• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Bites of Wellness
  • All Recipes
  • Gluten Free Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Food Budget Tips
Home / Recipes / Side Dish / Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice

By: Samantha RowlandUpdated: March 20, 2021

Gluten FreeVeganWhole30PaleoKetoLow Carb
Mexican Cauliflower Rice in a white bowl topped with cilantro with pinterest text on the bottom

Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice is the perfect quick and simple side dish!

You are not going to believe how much flavor is packed in this cauliflower rice that only takes 10 minutes to make! Perfect for meal prep as well!

Whole30 Mexican cauliflower rice made with cauliflower rice topped with cilantro over a white lined napkin with limes and cilantro in the background.

Why this recipe works

  • Everything you love about Mexican Restaurant style rice but lower in carbs and packed full of vegetables!
  • So easy to make, it only takes 10 minutes and is perfect for lunch or dinner! Great for parties too! It’s gluten free, vegan, paleo, Whole30, low carb and keto friendly!
  • Add this to burrito bowls, tacos, taco salads, with fajitas, or with homemade guacamole and salsa and your favorite protein!
Silver serving spoon in a cast iron filled with Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
This post contains affiliate links. As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my policy and more about affiliate links.

How to make cauliflower rice

There are three ways you can make cauliflower rice for this recipe:

  1. Grated by hand with a hand grater (very messy, I don’t recommend this method)
  2. Pulsed in a food processor (see below for directions)
  3. Store bought (see below for where to buy cauliflower rice)

To make this dish in under 10 minutes, I prefer to use store bought frozen cauliflower rice. It’s easy to keep stored in the freezer and I don’t to worry about it spoiling in the fridge.

How to make cauliflower rice without food processor

  • Remove the green leaves but keep the stem.
  • Using a box grater, grate the cauliflower around the stem using the largest grater holes.

Tip: Work on one side of the cauliflower until you reach the steam. Do not continusally turn.

How to rice cauliflower in the food processor

  • Start by removing the green outer leaves as well as the thick stem.
  • Place the cauliflower head on the counter and slice 1 inch thick steaks of cauliflower or chop into florets. You don’t need to worry about this looking pretty.
Chopped cauliflower on a cutting board.
  • Add about ½ of the cauliflower to the food processor and process on high until it resembles rice (takes about 20-30 seconds).
Chopped cauliflower in a food processor.
  • Repeat with the rest of the cauliflower.
Riced cauliflower in a food processor.
  • Store in the fridge in a well-sealed container for up to 3 days before cooking or freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer safe container.

Where to buy cauliflower rice

Most stores now carry cauliflower rice in the frozen food section. Bird’s Eye and Green Giant both have frozen riced cauliflower in most grocery stores.

You can also find store brands at Aldi, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Whole Foods in the frozen section.

In many stores it is also sold in the fresh produce section. CeCe’s Veggie Co, Eat Smart, Green Giant brands can be found at most stores. Also, you can usually find fresh riced cauliflower at Trader Joe’s and Costco as well.

Whole30 Mexican cauliflower rice in a white bowl over a grey striped napkin with a sliced lime and a brown vase in the background

How to make in the skillet

Start by heating a skillet over medium heat. Add avocado oil and the white onion. Cook 2-3 minutes to soften the onion.

Chopped onions in a cast iron skillet

Add the cauliflower rice to the onions and cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Riced cauliflower in a cast iron skillet.

Take off the heat and add the spices, stir well.

Cooked riced cauliflower in a cast iron with spices on top.

Add the lime juice and chopped cilantro off the heat and stir well. 

Mexican Cauliflower Rice in a cast iron skillet during cooking.

Serve hot or cold.

Ways to add more spice

  • Sliced jalapenos (fresh or jarred)
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Chipotle powder
Wooden spoon in a bowl of Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
get my 10 greatest recipes ebook by signing up for my newsletterGET 10 OF MY ALL TIME GREATEST RECIPES
IN THIS FREE EBOOK

Storage

This cauliflower rice lasts in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure you store in a well sealed container.

You can freeze cauliflower rice and store it in well sealed container for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or in the microwave or on the stove.

Tools to make this recipe

  • Cast iron skillet or stainless steel skillet
  • Lime juicer
  • Food processor (optional)
Whole30 Mexican cauliflower rice topped with chopped cilantro over a grey napkin

If you love this cauliflower rice recipe, you should try

  • Dirty Rice
  • Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Green Rice
★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
This whole30 Mexican cauliflower rice is the perfect side dish for your Mexican style meals! Paleo, vegan, grain free and ready in 10 minutes! Perfect for meal prep as well! | #whole30 #vegan #paleo #mexcian | bitesofwellness.com

Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice

This whole30 Mexican cauliflower rice is the perfect side dish for your Mexican style meals! Paleo, vegan, grain free and ready in 10 minutes! Perfect for meal prep as well! 
4.75 from 4 votes
Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cauliflower rice
Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 9 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Samantha Rowland

Guided Recipe Video

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1/2 medium white onion, chopped
  • 2 bags frozen riced cauliflower - or 1 large head cauliflower, riced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the avocado oil and coat the bottom of the pan
  • Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. 
  • Add the frozen cauliflower rice and cook well until fully defrosted and hot. 
  • Add the spices and stir well.
  • Remove from heat and add the lime juice and chopped cilantro.

