Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (2024)

Home Recipes Side Dishes Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

by Jennifer Debth

12 Comments

5 from 4 votes

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This Cauliflower Fried Rice isSO healthy and full of veggies. It comes together in about 20 minutes and is totally customizable. Keep it vegan or add your choiceof protein: ooey egg, chicken, shrimp, you name it!

This, my friends, is Cauliflower Fried Rice.Yes. I went there.

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If you’re on Pinterest at all, you KNOW, lightening things up with cauliflower has been all the rage for I don’t even know how long… a LONG time. Cauliflower pizza crust? Yep. It’s a real thing. Cauliflower mashed potatoes? Ohhhh yeah.

And now? Cauliflower Fried Rice. Now. I KNOW it may not be anything new and special to some of you, but if any of you are like me, we’re a little late to the cauliflower party, and we can be super excited about this recipe together!

A completely healthy, can be vegan & gluten free, totally full of good for you veggies, that will definitely remind you of your beloved fried rice, this Cauliflower Fried Rice comes together in a matter of minutes and is surprisingly ultra delicious!

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (2)

Now. If you go into this thinking it’s going to taste exactly like fried rice, you will most certainly be disappointed.

Because, you guys, let me tell you something: cauliflower is not white rice. 😉

If you go into this recipe thinking it’s going to taste like a ridiculously healthy (but still totally delish) version of fried rice, you will absolutely go nuts for this.

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (3)I love this cauliflower fried rice, because

A. It’s healthy

B. It’s super easy

C. It’s delicious and completely customizable

I LOVE how healthy this fried rice is: cauliflower, a teeeeny touch of sesame oil, onion, peas/carrots, spices, garlic, soy sauce, lime, green onions, cilantro. That’s it! I mean do you SEE 👀how healthy all those ingredients are? Love.

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (4)I also LOVE how super easy this is to make.

First, you’re going to make your “rice”. Place washed and dried cauliflower florets into a food processor and pulse it until it resembles rice (you can see the video above for reference ☝️)

Then, all you’re going to do is cook some onion, peas, carrots, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bit of sesame oil until the veggies are tender. From there, you’ll add in some garlic, the cauliflower “rice” and then soy sauce, lime juice, green onions, and cilantro!

Now. D.E.V.O.U.R.

You guys. I’m telling you. It’s SOOOO good. You get all the classic fried rice flavor without all the guilt. Eat it as is and have a completely vegan meal OR add in your protein of choice: ooey egg anyone? Diced chicken? Shrimp?

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (5)The possibilitiesare endless!

– Jennifer

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (6)

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

5 from 4 votes

This Cauliflower Fried Rice is SO healthy and full of veggies. It comes together in about 20 minutes and is totally customizable. Keep it vegan or add your protein of choice: ooey egg, chicken, shrimp, you name it!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 people

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 head cauliflower should make 4 cups rice
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas/carrots
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes omit if you don't want it spicy
  • 2 large cloves garlic pressed or minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce tamari if gluten free
  • 1/2 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Recipe Video

Instructions

Cauliflower "Rice"

  • Cut cauliflower into florets.

  • Wash and dry the florets.

  • Place cauliflower into food processor and pulse until it resembles rice.

  • Set aside.

Cauliflower Fried Rice

  • Heat oil over medium heat. Once hot, cook onions, carrots/peas, and spices for about 5 minutes or until veggies are soft. Add garlic in the last 30 seconds.

  • Lower heat to medium low. Add cauliflower “rice” and cook about 5 minutes or until desired texture is reached.

  • Stir in soy sauce, lime juice, green onions, and cilantro.

  • Taste and re-season if necessary.

  • Serve as is or with a fried egg, chicken, shrimp, etc.

  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!

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STORING

Room Temp:N/A

Refrigerator:2-3 Days

Freezer:2 Months

Reheat:Microwave or heat on stovetop

*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

Notes

*This recipe has a nice little kick, omit if you don't like spicy food.

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 77 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 566mg25%

Potassium 527mg15%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 1345IU27%

Vitamin C 75.4mg91%

Calcium 43mg4%

Iron 1.1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: cauliflower rice, fried egg, healthy

Enjoy this recipe?

Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian, Chinese

Author: Jennifer Debth

Reader Interactions

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    All Comments 0 Questions 0 Reviews

  1. Gillian

    Ennismore, Ontario

    Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (15) This was delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thanks Gillian!

  2. Lily

    Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (16) Thank you for sharing! I just made this today and it was sooo good. I will definitely be making this again.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Thank you so much Lily!

