Made in 15 minutes, this spicy Mexican Cauliflower Rice goes well in a burrito or as a compliment to a Mexican inspired meal.
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I love using cauliflower in place of rice. I get more vegetable servings and fewer carbs.
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is really easy to throw together, and even easier if you buy a bag of frozen pre-chopped cauliflower rice.
I like to keep cauliflower rice in my freezer to have around whenever I make something that goes with rice. For more ways to use cauliflower, see my Vegan Cauliflower Recipe Roundup.
I love spicy food, so I used a serrano pepper in this. If you don't want as much heat you could use less serrano, or you could take out the seeds and the vein.
You could also replace the serrano with a jalapeño, which is a milder pepper.
For some recipes with rice, try some Japanese Taco Rice or Homemade Rice Milk.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It works well in any recipe you would normally use rice, like a vegan burrito.
- It is a healthy side dish.
- It comes together in about 15 minutes.
🧾 Ingredients
- Cauliflower: You can use fresh cauliflower that you rice yourself, or store-bought frozen riced cauliflower.
- Olive oil: To cook the onions. Adds flavor.
- Onion: I used a yellow onion for its sweet flavor. You could also use a white onion.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Serrano pepper: This pepper packs a lot of heat in a small package. For less spice, leave out the seeds and veins or use a jalapeño pepper.
- Tomato paste: Adds a strong tomato flavor. If you buy canned tomato paste (instead of tomato paste in a tube), you can freeze the leftovers. I like to pour the tomato paste into silicone molds so that it's already measured out for future use.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh citrus taste. I know for some people it tastes like soap. If that's the case for you, leave it out or use fresh parsley instead.
- Salt and pepper: To enhance the flavors and add flavor. I like to use sea salt.
- Fresh lime juice: For some acidity. Balances the flavors and adds a bright note.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Spices: cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika
- Tomato sauce
- Red bell pepper or green bell pepper
- Jalapeño
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: If using fresh cauliflower, place it in a food processor. Pulse until it has the consistency of rice.
Step 2: Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add chopped onion. Cook until translucent.
Step 3: Add minced garlic and chopped serrano pepper. Cook a minute longer.
Step 4: Add cauliflower rice, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Cook until tender.
💭 Tips
- Use store-bought cauliflower rice to make things easier and less messy.
- Use a jalapeño for less spice or take out the seeds and membrane from the serrano pepper (that's where a lot of the spice is).
🍽 Serving
- Vegan Tofu Enchiladas
- Vegan Wet Burrito
- Vegan Fajitas
- Bean and Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burritos
- Vegan Refried Bean Burrito
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
This Mexican cauliflower rice gets its orange color from tomato paste.
This Mexican cauliflower rice recipe will last 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Other Vegan Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you tried this Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
I originally posted this recipe on July 23, 2016. I added new photos and text when I republished it.
📋 Recipe
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head of cauliflower approx. 8 cups, cut into large pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tablespoon finely chopped serrano pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- salt and pepper
- Cilantro chopped
- Limes
Instructions
- Put ½ the chopped cauliflower in a food processor. Pulse until it resembles a rice consistency. Repeat with the other half of the cauliflower. You'll get about 6 cups of riced cauliflower in total.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion. Cook on medium heat until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and serrano pepper. Cook another minute longer.
- Add riced cauliflower, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Cook until tender.
- Serve with chopped cilantro and limes.
Notes
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Lorraine says
Made multiple times. Add some chopped red peppers to up vegetables. Made with low carb Monterey chicken
Frances says
I had this in your bean burritos that you made this with. Great combo and the cauliflower rice is great by itself too!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Frances!
Amanda Kruse says
I love Mexican food, so I am going to have to try this out!
xx,
Amanda
Willow Moon says
Thanks Amanda, I hope you like it!
Brittany says
we love cauliflower rice in our house! Never thought to take a Latin spin with it!
Willow Moon says
It's a great substitute, isn't it!
Ashleigh says
This recipe looks wonderful, thank you for sharing! I can't wait to try it! I love all things cauliflower!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Ashleigh! I hope you like it!
xoxobellablog says
Yummy that looks super great!!! I would love to try this!
Willow Moon says
Thanks! I hope you like it!
Kali says
Yum! This sounds great!
Xx
Kali
Lauren Vavala says
I love cauliflower rice - this is a great way to add some more flavor - sounds sooo good!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Lauren!
kirstenortez says
I love spanish rice, so I'll have to give this a go!
Willow Moon says
I hope you like it! I chose to call it Mexican Cauliflower Rice because I live so close to Mexico and they don't call it Spanish rice. They actually call it arroz rojo (red rice). I liked "Mexican Cauliflower Rice" because many of my dishes are inspired by Mexican cuisine. That's what happens when you live in Tucson, Arizona!
Madeline says
This looks so good! I am a huge fan of rice, but I've heard cauliflower can be a good (and much healthier!) substitute.
Willow Moon says
Thanks Madeline! You should try it! I don't even notice that I am not eating rice!