Notes

How to rice cauliflower in the food processor:
  • Start by removing the green outer leaves as well as the thick stem.
  • Place the cauliflower head on the counter and slice 1 inch thick steaks of cauliflower or chop into florets. You don’t need to worry about this looking pretty.
  • Add about ½ of the cauliflower to the food processor and process on high until it resembles rice (takes about 20-30 seconds).
  • Repeat with the rest of the cauliflower.
  • Store in the fridge in a well-sealed container for up to 3 days before cooking or freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer safe container.
See how I calculate food cost.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Amount per Serving
Calories
82
Fat
 
3
g
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
Fiber
 
4
g
Sugar
 
4
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!

Similiar Recipes You Will Love

  • Large white bowl filled with cilantro lime cauliflower rice with limes around the bowl.
    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice (Gluten Free, Whole30)
  • White bowl filled with green cauliflower rice with spoon.
    Green Cauliflower Rice
  • This easy grain-free whole30 cauliflower dirty rice is the perfect weeknight meal. Ready in 15 minutes and full of flavor. Grain free, paleo, vegan, whole30, gluten free. #whole30 #grainfree #paleo #vegan
    Easy Grain-Free Whole30 Cauliflower Dirty Rice
  • simple grain-free pumpkin cauliflower oatmeal with pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes
    Grain Free Pumpkin Cauliflower Oatmeal
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

SHARE THIS POST!

If you liked this post, share it with your friends and family!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Previous Post: « Homemade Chunky Monkey Ice Cream (Vegan, Dairy Free)
Next Post: Smoked Salmon Sushi Rice Cakes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tammy

    November 17, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    Fast, easy and delicious! Thank you!!

    Reply
  2. Nel

    April 19, 2020 at 4:41 pm

    4 stars
    Fast and easy to make on my first attempt. It definitely needs the lime, so don’t leave that off (I did leave the cilantro off, though). Quick and easy to prepare. It was really dry, though, which was the reason for the 4 stars.

    Reply
  3. Jenni

    May 6, 2018 at 10:03 am

    How much is in a bag of frozen riced cauliflower?

    Also, could you make this with fresh cauliflower?

    Reply
    • Sam

      May 6, 2018 at 3:27 pm

      Yes you could make it with fresh cauliflower that you rice yourself. Just be sure to steam it for a few minutes first, the frozen cooks quickly where fresh takes a few more minutes to get tender. A bag of frozen is 3 cups!

      Reply
  4. Miz Helen

    January 20, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe looks awesome, we will love it! Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  5. Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit

    January 15, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    I’m craving this! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Sam at Bites of Wellness

Hi, I’m Sam! I make nourishing homemade meals on a budget that are gluten free and mostly dairy free. I’m a former CPA turned passionate home chef that is on a mission to make easy to follow healthy meals that fit on any lifestyle.
Learn More About Me →

Recipes By Course

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Dessert Sides Snacks Soup Salad All Recipes

Recipes By Diet

    Gluten FreeDairy FreeVeganWhole30PaleoKetoHigh ProteinLow CarbVegetarianQuickLow Fat

Whole30 Recipe Favorites

Glass jar full of cherry chipotle bbq sauce.
$2.90 Recipe/$0.48 Serving

Easy Chipotle Cherry BBQ Sauce

Jar filled with vegan chipotle mayo.
$1.56 Recipe/$0.26 Serving

Vegan Chipotle Mayo

Spoon in a jar of mango dressing.
$2.89 Recipe/$0.48 Serving

Mango Dressing

Chicken drumsticks in the air fryer.
$4.33 Recipe/$2.16 Serving

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Cast iron skillet filled with chicken and peas.
$11.40 Recipe/$2.85 Serving

Simple Chicken & Pea Skillet (12 Minutes)

Spoonful of rosemary garlic potatoes.
$4.30 Recipe/$0.72 Serving

Instant Pot Rosemary Garlic Potatoes

Most Popular Recipes

Overhead shot of bowl of best ever mushroom soup with a wooden handled spoon in the bowl on the left side of the bowl. Fresh mushrooms and thyme leaves surround the bowl and there is a grey striped napkin to the left of the bowl

Best Ever Mushroom Soup

Spoon full of broccoli cheese soup over a bowl.

Vegan Broccoli Cheese Soup

White Bean Mushroom Soup in a green and orange bowl with creamy mushrooms on the top, a red and orange napkin and a golden spoon next to the bowl

Best Ever White Bean Mushroom Soup

Bowl of protein puppy chow with a silver spoon scooping some out of the bowl.

Protein Puppy Chow (Gluten Free, Vegan)

Bowl of baked balsamic tofu with a spoon of Italian seasoning below.

Balsamic Tofu

Protein hot chocolate topped with whipped cream in a white mug.

Simple Healthy Protein Hot Chocolate (Dairy-Free)

Footer

Featured On

Bites of Wellness has been featured on countryliving.Bites of Wellness has been featured on buzzfeed.Bites of Wellness has been featured on women's health.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Boston Magazine.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Well and Good.Bites of Wellness has been featured on SHAPE.Bites of Wellness has been featured on PureWow.Bites of Wellness has been featured on PARADE.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Huffington Post.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Greatist.Bites of Wellness has been featured on Eat This Not That.

Recipes by Diet

  • Gluten Free
  • Dairy Free
  • Vegan
  • Paleo
  • Whole30
  • Keto
  • High Protein
  • Low Carb
  • Low Fat

Recipes by Course

  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Side Dish
  • Dessert
  • Snacks
  • Salad
  • Quick

Resources

  • Budget Tips
  • Recipe Resources
  • Kitchen Essentials

Contact & Privacy

  • Work With Me
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Me On Social!

© Copyright 2021 Bites of Wellness