The BEST Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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A bold and comforting Chicken Fried Rice Recipe for those on a low-carb or grain-free diet. This amazing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice is so convincing, you won’t even miss the rice!

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Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Let me start out by saying, I love grains. And dairy.

Although I have tried the paleo diet and think of it as a very healthy option (we use it as a cleanse on occasion) I could never give up good bread, cheese, or pasta long term.

Yet it is January, and many of us are thinking along the lines of low carb… So, I’ve got a healthy paleo-friendly dinner option to share with you today.

After all,I don’t think I could stand it if I was the cause of your dietary demise… at least not today.

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Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice

Introducing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice.

No, not a fried rice recipe with chunks of cauliflower in it, but a dish using cauliflower as (or in place of) the rice. I promise, you’ll be shocked at how good it is.

To make cauliflower fried rice, prepare all your ingredients, just as you would for a classic fried rice recipe: beaten eggs, chopped scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, chopped chicken, soy sauce, maybe a little chile paste.

It’s a fast and easy recipe that will fill you up, while keeping you light and lean!

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Low Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Ingredients

  • Cauliflower – To take the place of the rice, making this recipe grain-free.
  • Thick-cut bacon – Chopped. Use uncured organic bacon for strict paleo diets.
  • Chicken breast – Sliced into thin pieces, for quick frying.
  • Eggs – Beaten and flash fried.
  • Freshly grated ginger – To give the stirfry a distinct Asian flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh or jarred.
  • Green onions – Chop, then keep the greens and whites separated.
  • Shredded carrots – Buy pre-shredded, or use a cheese grater.
  • Frozen peas – English sweet peas.
  • Thai basil – Or use sweet basil or cilantro.
  • Soy sauce – Substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo.
  • Sriracha – Or chile garlic paste.
  • Lime wedges – For serving.
  • Coconut oil – For frying.

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How To Make Cauliflower Fried Rice

  1. Prep the Ingredients. Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking.
  2. Rice the Cauliflower. Then place roughly chopped cauliflower florets in the food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is chopped to the size of rice.
  3. Stir fry. Flash fry the ingredients in a wok over high heat, one at a time, to keep them from over cooking. Then flash fry the cauliflower until just barely cooked through, but not mushy. Add all the ingredients into the wok and toss. Viola!

Get The Full (Printable) Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe Below!

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Keto Cauliflower Fried Rice

The secret ingredient (other than the cauliflower) is bacon.

Adding a little bacon to the wok, allows it to mingle with the soy and ginger and provide that unctuous full-bodied flavor traditional fried rice offers.

It’s a mind-blowing option for low-carb dieters, and is even keto friendly!

In fact, I don’t know that I wouldn’t chose it over classic fried rice. You’ve got to try this!

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Cauliflower Rice FAQ

How Do You Make Cauliflower Rice?

You need a food processor in order to grind cauliflower into small “rice” pieces.

Cut the cauliflower into florets. Then pulse them in the food processor until the pieces are small and even.

Is Cauliflower Fried Rice Gluten Free?

Yes, as long as you use gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos, this recipe is gluten free.

Can I Make A Vegetarian Version of Cauliflower Fried Rice?

Yes. Simply, remove the chicken and bacon.

However, the bacon grease also acts as the cooking fat, so you will need to add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet.

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More Low Carb Recipes You Will Love

  • Perfect Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Tom Yum Soup
  • Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
  • Caribbean Grilled Lamb Chops
  • Baked White Fish with Everything Bagel Crust
  • Muffuletta Stuffed Chicken
  • Croatian Chicken Skillet

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Print Recipe

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Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

A bold and comforting fried rice recipe for those on a low-carb or grain-free diet. This amazing paleocauliflower fried rice is so convincing, you won't even miss the rice!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 5 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (Uncured Organic Bacon for Strict Paleo)
  • 1 pound organic chicken breast, sliced into thin pieces
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped (greens and whites separated)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/3 cup chopped Thai basil, or cilantro
  • 1-3 tablespoon soy sauce, substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or chile paste
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Coconut oil, for frying

Instructions

  • Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking. Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them in the food processor. Pulse until it roughly resembles rice.

  • Heat a large wok (or skillet) over medium heat. Place a rimmed dish to the side of the wok as a holding dish. Add the bacon to the skillet and fry until brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the dish.

  • Add the eggs to the skillet and quickly scramble. Use your spoon to break into small pieces, then move to the holding dish. If needed add a small amount of oil to the wok.

