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Get a taste of Mexican restaurant at home with this yummy paleo and vegan Cauliflower Mexican Rice. It tastes like the real deal but it’s Whole30 and keto-friendly!

Cauliflower Mexican Rice Paleo Vegan Whole30 Keto

One of the things I judge a Mexican restaurant by is the rice that they serve on the side. When it’s done well, it’s perfectly cooked, fluffy, and flavored so deliciously with yummy spices. It goes so well with the main dish and my husband actually loves it even more than I do, and will often eat my share after he finishes his.

Cauliflower Mexican Rice Recipe

Because we are both such fans, I decided to recreate the dish at home with this Cauliflower Mexican Rice and I love the way it turned out. It has all the flavors of a restaurant style rice but it’s packed with veggies from the cauliflower and super low in carbs for those of you on the ketogenic diet.

Cauliflower Mexican Rice Paleo Vegan Whole30 Keto Cauliflower Mexican Rice Paleo Vegan Whole30 Keto

Less That 20 Minutes!

This Cauliflower Mexican Rice recipe is actually much easier and simpler to make than real rice because cauliflower cooks so much faster. I got this on the table in less than 20 minutes and you really can’t beat that when you are looking for a quick and simple side dish on a busy weekday.

Wonderful Side Alongside Mexican Dishes

I think it goes well with any main dish, but I especially love it alongside some Salsa Verde Chicken, Chili Lime Instant Pot Short Ribs, and Instant Pot Barbacoa as the flavors complement with each other so perfectly. The cilantro and lime are totally optional and I actually don’t think they are added into Mexican rice at restaurants usually, but I think they brighten up the rice both visually and taste-wise so I always like to finish off with them for this recipe.

Hope you enjoy this delicious Cauliflower Mexican Rice as much as we did, and let me know what you served it with in the comments below if you end up making it!

Cauliflower Mexican Rice Paleo Vegan Whole30 Keto Cauliflower Mexican Rice Paleo Vegan Whole30 Keto

5 from 3 votes
Servings: 4 servings

Cauliflower Mexican Rice (Paleo, Vegan, Keto, Whole30)

By Jean Choi
Get a taste of Mexican restaurant at home with this yummy paleo and vegan Cauliflower Mexican Rice. It tastes like the real deal but it's Whole30 and keto-friendly!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 11 minutes
Total: 16 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 medium onion , diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • Optional: Cilantro and 1 tbsp lime juice, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Remove the leaves off the cauliflower and cut off the florets from the roots. 
  • Use a cheese grater or a food processor with a grater attachment, and grate the cauliflower into the size of rice. Set aside. 
  • Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. 
  • Add diced onion and cook stirring for 4-5 minutes until translucent. 
  • Add garlic and cook stirring for 1 minute. 
  • Add the cauliflower rice, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper, and stir together.
  • Add tomato sauce and sautรฉ for about 5 minutes, while stirring frequently. 
  • If using, add in cilantro and lime juice. 
  • Serve warm. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 53kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 471mg, Potassium: 214mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 335IU, Vitamin C: 16.5mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Jean Choi

Iโ€™m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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9 Comments

  1. Christiane DeSalvo says:

    5 stars
    As someone who absolutely loves all types of Mexican cuisine, I was excited to see this recipe for a cauliflower version! This was delicious, filling and flavorful – which is great as cauliflower rice can be a bit bland, but this was far from it! It paired famously with WhatGreatGrandmaAteโ€™s Chili Lime Tilapia and was a quick and easy dinner, while also delicious, flavorful and filling. I look forward to making this again!

  2. Cia626 says:

    5 stars
    Keeper recipe. Lime juice is a must. Husband liked this cauliflower version better than real rice.

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thanks so much!!

  3. Michelle says:

    Trying it tonight with blackened salmon with avacado salsa! ??

  4. Samantha says:

    Any recommendations for how much riced cauliflower to use, either in weight or cups? I like buying the pre-riced cauliflower to save time.
    Thanks!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Around 4-5 cups should do it!

  5. Kate says:

    5 stars
    My carb loving husband loved it! Great recipe!!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Yay! Thanks so much!!

  6. Jean Choi says:

    Thank you so much! It’s so easy and tasty.