Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe [+VIDEO]

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice is a great low carb substitute for the rice that you typically get at many Mexican takeout spots. It works well in everything from Indian food to keto burrito bowls. Plus, it’s great for meal prep, can be cooked with frozen cauliflower rice, and requires about five ingredients and one pan. In this post, I share how to make cilantro lime cauliflower rice at home. Plus, I provide some main protein ideas to pair this with for dinner. 

Why Make This

There are several reasons that you need this easy recipe in your life.

First, keto burrito bowls and other keto-friendly Mexican foods are not complete without this low-carb side dish. In fact, when I made this with slow cooker pork roast, the cauliflower rice made the dish extra filling.

Second, if you’re following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, then you can substitute it for the regular rice versions you would pick up at Chiptole & Qdoba. Those have 36-40g of carbs so they’re definitely a no-go most of the time.

Lastly, cauliflower is packed with nutrients so I find this to be a delicious way to sneak in more vegetables and good stuff.

Ingredients in Cauliflower Cilantro Lime Rice

To make this Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, I used:

• Cauliflower Rice: You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice in this recipe.
• Lime Juice: you can use the juice of a lime or bottled lime juice.
• Cilantro: I use fresh cilantro in this recipe. I wouldn’t recommend dried cilantro as the flavor is not as strong.
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper
• Olive Oil

How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

To make cilantro lime cauliflower rice, start by heating your skillet to medium-high heat.

Add olive oil and the fresh or frozen riced cauliflower to the pan. Sauté the mixture for 3-4 minutes until the cauliflower rice is defrosted.

After defrosting, add the lime juice, cilantro, salt, and black pepper and stir. You should continue to cook the dish until the cauliflower rice is tender.

Top Cooking Tips & FAQs:

Use Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower Rice

For me, using fresh or frozen rice cauliflower does not affect the taste. And, in my case, I used the frozen riced cauliflower that I bought from the market.

For me, it’s easier and faster to get my cauliflower rice frozen. Plus, you don’t have to worry about it spoiling or finding it in its perfect season.

However, if you want to use fresh riced cauliflower and want to make it on your own, all you need is a box grater (or food processor/blender) and fresh cauliflower head. 

Storage & Leftovers

Cooked Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice can be sealed in a container and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You might also check below for some delicious ideas for creating a range of meals with this side dish!

Recipes to have cauliflower cilantro lime rice with

You can serve cauliflower cilantro lime rice as a side dish with a range of proteins. For example, I enjoy this with beef roast, seared shrimp, halibut, any of these keto grilling recipes, and strip steak.

However, my favorite pairing is to use this as part of a Keto Carnitas Burrito Bowl. That recipe is perfect for meal prep along with fajita vegetables, pork shoulder roast, and fresh toppings like keto guacamole and sour cream. 

If you try this recipe, please stop back and leave it a star rating and/or a review in the comments. Stay connected & share photos of your creations with me & others on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!