Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (2024)

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Get your mexican food fix while on a diet with this mexican style cauliflower rice. It is gluten free, dairy free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant and 100% insanely delicious!
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (1)

You can take the girl out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the girl. I have been gone from where I was born and raised now for over 10 years, but there is just something that will always seem like home when I am there. One observation I have made since living in seven states and traveling through countless others, since I have been gone, is that the food in Texas really is just better. I mean really. It’s delicious. And on every corner.

I distinctly remember one time when we were moving across the country and drove though probably 15 states, there was not more than a McDonald’s and Burger King for the first 15 hours of the drive. Then we crossed the border of Texas and all of a sudden it was like a ray of heaven shown down and boom. Delicious food everywhere. Even in the middle of NOWHERE!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (2)

Another thing I love about Texas food is that even the fast food can be really great! If you ever find yourself driving through Texas and see a Rosa’s Cafe, do yourself a favor. Stop immediately, go in and order the taco plate with 3 soft chicken tacos. Oh my stomach started rumbling just thinking about it.

Anyway, I have had to seriously evaluate my love for mexican food on the whole30 diet. (You can see why I decided to do it here) I knew it was going to have to happen. Much kitchen experimentation ensued and the outcome was some pretty stellar fajita seasoning mix (paleo and whole30 compliant of course!) Since I dreamed up some mexican inspired main dishes that would hit the spot, I knew I had to figure out something to fill in for the primo mexican food side dish, rice.

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (3)

I had made cauliflower rice a few times and thought it just might be able to transformed into a recipe that would give me my fix. Oh and it did. Although I will totally admit that cauliflower rice is no dead ringer for real rice, it does give you the texture you crave when the real thing is forbidden. Even though it is different, it is still really good!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice has become a favorite at our house these days. It is quick to throw together and super healthy. You can even customize it with anything extra you like.

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (4)You can read the detailed instructions in the printable recipe below, but the basic idea is that you take your raw cauli rice, onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, fajita seasoning, and whatever extras you want and throw it in a skillet with hot oil to pan fry it. I added chopped zucchini in because we have TONS of it this time of year and it was delicious! If you don’t have it or don’t want it, you can leave it out too. You cook it on high so it doesn’t get mushy and once it starts to brown give it a flip with a wide spatula. You let it brown and flip 3-4 times then right before you take it off the heat, stir in the fresh chopped cilantro.

This is just so good. And so crazy healthy. You can’t beat that combo!

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Author:Kimber

Print Review Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cups raw cauliflower rice
  • 1/2 yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 cup finely diced zucchini optional
  • 1 red bell pepper diced (optional)
  • 1 Tbsp fajita seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet on high heat. Add cauliflower, onion, zucchini, bell pepper and fajita seasoning and mix well.

  • Mix in the tomato paste until evenly distributed and then spread the rice evenly over the skillet and let cook until it starts to brown, 3-5 minutes.

  • Once the bottom starts to brown, stir the rice, even it out again and let bottom brown again. Repeat 3-4 times. The longer it cooks, the more quickly the bottom will brown.

  • Once it is cooked through, and browned to your liking, stir in the chopped cilantro and serve hot.

  • Enjoy!

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

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Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (10)

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Reader Interactions

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11 Comments

  1. Veronica says

    What is in the fajita seasoning?

    Reply

    • Debbie Prokop says

      Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (13)
      You can buy it in any large grocery store. Look for it in the spice section. Or you can use the envelope package for chicken fajita’s.

      Reply

  2. Sam says

    What is the serving size for this recipe?

    Reply

  3. Mel says

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (14)
    I made this last night and we loved it. I added green bell peppers and my own fajita seasoning. The next day I added it to my scrambles eggs, fantastic! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply

    • Kimber says

      Oh scrambled eggs is such a great idea. I bet that was delicious!

      Reply

  4. Karen B says

    How many servings does this makes…or for how many people?

    Reply

  5. Briana says

    Can I use the frozen steam bag cauliflower rice?

