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This post explains how to make it with a food processor and by hand and includes a few simple recipes for making it taste great!
Today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about making and cooking cauliflower rice. If you want to skip ahead to the section you’re looking for, simply click below to find what you need.
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What is Riced Cauliflower
Riced cauliflower refers to turning a whole head of cauliflower into a rice-like texture that is a great low-carb replacement for regular rice or a simple way to enjoy its nutrients! Read my full deep-dive into the health benefits of cauliflower rice here.
Ways to Make Cauliflower Rice
There’s not just one way to turn cauliflower into rice… there’s three! You don’t need any fancy tools or equipment to make cauliflower rice, you can use what you already have in your kitchen!
If you’ve never made it before, watch this quick video for a visual of how easy it is to make:
How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets
Before turning cauliflower into rice and cooking it, you’ll need to turn it into florets, which simply means separating the flower-like ends of the cauliflower from the core. I’ve found that the easiest way to do this is slicing the whole cauliflower in half, and then using the tips of a knife to slice through the branches and separate the florets from the middle core.
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
One reason I love making cauliflower rice at home is that, from a whole head of cauliflower, I can get twice as much as what’s inside one pre-riced bag from the store, which means it’s much more cost-effective.
Prep the cauliflower by washing it the cauliflower and removing the outer leaves. If you find any little black spots, remove them with a paring knife. Cut the cauliflower in half (vertically) and then cut out the middle core. Discard the core. There are 3 easy ways to make it:
1. Food Processor
This is my favorite method because it’s the quickest! You simply place the florets in the bowl of the food processor with the blade in. Pulse and pulse (do not turn it on and let it go) until you have a rice-like consistency throughout.
The only drawback to using a food processor to rice your cauliflower is that the pieces can end up uneven and you may have some larger cauliflower chunks in the mix. But who needs perfection anyway?
You can avoid this by swapping the regular food processor tool for the cheese grater attachment if you have one.
Don’t have a food processor? You can also make cauliflower rice using a blender!
2. Cheese Grater
Don’t have a food processor? No problem. You can make cauliflower rice using a cheese grater and it only takes a couple of minutes more. Make sure to cut the cauliflower into larger pieces and use the side of the cheese grater with the largest holes to grate.
The cheese grater method yields cauliflower rice pieces that are consistent in size and have a finer, couscous-like consistency and it cooks really fast!
3. With a Chef’s Knife
On a trip or have no tools around? You can use a knife to manually chop the cauliflower into really fine pieces. Start by cutting the cauliflower head into florets and then, one piece at a time, chop it into smaller pieces until they’re minced and small enough to resemble rice. This will take a little more time.
How Much Cauliflower Rice do You Get from a Head of Cauliflower
Whenever I find a really large head of cauliflower at the grocery store, I feel like I’ve won the lottery since they can vary in size by a lot! An average-sized cauliflower will yield approximately 6 cups of cauliflower rice. However, smaller ones can yield 4 cups, and larger ones (like ones you find at Sam’s or Costco) can yield as much as 10 cups!
How to Store Cauliflower Rice
Sometimes, I find cauliflower on sale or simply buy a few extras and rice them since it keeps very well and it’s convenient to have on hand for a future cauliflower rice recipe.
Uncooked
The easiest way to store cauliflower rice is in a zip-loc bag. If you’re going to store it in the fridge, add a paper towel inside the bag to absorb any excess moisture, let out all the air, and zip it closed. Refrigerate it for up to four days. You can also freeze cauliflower rice in a freezer bag for up to two months.
Cooked
The few times I have leftover cooked cauliflower I make sure it doesn’t go to waste! You can refrigerate cooled, cooked cauliflower rice for up to 4 days in an airtight container or zip bag.
How to Freeze Cauliflower Rice
In one batch, I like to turn a few heads of cauliflower into rice and freeze it for future meals because it’s really convenient and much cheaper than buying it frozen. Plus, I can freeze it in the portions I need.