  3. KM

    Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (17) I made this today with the crockpot Kung Pao chicken. I don’t have a food processor, so I used a cheese shredder- worked great! And delicious! 🙂

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Love it!! Thank you so much!! 🙂 Did you know that Green Giant makes ready made frozen cauliflower rice now? Just in case you’re ever looking for something easier that making your own “rice”: https://www.greengiant.com/products/riced-veggies/

  4. Adina

    Kassel, Hesse

    I love cauliflower rice!! And that egg yolk looks ahhhhhhhhhhh! I can never resist a runny egg yolk.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Me neither Adina! a runny yolk is my weakness!!

    • Valorie

      Austin, Texas

      Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (18) So how do you get that good looking egg yolk?

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Hi Valorie! It’s a sunny side up egg. I warmed a pan over medium heat, sprayed it with cooking spray, then cracked the egg into the pan and let it cook until the yolk was cooked, but still runny! I hope that helps 🙂

  5. Marina

    Buffalo, New York

    Haha! “Cauliflower is not white rice”, so true! 😉 Can’t wait to give this a try for dinner tomorrow!! Definitely go for the cauliflower pizza crust next, I’ve been craving pizza for daysss.

    Reply

    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      Hahahaha I’m glad you appreciate that cauliflower is not rice 😉 Thanks Marina! Yes. Pizza crust. Definitely on my list 🙂

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Vegan, Gluten Free, SO Healthy (2024)

FAQs

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Cauliflower rice is a nutritious alternative to rice that's low in calories and carbs. It may even provide a number of benefits, such as boosting weight loss, fighting inflammation, and even protecting against certain illnesses. What's more, it's simple to make and can be eaten raw or cooked.

What is the nutritional value of cauliflower rice? ›

Cauliflower Rice vs White Rice Nutritional Comparison
Cauliflower Rice (1 cup)White Rice (1 cup)
20 calories210 calories
4g carbs (2g net carbs)46g carbs (45g net carbs)
2g protein4g protein
2g fiber1g fiber
2 more rows

Does cauliflower rice contain gluten? ›

Cauliflower rice is gluten free, vegan, paleo, and Whole30 friendly. I also have 12 cauliflower rice recipes to get you started!

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.

Are there any negatives to eating cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies contain a complex sugar called raffinose. It is hard to break down and is instead fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine. As a result, you may experience bloating and flatulence among other gastric issues.

Is it OK to eat riced cauliflower everyday? ›

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

Is cauliflower rice better for weight loss? ›

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 color cauliflower is healthiest? ›

Purple. Purple cauliflower is the healthiest option, with numerous advantages. The purple hue is due to the antioxidants called anthocyanins. These are the pigments present in various other plants and plant-based products, including red cabbage and red wine.

Is cauliflower rice a carb or protein? ›

One cup of cauliflower rice has: 25 calories. 2 grams of protein. 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Why does cauliflower rice make me gassy? ›

The reason for this is that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous veggies, such as kale and broccoli, contains raffinose and other oligosaccharides. These are specific types of sugars that remain undigested until bacteria in the gut ferment them, producing gas, and, in turn, causing bloating and gas.

Is cauliflower flour inflammatory? ›

Many studies have shown that cauliflower flour fibre can help in improving the immune system and inflammation. As a result, it can help reduce the risk of inflammatory conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity.

Does cauliflower rice spike insulin? ›

Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative to traditional rice that may benefit people with diabetes. Also, it has a lower glycemic index (GI) than regular rice, which causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels. Additionally, cauliflower is a good source of fibre.

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 smell? ›

Usually the smell is from overcooking with cabbages and cauliflower. Try just cooking it just until it wilts instead of until it goes mushy.

What is the difference between cauliflower rice and riced cauliflower? ›

As far as we can tell, it's the same thing, just a different name. The term “cauliflower rice” didn't become an internet sensation until around 2012. But ever since then, this nutrient-rich rice substitute has been booming in popularity!

Is cauliflower rice healthy for weight loss? ›

Cauliflower is an excellent option for weight loss as it is low in calories, around 27 and 5 grams of carbs for a single serving. You can substitute riced cauliflower for actual rice without sacrificing taste and nutrients.

Is cauliflower rice better for you than 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.

Is cauliflower rice good for fat loss? ›

Cauliflower rice is low in calories and high in fibre, making it a great rice alternative for people looking to lose weight. It is a new food trend that has come to substitute traditional white rice.

Is cauliflower rice a good carb? ›

Cauliflower rice is probably the most popular with Paleo and low-carb crowds, because cauliflower is low in calories and carbohydrates. One cup of cauliflower rice has only 25 calories and 3 net carbs, while a cup of cooked brown rice has 218 calories and 42 grams of net carbs.

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