  • Turn the heat to high and add the chicken, white onion pieces, ginger, and garlic. Stir fry until the chicken is just barely cooked through, then add the carrots and cook another minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to the holding dish.

  • Now add the cauliflower "rice" to the wok. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes until soft, but still firm. Add all the cooked ingredients back to the wok, along with the frozen peas, soy sauce to taste, and chile paste. Toss and cook until the peas are warmed through, then toss in the green onion tops and basil. Serve warm with lime wedges.

Notes

Looking for Keto Adaptations? Substitute chopped broccoli for the carrots and peas to lower the carbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 452kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 225mg, Sodium: 823mg, Potassium: 1210mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 6020IU, Vitamin C: 90mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 2.7mg

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

The BEST Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cauliflower rice from getting mushy? ›

Easy DIY Raw Cauliflower Rice Recipe (That's Not Mushy!)

In a food processor, add the cauliflower florets and pulse for 30-60 seconds. Add 2-3 cups at a time and remove as it is riced. This will prevent the cauliflower from being over-processed. With a towel, pat dry or squeeze the liquid out from the cauliflower.

What is the difference between cauliflower rice and riced cauliflower? ›

If you're looking to incorporate more vegetables in your diet, then riced cauliflower might be the solution you've been looking for. Also called cauliflower rice or cauliflower couscous, it's cauliflower that has been broken down into small pieces resembling grain or pasta and often used as a substitute.

Is frozen or fresh cauliflower rice better? ›

Frozen has nearly identical nutritional values to fresh cauliflower rice. Similar to fresh produce that's available to us when it's fully ripened and at its nutritional peak, frozen produce is also processed at its prime, which means vital nutrients are maintained even long after sitting in the freezer aisle for weeks.

How do you make rice not sticky and mushy? ›

Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky as it cooks. 2. Use the Right Ratio of Water to Rice: Use the appropriate water-to-rice ratio for the type of rice you are cooking.

What happens when you eat too much cauliflower? ›

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating. “Make sure to drink enough water to move it through your system,” suggests Lincoln. Cooking it can also dial back digestion woes.

What brings out the Flavour of cauliflower? ›

This is true of any vegetable — boiling it will give you a flavor closer to the raw flavor, which means more bitterness and more astringency. Caramelizing it will bring out its hidden sweetness. This light, vibrant roasted cauliflower salad is a recipe I developed for the fall menu at Duo.

Why do you soak cauliflower before cooking? ›

If you're planning to roast the cauliflower whole or slice it into steaks, slice off the thick stem at the base. Drop the whole cauliflower head upside-down into cool, salted water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes to remove dirt, residue and bugs.

How do you change the taste of cauliflower? ›

There are two really simple techniques that bring out the best in cauliflower: grilling and pickling. Dumping cauliflower florets in a mixture of salt and lemon juice for 45 minutes to an hour turns them into spiky little flavor bombs, delivering high-pitched squeaks in salads, sandwiches or the stew recipe here.

Is it OK to eat riced cauliflower everyday? ›

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Cauliflower rice is a nutritious alternative to rice that's low in calories and carbs. It may even provide a number of benefits, such as boosting weight loss, fighting inflammation, and even protecting against certain illnesses. What's more, it's simple to make and can be eaten raw or cooked.

What is healthier rice or cauliflower rice? ›

Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

Is it cheaper to make cauliflower rice or buy it? ›

Cheaper: Making riced cauliflower from scratch will save you money in the grocery store. A head of cauliflower is cheaper than buying fresh or frozen riced cauliflower. Tastes Great: Because it's made fresh, it also tastes better. You can use it in any recipe that calls for rice.

Is Trader Joe's cauliflower rice healthy? ›

For a larger serving, the Trader Joe's cauliflower version provides far less calories and total carbs and slightly more fiber than traditional risotto. It also has no added sugar and low total sugar.

Does Aldi do cauliflower rice? ›

Nature's Pick Cauliflower Rice 300g | ALDI.

Why is my cauliflower mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

Why did my rice turn out mushy? ›

Excess Water and Incorrect Water Ratio: Too much water during cooking often results in mushy rice. The water ratio is critical; too much water causes the rice grains to absorb more liquid than they can handle, leading to a breakdown in their structure.

How do you make cauliflower rice not soggy Reddit? ›

-Heat a large lightly greased sauté pan (olive or avocado oil) on med-high heat. -Dump the cauli rice into the hot pan and spread out to a nice even layer. Wait a minute before tossing so the bottom browns up a little (but not burn). -Toss around with a spoon or spatula, then let it sit again for 30 sec to a minute.

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