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Learn How to Season Cauliflower Rice for a low carb side dish. Cauliflower Rice is a great veggie alternative to regular rice. Add flavor with these seasoning options.

Seven bowls of cauliflower rice, seasoned to perfection, with various toppings and flavors like tomato, herbs, and mixed vegetables, are arranged on a dark surface. For those wondering how to season cauliflower rice, one bowl showcases lemon slices as a fresh garnish.
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Cauliflower Rice is a great alternative to regular rice. Cauliflower is a great healthy vegetable that has been diced to make rice. We will show how to season riced cauliflower and how to make it.

Cauliflower is a great way to sneak in vegetables. Mixed with some of your favorite dishes that calls for white rice. It is easy to make and taste even better when seasoned for a side dish. It is even great as a base to your saucy recipes.

Cauliflower Rice is a low carb alternative to regular rice or those avoiding grains. This is a great way to stay on track with your low calorie diet, but still getting to eat rice. You may love these other low carb recipes, Crock pot Low Carb Pizza Casserole Recipe, Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe, Grilled Cauliflower Steaks, Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Recipe and Cauliflower au Gratin.

Why Make Riced Cauliflower

There are so many ways to jazz up your cauliflower. You will be amazed how much your family will love it. It is a great way to make healthier choices with out giving up rice.

We have also put this cauliflower rice in our soups instead of regular rice. The best part is our kids didn’t even question us. I loved it because I was adding a vegetable into our meal where we normally wouldn’t have it.

Once you try cooked cauliflower rice, you will see how easy it is. It only takes a few minutes to turn a head of cauliflower or cauliflower florets into delicious cooked cauliflower rice or make Crockpot Cauliflower soup recipe.

The ideas are endless and your entire family will enjoy it. My kids were hesitant at first but really loved it once they tried it.

Cauliflower Rice Ingredients

A head of cauliflower with green leaves rests on a dark, textured surface. Nearby, a small white bowl containing olive oil awaits the transformation process—perfect for those learning how to season cauliflower rice to perfection.
  • Olive Oil – Feel free to use oil if your choice. Avocado oil or vegetable oil is great options.
  • Riced Cauliflower – Chop cauliflower into small pieces or use a food processor

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredient details in the recipe card

How to Make Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Wash the cauliflower and make sure to dry it thoroughly.  
Chopped cauliflower florets on a white cutting board with a small bowl of olive oil above them, showing you how to season cauliflower rice. A knife and a black-and-white checkered cloth rest beside the board on a dark countertop.
  • Step 2 – Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and cut into large pieces.  
A red food processor filled with cauliflower florets sits on a dark countertop, ready to transform into perfectly seasoned cauliflower rice. A black and white checkered cloth is placed beside it. The transparent lid reveals the fresh cauliflower inside, inviting culinary creativity.
  • Step 3 – Place large chunks in a food processor food chopper and process until the cauliflower is changed into small pieces that resemble rice. 
A red food processor containing finely chopped cauliflower rice sits on a dark countertop, ready for seasoning. Beside it, a gray and white checkered cloth adds a subtle touch of charm.
  • Step 4 – Store raw cauliflower rice or add seasoning to what you prefer in these cauliflower recipes.

What Seasoning is Good with Cauliflower Rice?

There are many different ways to season cauliflower rice. You can easily use just salt and pepper or season salt. But sometimes you need to jazz up your cauliflower rice for an amazing side dish with simple spices or butter.

The below listed options are cauliflower rice recipes that can easily be customize to what you have on hand with these simple instructions. Some of them are just staple pantry ingredients so there is no need to run to the store for anything specific. You can also add in fresh herbs if you have those on hand.

A black bowl brimming with fried rice features a delightful mix of peas, carrots, scrambled eggs, and perfectly seasoned cauliflower rice. The dish sits elegantly on a dark surface beside forks and a striped cloth napkin, offering a masterclass in how to season cauliflower rice expertly.