To freeze cauliflower rice, measure 2 or 4-cup portions into a labeled freezer bag, let all the air out, and zip it closed. Place the bags in the freezer, and it can stay frozen for up to 2 months.
How to Cook Cauliflower Rice
I love cooking cauliflower rice as a quick and healthy side dish. Unlike regular rice, which takes 20 minutes to cook, cauliflower rice is ready to eat in minutes.
You can cook cauliflower rice in a pan, in the microwave, which essentially steams it, or even roast it in the oven! Here is a short video showing you a couple of methods to ensure success:
How to Cook Cauliflower Rice in the Microwave
Place the cauliflower rice in a microwave-safe (glass or porcelain) baking dish. Add seasonings, if using, and cover it with plastic wrap or a lid. Microwave it for 3 minutes. Remove the dish from the microwave, carefully lift the lid or plastic wrap to vent the steam, and stir with a fork. Cover and microwave for an additional minute, testing for tenderness every minute until it’s done. Cook time will vary based on how much you’re cooking.
How to Steam Cauliflower Rice
Cooking cauliflower rice in the microwave is essentially steaming it. However, you can also use a traditional steamer to do the task, and it will only take about 3 minutes once the steam forms inside.
How to Cook Cauliflower Rice on the Stove
My favorite way to cook cauliflower rice is in a pan (sauteed). It adds a delicious nutty flavor and creates a texture that’s the closest to regular rice.
Roasting Cauliflower Rice
I often roast cauliflower rice whenever I have the oven on and I’m cooking something at 400F. All you have to do is line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it well. Then, distribute the cauliflower rice on top, drizzle olive oil season it, and toss to coat. Roast it for 25 minutes, stopping halfway through to stir it.
Cauliflower Rice Recipes
You can substitute riced cauliflower for traditional rice in most recipes or try one of these incredible recipes created using cauliflower rice:
- Cheesy Cauliflower Rice
- Roasted Cauliflower Rice
- Spanish Cauliflower Rice
- Chicken Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Rice Jambalaya
- Cauliflower Shrimp Fried Rice
Cauliflower Rice Made EASY
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
For the Garlic Herb Cauli-rice:
- 2 tablespoons oil or butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ bunch chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, about ½ lime
Instructions
Turn the cauliflower into rice:
- Wash the cauliflower and remove the outer leaves. If you find any little black spots, remove them with a paring knife. Cut the cauliflower in half (vertically) and then cut out the middle core. Discard the core.
- If using a food processor, cut the florets into 1-inch pieces, and place them inside the food processor. Pulse (do not turn it on and let it go) a few times until it begins to break down. Continue pulsing until you have a rice-like consistency throughout.
- If using a cheese grater, cut the cauliflower halves into 2 or 3 large pieces, and manually grate them using the cheese grater side.
To cook in a pan:
- Heat a non-stick or large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil or butter and move it around to coat the pan. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cauliflower rice and salt, and sauté until it's tender, for about 3 to 5 minutes. When it's nearly ready, add the lime juice and cilantro, and stir to combine.
To cook in the microwave:
- Place the cauliflower rice and the minced garlic in a microwave-safe (glass or porcelain) baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap (or if yours has a lid, use that), and microwave for 3 minutes.
- Remove from the microwave, carefully lift the lid or plastic wrap, and stir with a fork. Drizzle the olive oil or butter on top, pour the lime juice, cilantro, and salt, and mix to combine. Cover again and microwave for an additional minute. Test for tenderness.
Storage:
- Refrigerate cooked leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days uncooked cauliflower rice for up to 1 week. Freeze uncooked cauliflower rice in a freezer bag, in portions, for up to 2 months.
Kimberly says
Wow! So easy to make riced cauliflower – who knew!!! I’d seen it in bags at the store, but I didn’t realize it was so easy to just make your own!