The BEST Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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A bold and comforting Chicken Fried Rice Recipe for those on a low-carb or grain-free diet. This amazing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice is so convincing, you won’t even miss the rice!

The BEST Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (1)

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Let me start out by saying, I love grains. And dairy.

Although I have tried the paleo diet and think of it as a very healthy option (we use it as a cleanse on occasion) I could never give up good bread, cheese, or pasta long term.

Yet it is January, and many of us are thinking along the lines of low carb… So, I’ve got a healthy paleo-friendly dinner option to share with you today.

After all,I don’t think I could stand it if I was the cause of your dietary demise… at least not today.

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Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice

Introducing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice.

No, not a fried rice recipe with chunks of cauliflower in it, but a dish using cauliflower as (or in place of) the rice. I promise, you’ll be shocked at how good it is.

To make cauliflower fried rice, prepare all your ingredients, just as you would for a classic fried rice recipe: beaten eggs, chopped scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, chopped chicken, soy sauce, maybe a little chile paste.

It’s a fast and easy recipe that will fill you up, while keeping you light and lean!

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Low Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Ingredients

  • Cauliflower – To take the place of the rice, making this recipe grain-free.
  • Thick-cut bacon – Chopped. Use uncured organic bacon for strict paleo diets.
  • Chicken breast – Sliced into thin pieces, for quick frying.
  • Eggs – Beaten and flash fried.
  • Freshly grated ginger – To give the stirfry a distinct Asian flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh or jarred.
  • Green onions – Chop, then keep the greens and whites separated.
  • Shredded carrots – Buy pre-shredded, or use a cheese grater.
  • Frozen peas – English sweet peas.
  • Thai basil – Or use sweet basil or cilantro.
  • Soy sauce – Substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo.
  • Sriracha – Or chile garlic paste.
  • Lime wedges – For serving.
  • Coconut oil – For frying.

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How To Make Cauliflower Fried Rice

  1. Prep the Ingredients. Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking.
  2. Rice the Cauliflower. Then place roughly chopped cauliflower florets in the food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is chopped to the size of rice.
  3. Stir fry. Flash fry the ingredients in a wok over high heat, one at a time, to keep them from over cooking. Then flash fry the cauliflower until just barely cooked through, but not mushy. Add all the ingredients into the wok and toss. Viola!

Get The Full (Printable) Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe Below!

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Keto Cauliflower Fried Rice

The secret ingredient (other than the cauliflower) is bacon.

Adding a little bacon to the wok, allows it to mingle with the soy and ginger and provide that unctuous full-bodied flavor traditional fried rice offers.

It’s a mind-blowing option for low-carb dieters, and is even keto friendly!

In fact, I don’t know that I wouldn’t chose it over classic fried rice. You’ve got to try this!

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Cauliflower Rice FAQ

How Do You Make Cauliflower Rice?

You need a food processor in order to grind cauliflower into small “rice” pieces.

Cut the cauliflower into florets. Then pulse them in the food processor until the pieces are small and even.

Is Cauliflower Fried Rice Gluten Free?

Yes, as long as you use gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos, this recipe is gluten free.

Can I Make A Vegetarian Version of Cauliflower Fried Rice?

Yes. Simply, remove the chicken and bacon.

However, the bacon grease also acts as the cooking fat, so you will need to add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet.

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More Low Carb Recipes You Will Love

  • Perfect Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Tom Yum Soup
  • Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
  • Caribbean Grilled Lamb Chops
  • Baked White Fish with Everything Bagel Crust
  • Muffuletta Stuffed Chicken
  • Croatian Chicken Skillet

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Print Recipe

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Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes minutes

A bold and comforting fried rice recipe for those on a low-carb or grain-free diet. This amazing paleocauliflower fried rice is so convincing, you won't even miss the rice!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 5 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (Uncured Organic Bacon for Strict Paleo)
  • 1 pound organic chicken breast, sliced into thin pieces
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped (greens and whites separated)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1/3 cup chopped Thai basil, or cilantro
  • 1-3 tablespoon soy sauce, substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or chile paste
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Coconut oil, for frying

Instructions

  • Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking. Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them in the food processor. Pulse until it roughly resembles rice.

  • Heat a large wok (or skillet) over medium heat. Place a rimmed dish to the side of the wok as a holding dish. Add the bacon to the skillet and fry until brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the dish.

