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This cilantro lime cauliflower rice is bright, fresh, and easy to make in one pan. It has the fresh lime and cilantro flavor people love in restaurant-style rice, but made with cauliflower for a simple vegetable-based side that works with all kinds of meals.
It is one of those easy sides that can round out dinner without much extra work. Serve it with Chipotle Chicken for an easy bowl, pair it with Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs for a simple weeknight plate, or add it next to Blackened Salmon or Honey Garlic Salmon Bites when you want something fresh to balance a bold main dish.
Why You’ll Want to Make This
- Great for meal prep: It reheats well and makes an easy base or side for quick lunches and dinners.
- Fresh flavor that goes with a lot of meals: Lime and cilantro give this side dish a bright, fresh flavor that works well with chicken, seafood, and bowl-style dinners.
- Easy to make with simple ingredients: You only need a few basics and one pan.
- Fresh or frozen both work: This recipe is flexible, so you can use whichever cauliflower rice you already have on hand.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple so the lime and cilantro can stand out.
- Cauliflower rice: You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice here.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime juice gives the best flavor, but bottled works if that is what you have.
- Fresh cilantro: This gives the dish its signature fresh, herby flavor.
- Olive oil: Helps the cauliflower cook evenly and keeps it from tasting dry.
- Salt and black pepper: These simple seasonings bring everything together.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This side comes together quickly, which makes it especially helpful on busy nights.
Cook the cauliflower rice
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the oil and cauliflower rice. Cook until the cauliflower is heated through and just tender.
Finish with lime and cilantro
Stir in the lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Cook just long enough to mix everything together, then serve.
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Tips for the Best Flavor and Texture
- Do not overcook it: Cauliflower rice tastes best when it is tender but not mushy.
- Frozen cauliflower rice works well: It is easy to keep on hand and makes this side even faster.
- Add the lime and cilantro near the end: This helps keep the flavor fresh.
- Taste before serving: Sometimes a little extra salt or lime juice is all it needs.
Fresh or Frozen Cauliflower Rice
Both fresh and frozen cauliflower rice work well in this recipe. Frozen is especially convenient because you can keep it in the freezer and pull it out for quick dinners. Fresh works well too if that is what you already have in the fridge. If you want to make your own, you can grate a head of cauliflower or pulse it in a food processor until it looks like rice.
What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This cilantro lime cauliflower rice works especially well with bold, flavorful meals. Try it with Miso Salmon when you want something fresh on the side, or use it to build an easy bowl with Teriyaki Salmon Bites or Pork Carnitas.
It also fits right in with bowl-style dinners built around fajita vegetables and guacamole. The fresh lime and cilantro help brighten richer proteins and bring the whole plate together.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover cilantro lime cauliflower rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
FAQ
Yes. Frozen cauliflower rice works very well in this recipe and makes it even easier to throw together.
Not exactly. The texture is different, but the lime, cilantro, and simple seasoning make it a flavorful rice-style side dish.
Cook it just until tender and avoid leaving it in the pan too long. Overcooking can make it soft and watery.
It pairs well with taco bowls, grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, carnitas, steak, and roasted vegetables.
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!
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe
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Ingredients
- 12 oz Cauliflower Rice, I used frozen
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped, stems removed
- 1 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat
- Add the frozen cauliflower rice and olive oil to the pan. Saute until the cauliflower rice is defrosted (3-4 minutes)
- Add the remaining ingredients. Stir and continue to cook the cauliflower rice until it is tender.
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Recipe Notes
- Do not overcook it: Cauliflower rice tastes best when it is tender but not mushy.
- Frozen cauliflower rice works well: It is easy to keep on hand and makes this side even faster.
- Add the lime and cilantro near the end: This helps keep the flavor fresh.
- Taste before serving: Sometimes a little extra salt or lime juice is all it needs.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into Spoonacular API, a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
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