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    Home » Recipes » Mexican Inspired

    Modified: Oct 21, 2024 · Published: Jul 12, 2024 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    Made in 15 minutes, this spicy Mexican Cauliflower Rice goes well in a burrito or as a compliment to a Mexican inspired meal.

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice in a large bowl with lime wedges.

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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.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 🍽 Serving
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Mexican-Inspired Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ 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

    Mexican cauliflower rice ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • 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
    Vegan Mexican Recipes ebook cover.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Riced cauliflower in a food processor.

    Step 1: If using fresh cauliflower, place it in a food processor. Pulse until it has the consistency of rice.

    Sautéed onions in a frying pan.

    Step 2: Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. Add chopped onion. Cook until translucent.

    Minced garlic and serrano pepper added to the pan with chopped onions.

    Step 3: Add minced garlic and chopped serrano pepper. Cook a minute longer.

    Tomato paste and cauliflower rice added to the pan.

    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
    Mexican Cauliflower Rice in a large bowl with lime wedges.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    Why is Mexican cauliflower rice orange?

    This Mexican cauliflower rice gets its orange color from tomato paste.

    How long does Mexican cauliflower rice last?

    This Mexican cauliflower rice recipe will last 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Other Vegan Mexican-Inspired Recipes

    • Vegan Mexican Tortilla Pizza
      Vegan Mexican Tortilla Pizza
    • Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
      Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
    • Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos
      Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos
    • Refried Bean Tacos on a cutting board with a ramekin of salsa.
      Refried Bean Tacos

    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 in a bowl with lime wedges.
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    5 from 1 vote

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice

    This spicy Mexican Cauliflower Rice goes well in a burrito or as a compliment to a Mexican inspired meal.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican inspired
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 44kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • food processor

    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
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    This recipe will last 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 44kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 296mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Mexican Inspired

    • Bean and Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burrito on a cutting board.
      Bean and Mexican Cauliflower Rice Burritos
    • Mango Habanero Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.
      Mango Habanero Salsa
    • Serrano Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.
      Serrano Salsa
    • Tofu Nacho Cheese
      Tofu Nacho Cheese Sauce

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lorraine says

      June 01, 2024 at 4:15 am

      Made multiple times. Add some chopped red peppers to up vegetables. Made with low carb Monterey chicken

      Reply
    2. Frances says

      May 19, 2018 at 3:54 pm

      I had this in your bean burritos that you made this with. Great combo and the cauliflower rice is great by itself too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        May 19, 2018 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks Frances!

        Reply
    3. Amanda Kruse says

      July 27, 2016 at 8:55 pm

      I love Mexican food, so I am going to have to try this out!

      xx,
      Amanda

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 28, 2016 at 10:36 am

        Thanks Amanda, I hope you like it!

        Reply
    4. Brittany says

      July 27, 2016 at 10:28 am

      we love cauliflower rice in our house! Never thought to take a Latin spin with it!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 28, 2016 at 10:31 am

        It's a great substitute, isn't it!

        Reply
    5. Ashleigh says

      July 27, 2016 at 8:31 am

      This recipe looks wonderful, thank you for sharing! I can't wait to try it! I love all things cauliflower!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 28, 2016 at 10:28 am

        Thanks Ashleigh! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    6. xoxobellablog says

      July 26, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Yummy that looks super great!!! I would love to try this!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 26, 2016 at 6:25 pm

        Thanks! I hope you like it!

        Reply
    7. Kali says

      July 26, 2016 at 10:42 am

      Yum! This sounds great!
      Xx
      Kali

      Reply
    8. Lauren Vavala says

      July 26, 2016 at 8:01 am

      I love cauliflower rice - this is a great way to add some more flavor - sounds sooo good!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 26, 2016 at 4:26 pm

        Thanks Lauren!

        Reply
    9. kirstenortez says

      July 26, 2016 at 8:00 am

      I love spanish rice, so I'll have to give this a go!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 26, 2016 at 4:06 pm

        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!

        Reply
    10. Madeline says

      July 26, 2016 at 7:32 am

      This looks so good! I am a huge fan of rice, but I've heard cauliflower can be a good (and much healthier!) substitute.

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 26, 2016 at 3:59 pm

        Thanks Madeline! You should try it! I don't even notice that I am not eating rice!

        Reply

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