Loaded Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
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Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice – skip the white rice and try this seriously delicious cauliflower “rice” instead! This version is packed with veggies and it has such a bright fresh flavor. It’s a healthy recipe you’ll want to make again and again!
Cauliflower Rice with Fresh Cilantro Lime Favors!
This Loaded Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is packed to the max with goodness (cauliflower, black beans, avocado, corn, tomatoes) and it’s brimming with those Mexican flavors we crave.
I’m telling you guys though, cauliflower rice is a low-carb food I actually love and frequently choose over rice. Why has it taken me 30 years of life to discover something so amazing?
I know crazy, right? I’m getting excited about cauliflower.
I guess it’s just that I’ve always been a fan of white rice but we all know it’s pretty much just an empty carb so finding a healthy and delicious replacement is a big thing.
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
- Cauliflower
- Olive oil
- Green onions
- Garlic
- Frozen corn
- Black beans
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Cilantro
- Lime
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- Cut the florets from the cauliflower core. Pulse half at a time in a food processor, in 1-second pulses until it’s minced into fine bits, just a bit larger than couscous (you should have about 4 cups).
- Place cauliflower on several sheets and layers of paper towels, then wrap and press to remove some of the excess liquid. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add in cauli-rice and saute for 6 minutes.
Then for the Mix-Ins
- Add in corn and black beans, season with salt to taste, and warm through, about 1 – 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and lime zest and gently toss. Serve warm.
- Keep it dairy-free for dietary restrictions, or consider adding dollops of sour cream with handfuls of cheese!
Add Chicken and Make it a Burrito Bowl
And then obviously how do I not turn something so fabulous into a gluten free burrito bowl?? It’s just meant to happen.
Two of the best things, Mexican seasoned grilled chicken and this healthy “rice” collide to make one healthy unforgettable meal. You can also stir in other paleo meat sources or keep it vegan without any meat at all. I’d like to try this with seasoned ground beef to make a healthy taco salad, or pair it with sauté fajitas right off the grill!
That you’ll want to make again. And again. And then again. Forever and ever.
Why do You Dry the Cauliflower?
Not all cauliflower rice recipes call for drying the cauliflower florets. My method for cauliflower rice may seem a little strange, but I’ve found drying the minced cauliflower really does make a difference in the end result.
Especially when you are going to be adding in more liquid, like the lime juice here, you really need to be aware of the extra moisture that was absorbed by the head of cauliflower. I don’t recommend skipping that step.
Oh and if you don’t have a food processor you can grate the cauliflower instead.
Can I Use Store-Bought Frozen Cauliflower Rice?
Yes. Frozen Cauliflower Rice will work fine here too. Use 4 cups.
More Recipes You Might Like
- Cauliflower Chicken Fried Rice
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Cauliflower Rice Packs
- Unstuffed Pepper Bowls with Cauliflower Rice
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Loaded Cilantro Lime Cauliflower "Rice"
Ingredients
- 1 medium head cauliflower (about 2 1/4 lbs)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions, plus more for serving
- 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed in a strainer under hot water and drained well on paper towels
- 1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt
- 1 avocado (fairly firm but ripe), diced
- 1 large Roma tomato, seeded and diced
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, plus 1 tsp lime zest
Instructions
- Cut the florets from the cauliflower core. Pulse half at a time in food processor, in 1 second pulses until it's minced into fine bits, just a bit larger than couscous (you should have about 4 cups).
- Place cauliflower on a several sheets and layers of paper towels, then wrap and press to remove some of the excess liquid. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute 30 seconds. Add in cauliflower "rice" and saute 6 minutes.
- Add in corn and black beans, season with salt to taste and warm through, about 1 - 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Add tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and lime zest and gently toss. Serve warm.
- Recipe source: Easy Cooking Zone
Notes