Love Mexican food for dinner but stuck on a healthy side dish to go with it? Mexican Cauliflower Rice is an easy to make low carb Mexican side dish recipe and everyone will love it. This keto Mexican rice is done in about 10 minutes! All the flavors you love about Mexican rice in a healthier veggie filled side dish.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
I love Mexican food and I love making Mexican food at home. I have been making homemade Mexican rice for years. Going low carb I needed to find a way to have that amazing Mexican side dish that I love when I am making low carb Mexican dishes for dinner. If you are looking for the perfect low carb mexican side dish this Mexican Cauliflower Rice is perfect!
This cauliflower rice has all the flavors I love while being loaded with veggies and cutting out the carbs rice has. It doesn’t taste just like rice, but it has a tasty flavor that makes a great substitute.
Packed with nutrition and flavor it is the perfect side dish to compliment your Mexican dinner, it will for sure make taco Tuesday healthier and tastier!
Cauliflower Rice Recipes
- Cauliflower fried rice
- Chicken fried cauliflower rice
- Homemade cauliflower rice
- Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
What Main Dishes go well with Mexican Cauliflower Rice?
Any traditional Mexican recipe will pair well with this cauliflower Mexican rice. If you are not low carb but just want to get some more veggies in your diet you can serve this as a side dish to your traditional Mexican favorites.
You can also make breakfast bowls adding a layer of cauliflower rice, slices of avocado, and a cooked egg on top for a healthy, filling breakfast. Although most of the time we stick to enjoying this recipe at dinner time.
Low Carb Mexican Recipes
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Jalapeno Popper chicken skillet
- homemade guacamole
- Low Carb Taco Salad
- Chaffle Taco Shells
- Lettuce Wrap Chicken Taco
- Chicken quesadilla chaffle
- Mexican Taco Skillet
What is cauliflower rice?
It’s just raw cauliflower that’s been finely chopped so that it resembles rice. You can easily do it in a food processor or you can buy it fresh or frozen.
Tips for making this recipe
Add some spice. If you like spicy then you can add some diced jalapeno peppers.
Prep everything ahead of time. Things move quickly when cooking this recipe so it is best to get all the prep work done before you get started cooking.
Be generous with seasonings. Cauliflower absorbs the spices and flavors you add to it, which makes it perfect for getting a flavorful dish.
Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower Rice?
You can use the fresh cauliflower rice that you find in the produce section of the grocery store or make your own cauliflower rice (it is super easy with just one ingredient). If you are using fresh made priced cauliflower the cook time will be a tad bit longer then using frozen.
You can also use frozen cauliflower rice. If using frozen allow it to thaw completely (or cook it in the steamer bag if that is the type you bought) and then dry it out with a kitchen towel to remove the excess water. Then cook following the rest of the directions. Frozen cauliflower will cook quicker then using fresh so be sure to keep an on the pan so you do not over cook it.
How to tell when Cauliflower Rice is done cooking
Riced cauliflower does not take long at all to cook however there can be some variation in the cook time depending on the pan you are using and the temperature of the stove burner. It is fully cooked when it is chewy but still firm when you take a lite bite. The best way to check and see if it is done cooking is to taste test it. Overcooked cauliflower turns soggy and into mush, so you want to watch while you are cooking that you do not over cook it.
How to Store Cauliflower Rice
Allow the leftovers to cool and then store in an air tight container in the fridge. It will keep for 3-4 days.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Ingredients
- olive oil
- onion
- frozen cauliflower rice
- lime
- garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- cumin
- salt
- pepper
- cilantro
How to Make Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Dice the onion into small pieces. Add oil and onion to a skillet.
Cook the onion, then add the cauliflower, juice from the lime, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin.
Top it off with the cilantro and enjoy.
Low Carb Side Dish Recipes
- Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
- Cauliflower Mac and cheese
- Keto Cheddar biscuits
- Broccoli salad
- Cauliflower Dirty Rice
Keto Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion chopped
- 2 cups frozen cauliflower rice thawed – 2 10 ounce bags
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Thaw the cauliflower rice. You can thaw your rice by placing it in the fridge overnight or by placing it in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
- In a large pan over medium heat cook the onion in the oil until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the cauliflower, lime juice, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until it’s heated through.
- Top it off with the cilantro and enjoy.
Rosario Cartwright says
Very good! I do think next time I’ll use regular paprika vs. smoked. Or maybe tomato bouillon