Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is an easy, healthy side dish, perfect for serving with your favorite Mexican recipes. It also makes a great base for a gluten free, Whole 30 taco bowl!

Large white bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice with two lime wedges on top and wooden spoon in the bowl

Looking to low-carb your meals? Try cauliflower rice!

Use it instead of traditional rice in these Veggie Fajita Rice Bowls or use it instead of quinoa in these Thai Peanut Sweet Potato Buddha Bowls!

It only takes 10 minutes to make, start to finish, and is great as the base for a low carb bowl or served as a side dish!

Table of contents

Wooden spoon of cilantro lime cauliflower rice coming out of a bowl of cauliflower rice with lime wedges on top and fresh cilantro in the background

How do you make it?

Add cauliflower florets to a food processor. Pulse the cauliflower until it forms a consistency similar to rice. This usually takes about 30 seconds.

Add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower rice and salt. Cover and cook the rice for 5-6 minutes.

Remove the lid and serve the rice.

Is cauliflower rice better than rice?

Cauliflower rice is lower in carbohydrates and calories than cooked white rice. It also provides a significant serving of vitamin C, whereas white rice provides no vitamin content.

Cauliflower rice contains 20 calories per cup and 5 grams of carbohydrates. It also provides 70% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Cooked white rice contains 200 calories per cooked cup, 40 grams of carbohydrates and no vitamins.

How long does it last in the fridge?

You can store raw cauliflower rice in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 12 months.

If you plan to make cauliflower rice part of your regular menu, I highly recommend making a big batch and storing portioned out servings in ziplock bags.

This makes it super easy to grab a bag anytime you’re meal prepping or need a quick and healthy side dish for dinner.

While you can purchase cauliflower rice pre-made in the freezer section of most major grocery stores, you will save a ton of money by making it at home yourself and it’s so easy to do it!

Is it vegan, whole30 and gluten free?

Yes, yes and yes! Cauliflower rice is vegan, whole30 approved and gluten free.

What to use it for

Cauliflower rice is the perfect base for a healthy bowl or served as a side dish.

Try it in these recipes in place of traditional rice.

Or try it as a side dish with these recipes:

Cilantro lime cauliflower rice in white bowl with lime wedges on top and wooden spoon in bowl, with fresh cilantro in background
Cilantro lime rice in large white bowl with wooden spoon and lime wedges on top
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Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is an easy, healthy side dish to go with Mexican recipes. It also makes a great base for a gluten free, Whole 30 taco bowl!
Servings: 6 cups
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Author: Whitney Bond
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs cauliflower, cut into large pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice

Instructions

  • Add the cauliflower to a food processor and pulse until it forms a consistency similar to rice.
  • Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the cauliflower rice and salt, cover and cook for 5-6 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the cilantro and lime juice.

Notes

When adding the cauliflower to the food processor, only add enough to fill it approximately half way. Pulse the cauliflower in the food processor, remove the cauliflower rice, then pulse the remainder of the cauliflower in batches until it has all been riced.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 61kcal (3%)Carbohydrates 8g (3%)Protein 2g (4%)Fat 2g (3%)Sodium 239mg (10%)Potassium 463mg (13%)Fiber 3g (12%)Sugar 3g (3%)Vitamin A 45mg (1%)Vitamin C 76.1mg (92%)Calcium 33mg (3%)Iron 0.6mg (3%)
Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!

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