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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I can’t take credit for the idea to make a Spanish Cauliflower Rice. Someone that I work with mentioned to me that it would be a great addition to my already cauliflower recipe-loaded food blog. And, there were right!
I absolutely love cauliflower and Mexican food, so this cauliflower rice recipe really was a missing link. Besides serving it as a side dish, I could see using it in my Mexican Beef Bowls or Keto Stuffed Peppers.
The ingredients are really simple, whole foods including cauliflower (of course), pepper, shallot or onion, garlic, tomato sauce and seasonings.
I had intended to remove the seeds from a jalapeno and add it to the recipe for more flavor and smokiness, but forgot to buy them when I took the images for this recipe. Instead, I added smoked paprika and it turned out perfectly and a bit more kid-friendly too!
Why This Recipe Works
This is an easy recipe made with plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs. It takes only about 20 minutes and 7 ingredients to make.
It’s incredibly flavorful and pairs perfectly with low carb Mexican or southwestern main dishes. I’ve used it under low carb enchiladas before baking them, but it’s also great alongside of tacos or inside of burritos!
This recipe is low carb, keto friendly, gluten free, and dairy free. It’s one of those dishes that can be enjoyed while following a variety of different diets or lifestyles.
How to Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice
What You Need To Make This Recipe
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup sweet pepper, diced small (red, yellow, or orange)
- 1 shallot, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups cauliflower rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- fresh cilantro
Chef’s Tip: if you’d like your rice to be more spicy, you can add a minced jalapeno. Remove the seeds for less spice and leave some or all of them in for more intense spiciness.
The entire recipe and instructions can also 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, chop the pepper and shallot, and mince the garlic. You can refer to this post on How To Rice Cauliflower, if needed.
Chef’s Tip: if you choose to use frozen riced cauliflower you will either want to let it thaw, then pat out the excess moisture with paper towels, or cook it longer.
Create!
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pepper, shallot, and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until just starting to softened.
Add the cauliflower rice, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Note: you may have noticed that the color of my pepper in the images went from red to yellow. When I cut the red pepper open after taking the first image, it was bad inside. The only other pepper that I had was yellow. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow!
Stir in the sauce and heat for another minute or so.
Present!
Garnish the cauliflower rice with fresh, chopped cilantro, if desired.
Tips and Techniques
- Add a minced jalapeno for added spice, if desired. Remove the seeds for less spice and leave some or all of them in for a more intense spiciness.
- Fresh, riced cauliflower works best in this recipe. You can reference this post on How To Rice Cauliflower, if needed. If you choose to use frozen, you will either want to let it thaw, then pat out the excess moisture with paper towels, or cook it longer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 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 unless it’s heavily seasoned.
In this recipe, the seasonings definitely overpower the flavor of the cauliflower, but it still does not have the same flavor or texture and traditional rice.
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.
One cup of cauliflower rice contains approximately 27 calories, 2 grams of protein, and 3 net carbs.
More Cauliflower Rice Recipes
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Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup sweet bell pepper * red, yellow, or orange, diced small
- 1 shallot * finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic * minced
- 4 cups cauliflower rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- fresh cilantro * optional to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pepper, shallot, and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes or until just starting to softened.
- Add the cauliflower rice, salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower is tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the sauce and heat for another minute or so.
- Garnish the cauliflower rice with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Add a minced jalapeno for added spice, if desired. Remove the seeds for less spice and leave some or all of them in for a more intense spiciness.
- Fresh, riced cauliflower works best in this recipe. You can reference this post on How To Rice Cauliflower, if needed. If you choose to use frozen, you will either want to let it thaw, then pat out the excess moisture with paper towels, or cook it longer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-5 days.
Amanda says
I’ve had cauliflower rice before but Spanish is new to me. I’ll be trying this one out.
Shadi says
Love how easy this recipe is! Can’t wait to try!
Sues says
Oooh this is such a good idea!! I love cauliflower rice, but my husband isn’t a fan. I’m thinking this will change his mind! It looks amazing.
Katherine says
I love this healthier version of Spanish Rice!
Liz says
I loooove Spanish rice but I hadn’t thought about making it with cauliflower! Such a great recipe! Thank you for sharing!