Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2024)

Home » Side Dishes » Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Published: September 26, 2019Updated: October 4, 2019Author: Jenn Laughlin

Jump to Recipe Pin the Recipe

Mexican Cauliflower Rice is loaded with veggies and spiced to perfection! This zesty and flavorful riced cauliflower is a great side dish for taco night and makes the most tasty base for burrito bowls too!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (1)

I’m still cauliflower ricing it up over here and la la loving it.

If you’re new to the concept of cauliflower rice, it’s basically shredded bits-o-cauliflower that resemble grains of rice in texture. They’re a fantastic low-caloriealternative to rice and a great way to eat more veggies!

Most grocery store offer pre-riced bags of cauliflower in the produce section if you’re looking for a shortcut but it’s also relatively easy to make at home!

I’ll add my homemade cauliflower rice tips and tricks to the bottom of this post if you need ’em!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2)

Though I usually add a bit of Asian flair to my cauliflower rice, I thought it would be fun to Tex-Mex it up for a change.

The result pretty much knocked my socks off. Each delicious bite is loaded with veggies and full of flavor!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

This easy peasy recipe is low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free, and grain-free.

A total one-pot wonder, it’s made in just one pan!

The only dairy is in the optional sriracha ranch sauce so feel free to skip it or swap around the ingredients to make it keto, vegan, dairy-free, paleo and whole30 friendly – which is super easy to do!

serving suggestions

We love this zesty cauliflower rice as a side dish for tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and more.

It can also be paired with your favorite protein for a simple but satisfying lunch dinner. You could even use this combo to prep some meal prep lunches for the week to heat up at work.

Another tasty option is to serve it up as the base for a “rice bowl” by mixing your favorite protein right in with the cauliflower rice and topping it with all your fiesta favorites. Jarred salsa, guacamole, sour cream, corn salsa, etc… all make tasty toppings.

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (4)

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Mexican Cauliflower Rice is loaded with veggies and spiced to perfection! This zesty and flavorful riced cauliflower is a great side dish for taco night and makes the most tasty base for burrito bowls too!

4.75 from 16 votes

Print RecipePin Recipe Rate Recipe

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex, Vegetarian

Keyword: Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh riced cauliflower (approx. 4 cups)
  • 2 TBSP avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1.5 cups chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped bell pepper (any color)
  • 1 roma tomato, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp salt plus extra to taste
  • tsp paprika (mild) or cayenne pepper (hot) plus extra to taste
  • ¼ cup vegetable broth
  • 1 TBSP tomato paste
  • ½ lime
  • 2-3 TBSP fresh cilantro to garnish

SRIRACHA RANCH SAUCE

  • ¼ cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 TBSP sour cream
  • 2-3 tsp Sriracha

Instructions

  • Chop your veggies and prep ingredients. Combine spices in a small bowl and mix. Whisk together Sriracha ranch ingredients in a seperate bowl and set aside.

  • Making your cauliflower rice from scratch? See post for methods and instructions and cauli rice it up! To save time I used a 12 oz bag of fresh cauliflower rice from the produce section.

  • Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat with 2 TBSP oil.

  • Add onion, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic. Sauté for 5-8 minutes until tender.

  • Add half the spice blend along with the broth and tomato paste. Mix well and cook for one additional minute

  • Add cauliflower rice and cook until desired texture is reached. Approx. 3 minutes for al dente rice or 5 minutes for more tender rice. Add a squeeze of lime juice (optional but delicious) and any aditional seasoning to taste. I added an extra pinch of salt.

  • Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and drizzle with Sriracha Ranch Sauce if desired – SO GOOD!

Notes

To save on time, I used fresh cauliflower rice from my grocery store. See the blog post for two super easy methods on making cauliflower rice from a full head of cauliflower at home. It’s a few more minutes of prep-work but super simple to make.

Nutrition Facts below are estimated for the cauliflower rice *and* optional sauce using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 333mg, Potassium: 312mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 619IU, Vitamin C: 54mg, Calcium: 33mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

how to make riced cauliflower:

If you’re new to the concept of cauliflower rice, it’s basically shredded bits-o-cauliflower that resemble grains of rice in texture. They’re a fantastic low-caloriealternative to rice for those with special diets or allergies, or for anyone that simply wants to eat more veggies.

Most grocery store offer pre-riced bags of cauli rice in the produce section if you’re looking for a shortcut but it’s also relatively easy to make at home!

