Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Cauliflower Fried Rice is an easy to make a tasty, low carb meal packed with vitamins and flavor!

This “rice” is so good you won’t even think you’re eating healthy! Minced raw cauliflower is the perfect substitute for rice in this recipe.

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why this recipe works:
  • Here’s how to make it:
  • What to serve with cauliflower rice?
  • Is cauliflower fried rice good for you?
  • Recommended cauliflower recipes:
  • Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Why this recipe works:

Cauliflower Fried Rice is a healthy alternative to the standard fried rice recipe that you’re used to getting from a Chinese takeout restaurant.

This recipe is cooked exactly the same as a traditional fried rice recipe, but in place of cooked short grain white rice I used raw cauliflower.

Cauliflower recipes are all the rage, and making using cauliflower in place of the white rice is made even easier with store bought cauliflower “rice”.

I’ve found that if I can replace my favorite carbs (i.e. bread, pasta and rice) with some kind of vegetable that is somewhat similar in texture, yet still enjoy the same recipes I know and love, I can make healthier choices.

Here’s how to make it:

My cauliflower fried rice recipe is exactly like my standard fried rice recipe with one exception. I swap minced raw cauliflower, or cauliflower “rice”, for the cold, cooked short grain white rice.

  1. The best fried rice recipes start out with scrambled egg. I recommend cooking it first and setting it aside. That way you can add it at the very end and it won’t be overcooked.
  2. Next you’ll saute your veggies. I recommend using butter. Who am I kidding? I almost always recommend using butter! It will give your vegetables the most color and flavor. Remember to always at the garlic last as it can burn easily.
  3. Next you’ll cook up your cauliflower rice. You won’t want to over cook it as you’ll want to keep it firm so that it resembles real white rice. The cooking part is just to warm it up and add some flavor.
  4. Finally, you’ll toss everything together and add some soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sesame seeds, and green onions. Delicious!

What to serve with cauliflower rice?

This recipe is a meal in and of itself. If you want to add more protein, you can easily make cauliflower rice with chicken. You take some boneless skinless thighs, pound them thin, and cook them with the veggies. Or, if you like chicken fried rice, you can toss in some already cooked shredded chicken.

The same goes for shrimp. Everything is better with shrimp! I’m also a huge fan of pork fried rice. Either pork tenderloin or pork chops would be outstanding.

If you’re serving up cauliflower fried rice as a main course, you may just want to throw in some meat like I mentioned above.

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

Is cauliflower fried rice good for you?

I suppose the answer to that question could be left up to interpretation. Cauliflower fried “rice” is loaded with vegetables. We’re talking loads of cauliflower, plus a fair amount of carrots, onion, peas, garlic, and green onions. I would think most people would argue that is super healthy.

You also have protein from the egg. I’m a huge fan of eggs and eat them daily. I’m also a big fan of fat. It gives you energy and keeps you full longer. My cauliflower fried rice recipe uses butter. If you go with a grass fed and finished butter like Kerrygold, you’ll get the most health benefits.

Any time you’re going to eat a big bowl of vegetables, you’ll most likely need salt. In lieu of salt, I use a fair amount of soy sauce. If you have to keep your sodium levels low, you can always reduce the amount of soy sauce to your liking.

I’m not a health expert, but I’m going to say that yes –cauliflower fried rice IS good for you

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

Recommended cauliflower recipes:

There are so many delicious possibilities when cooking with cauliflower. Be sure to try these favorites.

  • Two Ingredient Cauliflower Mash– These look and feel incredibly like mashed potatoes. Can you guess which two ingredients I used? Hint: not potatoes.
  • Buffalo Cauliflower Bites– These are always made when we have people over to watch a game on the big screen. So tasty! There’s a how-to video in the post too.
  • Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower Rice– This is a great side dish. Parmesan always cooks up so wonderfully golden brown!
  • Cauliflower Garlic Breadsticks– Definitely not that similar to real bread sticks, but a nice alternative if you’re trying to watch your carbs.
  • Hidden Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese – One of my first cauliflower recipes. I pureed it and hid it in the cheese sauce. The kids had no idea!
  • If you love this recipe, you’ll want to also try making broccoli fried rice.

Go ahead and give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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Cauliflower Fried Rice

Prep15 minutes mins

Cook15 minutes mins

Total30 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Author Krissy Allori

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (4)

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Cauliflower Fried Rice is an easy to make a tasty, low carb meal packed with vitamins and flavor! This rice is so good you won’t even think you’re eating healthy!

