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    Home » Side Dishes » Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

    Published: May 8, 2019 · Modified: Apr 21, 2023 by Carolyn

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

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

    14.1K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice takes only 5 simple ingredients and has spectacular flavor. This copycat of the famous Chipotle rice goes with all of your favorite healthy dinners.

    A serving of Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice on a plate with chicken.

    This easy Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice might just be the perfect keto side dish. It’s light and fresh, has only 5 ingredients, and takes 10 minutes to make. I developed this recipe years ago after a trip to Chipotle and it was an instant family favorite.

    And I’ve been making it the same way ever since. It goes with just about anything, but is particularly good with Mexican inspired dishes. We love to pair it with mains like Mexican Shredded Beef, Keto Carnitas, and Easy Keto Chicken Fajitas.

    Top down image of Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice in a skillet on a white wooden table.

    Why you need this recipe

    If you’ve been craving Mexican food on your keto diet, then you’re going to love this Chipotle cauliflower rice. It’s so incredibly simple and yet bursting with fresh flavor.

    And unlike dishes made with real rice, it doesn’t weigh you down or spike your blood sugar. So you can enjoy your meal without worry and without feeling overly full afterwards!

    You could easily consider this keto convenience food. You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice, so it’s easy to have the ingredients on hand at all times. And it really is ready in about 10 minutes, start to finish.

    And this easy cauliflower rice recipe has a mere 4g of carbs per serving.

    Reader Reviews

    “Made this many times…so often, in fact, that I made my husband plant cilantro in our backyard. This is a religious experience.” – Lynn

    “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!” – Lisa

    “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!” – Lynn B.

    Ingredients you need

    Top down image of the ingredients needed for Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice.
    • Riced cauliflower: I don’t bother making my own cauliflower rice anymore as almost every grocery store carries pre-chopped versions. You can use fresh or frozen, as they take about the same time to cook. If you are making your own, a medium head of cauliflower should be about right for 4 cups of rice.
    • Butter: I like to use butter for the rich flavor but you can use any oil. Want a dairy free version? Use good quality olive oil or avocado oil.
    • Cilantro: Nothing compares to the flavor of fresh cilantro. Add as much or as little as you like.
    • Lime: Please don’t use bottled lime juice. Fresh is always best and you can taste the difference. I find that a single lime usually has enough juice for this recipe. You can also use some lime zest for added flavor.
    • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and chipotle powder. The chipotle powder is entirely optional but it gives the rice a nice little kick.

    Step-by-step directions

    A collage of four image showing the steps for making Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice.
    1. 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.
    2. Sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and chipotle powder, if desired. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender crisp and just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
    3. Remove from heat and add chopped cilantro, lime juice and any additional salt and pepper to taste.
    A wooden spoon lifting Keto Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice out of the skillet.

    Expert Tips

    Although I prefer to buy riced cauliflower, you can easily make it yourself at home. I like 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 half a head of cauliflower at a time at a time when making your own. Otherwise you tend to overwhelm the blender or food processor.

    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, as they are too deep and the cauliflower rice doesn’t cook through as quickly or evenly.

    Chopping cilantro is an exercise in frustration, as it likes to stick to the knife. But I learned a great trick from a chef friend. Place the cilantro in a glass and use scissors to cut as you turn the glass frequently. It works like a charm and you can see it in action in my Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice video!

    A plate with chicken and Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice in front of a Mexican glass jug.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you make cauliflower rice not soggy?

    Overcooking cauliflower rice makes it become soggy quickly. I recommend sautéing it in oil or butter until it’s just becoming tender, then removing it from heat. It will continue to cook a little longer in the pan so this ensures you don’t overcook it.

    How many carbs are in cilantro lime cauliflower rice?

    This cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe has 6.4g of carbs and 2.4g of fiber per serving. That comes to 4g net carbs.

    Does Chipotle have cilantro lime cauliflower rice?

    The popular fast food chain Chipotle came out with a cauliflower version of their popular Cilantro Lime Rice in 2021. Sadly, they removed this low carb option from their menu later that same year. But the good news is that you can easily make it at home in 10 minutes!

    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice on a stoneware pate with grilled chicken thighs.

    More Delicious Keto Cauliflower Recipes

    • Keto Shepherd’s Pie
    • Cauliflower Risotto
    • Loaded Cauliflower Soup
    • Mexican Cauliflower Rice
    • Slow Cooker Pepper Jack Cauliflower
    • Keto Cauliflower Salad
    A wooden spoon lifting Keto Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice out of the skillet.

    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. 
    4.92 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: chipotle cauliflower rice, cilantro lime cauliflower rice
    Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 81kcal

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
    • 3 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 tablespoon lime juice

    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, 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 the chopped cilantro, lime juice and any additional salt and pepper to taste.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage Information: Store the cauliflower rice in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing it after it’s been prepared and cooked. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 81 Calories from Fat 50
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5.6g9%
    Carbohydrates 6.4g2%
    Fiber 2.4g10%
    Protein 2.3g5%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    14.1K 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. MADONNA TORRES CAMORADA says

      August 21, 2023 at 12:37 am

      Trying this today!

      Reply
    2. Rhonda Christy says

      August 19, 2023 at 4:33 pm

      I made this today along with the Pecan Crusted Salmon! It’s a keeper! AND that salmon was gourmet restaurant quality!!

      Reply
    3. Shannon says

      July 13, 2023 at 12:43 pm

      To be honest, I didn’t really believe that another cauliflower-rice recipe would live up to Carolyn’s Mushroom Risotto recipe, well I was dead wrong! This is an absolute fabulous recipe! Again, you’d never know it was cauliflower and for this Cali girl who grew up on Mexican food, this is just PERFECTION! I added a few sliced scallions and a sprinkle of cheese on top and I was in heaven! Thanks again Carolyn!

      Reply
    4. Jane Summers says

      April 25, 2023 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      DELISH!!

      Reply
    5. Anne says

      April 12, 2023 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely great, served with chicken fajitas. I zested the lime and added it with the cilantro.

      Reply
    6. 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
    7. 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
    8. Allison Keith says

      November 22, 2022 at 9:08 pm

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

      Reply
    9. 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
    10. 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
    11. 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
    12. 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
    13. 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
    14. 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
    15. 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
    16. 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
    17. 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
    18. 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
    19. 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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