Craving fried rice but want to keep it light? This simple cauliflower fried rice recipe comes together in minutes and tastes just as good as the classic. Made with riced cauliflower, fresh veggies, and a touch of seasoning, it’s the perfect gluten-free main dish that feels extra comforting. A quick and easy fried rice recipe you’ll want to make repeatedly.
I came home hungry but as it was dinner already, I wanted something light with minimum carbs. I spotted a cauliflower rice left in the fridge and thought, “Why not turn this into rice?”. The smell filled the kitchen, and I couldn’t believe something so simple tasted so good. From that night on, cauliflower fried rice became my go-to meal when I needed a fast and tasty fix.
Quick to Make Dinner
This recipe is a lifesaver when you don’t have much time. The cooking process is simple and takes less than 20 minutes. You can toss everything into one pan and be done. It’s a great way to serve a homemade dinner without stress.
Fried Rice from Cauliflower
Cauliflower rice is light but still gives the comfort of fried rice. It works well as a side dish for whole chicken wings, slow cooker pulled chicken tacos or even air fryer chicken drumsticks. Each bite tastes just like takeout, but lighter.
Using the Best Cauliflower
Fresh cauliflower gives the best results for this recipe. Look for firm, white heads with no brown spots. You can also use frozen cauliflower rice if you’re in a hurry. Either way, you’ll end up with a tasty dish.
Your Easy-Peasy Guide to Cook the Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
Cauliflower fried rice is a quick swap for classic fried rice, made with riced cauliflower and fresh veggies. It’s light and comes together in minutes for an easy weeknight dish
Kitchen Must-Haves
- Wooden Spatula: Great for stirring and folding ingredients smoothly while protecting your cookware.
- Non-Stick Pan: Ensures even cooking for your veggies and cauliflower rice while preventing food from sticking.
Grab these Ingredients
- Eggs: Add protein and make the fried rice filling.
- Garlic: Brings a nice, savory flavor to the dish.
- Riced Cauliflower: Works as a light and healthy rice swap.
- Peas: Give color and a bit of sweetness.
- Green Onions: Add a fresh bite at the end.
- Sesame Oil: Gives the rice a nutty, toasty taste.
- Salt and Pepper: Keep the flavors balanced.
- Soy Sauce or Tamari: Adds salty, umami flavor.
- Carrots: Bring crunch and natural sweetness.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Make Cauliflower Fried Rice
First: Get Ingredients Ready
Gather your cauliflower rice, peas, carrots, garlic, eggs, sesame oil, soy sauce or tamari, green onions, salt, and pepper. Beat the eggs lightly in a small bowl and mince the garlic. Chop your veggies so everything is ready before you start cooking.
Second: Sauté Veggies
Warm 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and peas, stirring until softened and lightly golden. Mix in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Third: Scramble the Eggs
Push the veggies to the side of the skillet to make room. Pour in the eggs and cook, stirring until scrambled and firm. Once done, fold the eggs into the veggies.
Fourth: Add the Cauliflower Rice
Stir in the cauliflower rice and the remaining sesame oil. Season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, then cook until heated through. Sprinkle with green onions before serving hot.
Handy Tips for Tasty Wins:
- Prep the Cauliflower Right: Pulse cauliflower in short bursts to get rice-like grains without turning it mushy. This gives your fried rice the perfect texture.
- Use High Heat: Cooking on high heat keeps the cauliflower from steaming and helps it stay slightly crisp. It also brings out a nice “fried” flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Egg: Scramble an egg into the pan for that classic fried rice taste. It adds protein and makes the dish more filling.
- Flavor Boost with Sauces: A splash of soy sauce or sesame oil goes a long way. You can even add garlic or ginger for extra flavor without much effort.
Your Questions, My Answers
What are the Pairings to Try with Simple Cauli Fried Rice?
Cauli fried rice goes great with baked Italian chicken, cheese-stuffed chicken breast, baked BBQ chicken wings, or Parmigiana di melanzane al forno for a complete meal. You can also pair it with fried green tomatoes for extra crunch and color. A light tofu noodle soup or shrimps make a tasty side too.
Keep leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge. It usually stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days. Reheat it quickly in a skillet to bring back the flavor and texture.
How to Freeze Cauliflower Rice Recipes?
You can freeze cauli rice before or after cooking. Store it in freezer bags, pressing out extra air to avoid ice crystals. When ready, cook or reheat straight from frozen without thawing.
More Stress-Free Recipes You’ll Love
If you loved this recipe, you’ll enjoy more easy ones. Try a fried pickles dip casserole that’s creamy, crunchy, and perfect for sharing. Homemade ground chicken nuggets are fun to make and taste way better than store-bought.
For something in your pantry, try making your own onion powder to keep in the cupboard. These recipes are simple, quick, and made to keep cooking stress-free.
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Simple Fried Rice from Cauliflower in Minutes
Equipment
- 1 Wooden Spatula
- 1 Non-Stick Pan
Ingredients
- 2 Pieces Eggs large, beaten
- 2 Pieces Garlic Cloves minced
- 4 Cups Riced Cauliflower from 1 medium head
- ½ Cup Peas
- 2 Pieces Green Onions chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
- Salt to your liking
- Pepper to your liking
- 3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce or Tamari
- ½ Cup Carrots diced
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by chopping the veggies, mincing garlic, and lightly beating the eggs so everything is ready to cook.
- Heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat, add carrots and peas, cook until soft, then stir in garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Push veggies aside, pour in eggs, and scramble until firm; fold them into the vegetables once cooked.
- Stir in cauliflower rice and remaining sesame oil, season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper, cook until heated through, then top with green onions before serving.
Notes
- Prep the Cauliflower Right: Pulse cauliflower in short bursts to get rice-like grains without turning it mushy. This gives your fried rice the perfect texture.
- Use High Heat: Cooking on high heat keeps the cauliflower from steaming and helps it stay slightly crisp. It also brings out a nice “fried” flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Egg: Scramble an egg into the pan for that classic fried rice taste. It adds protein and makes the dish more filling.
- Flavor Boost with Sauces: A splash of soy sauce or sesame oil goes a long way. You can even add garlic or ginger for extra flavor without much effort.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
