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You are here: Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Published December 8, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

A skillet of garlic cauliflower rice with text overlay.
A bowl of cauliflower rice with text overlay.
A bowl of cauliflower rice with text overlay.
2 images of garlic cauliflower rice with text overlay between them.
Close up of garlic cauliflower rice with text overlay.

This low carb dish is filled with delicious garlicky flavor and is an easy replacement for regular rice. Garlic Cauliflower Rice is quick to make and an easy recipe to follow. This simple side dish pairs well with most main dishes and may also be adapted to your liking.

Close up of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl with garlic cloves in the background

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Garlic Cauliflower Rice is a wonderful replacement for regular rice, especially if you’re following a low carb diet or prefer a bit of extra vegetal flavor compared to the mild flavor of traditional rice.

This dish is healthy, but it is not lacking in delicious garlic flavor. Cauliflower Rice can be served as a stand-alone side dish and is a great accompaniment to most main dishes.

This is a quick recipe which only takes 20 minutes total to prepare and cook. It’s also an easy recipe to follow. 

You can substitute cauliflower rice in just about any recipe that calls for regular rice.

A couple great ways to use cauliflower rice is in Fajita Bowls or Lemon Soup. If you enjoy the flavor of cauliflower, or any of these recipes, you should try Cheesy Barbecue Ground Beef and Cauliflower Skillet, which is a bit more decadent.

Why This Recipe Works

This dish is extremely flavorful. The garlicky aroma is enticing and appetizing making this a very tasty recipe.

This recipe is adaptable. You can mix in cheese, herbs, or spices to make it taste exactly how you like. This gives you the freedom to pair this dish with a variety of entrees.

Garlic Cauliflower Rice is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free. Each generous serving contains 6 net carbs.

How To Make Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

Ingredients needed to make garlic cauliflower rice on a marble background with text overlay

  • Cauliflower Rice: I find that using fresh cauliflower, rather than frozen, tastes best. You can reference my tutorial on How To Rice Cauliflower, if you need to.
  • Garlic: again, fresh garlic will give you more flavor than jarred. That’s not to say that jarred garlic can’t be used. It absolutely can.
  • Butter
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Parsley: optional.

The entire recipe and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Rice the cauliflower, if needed, and mince the garlic.

Create!

Garlic cooking in butter in a black skillet

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute until fragrant.

Cauliflower rice cooking in a black skillet

Add the riced cauliflower and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat the rice in the garlic butter.

Close up of garlic cauliflower rice being pushed up with a wood turner

Cover and cook, about 5-7 minutes, stirring often until tender. It’s okay if the cauliflower starts to brown a little, it will actually give it more of a nutty flavor.

Taste and adjust the seasonings as preferred.

Present!

Overhead of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl with garlic cloves around it

Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • Your measurements for the riced cauliflower don’t have to be exact. If the amount that you are using is significantly more or less, you will need to adjust the amount of butter and garlic accordingly.
  • You can easily adapt this recipe. Try adding Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and sour cream, or your favorite herbs to enhance the flavor even more.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days.

FAQ’s

Does Cauliflower Rice Taste Like Rice?

While cauliflower is pretty bland for a vegetable, it’s still not as bland as regular rice. You will be able to taste some of cauliflowers signature flavor when using it as a stand-in for traditional rice.

Is Cauliflower Rice Better Than Rice?

Cauliflower rice is much lower in calories and carbohydrates than regular rice. It’s an excellent option for those trying to lower their carb intake or lose weight.

Is Cauliflower Rice Keto?

Yes, cauliflower is a good choice for those following a keto diet. Depending on how strictly you follow the diet, you may have to limit how much cauliflower you consume as it does still contain some carbohydrates.

More Cauliflower Rice Recipes

Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Rice is a low carb, keto friendly side dish recipe that is bursting with coconut flavor.
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Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Rice in a wood bowl with a fork in it over a gray background
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This easy recipe for Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice adds a lot more flavor to your meal. It's a low carb, gluten free side dish that pairs well with any dish that you'd normally serve rice with.
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close up of cilantro lime cauliflower rice in a black skillet with a wood spoon
Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Spanish Cauliflower Rice is a quick and easy side dish recipe to serve with all of your favorite low carb Mexican and southwestern meals. With only 9 net carbs per serving, it’s keto friendly and naturally dairy and gluten free.
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Spanish cauliflower rice in a wood bowl over a blue and white striped towel over a wood board with a fork next to the bowl

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Close up of garlic cauliflower rice in a white bowl
Print

Garlic Cauliflower Rice

This low carb dish is filled with delicious garlicky flavor and is an easy replacement for regular rice. Garlic Cauliflower Rice is quick to make and an easy recipe to follow. This simple side dish pairs well with most main dishes and may also be adapted to your liking.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb
Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 97kcal
Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 head cauliflower, riced (about 4 cups)
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • fresh parsley (optional, garnish)

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute until fragrant.
    2 tablespoons butter, 6 cloves garlic
  • Add the riced cauliflower and season with salt and pepper. Stir to coat the rice in the garlic butter.
    1 head cauliflower, riced, salt, pepper
  • Cover and cook, about 5-7 minutes, stirring often until tender.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as preferred. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
    fresh parsley

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Your measurements for the riced cauliflower don’t have to be exact. If the amount that you are using is significantly more or less, you will need to adjust the amount of butter and garlic accordingly.
  • You can easily adapt this recipe. Try adding Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and sour cream, or your favorite herbs to enhance the flavor even more.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
*  Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 79mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Recipes, Side Dishes

Welcome, I'm Lauren!

Delicious Little Bites is where I share all types of recipes from appetizers to desserts. You will also find plenty of keto, gluten free, and vegetarian recipes here to help you put a delicious meal on the table every night that the whole family will love! Read More...

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