  • Add the eggs to the skillet and quickly scramble. Use your spoon to break into small pieces, then move to the holding dish. If needed add a small amount of oil to the wok.

  • Turn the heat to high and add the chicken, white onion pieces, ginger, and garlic. Stir fry until the chicken is just barely cooked through, then add the carrots and cook another minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to the holding dish.

  • Now add the cauliflower "rice" to the wok. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes until soft, but still firm. Add all the cooked ingredients back to the wok, along with the frozen peas, soy sauce to taste, and chile paste. Toss and cook until the peas are warmed through, then toss in the green onion tops and basil. Serve warm with lime wedges.

Notes

Looking for Keto Adaptations? Substitute chopped broccoli for the carrots and peas to lower the carbs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 452kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 225mg, Sodium: 823mg, Potassium: 1210mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 6020IU, Vitamin C: 90mg, Calcium: 87mg, Iron: 2.7mg

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

The BEST Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

How do you take the bitterness out of cauliflower rice? ›

In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cauliflower and sauté until heated through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice to help remove any bitterness from the raw cauliflower.

How do you keep cauliflower rice from getting mushy? ›

Easy DIY Raw Cauliflower Rice Recipe (That's Not Mushy!)

In a food processor, add the cauliflower florets and pulse for 30-60 seconds. Add 2-3 cups at a time and remove as it is riced. This will prevent the cauliflower from being over-processed. With a towel, pat dry or squeeze the liquid out from the cauliflower.

Why is my cauliflower fried rice soggy? ›

Be sure to thaw frozen riced cauliflower before using, and wring out any excess moisture to keep your fried rice from getting soggy.

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!

Why is my cauliflower so bitter? ›

Bitter tasting cauliflower can be caused by too much heat or sun.

Why does cauliflower rice taste sour? ›

While product is hot, you can taste something a bit sour which is the malic acid, a NATURAL product (look it up, it's also used in cosmetics). **Product tastes best after stirred & cooled a little!** Before opening, use hands to squish around contents before opening to mix up the cauliflower.

Why is my fried cauliflower mushy? ›

The secret to giving cauliflower the perfect texture when battering and frying, is to not parboil it. When you fry cauliflower with batter, it also cooks the cauliflower. So if you parboil beforehand, you will end up with mushy cauliflower.

What happens when you eat too much cauliflower? ›

Gastrointestinal Distress and Flatulence

Cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies contain a complex sugar called raffinose. It is hard to break down and is instead fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine. As a result, you may experience bloating and flatulence among other gastric issues.

What is the best rice for fried rice? ›

Fried rice recipes typically call for Chinese-style medium-grain rice, though Thai-style versions use fragrant jasmine, and Japanese-style fried rice can even be made with short-grain sushi rice.

How do you keep fried rice fluffy? ›

Rinse Your Rice Before Cooking

Giving your rice a quick rinse before cooking allows it to shed some starch and leads to less clumpy cooked grains. All the good egg bits and other tasty seasonings will then mingle well with the rice, evenly distributing flavor throughout the dish.

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.

How to keep cauliflower rice from getting mushy? ›

Make sure you pulse instead of running the food processor continuously or you might end up with cauliflower mush! If using a box grater: Cut your head of cauliflower into large chunks (not individual florets!) and use the medium sized holes on your grater to break the cauliflower down into rice.

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Cauliflower has always been considered a healthy vegetable with a significant amount of nutrients. It also contains plant compounds that help reduce the risk of some diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Recently, it has been used as a substitute for white rice as a way to cut back on carbs.

How do you fix bitter rice? ›

  1. Hi, rice can sometimes taste bitter due to a few reasons:
  2. Here's what you can do to prevent or fix bitter rice:
  3. If your cooked rice is already bitter, you can try to salvage it by adding some seasoning or ingredients like soy sauce, vegetables, or proteins to mask the bitter taste.
May 4, 2023

How do you fix bitter cauliflower soup? ›

Over-cooking cauliflower can make it bitter. If your soup tastes bitter, you can add a little more salt to help with the bitterness. If you don't want to add any more salt, a little sugar or something sour, lemon juice, or vinegar to help offset the bitterness.

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.

How do you squeeze water out of cauliflower rice? ›

Wrap the cauliflower rice in a clean tea towel or paper towels, twist, and squeeze as much water as possible from the rice—you might be surprised by how much water you can wring out, or you might not be.

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