    Reply

Older Comments

Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (2024)

FAQs

What is a Whole30 rice substitute? ›

Frozen or Fresh Riced Cauliflower

We can't emphasize this enough — a bag of cauliflower rice should be a staple in your freezer or fridge, especially during the Whole30. Mix it with veggies and top with a protein, and you've got a hearty meal.

Why is cauliflower rice soggy? ›

Sautéing for too long. Riced cauliflower can benefit from a quick sauté, but be mindful of the clock. Leave riced cauliflower on the heat too long and it will become soft and soggy.

How do I substitute cauliflower for rice? ›

How to Make Cauliflower Rice
  1. Cut the cauliflower into chunks, including the cores.
  2. Place into a food processor.
  3. Pulse until the cauliflower resembles the texture of rice. Work in batches, if necessary, and be careful not to over-process or it'll get mushy.

Is Chipotle cauliflower rice discontinued? ›

In January 2021, Chipotle tested a cilantro lime cauliflower rice as a lower carb replacement for their standard rice, but it was discontinued later that year.

What is a good paleo substitute for rice? ›

Although they don't have a rice-like texture, paleo-friendly starches like potatoes, plantains, and yams are all nutritious carb sources that can be used in place of rice. Rice substitutes made from vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli are among the most popular paleo-friendly rice swaps.

What rice is paleo friendly? ›

Some paleo folks say white rice is okay because it provides straight glucose for your body, (which your body needs for fuel provided you aren't keto); however, you should stay away from brown rice because the whole grain contains phytates, lectins, and arsenic which can cause digestive unrest.

What happens if you eat too much cauliflower rice? ›

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating. “Make sure to drink enough water to move it through your system,” suggests Lincoln. Cooking it can also dial back digestion woes.

Why does cauliflower rice hurt my stomach? ›

Cauliflower provides essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but it can also cause stomachaches or abdominal cramps. The culprit behind the stomachaches is cauliflower's fiber content, which becomes most troublesome when you increase your fiber intake too rapidly without giving your body time to adjust.

Is cauliflower rice healthier than white rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

What rice has no carbs? ›

6 Keto-Friendly and Low Carb Rice Substitutes
  • Cauliflower Rice. 0.9 grams net carbs and 0.9 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Shirataki Rice. 0.6 grams net carbs and 0 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Mushroom Rice. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Wild Rice. ...
  • Quinoa.

Is it cheaper to make cauliflower rice or buy it? ›

Cheaper: Making riced cauliflower from scratch will save you money in the grocery store. A head of cauliflower is cheaper than buying fresh or frozen riced cauliflower. Tastes Great: Because it's made fresh, it also tastes better. You can use it in any recipe that calls for rice.

Which is better broccoli or cauliflower rice? ›

While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

What is the new cauliflower rice at Chipotle? ›

Designed to make healthy eating easy and accessible, Mexican Cauliflower Rice was created with all lifestyles in mind. The new menu innovation is Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo, and made with grain-free ingredients. Mexican Cauliflower Rice can be added to any entrée or enjoyed as a side for an additional cost.

Does Qdoba or Chipotle have cauliflower rice? ›

Chipotle is waiving the delivery fee through next Monday on any app or website order of $10 or more that includes Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice, the chain said. Last month, Chipotle competitor Qdoba said it was adding Mexican Cauliflower Mash to its menus nationwide.

What can I replace rice with no carbs? ›

6 Keto-Friendly and Low Carb Rice Substitutes
  • Cauliflower Rice. 0.9 grams net carbs and 0.9 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Shirataki Rice. 0.6 grams net carbs and 0 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Mushroom Rice. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Wild Rice. ...
  • Quinoa.

What is a good grain free substitute for rice? ›

There are many alternatives to rice that can help you meet your personal health goals or simply add variety to your diet. Quinoa is a great gluten-free, high-protein option. Vegetables, such as riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and chopped cabbage, are low-calorie and low-carb alternatives packed with nutrients.

What is a good tasting alternative to rice? ›

Quinoa is a popular rice substitute that has a grain-like taste. It's gluten-free and has a high protein content – just ½ cup of quinoa contains four grams of protein, which is double the amount found in the same serving of white rice.

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