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    Home » Course » Side Dish

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    Published: Jun 5, 2017 · Modified: Jan 9, 2023 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
    A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
    A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

    You are going to love this cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe. This cauliflower rice is full of flavour and you'll love how easy it is to make. This healthy side dish is also Whole30, low carb, keto, gluten free vegan and paleo!

    A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice garnished with cilantro and with lime wedges in it.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • The flavour! This is no boring cauliflower rice recipe. It's got the best flavour with the refreshing tastes of lime and cilantro.
    • It is so quick and easy to make and takes less than 10 minutes to cook.
    • This recipe is made with pantry staple ingredients including onion, fresh cilantro, and limes.
    • This lime and cilantro cauliflower rice is healthy, paleo, AIP, Whole30, vegan, low carb, keto, gluten free and dairy free.
    • Cauliflower rice is low in sugar and low on the glycemic index so it won't spike your blood sugar like white rice does.
    • It can be used in so many ways including as a healthy side dish and as a base for dishes like burrito bowls and tacos.
    • It makes great leftovers so is perfect for meal prep.
    • If you love the flavours of cilantro and lime together you will also love creamy cilantro lime dressing.

    Taste and texture:

    This homemade cauliflower fried rice has the perfect texture. It's tender, never soggy, and is perfectly flavoured with hints of lime and cilantro. The taste is so refreshing and the combination of the lime and cilantro masks the cauliflower so it doesn't taste like cauliflower. Because of the flavour this is often called Mexican cauliflower rice.

    Key ingredients and substitutions:

    The ingredients needed to make cilantro lime cauliflower rice separated into bowls.
    • Cauliflower rice - you can either rice your own cauliflower using a grater or food processor, or buy pre-riced cauliflower rice.
    • Limes - fresh limes are used for both the lime zest and lime juice to give this lime cauliflower rice the perfect refreshing taste.
    • Cilantro - fresh cilantro adds such a unique flavour to this cilantro cauliflower rice. You can add as much or as little as you like depending on how much you like cilantro.

    How to make:

    Step one:

    First, place a large pan on the stovetop on medium heat and add the coconut oil. Once the oil is melted, add the chopped onion and cook it for a few minutes, until the onion is translucent.

    A pan filled with melted oil and chopped onions on the stovetop.

    Step two:

    Add the cauliflower rice to the pan and stir everything well to combine. Cook the rice for 5-6 minutes (stirring frequently), until the cauliflower has the texture you prefer.

    A pan full of cauliflower rice on the stovetop.

    Step three:

    Add the lime zest, salt and chopped cilantro to the cauliflower rice and stir everything well to combine. Cook it for another minute or so.

    A pan full of riced cauliflower with fresh cilantro and lime zest on top.

    Step four:

    Taste the cauliflower rice, and if it is to your liking, serve now. If you want it to have a bit more lime flavour, squeeze a little fresh lime juice over it and stir it all together.

    A pan full of cilantro lime cauliflower rice on the stovetop.

    Tips and variations:

    • This recipe is very flexible - if you don't like cilantro, you can use less. If you don't like lime flavour, add less lime zest and skip the lime juice.
    • If you can't find pre-packaged cauliflower rice you can make your own by either grating fresh cauliflower florets on a cheese grater, or using a food processor to chopped it into fine, rice sized pieces.
    • Don't put the lid on the pan when you are cooking cauliflower rice - if you do this it traps more moisture and the cauliflower can get soggy.
    • You can easily double or triple this recipe if you are serving a crowd.

    How to prevent cauliflower rice from getting soggy:

    There are a few ways to ensure that your cauliflower rice doesn't turn out soggy. First, use fresh rather than frozen cauliflower rice. Second, if you washed the cauliflower rice be sure to dry it completely before cooking. Third, leave the lid off the pan when you cook cauliflower rice (if you put the lid on it traps moisture inside the pan which can make the cauliflower soggy). And fourth, don't add too many liquids to the cauliflower rice when you cook it or fry it.

    How to serve:

    You can use cilantro lime cauli rice in so many ways including:

    • As a base for burrito bowls, burritos or tacos.
    • Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken, shrimp or steak.
    • Use it as a side dish for your favourite fish dishes including salmon, Mahi Mahi, cod etc.
    • This caulirice pairs so well with blackened Mahi Mahi and blackened cod.
    • As a side dish for salmon cakes.

    How to store:

    Store any leftover cauliflower rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. I do not recommend trying to freeze this rice. If you freeze it, when it gets reheated it tends to get a bit mushy.

    Nutrition info:

    Each serving of this cilantro lime cauliflower rice has approximately 75 calories, 5 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 4 grams of net carbs, 7 grams of fat and 0.5 grams of protein. This dish is low carb, keto, low sugar, low calorie, paleo, Whole30, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian.

    A bowl of cilantro and lime cauliflower fried rice garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

    Frequently asked questions:

    Can I use frozen cauliflower rice?

    You cam, but just note that frozen cauliflower rice tends to get a bit soggy when it cooks so you are better off using fresh cauliflower rice.

    Is cauliflower rice good for a low carb diet?

    Yes, cauliflower rice is a great option for a low carb or keto diet as it is naturally low in carbs and sugar so is a great replacement for traditional sides like white rice or brown rice.

    Can I freeze this cauliflower rice?

    You can but I don't recommend it. Cauliflower rice will get a bit mushy when reheated after it's been frozen, so it is better to serve fresh or shortly after it's been made.

    Other recipes and info you will love:

    • Cauliflower fried rice
    • Sweet potato rice
    • Spanish cauliflower rice
    • Tuna fried rice
    • 10 low carb alternatives to rice

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    A bowl of cilantro lime cauliflower rice garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    This cilantro lime cauliflower rice is the best. It's so easy to make and has such a unique flavour. This healthy side dish can be served in so many ways!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 75kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
    • 1 package cauliflower rice (340 grams)
    • 2 limes, for zest and juice (approximately 2 tablespoon of lime zest)
    • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (more or less to taste)
    • 1 cup chopped cilantro

    Instructions

    • Place a large pan on the stove on medium heat and add the coconut oil. Once the oil is melted, add the chopped onion and cook it for a few minutes, until it's translucent.
    • Add the cauliflower rice to the pan and stir to combine. Cook everything for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the cauliflower has the texture you prefer.
    • Stir in the lime zest, chopped cilantro and salt and cook for another minute or so.
    • Taste the cauliflower rice, and if it is to your liking, serve it now. If you want it to have a bit more lime flavour, squeeze a little fresh lime juice over it and stir it all together. 
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. You can either rice your own cauliflower or use pre-packaged cauliflower rice. 
    2. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 75kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 287IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

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    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialities in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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