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    Home » Side Dishes » Coconut Cauliflower Rice

    Published: Apr 26, 2022 by Carolyn

    Coconut Cauliflower Rice

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    1.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Coconut Cauliflower Rice is an astonishingly easy keto side dish with a distinctly tropical flair. Subtly sweet and tender, it pairs perfectly with your favorite low carb fish or chicken.

    A brown wooden bowl filled with coconut cauliflower rice over a burlap napkin.

    I am excited about this new addition to my growing collection of cauliflower rice recipes. I think you’re going to love it too. It’s simple to prepare and ready in less than 15 minutes.

    And that unique, slightly sweet tropical flavor makes it the perfect side dish for any Thai, Indian, or South Asian recipes.

    We love this keto coconut rice, it’s become a standard side dish in our house already. I put it up there with a few other favorites like cilantro lime cauliflower rice and cauliflower risotto.

    That’s high praise, my friends!

    Coconut Cauliflower Rice Inspiration

    I drew my inspiration for this new keto side dish from a number of conventional recipes. Coconut rice is a classic in many parts of the world, and no two recipes are exactly alike.

    But all of them start by simmering jasmine rice in coconut milk. This method simply won’t work for cauliflower rice, as the simmering process would render the cauliflower mushy and inedible. So I had to stray from method while still trying to achieve that subtle coconut flavor.

    Instead of simmering, I sautéed the cauliflower in some coconut oil and then stirred in coconut cream. Coconut rice often takes a little sugar, so I added a bit of keto sweetener, as well as a touch of coconut extract for flavor. Some salt, a little bit of lime zest and some toasted coconut finished it off.

    Close up shot of a fork lifting keto coconut cauliflower rice off a plate.

    Ingredients

    This easy side dish takes only a handful of ingredients. You will need:

    • Cauliflower rice
    • Coconut oil
    • Coconut cream – the thick white portion from the top of a can of coconut milk.
    • Keto sweetener
    • Salt
    • Coconut extract – totally optional!
    • Lime zest and/or toasted coconut for garnish
    Four images showing the steps for making coconut cauliflower rice.

    How to make Coconut Cauliflower Rice

    1. Sauté the cauliflower rice – Used some coconut oil to sauté the rice until it starts to become tender.
    2. Add the coconut cream – Scoop the thick part from the top of a can of coconut milk. Or you can purchase a can of unsweetened coconut cream, which has even less of the coconut milk in it.
    3. Stir in a little sweetener and salt – Use powdered or liquid sweetener, to avoid grittiness. Then continue to cook until completely tender to your liking.
    4. A touch of coconut extract helps – This is completely optional, and gives it just a subtle boost of coconut flavor.
    5. Garnish – A touch of lime zest and some toasted coconut add a nice touch to the finished cauliflower rice.
    6. Enjoy!
    Close up shot of plate filled with coconut cauliflower rice, salmon, and cucumber over a blue patterned napkin

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does it matter if the cauliflower rice is fresh or frozen?

    No, it really doesn’t matter in this recipe. They take about the same time to cook so use whatever works best for you.

    Can you use a different sweetener or skip it altogether?

    Coconut cauliflower rice doesn’t rely on the sweetener for consistency so feel free to use what you like best or skip it. But some granular sweeteners will be a bit gritty so I recommend powdered or liquid sweeteners.

    Do I have to add the coconut extract?

    Not at all, that’s why it’s an optional ingredient. I just felt like it brought out a bit more of a tropical coconut flavor without being overpowering.

    How do you store coconut cauliflower rice?

    Store this dish in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing it, as it will cause the cauliflower to release more moisture upon thawing.

    A blue plate filled with coconut cauliflower rice, salmon, and cucumber over a blue patterned napkin.

    What to serve with coconut cauliflower rice?

    Really, you can serve it with anything. But it pairs particularly well with South Asian, Caribbean, and Indian dishes. Here are a few ideas:

    • Thai Basil Chicken
    • Tandoori Chicken – use the tandoori version of my keto chicken marinades!
    • Keto Jerk Chicken
    • Pecan Crusted Salmon
    • Thai Style Pork Meatballs
    • 30 Minute Butter Chicken
    • Spicy Thai Beef Salad
    • Thai Pork Lettuce Wraps
    • Satay with Peanut Sauce
    A brown wooden bowl filled with coconut cauliflower rice over a burlap napkin.

    Coconut Cauliflower Rice Recipe

    Coconut Cauliflower Rice is an astonishingly easy keto side dish with a distinctly tropical flair. Subtly sweet and tender, it pairs perfectly with your favorite low carb fish or chicken.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Asian, Indian
    Keyword: coconut cauliflower rice
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 141kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil or avocado oil
    • 16 ounces cauliflower rice fresh or frozen
    • ⅔ cup coconut cream
    • 1 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon coconut extract optional
    • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
    • ¼ cup shredded coconut toasted
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the cauliflower rice and toss to coat in the oil.
    • Stir in the coconut cream and cook until becoming tender, 5 or 6 minutes. Then stir in the sweetener, salt, and extract, if using.
    • Continue to cook until tender enough to your liking, 3 to 5 minutes more.
    • Garnish with lime zest and toasted coconut.
    Nutrition Facts
    Coconut Cauliflower Rice Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ⅓ cup)
    Calories 141 Calories from Fat 123
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 13.7g21%
    Carbohydrates 6.1g2%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Protein 1.7g3%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    1.3K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Alexandra says

      March 11, 2023 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is AMAZING. Even my mom, who always looks skeptical when I take out the cauliflower, couldn’t resist it!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 12, 2023 at 9:16 am

        Wonderful!

        Reply
    2. Alexandra says

      February 06, 2023 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is amazing! I didn’t have any limes, so I added some vinegar for acidity, and I added some toasted coriander seeds for a bit of crunch. It tasted so good paired with some leftover curry, but I’d honestly be willing to eat a bowl of coconut cauli rice on its own! The texture of the cauliflower is actually surprisingly close to rice, it’s definitely a good way to satisfy that craving on keto.

      Reply
    3. Anna says

      May 19, 2022 at 12:22 am

      5 stars
      I am obsessed with this rice! Is it weird to have it as a dessert? It’s so delicious!

      Reply
    4. April says

      May 18, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      This was delish! I looooove coconut rice, never thought about trying it with cauliflower – absolutely wonderful!

      Reply
    5. Erin says

      May 18, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      5 stars
      Love this easy keto side dish. Its slightly sweet tropical flavor is so yummy! Will definitely put the recipe in rotation.

      Reply
    6. Susan says

      April 26, 2022 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      Unfortunately I am only give this recipe 5 stars ⭐️
      Carolyn, this is SO good and very simple to make. Serving tonight with some grilled chicken marinated in keto teriyaki sauce. Yummy

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        April 26, 2022 at 8:35 pm

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply

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