Cilantro lime cauliflower rice is a low carb, flavorful and easy side dish. It’s a lighter take on cilantro lime rice, replacing rice with riced cauliflower.
I make cauliflower rice several times a week. It’s quick and easy (especially if you have packages of already riced cauliflower florets on hand) and I like the slightly firm texture of the cauliflower rice which reminds me of brown rice.
I’m always looking for new ways to serve cauliflower rice. My absolute favorite is still my garlic parmesan cauliflower rice. This cilantro lime cauliflower rice is my newest recipe and I love the fresh flavor. It has fewer calories than regular rice so it’s great if you’re trying to eat lighter.
I remember when I had cilantro lime rice for the first time a few years ago at a Mexican restaurant. I immediately fell in love with the simple dish. This cauliflower rice version is super easy to make and comes together in just a few minutes.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter or olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Lime juice
- Finely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat to medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower rice and butter. Cook them together until the cauliflower is tender. Season to taste with salt.
Stir in the cilantro and lime juice. You can adjust the amounts, so I recommend starting with less and adding more until you like the flavor. Serve the cauliflower rice warm.
Tips for the Cauliflower
For this recipe, you can break down a head of cauliflower and use a food processor to break down the florets. Use the chopping blade and pulse until they break down and look like rice grains. Or, you can use frozen cauliflower rice. You don’t need to thaw it, just add it to the pan straight from the freezer.
I wrote a whole post about how to make cauliflower rice along with lots of other cauliflower rice recipes, so you should definitely check it out for more tips.
Recipe Variations
If you want to make it spicy, add some chopped jalapeno peppers when you cook the cauliflower. You can also add chopped onions and garlic cloves, too. Experiment with other veggies, too!
For an extra lime kick, add a little lime zest when you sauté the cauliflower.
How to Serve It
This is a great side dish for so many main dishes. It’s great with Mexican-style dishes but also goes with other flavors, too. It pairs great with chicken, pork, and beef.
You can make copycat Chipotle burrito bowls with this rice – just add beans, a protein, and your favorite salsa with other burrito toppings you like.
It’s also great for meal prep! I love to make a big batch of it and use it to make easy taco bowls or burrito bowls for easy lunches during the week. Just add your favorite cooked protein, refrigerate in containers, and then warm up your meal in the microwave.
Main Dish Ideas
Here are a few dishes I love with this cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe in case you’re looking for ideas:
- It’s a great low carb side dish for my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas or Steak Fajitas.
- Pair it with Sriracha Salmon or Honey Garlic Salmon.
- Use it to make tacos with my Low Carb Zucchini Tortillas.
- Serve it with some Fish Tacos.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups cauliflower rice
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil
- salt to taste
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Bring a skillet to medium high heat. Add in cauliflower rice and butter. Stir and cook until cauliflower is tender and butter is melted and evenly mixed in. Add salt as needed.
- Remove cauliflower rice from heat and stir in cilantro and lime. I recommend starting out with 1/3 cup cilantro and juice of 1/2 a lime and then adding more as needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- Nutrition estimate includes 1/3 cup of cilantro.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
