
1
g
Protein
 
4
g
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database.
DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?Let others know by rating and leaving a comment below!

Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in July of 2015, but was published again in February 2020 to include step by step directions, recipe notes and new photos.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine

    July 21, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Never heard of cauliflower rice…wish there was a TJ near me!! Thanks for Linking up on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! I love having you!! Hope to see you again this week!! Pinned

    Reply
  2. Deborah Davis

    July 20, 2015 at 10:34 pm

    5 stars
    I’m a big cauliflower lover so I can’t wait to try your yummy recipe and enjoy it with my family. Thanks for sharing
    your “Green” Cauliflower Rice recipe with us on the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing.

    Reply
  3. Jess @hellotofit

    July 18, 2015 at 7:32 pm

    Oh my gosh, no A/C sounds terrible!! I’d prepare this alongside some grilled salmon…mmmm.

    Reply
  4. Stephanie

    July 18, 2015 at 10:30 am

    What a great idea! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! This post has been pinned on the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! I love having you and can’t wait to see you next week!

    Reply
  5. Randi

    July 16, 2015 at 9:49 am

    Oh my this looks amazing! I have been on a huge cauliflower kick recently and this is perfect! Also, my heart goes out to you on the AC issue lol. That heat can be vicious! Thanks for sharing, I’ll be making this very soon…

    Reply
    • Sam

      July 19, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you for the love Randi!! I luckily have A/C back in my car now! Woohoo – cauliflower is just too good not to swoon over and now that trader joes already rices it for me, I can’t get enough

      Reply
  6. Eva

    July 14, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    5 stars
    I forgot to mention. We have the same dog. I should show you a pic!

    Reply
  7. Eva @ Kidminds

    July 14, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my! That’s delicious! I will be planning to make it next week!

    Reply
  8. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner

    July 14, 2015 at 8:05 am

    Love how you added the greens in here. I haven’t tried the frozen version of cauliflower yet it’s so easy to shred. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  9. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes

    July 13, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    This looks awesome. My local TJ’s says they are out of the cauliflower rice until AUGUST!! Ahhh! That means I have to do it myself? LOL.

    Reply
    • Sam

      July 13, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      OH my gosh don’t tell me that, I better go stock up! Thanks for the heads up!

      Reply
  10. Beverley Cheng

    July 13, 2015 at 3:05 pm

    ooo i love the idea of making a sauce for the rice!! anything with basil and limes added to it is immediately delicious

    Reply
    • Sam

      July 13, 2015 at 9:58 pm

      Oh it’s such a fun way to make dinner more fun!

      Reply
  11. rachel@ atheltic avocado

    July 13, 2015 at 11:43 am

    I never knew TJ’s sold cauliflower rice, that’s great to know! This looks super yummy, especially with basil :)

    Reply
  12. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    July 13, 2015 at 11:16 am

    We love cauliflower rice, but I have not made a green version before. Sounds like a great idea to me!

    Reply

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