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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Side Dish / How to make Cauliflower Rice

    How to make Cauliflower Rice

    Published: Jun 17, 2019 · Modified: Mar 10, 2020 by Anna 16 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    How to make Cauliflower Rice in just 10 minutes! This low-carb, Keto friendly and gluten-free alternative to grain rice is an easy and delicious option for many rice dishes! 

    Cauliflower is a wonderful vegetable that can be used to make not only Fried Rice but also Alfredo sauce or roasted with garlic and Parmesan cheese.

    Close up shot of cauliflower rice in bowl with red rim.

    For the past few weeks, I have been testing the idea of rice made of cauliflower and it's uses in many dishes you would typically serve with rice. And I am OBSESSED! Can't believe it took me so long to jump on this, especially since (as you may know) I love love love my cauliflower Alfredo sauce and used it in healthy mac and cheese and our beloved Fettuccine Alfredo pasta dish. This Cauliflower Rice is perfect in any Asian dish, topped with stir fry or served with grilled chicken and steamed broccoli.

    Cauliflower is not only low in carbs but also contains fiber, protein, and Vitamins! A serving of 100g of cauliflower has just 26 calories,  2 grams of dietary fiber, almost 2 grams of protein, 48 mg of Vitamin C (that's 80% of daily recommended value) and a good amount of many B Vitamins as well as Vitamin K. It's low in fat and cholesterol. C

    Grated cauliflower with grater in white plate.

    Instructions:

    - without food processor:

    Making cauliflower rice is so simple because all you need to do is cut off the leaves, slice off any stains on the head, cut it into florets and grate it. You can use a box grater. One thing to remember, use the bigger holes of your grater to make this "rice".

    - in a food processor:

    My food processor blade has both, small and big holes and I used the big size. The size of "rice" was the same as using the box grater on the side with bigger holes. Obviously, the using food processor is faster but you will have a bowl to clean. Besides, you may not want to pull out the big guy for this job and I have to say that I like the texture from a box grater better. Food processor left some longer, string-y pieces. As I said, my food processor technique made a "rice" that had pieces resembling shredded cabbage to me. It may sound silly, but that's what I thought! I think it was the thicker ends of the florets, which I tried to trim as much as possible. It does not affect the taste at all and honestly, once cooked the texture is not affected either. I just want you to be able to see it grated.

    Close up shot of grated cauliflower in food processor.

    How much does it make?

    From a medium cauliflower head, I got about 6 cups of "rice". I use 2 to 2 and 1/2 cups for a dish. The rest, I store in a Ziploc bag in my fridge to use during the week.

    Cooking:

    • To cook this cauliflower rice and serve is like cooked rice, all you need to do is heat up some sort of fat (olive or coconut oil or butter) in a saucepan and cook the cauliflower for about 5 minutes, sauteing, stirring often.
    • Season with salt and pepper and you are done. It takes way less time than cooking grain rice!

    The taste:

    The real test for this rice alternative was to serve it to my Hubby. I mentioned before that he is quite sensitive to different textures which I believe also lets him identify ingredients very quickly. I served him this cauliflower rice cooked and simply seasoned with salt and pepper. He LOVED it! He said it tastes just like my perfectly fluffy rice! And so did our kids!

    More healthy recipes:

    • Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice
    • Easy Mashed Cauliflower
    • Cheesy Cauliflower Alfredo Bake

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out! 😀

    Grater with cauliflower rice on white plate.

    Cauliflower Rice

    Author: Anna
    Make healthy cauliflower rice with fresh cauliflower head, by using a grater or a food processor. It only takes 10 minutes! Perfect low-carb, keto friendly, gluten-free option. Freeze and keep to use in place of white rice.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 cups
    Calories 4 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 medium cauliflower head

    Instructions
     

    • Remove leaves and core of cauliflower. Cut the head into florets and cut off the thicker ends.
    • Grate cauliflower using box grater of food processor. Use the larger hole side.
    • You should get about 6 cups of cauliflower "rice" from a medium head.
    • Too cook: heat up a tablespoon or so of olive oil in a saucepan and cook 2 and 1/2 cups of cauliflower rice for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcal | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 53mg | Vitamin C: 8.6mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    This post was originally published on May 18th, 2016 and updated on June 17th, 2019.

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Leftover Stuffing Muffins
    • How to Freeze Rice
    • How to Cook Rice on the Stove
    • Easy Smashed Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. MARY VINCI says

      April 16, 2021 at 10:20 am

      5 stars
      I used the large greater blade in my Cuisinart very easy to make. Although I did add more oil to taste. It was delicious my husband was impressed. Planning on making this again.
      Thank you!

      Reply
    2. KayL says

      December 25, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      5 stars
      This is a quick, simple and delicious recipe. I used my grater, which was faster than using my good processor. The final dish was ready in about 15 minutes. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!

      Reply
    3. Lauren Hall says

      May 22, 2016 at 10:40 am

      5 stars
      I have never thought about making rice - I need to try this!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 31, 2016 at 12:13 pm

        You will love it, Lauren!

        Reply
    4. Dorothy says

      May 20, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      Huh...I never thought to use a grater. I have always done it in the processor. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 20, 2016 at 10:37 pm

        You are welcome! 😀

        Reply
    5. Katerina says

      May 20, 2016 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      One of my favorite hacks!!! I use my food processor and it hasn't failed me, yet. Besides, I'm too lazy to use the grater... 😀

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 31, 2016 at 12:15 pm

        I hear ya! 😀 Thanks, Kate !

        Reply
    6. Amanda says

      May 19, 2016 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      You know, I STILL haven't tried cauliflower rice... after seeing how easy it is, I need to make it!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 31, 2016 at 12:17 pm

        Yes! So easy AND so delicious! Thanks, Amanda!

        Reply
    7. Erin says

      May 19, 2016 at 5:52 pm

      5 stars
      I have been wanting to try cauliflower rice, but I think my family would flip! They don't love cauliflower and I am not sure I could sneak it past them. One of these days I am just going to go for it, because I want it!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 31, 2016 at 12:39 pm

        I totally get it! Trust me, if my Hubby loves it - your family will too! 😀 Thanks, Erin!

        Reply
      • Bev says

        November 29, 2020 at 5:44 pm

        I actually made mashed cauliflower, I served it to my kids they thought it was mashed potatoes their minds were blown

        Reply
    8. Meg says

      May 19, 2016 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      I love when there is more than one way to make something!

      Reply
      • Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says

        May 31, 2016 at 1:04 pm

        Me too!! 😀

        Reply
    9. Bintu says

      May 19, 2016 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      I've never been a huge cauliflower fan but I'm so intrigued by these cauliflower rice recipes I keep seeing. I think I'll have to give it a go. If all else fails I can always drown it in cheese sauce, right? Everything tastes better with cheese 😀

      Reply

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