Every item on this page was chosen by The Fed & Fit team. The site may earn a commission on some products (read more here).
Cauliflower rice is extremely healthy and extremely simple. You only need a food processor or blender to transform this often disregarded veggie into the highlight of the meal.
When I made the decision to go paleo, one of the foods I missed most was rice. I began experimenting immediately. I settled on cauliflower rice. Truly, if you get the right char on the cauliflower, you can fool your family and friends. My family is constantly surprised when I tell them they’re eating spoonful after spoonful of cauliflower.
The cauliflower takes on flavors really well. So, anything you decide to add to the dish will sing. I am a big fan of Chipotle and their cilantro lime rice. This dish is a tribute to their recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of raw cauliflower
- 1/2 cup chopped sweet onion or yellow onion
- 5 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil EVOO
- 2 large limes juiced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- sea salt and cracked pepper for taste
Instructions
- Rinse your cauliflower and set aside.
- In a medium sized pan over medium heat, start browning your onions in the EVOO.
- Chop your cauliflower (disregarding the larger portion of the stalk) into about 1” cubes.
- Put about ¼ of the chopped cauliflower in the food processor (or blender) and blend until it has a small – grainy texture. Repeat for the rest of the cauliflower.
- [Note: I divide mine up into 4 steps so I can be sure that all the cauliflower has the same consistency. Too large of a batch could result in unwanted large chunks.]
- Once the onions are slightly browned, add the minced garlic.
- Stir then add the cauliflower.
- Sauté for about 10 minutes over medium/high heat, stirring constantly.
- The moisture from the cauliflower will deglaze the caramelized onions from the pan, allowing the cauliflower to take on the delicious char flavor.
- Once it is to your preferred consistency, stir in the lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Take off heat, stir in cilantro.
- Enjoy!
Chikachef says
Absolutely yummy!
inherchucks says
Great idea! I have my own version of lime and cilantro rice https://inherchucks.com/2012/02/08/cilantro-lime-rice/ but your recipe is a healthier choice. Can’t wait to give it a try 🙂
fedandfit says
Yum! Your rice looks great. Hope you enjoy the cauliflower!
inherchucks says
I know I will!
Tammy says
I highly recommend less lime to start out with! I juiced 2 large limes, added it to the recipe, and it was way too much. Once you add too much lime, it’s too late. Not in a hurry to try this recipe again. When I do, i will juice one lime and go from there. 🙂
fedandfit says
Hi Tammy! Thank you for your feedback. I’m sorry about the overload of lime flavor. I tend to have a heavy hand when it comes to citrus, I’ll include a disclaimer from here out. Thanks again for stopping by and I hope it turns out more to your liking next time! 🙂
Christine Oda says
I am confused at how there can be 14.3 grams of sugar, Could you please explain? Thank you very much.
fedandfit says
Hi Christine! I’m so glad you asked. My calculation was wrong! I just did a quick re-tabulation to see where the large number came from, and boiled down to 5 g of sugar a serving. The cauliflower actually has the most natural sugars of the ingredients on the list. I’m updating the post now. Many thanks!
Darla says
Could I make this ahead and reheat it before serving?
Brandi Schilhab says
Of course, Darla! Enjoy!