This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a simple, nutrient-dense, and delicious side dish option that is low-carb, paleo, Whole30-compliant, and vegan!
![close-up-overhead-shot-of-mexican-cauliflower-rice-in-white-bowls-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Mexican-Cauliflower-Rice-e1546035389944-703x1024.jpg)
Rice is one of the tastiest side dishes, but it can often be on the heavy-carb side. This recipe solves that problem by substituting cauliflower for traditional rice, making it the PERFECT low-carb side dish!
Completely keto and Whole30-compliant, this rice dish is full of nutrients that are often left out of traditional rice recipes.
You will LOVE this keto Mexican Cauliflower Rice!
![close-up-side-view-mexican-cauliflower-rice-in-white-bowls-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_5795-edited.jpg)
Absolutely mouth-watering, this recipe puts a twist on the traditional stuff by incorporating waaaay more veggies and leaving out a lot of unnecessary carbs.
When used in a food processor, cauliflower is truly a great substitute for rice because it is so hard to tell the difference between it and regular rice! An entire cup of cauliflower only has 25 calories, whereas a cup of traditional rice can have upward of 240. You can’t possibly beat that swap!
Cauliflower is so nutrient-dense!
The benefits of cauliflower extend far beyond its low-calorie properties. The veggie is full of so many nutrients, that it makes adding it to your diet a no-brainer.
Cauliflower is a great source of fiber! A cup of cauliflower supplies 10% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber. On top of that, cauliflower also contains a ton of Vitamin C. One cup contains 77% of the RDI! Vitamin C is such an important nutrient, as it has great sickness-fighting properties and has been shown to be a great antioxidant for reducing the risk of cancer.
Cauliflower is also a great source of magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin K, which are all important nutrients for maintaining good health!
The best Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice
If you are someone following a Whole30 diet and are really longing for a rice-type dish, this Mexican Cauliflower Rice is perfect for you! Filled with all of the benefits that vegetables offer, it is completely compliant with a Whole30 diet as it is free from gluten, grains, dairy, soy, MSG, and added sugar!
Want more low-carb Whole30 recipes? You can find a bunch of yummy ideas here!
Making this Mexican Cauliflower Rice is SO easy!
Chop cauliflower into florets.
![cauliflower-florets-in-stainless-steel-bowl-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1-e1558736066618.jpg)
Pulse cauliflower florets in food processor until riced. Set aside.
![cauliflower-rice-in-stainless-steel-bowl-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2-e1558735950773.jpg)
To a large pan over medium heat, add chopped jalapeño and minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
![chopped-jalapenos-and-garlic-in-black-pan-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3-e1558735953180.jpg)
Add tomatoes and spices, stir, and saute for 3 minutes.
![chopped-jalapenos-and-garlic-and-tomatoes-and-spices-in-black-pan-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/4-e1558735955337.jpg)
Add cauliflower rice, cover pan with lid, and saute until cauliflower softens, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
![chopped-jalapenos-and-garlic-and-tomatoes-and-spices-and-cauliflower-rice-in-black-pan-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/5-e1558735957890.jpg)
And, voilà! The final product!
![mexican-cauliflower-rice-in-black-pan-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/6-e1558735960633.jpg)
Top with desired garnishes and serve! YUM!
![side-view-mexican-cauliflower-rice-in-white-bowls-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_5763-2-edited.jpg)
This Mexican style Cauliflower Rice is compliant with SO many diets!
This dish is great for SO many types of diets and allergies.
- Low-Carb and Keto: One serving contains only 4.6 grams of net carbs, which all come from nutritious, nutrient-dense, and whole-food ingredients!
- Nut-Free: This rice is nut-free and safe to consume for those with nut allergies or nut intolerances.
- Dairy-Free: This is a dairy-free keto recipe as it is made without any milk, cheese, or cream.
- Paleo: This easy rice recipe is compliant with a paleo diet as it is free from gluten, grains, soy, MSG, and refined sugar.
- Gluten-Free and Grain-Free: This is a gluten-free recipe, as well as being free from grains, and is safe to consume for those with Celiac disease.
- Vegetarian: This is a vegetarian rice recipe.
- Vegan: This Mexican rice dish is completely vegan and uses no animal products.
- Refined-Sugar-Free: This dish does not use any sugar!
A delicious low-carb recipe
Substituting cauliflower for rice is a great way to keep the carb content low! This dish contains only 4.6 grams of net carbs per serving and the recipe yields approximately 6 side dish servings.
Cauliflower dishes are so tasty and easy!
I absolutely love incorporating cauliflower into my diet, because the benefits are truly so great! Another one of my favorite cauliflower rice dishes is a yummy cilantro-lime version, which you can find here!
More flavorful keto recipes
Try these tasty dishes!
- Keto Chicken Shawarma Kebabs
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
- Slow Cooker Low Carb Mexican Casserole
- Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
- Keto Cauliflower Risotto
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![close-up-overhead-shot-of-mexican-cauliflower-rice-in-white-bowls-on-marble-board](https://realbalanced.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Mexican-Cauliflower-Rice-e1546035389944-200x200.jpg)
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower, ~20 oz
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 small jalapeño, ~10g, finely chopped
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 small roma tomatoes, ~140g, diced
- 1 1/4 tsp cumin
- 3/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Optional garnishes
- 3 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1/2 small lime, cut into wedges, juiced
- 3/4 avocado, ~150g, diced
Instructions
- Chop cauliflower into florets and pulse florets in food processor until riced. Set aside.
- To a large pan over medium heat, add jalapeño and garlic and saute until fragrant. Add tomatoes and spices, stir, and saute for 3 minutes. Add cauliflower rice, cover pan with lid, and saute until cauliflower softens, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Top with desired garnishes and serve.
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