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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.
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.
Table of Contents
- Why Make Riced Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Rice Ingredients
- How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- What Seasoning is Good with Cauliflower Rice?
- 1. Make Cauliflower Fried Rice
- How to Make Cauliflower Fried Rice
- 2. Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- 3. Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
- How to Make Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
- 4. Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice
- 5. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
- 6. Parmesan Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Parmesan Cauliflower Rice
- 7. Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Lemon Garlic Cauliflower Rice
- Expert Tips
- Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Cauliflower Rice
- How Do I Make Cauliflower Rice Taste Better
- How to Season Cauliflower Rice Recipe
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
- 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.
- Step 2 – Remove the leaves from the cauliflower and cut into large pieces.
- Step 3 – Place large chunks in a food processor food chopper and process until the cauliflower is changed into small pieces that resemble rice.
- 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.
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!
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!
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!
4. Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- Taco Seasoning – Use packet or make Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Salsa – Use store bought salsa or make Homemade Salsa Recipe
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
More Easy Rice Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Microwave Brown Rice
Best One Pot
Easy Dirty Rice Recipe
Quick and Easy Instant Pot
Instant pot White Rice Recipe
We love to hear from you. If you make any of these Cauliflower Rice Recipes, please leave us a comment.
How to Season Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
Base Recipe:
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 4 Cups Riced Cauliflower
Fried Cauliflower Rice:
- 2 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
- 3 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 cup Frozen Peas and Diced Carrots Blend
- 3 large Eggs beaten
Easy Cheesy:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Loaded Cauliflower Rice:
- 4 oz Cream Cheese softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 2 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 6 strips of Bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup Green Onion diced
- 1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Easy Spanish:
- 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
- 1 cup Salsa
Cilantro Lime:
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 lime
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
Parmesan:
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Lemon Garlic:
- 1 teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Lemon
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!