Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (2024)

FAQs

What is a Whole30 rice substitute? ›

Frozen or Fresh Riced Cauliflower

We can't emphasize this enough — a bag of cauliflower rice should be a staple in your freezer or fridge, especially during the Whole30. Mix it with veggies and top with a protein, and you've got a hearty meal.

One additional step I like is to press any excess moisture from the rice by transferring the cauliflower rice to a large paper towel or absorbent dish towel and squeeze/press to remove any remaining water. This ensures no excess moisture remains, which can make your dish soggy.

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable, the same family as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Cruciferous vegetables are extremely healthy and since cauliflower rice is almost entirely made of cauliflower, it is definitely a great dish to add to your diet.

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.

Use a food processor to process fresh cauliflower into a rice-like consistency. Konjac rice. This paleo-friendly rice substitute is made from a type of root vegetable known as konjac. Miracle Rice and Magic Rice are two popular commercially produced brands of konjac rice.

In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cauliflower and sauté until heated through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice to help remove any bitterness from the raw cauliflower.

For one, it doesn't absorb liquid like rice does, so riced cauliflower alongside stews and curries will be more watery.

Stirring in fresh lime or lemon juice can add a new dimension to your cauliflower rice. Try adding lime juice and cilantro to make cilantro-lime rice, which works great as a base or a side. Drizzle on sauce. A spoonful of sauce such as chimichurri can mask any cauliflower-iness in the rice.

Brown rice actually has more selenium (good for heart health) and vitamin B3 (needed for the production of sex and stress hormones) than quinoa, but quinoa is still the healthier choice. Cauliflower rice is a grain-free, gluten-free and nutrient-dense way to replace the white rice on your plate.

Does cauliflower rice spike blood sugar? ›

Cauliflower is much lower in carbohydrates than typical white rice, so therefore it has less of an impact on a person's blood sugar levels.

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating.

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.

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it. If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

Cauliflower rice naturally has water content so it cooks faster and you don't need to add water. You can steam cauliflower in the microwave or oven, or if you want a more crispy rice, you can roast it in the oven or pan fry it!

There are many alternatives to rice that can help you meet your personal health goals or simply add variety to your diet. Quinoa is a great gluten-free, high-protein option. Vegetables, such as riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and chopped cabbage, are low-calorie and low-carb alternatives packed with nutrients.

Grains are off limits on Whole30, meaning no rice, quinoa, oats, or pasta of any kind. These seaweed-based noodles are an excellent replacement for the grains we craved. Note: you do need to soften kelp noodles before enjoying in your favorite recipe.

Differences. Brown rice is a whole grain, and white rice is the refined version of that same grain. Each whole grain of rice consists of three parts: the bran, the germ and the endosperm. To create white rice, a milling process removes two of the three parts.