1. Make Cauliflower Fried Rice

Ingredients

  • Sesame Oil – See The Best Sesame Oil Substitute if you are out
  • Soy Sauce – Substitute with Coconut Aminos for a gluten free option
  • Frozen Peas and Diced Carrots Blend – You can put the veggies in the skillet frozen
  • Eggs – Cook the eggs in the same skillet

Scroll to the bottom for the recipe details in the recipe card.

How to Make Cauliflower Fried Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Sauté the peas and carrots for 3-4 minutes until soft. 
  • Step 2 – Remove the veggies from the pan, pour in the eggs and scramble. Remove from the pan. 
  • Step 3 – Add in the riced cauliflower, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper.  Stir together and stir fries for 3-4 minutes until the riced cauliflower is tender. 
  • Step 4 – Stir back in the veggies and eggs. Serve warm in a bowl and enjoy! 
A black bowl brimming with creamy, golden-orange cheese grits rests on a dark surface. Part of a textured towel peeks into view, reminiscent of exploring how to season cauliflower rice for added flavor and warmth.

2. Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

  • Garlic Salt – If you are out, see The Best Garlic Salt Substitute
  • Cream Cheese – We recommend the cream cheese to be softened
  • Milk – We use whole milk but you can also use dairy free milk
  • Cheddar Cheese – For best results we recommend grating cheese from bulk cheese

Scroll to the bottom for the details on the recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower and garlic salt.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. 
  • Step 3 – Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk and salt.  
  • Step 4 – Stir until all combined and the cheese is melted. 
  • Step 5 – Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!  
A bowl of creamy potato salad topped with sliced green onions, reminiscent of a perfectly seasoned dish. Served in a black bowl, it sits alongside similar dishes, with a nod to how to season cauliflower rice, and a small bowl of green onions in the background adds an extra touch.

3. Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese – Softened at room temperature
  • Sour Cream – Gives the casserole a creamy texture
  • Cheddar Cheese – Use cheese of your choice
  • Bacon– Cooked and Crumbled.
  • Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and details in the recipe card.

How to Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.  
  • Step 3 – Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, salt and pepper.   
  • Step 4 – Stir until all combined and the cheese is melted. 
  • Step 5 – Serve immediately while warm topped with green onions and enjoy!  
A bowl of seasoned cauliflower rice with chopped vegetables, presented in a black bowl on a dark surface. A fork and cloth napkin are placed nearby, enhancing the inviting setting.

4. Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
  • Step 3 – Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa.  Heat Mexican Cauliflower Rice until combined and heated through. 
  • Step 4 – Serve warm and enjoy! 
A bowl of cauliflower rice, seasoned to perfection with herbs, sits on a dark surface. A fork rests on a black plate nearby, alongside a black pepper grinder that enhances the kitchen setting. In the foreground is a folded striped cloth, completing this guide on how to season cauliflower rice elegantly.

5. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

  • Garlic Salt – Substitute with Garlic Powder if you are out
  • Lime – We recommend using fresh lime juice
  • Fresh Cilantro – Chopped into bite size pieces

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
  • Step 3 – Stir in the garlic salt and chopped cilantro. Squeeze the lime juice over the top. 
  • Step 4 – Let sit for 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy! 
A black bowl filled with fluffy, cooked couscous sits on a dark surface. Two spoons rest in a smaller black bowl nearby, hinting at the next step: how to season cauliflower rice. A black and white patterned cloth and black beaded decor adorn the background elegantly.

6. Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

  • Minced Garlic – Substitute with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese – You can use shredded parmesan cheese too

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

How to Make Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.  
  • Step 3 – Stir in the salt and parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy! 
On a dark countertop, a bowl holds fluffy, cooked cauliflower rice—perfect for discovering how to season cauliflower rice. Nearby, two whole lemons rest beside a black-and-white checkered cloth. In the background, two black bowls sit ready with spoons.

7. Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

  • Minced Garlic – Adds delicious garlic flavor to the rice
  • Lemon – We recommend using fresh lemon

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice

  • Step 1 – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.  
  • Step 2 – Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.  
  • Step 3 – Stir in the salt and squeeze the lemon juice on top. Serve warm and enjoy! 
A close-up of bowls filled with different varieties of seasoned rice and grains. A vibrant orange-colored dish fills the central bowl, while others feature green herbs and garnishes, offering a glimpse of how to season cauliflower rice. A checkered cloth is partly visible in the foreground.

Expert Tips

  • Chopping Cauliflower – If you do not have a food processor then you can use a box grater.
  • Excess Moisture – Before cooking or sautéing cauliflower rice, we recommend to squeeze out excess moisture with a paper towels.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Cauliflower Rice

  • Storing – Once the cauliflower has cooled, place in an air tight container. Refrigerate and it will last about 5 days.
  • Freezing – Cauliflower rice freezes great. Place in a freezer safe container and it will last about 6 months in the freezer.
  • Reheating – You can reheat cauliflower rice on the skillet or in the microwave.

How Do I Make Cauliflower Rice Taste Better

If you have ever tried cauliflower rice without any seasoning, it may taste bland to you. Like regular rice it is a versatile side dish. It can be eaten as a side dish or mixed with many different recipes.

There are many different ways to seasoning cauliflower rice. Without seasoning this diced vegetable it could be mushy or bland. The trick to an amazing side dish is how to cook it and how to seasoning it.

This low-carb, gluten-free veggie-base side can be made for any occasion. You can make fresh cauliflower rice or you can even find frozen cauliflower at your grocery store.

A variety of small bowls filled with different flavored cauliflower rice—perfect for discovering how to season cauliflower rice—are arranged in a circle. The flavors include plain, orange-colored, and garnished with green onions. A checkered cloth is partially visible at the bottom.

More Easy Rice Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make any of these Cauliflower Rice Recipes, please leave us a comment.

A bowl of perfectly seasoned cauliflower rice is surrounded by three other bowls containing different dishes. A black and white checkered cloth is partially visible next to the bowls on a dark surface, adding a touch of elegance to this guide on how to season cauliflower rice.

How to Season Cauliflower Rice

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish

Ingredients

Base Recipe:

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 4 Cups Riced Cauliflower

Fried Cauliflower Rice:

Easy Cheesy:

Loaded Cauliflower Rice:

Easy Spanish:

Cilantro Lime:

Parmesan:

Lemon Garlic:

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Instructions

  • Wash the cauliflower and make sure to dry it thoroughly.
  • Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and cut into large pieces.
  • Place in a food processor food chopper and process until the cauliflower is changed into small pieces that resemble rice.

Option 1: Fried Cauliflower Rice:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Sauté the peas and carrots for 3-4 minutes until soft.
  • Remove the veggies from the pan, pour in the eggs and scramble. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in the riced cauliflower, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper.  Stir together and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the riced cauliflower is tender.
  • Stir back in the veggies and eggs. Serve warm and enjoy!

Option 2: Easy Cheesy:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower and garlic salt.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, milk and salt.
  • Stir until all combined and the cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!

Option 3: Loaded Cauliflower Rice:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, salt and pepper.
  • Stir until all combined and the cheese is melted.
  • Serve immediately while warm topped with green onions and enjoy!

Option 4: Easy Spanish:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
  • Stir in the taco seasoning and salsa.  Heat until combined and heated through.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Option 5: Cilantro Lime:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender.
  • Stir in the garlic salt and chopped cilantro. Squeeze the lime juice over the top.
  • Let sit for 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and then it’s ready to serve and enjoy!

Option 6: Parmesan:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  • Stir in the salt and parmesan cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Option 7: Lemon Garlic:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Stir in the riced cauliflower.
  • Sauté for 5-7 minutes until tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
  • Stir in the salt and squeeze the lemon juice on top. Serve warm and enjoy!

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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