Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
A bold and comforting Chicken Fried Rice Recipe for those on a low-carb or grain-free diet. This amazing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice is so convincing, you won’t even miss the rice!
Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
Let me start out by saying, I love grains. And dairy.
Although I have tried the paleo diet and think of it as a very healthy option (we use it as a cleanse on occasion) I could never give up good bread, cheese, or pasta long term.
Yet it is January, and many of us are thinking along the lines of low carb… So, I’ve got a healthy paleo-friendly dinner option to share with you today.
After all, I don’t think I could stand it if I was the cause of your dietary demise… at least not today.
Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice
Introducing Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice.
No, not a fried rice recipe with chunks of cauliflower in it, but a dish using cauliflower as (or in place of) the rice. I promise, you’ll be shocked at how good it is.
To make cauliflower fried rice, prepare all your ingredients, just as you would for a classic fried rice recipe: beaten eggs, chopped scallions, carrots, garlic, ginger, chopped chicken, soy sauce, maybe a little chile paste.
It’s a fast and easy recipe that will fill you up, while keeping you light and lean!
Low Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Ingredients
- Cauliflower – To take the place of the rice, making this recipe grain-free.
- Thick-cut bacon – Chopped. Use uncured organic bacon for strict paleo diets.
- Chicken breast – Sliced into thin pieces, for quick frying.
- Eggs – Beaten and flash fried.
- Freshly grated ginger – To give the stirfry a distinct Asian flavor.
- Garlic – Fresh or jarred.
- Green onions – Chop, then keep the greens and whites separated.
- Shredded carrots – Buy pre-shredded, or use a cheese grater.
- Frozen peas – English sweet peas.
- Thai basil – Or use sweet basil or cilantro.
- Soy sauce – Substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo.
- Sriracha – Or chile garlic paste.
- Lime wedges – For serving.
- Coconut oil – For frying.
How To Make Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Prep the Ingredients. Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking.
- Rice the Cauliflower. Then place roughly chopped cauliflower florets in the food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is chopped to the size of rice.
- Stir fry. Flash fry the ingredients in a wok over high heat, one at a time, to keep them from over cooking. Then flash fry the cauliflower until just barely cooked through, but not mushy. Add all the ingredients into the wok and toss. Viola!
Get The Full (Printable) Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe Below!
Keto Cauliflower Fried Rice
The secret ingredient (other than the cauliflower) is bacon.
Adding a little bacon to the wok, allows it to mingle with the soy and ginger and provide that unctuous full-bodied flavor traditional fried rice offers.
It’s a mind-blowing option for low-carb dieters, and is even keto friendly!
In fact, I don’t know that I wouldn’t chose it over classic fried rice. You’ve got to try this!
Cauliflower Rice FAQ
How Do You Make Cauliflower Rice?
You need a food processor in order to grind cauliflower into small “rice” pieces.
Cut the cauliflower into florets. Then pulse them in the food processor until the pieces are small and even.
Is Cauliflower Fried Rice Gluten Free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten free soy sauce or coconut aminos, this recipe is gluten free.
Can I Make A Vegetarian Version of Cauliflower Fried Rice?
Yes. Simply, remove the chicken and bacon.
However, the bacon grease also acts as the cooking fat, so you will need to add 1-2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet.
More Low Carb Recipes You Will Love
- Perfect Baked Chicken Thighs
- Tom Yum Soup
- Black Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
- Caribbean Grilled Lamb Chops
- Baked White Fish with Everything Bagel Crust
- Muffuletta Stuffed Chicken
- Croatian Chicken Skillet
Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (Uncured Organic Bacon for Strict Paleo)
- 1 pound organic chicken breast, sliced into thin pieces
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped (greens and whites separated)
- 1 cup shredded carrots, roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/3 cup chopped Thai basil, or cilantro
- 1-3 tablespoon soy sauce, substitute coconut aminos for strict paleo
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or chile paste
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Coconut oil, for frying
Instructions
- Chop the bacon, chicken, and vegetables so you can work quickly once you start cooking. Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them in the food processor. Pulse until it roughly resembles rice.
- Heat a large wok (or skillet) over medium heat. Place a rimmed dish to the side of the wok as a holding dish. Add the bacon to the skillet and fry until brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the dish.
- Add the eggs to the skillet and quickly scramble. Use your spoon to break into small pieces, then move to the holding dish. If needed add a small amount of oil to the wok.
- Turn the heat to high and add the chicken, white onion pieces, ginger, and garlic. Stir fry until the chicken is just barely cooked through, then add the carrots and cook another minute. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to the holding dish.
- Now add the cauliflower "rice" to the wok. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes until soft, but still firm. Add all the cooked ingredients back to the wok, along with the frozen peas, soy sauce to taste, and chile paste. Toss and cook until the peas are warmed through, then toss in the green onion tops and basil. Serve warm with lime wedges.
White rice has a unique flavor profile, and you know you’re not eating rice, BUT, this dish is amazing. The flavor of what it’s trying to mimic is definitely there, and the addition of bacon with the garlic and onion is ingenious.
The reality is that you’re never really going to replace white rice, bread, and pasta, but, you can find recipes that are equally as delicious in their own right. I believe most fail off of ketogenic and other diets because they’re trying to replace what they left behind, instead of finding new flavor and texture profiles. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
This was amazing! Highly recommend this recipe.
This is super good, even better than the original rice recipe!
Wow – this is an amazing recipe! Love that it was low carb as well!
This recipe is so good, you totally don’t miss the rice. Thanks for the tasty Paleo recipe! Go cauliflower!!
Cauliflower rice is one of my favorite things! So is this fried rice recipe! You’re right…the bacon really does add a lot to it – I was kind of surprised!
This recipe is amazing! Do not hesitate to make this! The only thing I did differently was to put the riced cauliflower on a large flour sack towel, twist it up and wring out as much moisture as possible. My rice was not soggy in the least and some of it browned up nicely. Very, very good!
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Looks so yum. Love the step-by-step picture demo..:-)
this definately looks good and am gonna try it
This was so incredibly delicious! Terrific on it’s own, even though I am not Paleo. Thanks
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