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    Home » Gluten Free » Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    Published: May 8, 2019 · Modified: Jan 22, 2021 by Carolyn

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

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

    13.8K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Looking for a truly delicious cauliflower rice recipe? Then this keto cilantro lime cauliflower rice is for you. This low carb side dish is a healthy copycat version of Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, but so much lighter and healthier. With a new instructional video!

    Cilantro lime cauliflower rice in a pan on a white table.

    This easy Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice recipe has been on my blog since 2014. It’s a favorite keto side dish so I thought it was time to give it a little update with a how-to video. You’re going to love it. And it goes with just about anything you can think of. It’s great with fish, chicken, taco meat, and my awesome Mexican Shredded Beef.

    Watch my video and see just how easy it is to make!

    I’m not much of one for fast food but if I am out and about and don’t have a lot of choice, Chipotle is the place to go. At least there I know I can find some healthy options and get a decent keto meal. Even on a low carb diet, there are some pretty flavourful choices. Of course, the chips are out, and the tortillas. And the rice, and anything made with corn.

    But have them make you a big salad with carnitas and cheese and then top it with pico de gallo and some of their awesome guacamole and you have yourself a very filling low carb dinner.

    I actually had that very salad early on in my low carb days. I was still struggling to figure out how to get my carbs down enough so that my fasting glucose wasn’t up over 100 every morning. I spent a few days tinkering with my food choices and that salad capped off my very first day of success.

    The next morning, my fasting was 83 and I was so thrilled. And I hadn’t felt the least bit deprived, filling up on a big, meaty salad like that.

    Cauliflower rice with cilantro and lime, on a plate with grilled chicken.

    And now I’ve recreated their famous Cilantro Lime Rice in a keto friendly form. This cilantro lime cauliflower rice is so easy and only takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

    How To Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    The cauliflower rice: I don’t bother anymore with making my own cauliflower rice. Almost every grocery store now carries pre-chopped cauliflower rice and it saves me time and effort. You can use fresh or frozen here, both work equally well.

    But if you want to chop your own cauliflower, you go right ahead. My favorite way to do it is to pop the florets in my blender with some water and blend until it resembles grains of rice. Then I simply pour everything into a sieve to drain off the water. Adding water like this helps the grains become more uniform.

    I recommend doing only half a head of cauliflower at a time at a time. Otherwise you tend to overwhelm your poor blender or food processor.

    The pan: Choose a good sized skillet for this, one that is at least 10 inches in diameter. Cast iron, stainless steel or good non-stick skillets are your best choices. Don’t use a saucepan, they are too deep and the cauliflower rice doesn’t cook through as quickly or evenly.

    Top down photo of cilantro lime cauliflower rice on a white table.

    The oil: I like to use butter for its rich flavor but any oil will do here. Want a dairy free version? Choose coconut oil or avocado oil. Even good quality olive oil would work.

    Get the oil nice and hot in the pan before adding the rice. Once you do add the rice, you want to sauté it to coat it in the hot oil.

    The lime: Please please don’t use bottled lime juice! Fresh is always best and you will be able to taste the difference. You can squeeze in as much as you like. I usually use a single lime. Adding some of the grated zest would be wonderful too.

    The cilantro: Did you catch my great trick in the video for chopping cilantro? Be sure you check it out. I hate the way cilantro always sticks to the knife, so this trick is absolutely genius!

    A little extra kick: I’m a fan of adding a little chipotle powder or chili powder for an extra kick of heat. And hey, it is a knock off of Chipotle, after all!

    Season to taste: Add a little salt and pepper when cooking the cauliflower rice but don’t add too much. Salt is such a matter of taste, and I tend to like far more of it than most people. You can always add a bit more at the end.

    Easy low carb Cilantro lime cauliflower rice on a plate with chicken

    Seriously, this cilantro lime cauliflower rice is the perfect keto side dish. I could eat it every single day!

    I know I am not the first to think of it, because Chipotle is such a popular chain. But it really is a delicious way to jazz up your cauli rice. Saute the rice in butter, add a squeeze of lime, some freshly chopped cilantro, a little salt and pepper and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy low carb side dish.

    More Delicious Keto Cauliflower Recipes

    Slow Cooker Pepper Jack Cauliflower

    Cauliflower Shepherd’s Pie

    Cauliflower Risotto

    Loaded Cauliflower Soup

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice

    Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

    Top down photo of cilantro lime cauliflower rice on a white table.

