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

Spanish Cauliflower Rice

Published June 4, 2020. Last updated May 28, 2021 by Lauren Vavala

Thanks for sharing!

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.

close up of cauliflower spanish rice in a wood bowl with a white background

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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

Ingredients to make spanish cauliflower rice on a white background

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!

Yellow pepper, shallot, and garlic cooking in a black skillet over a white background

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.

mexican cauliflower rice cooking in a black skillet over a white background

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!

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

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

  • Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice
  • Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Rice
  • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Love this Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe? Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more!

If you try this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would please leave a comment and star rating. Thanks!

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
Print

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.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Gluten Free, Low Carb, Mexican, Vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 92kcal
Author Lauren Harris

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.
** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 422mg | Potassium: 598mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 481IU | Vitamin C: 92mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

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

Comments

  1. Deb says

    July 8, 2021 at 4:53 pm

    Have made this recipe several times. It’s always a big hit!!

    Reply
  2. Amanda says

    June 10, 2020 at 10:37 am

    I’ve had cauliflower rice before but Spanish is new to me. I’ll be trying this one out.

    Reply
  3. Shadi says

    June 10, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Love how easy this recipe is! Can’t wait to try!

    Reply
  4. Sues says

    June 10, 2020 at 10:31 am

    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.

    Reply
  5. Katherine says

    June 10, 2020 at 9:56 am

    I love this healthier version of Spanish Rice!

    Reply
  6. Liz says

    June 10, 2020 at 9:46 am

    I loooove Spanish rice but I hadn’t thought about making it with cauliflower! Such a great recipe! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

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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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