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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs whisked
  • 4 tablespoons butter divided
  • 2 medium carrots peeled and diced
  • 1 small white or yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups cauliflower rice raw cauliflower diced
  • 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  • Using a large saute pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the whisked egg, stirring only occasionally until soft scrambled. Remove from pan and set aside.

  • Melt two additional tablespoons of butter and increase heat to medium-high. Add diced carrots, onion, and peas. Stir to coat in butter and allow to cook until slightly brown, stirring occasionally, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and allow to cook for an additional minute.

  • Push the sauteed veggies to the sides of the pan, add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the middle of the pan, and add the cauliflower rice. Give it a quick stir to distribute the melted butter, but allow it to brown slightly by not stirring for a couple of minutes. Once the bottom of the cauliflower starts to brown, stir all the veggies together and allow them to cook for another couple of minutes.

  • Stir in the green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and cooked egg. Remove from heat. Serve with additional sesame seeds, if desired.

Notes

Save yourself some time and buy a bag of cauliflower rice from the store instead of chopping it yourself.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 111mg, Sodium: 957mg, Potassium: 745mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 5765IU, Vitamin C: 90.1mg, Calcium: 88mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

This post first appeared over at Real Housemoms where I was a contributor. It has since been updated with more helpful information and cooking tips.

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Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

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Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe | Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower fried rice soggy? ›

The sogginess comes from cooking your fried rice at too low a heat and for too long, so all the water comes out from the cauliflower. Make sure to cook your fried rice at medium high to high heat to ensure your rice stays as dry as possible.

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

As far as we can tell, it's the same thing, just a different name. The term “cauliflower rice” didn't become an internet sensation until around 2012. But ever since then, this nutrient-rich rice substitute has been booming in popularity!

Does cauliflower rice soak up liquid? ›

For one, it doesn't absorb liquid like rice does, so riced cauliflower alongside stews and curries will be more watery.

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 I make sure my fried rice isn't mushy? ›

So, here are a few tips on avoiding fried rice from getting mushy in the first place.
  1. Always opt for medium-grain or long-grain rice varieties.
  2. Refrigerate the cooked rice for at least one night before using it for fried rice.
  3. Use large pans like a wok or a big saute pan for stir-frying.
Nov 8, 2023

How do you squeeze water out of cauliflower rice? ›

It really is as simple as putting the cooked and cooled cauliflower on a clean flour sack towel , wrapping it up and squeezing all the water out. I like to use flour sack towels because they're large and really thin, which makes them easy to squeeze tight and get out as much water as possible.

How do you keep fried rice fluffy? ›

The moisture, not temperature, of your rice is crucial for good fried rice. I make my rice using a 1:1 rice to water ratio, and then use it - straight from the rice cooker and piping hot - to make fluffy fried rice with distinct grains.

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 cauliflower rice or regular rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. 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 cauliflower rice good for weight loss? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

Why does cauliflower rice make me bloated? ›

The reason for this is that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous veggies, such as kale and broccoli, contains raffinose and other oligosaccharides. These are specific types of sugars that remain undigested until bacteria in the gut ferment them, producing gas, and, in turn, causing bloating and gas.

How do you thicken riced cauliflower? ›

The key to a thicker consistency is to drain the steamed cauliflower really well before pureeing or blending it up. Put the puree back into the warm pan and add grated cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and you should have a nice, thick texture. You can also add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum.

Does cauliflower rice taste of cauliflower? ›

While cauliflower is a mild-tasting, versatile vegetable, it doesn't have the same neutral flavor you get with rice. Instead riced cauliflower is mild, with nutty, slightly bitter undertones.

Does cauliflower rice taste like cauliflower? ›

It's just finely chopped, usually in a food processor, to the size of rice kernels. However, since cauliflower is a mild-tasting vegetable, it can be somewhat chameleon-like and seem just like rice after adding spices and seasonings.

How do you salvage cauliflower? ›

As long as it's not grown soft and/ or slimy, with an odd smell, your cauliflower is fine. Just use a sharp knife or veggie peeler to scrape away those dark spots. They'll come off easily. More often than not, you'll find it bright and clean underneath.

Can you taste the difference in cauliflower rice? ›

However, it's not quite as neutral as regular rice because it has a gentle vegetal flavor similar to cabbage, a bit like how you might expect a bite of the raw vegetable to taste. You can't change the flavor, but you can use stocks, spices, and herbs to achieve a different taste.

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