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    Looking for a truly delicious cauliflower rice recipe? Then this cilantro lime cauliflower rice is for you. This low carb side dish is a healthy copycat version of Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, but so much lighter and healthier. 
    4.91 from 20 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: cauliflower rice recipe, cilantro lime cauliflower rice
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 79kcal

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces riced cauliflower (about 4 cups or 1 medium head)
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
    • 3 tablespoon chopped cilantro
    • 2 tablespoon lime juice
    • Additional salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until it begins to froth. Add the cauliflower rice and toss to coat in the butter.
    • Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and a little chipotle powder, if desired. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender crisp and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and add chopped cilantro, lime juice and any additional salt and pepper to taste.
    Nutrition Facts
    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
    Calories 79 Calories from Fat 50
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5.6g9%
    Carbohydrates 6.1g2%
    Fiber 2.2g9%
    Protein 2.2g4%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    13.8K 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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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rhonda says

      January 08, 2023 at 2:42 pm

      Did not see any video attached for the chopping cilantro hack😔

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 08, 2023 at 8:07 pm

        Seems like my YouTube video embed went missing from the recipe card. That’s weird! I will try to re-add it when I can. Basically you put the cilantro at the bottom of a glass and take scissors and cut while turning the glass.

        Reply
    2. Rhonda Cline says

      January 08, 2023 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      OMG! This has transformed my Mexican cooking nights. Bright and perfectly tangy. Goes well with carnitas or topped with shredded rotisserie chicken, shredded cheese, green onions, chopped pickled jalapeños and a touch of sour cream.

      Reply
    3. Allison Keith says

      November 22, 2022 at 9:08 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent flavors! I added some chopped green onions as well!

      Reply
    4. Betsy Mickey says

      November 01, 2022 at 8:55 am

      Carolyn, how do I get the video for the cilantro lime cauliflower rice to play? I’ve located the videos, but when I click the “play” arrow, it takes me straight back to the print version. I want a better way to cut cilantro.
      P.S.
      For the easiest to use, look for a market that sells skimpy bunches in loose rubber bands. It saves cleaning off all of the spoiled mess jammed into the banded part of the bunch.

      Reply
    5. Lynn Bond says

      July 29, 2022 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      I served this with your Chicken Fajita Kebobs recipe, and they were a hit even with the young grandkiddos. Both of these recipes are definitely keepers!

      Reply
    6. Randee says

      May 14, 2022 at 11:03 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this recipe and use it for roughly chopped cauliflower, too.

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      April 25, 2022 at 5:43 pm

      4 stars
      The comments were right on, so good! Definately a new favorite! I made mine without the chipotle spice and it was very yummy.

      Reply
    8. Lisa says

      April 19, 2022 at 8:50 pm

      5 stars
      I love Chipotle cilantro lime rice and THIS tastes just like it!!! My husband who does not like cauliflower rice didn’t know he was eating cauliflower rice!
      Also I LOVE your tip for chopping cilantro thank you!!!!

      Reply
    9. Debbie says

      August 05, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      So amazingly delicious! This will become a staple in my home. I’m not a fan of chipotle so I omitted it.

      Reply
    10. COURTNEY says

      July 08, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      5 stars
      Just tried this, easy to make and so delicious, will definitely make again!!! Thanks

      Reply
    11. Bethany says

      July 06, 2020 at 9:47 pm

      5 stars
      I love how light and fresh this tastes. We make it several times a week. I just have a quick question about the serving size. It says the serving size is 1 cup and I buy my cauliflower rice frozen from Costco, it comes in 4 – 1lb bags, but I usually only get 2 cups per batch. I may be over packing the measuring cup, but I just wanted to confirm I had the serving size right.

      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        July 07, 2020 at 7:36 am

        The serving size is referring to the raw, frozen rice. Once cooked, it’s more like 2/3 cup (unpacked… definitely don’t pack it in).

        Reply
    12. Johnny Marquez says

      June 15, 2020 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      My lady friend discovered you a while back and we’re hooked. Love your style and been loving every recipe we’ve tried. Also, we have gotten all your cookbooks as well. Thank you for sharing your expertise and great taste with us. Johnny

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        June 15, 2020 at 9:49 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    13. Edith says

      May 31, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      4 stars
      Just made. So good. The lime and cilantro combo is perfect for summer.
      Thanks again, Carolyn.
      E

      Reply
    14. Kristi says

      April 29, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      I’m not a big fan of Chipotle, but I love the idea of a burrito bowl, so I decided to make one for dinner last night. This cauliflower rice was a fantastic addition and is amazing on its own too! I came out with a meal that was far better than anything I’ve ever gotten from Chipotle and it was easy to make. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
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