To make cauliflower rice, remove the stem and leaves from a head of cauliflower. Then…

1. FOOD PROCESSOR cauliflower rice

Roughly chop into small florets. Use the food processor’s grater disc to transform the florets into “rice” or make it without the attachment by working in three batches. Working in small batches will help you get even texture. Simply pulse until the mixture appears minced/shredded and you’re good to go.

2. BOX GRATER cauliflower rice

Break into large pieces for easy handling and grate using the coarse side of your grater. As you run out of space for your fingers to grip the florets, simply mince any remaining pieces with a knife.

If you get a chance to try this Mexican Cauliflower Rice recipe, let me know!

Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!

Peas and Crayons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to readers.

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (5)

About The Author:

Jenn Laughlin

Hi! I’m Jenn and I’m here to help you eat your veggies! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.

Learn More

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe - Peas and Crayons (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower rice watery? ›

The key to preventing soggy cauliflower rice is making sure you don't overcook it. Once the 'grains' are hot, you're ready to serve. The best cooking method to avoid any sogginess is to roast the cauliflower grains on a wide, shallow tray. This means there's more evaporation and less water in the cooked grains.

Is cauliflower rice healthier than white rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

How long can you store cauliflower rice? ›

Use cauliflower rice in recipes that call for rice, such as stir fries or fried rice! Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Store uncooked cauliflower rice in the freezer up to 1 month.

How many carbs are in cauliflower rice? ›

In addition, cauliflower rice is low in carbs. It provides only 3 grams of net carbs per cup (107 grams) — 18 times fewer carbs than the same quantity of rice ( 1 , 2 , 3 ).

How do you get the liquid out of cauliflower? ›

The trick with cauliflower is: Don't cook it till is too soft. just 4 or 5 minutes but taste to be sure. then drain into a colander, (sieve with big holes) and leave to drain for a few minutes, asking every minute. tap dry with a little kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.

How do you make cauliflower rice not soggy? ›

Easy DIY Raw Cauliflower Rice Recipe (That's Not Mushy!)

In a food processor, add the cauliflower florets and pulse for 30-60 seconds. Add 2-3 cups at a time and remove as it is riced. This will prevent the cauliflower from being over-processed. With a towel, pat dry or squeeze the liquid out from the cauliflower.

Can you eat too much cauliflower rice? ›

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating. “Make sure to drink enough water to move it through your system,” suggests Lincoln. Cooking it can also dial back digestion woes.

Is cauliflower rice good for belly fat? ›

Cauliflower rice is low in calories and high in fibre, making it a great rice alternative for people looking to lose weight.

Does cauliflower rice spike blood sugar? ›

Cauliflower is much lower in carbohydrates than typical white rice, so therefore it has less of an impact on a person's blood sugar levels. When people eat carbs, the digestive system breaks those down into sugar, which enters the blood.

Can dogs eat cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

Can you overcook cauliflower rice? ›

Overcooking It

It should cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes and when you're heating it up on a pan it should be about 2-3 minutes. Keeping riced cauliflower on a pan longer than that will start make it turn too crumbly and wreck the texture.

How do you know if riced cauliflower has gone bad? ›

Light brown spots are just oxidization, and while it doesn't look pretty, it isn't harmful. However, if the spots are dark brown or black, have a bad smell, are mushy, or look to be mold growth, you need to throw the cauliflower away - it should not be consumed.

Can I eat cauliflower rice everyday on keto? ›

With only 5 grams of carbs (3 grams net carbs) per cup, yes: Cauliflower rice is keto. Normal portions of cauliflower rice are unlikely to kick you out of ketosis, especially if you consume them with plenty of healthy fat. Don't be shy with the olive oil.

What are the best low-carb vegetables? ›

Some vegetables with the lowest amount of carbohydrates include mushrooms, zucchini, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, and cucumbers.

What is a serving size for cauliflower rice? ›

A serving of cauliflower rice is 1 cup. I like to prep a little bit of extra cauliflower per person, just in case anybody wants a second helping. One head of cauliflower will make 4-5 cups of rice, depending on how big it is.

How do you fix watery rice? ›

Rather than draining the excess water from your rice, if it's a manageable amount, put a piece of stale bread on top of the rice, cover the pot, and allow it to continue cooking on low heat. After a few minutes, the bread should absorb the moisture in the pot.

How do you keep rice from tasting watery? ›

If you add too much water to rice while cooking, there are a few things you can do to fix it:
  1. Remove the lid of the pot and let the rice cook uncovered. ...
  2. Drain the excess water from the pot by using a colander or a large spoon.
  3. If the rice is still too wet, you can add a tablespoon of butter or oil to the pot.
Feb 14, 2021

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 5910

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.