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May 8, 2019

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

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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

4.93 from 14 votes
Top down photo of cilantro lime cauliflower rice on a white table.
Print
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

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. 

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: cauliflower rice recipe, cilantro lime cauliflower rice
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 79 kcal
Ingredients
  • 16 ounces riced cauliflower (about 4 cups or 1 medium head)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle powder (optional)
  • 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  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 salt and pepper, and a little 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.
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.

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Filed Under: Gluten Free, Low Carb, Side Dishes Tagged With: cauliflower, cilantro, lime

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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.

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Lorraine says

    June 21, 2014 at 8:30 am

    Sounds like a great addition to my usual Chipotle! I will get a burrito bowl with chicken, mild salsa, cheese, and lettuce to go, then use my own low carb tortillas at home. It’s one of my three fast-food options. the others are getting Arby’s roast beef, then swapping out the bun , and getting gyros and using low carb pita bread at home.

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      June 21, 2014 at 9:49 am

      We do what we gotta do on this WOE! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kim - Liv Life says

    June 21, 2014 at 9:53 pm

    I saw this on FB earlier this morning and haven’t forgotten it!! This has my name all over it!!

    Reply
  3. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    June 23, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    I just made cauliflower rice for the first time the other day! I was really impressed with how it turned out. I’d love to make this version next time.

    Reply
  4. Candace @ Cabot says

    June 25, 2014 at 6:08 am

    Cilantro and Lime are such fresh flavors together. I love this combo!

    Reply
  5. Lin says

    January 13, 2015 at 1:26 pm

    I love their carnitas!!! Love cilantro lime rice, too. So this is perfect.

    Reply
  6. Angela says

    March 11, 2015 at 9:06 am

    I’ve tried making cauliflower rice (not this recipe yet) before but after it’s done, I can still taste and smell the cauliflower so I gave up. Is there a trick when cooking it to get rid of it? I’d love to completely switch over to using Cauliflower as rice but I can’t seem to get the cauliflower smell and taste out? And the end product stinks up my kitchen. I would love any suggestions!!!!

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      March 11, 2015 at 9:21 am

      Nothing is ever going to truly taste like rice but rice. But I do think this method of pan-frying the rice does help.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        March 11, 2015 at 9:35 am

        Ok, I read somewhere recently that someone mentioned something about cooking it longer or something and that helped to get rid of it but I haven’t tried that yet. I will try your recipe with frying the rice. I saved a fried rice recipe on another blog that I want to try but was hesitant but maybe if it’s in the method, then maybe it will work. I can’t remember the method used when I tried it before because it has been a while. Thank you for the input!

        Reply
  7. Sue Bohlin says

    May 9, 2019 at 11:25 am

    I can’t find the link to the video. What am I missing?

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      May 9, 2019 at 11:26 am

      There is no link to the video. It’s right in the recipe. Try a different browser…

      Reply
  8. Cheryl S says

    May 14, 2019 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    We could eat this with almost every meal! Thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  9. Beth Pierce says

    May 14, 2019 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    This was such an easy recipe to make and was the perfect side dish with our grilled chicken last night!

    Reply
  10. Kristyn says

    May 14, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    5 stars
    I have really learned to love cauliflower rice! I love making it! It’s a great, healthier option & so good!!

    Reply
  11. natasha says

    May 14, 2019 at 11:07 pm

    5 stars
    this would be so delicious with the cafe rio sweet pork

    Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    May 16, 2019 at 9:40 am

    5 stars
    This cauliflower rice is going to be on repeat all summer long!!

    Reply
  13. Dean Chongris says

    May 19, 2019 at 8:45 pm

    Do you defrost the frozen cauliflower rice before you put it in the pan? Is there excess water with the frozen cauliflower rice?

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      May 19, 2019 at 8:57 pm

      No, not at all. I’ve made this with both fresh and frozen, no need to defrost.

      Reply
      • Dean Chongris says

        May 22, 2019 at 9:22 am

        Thanks Carolyn! Love all your recipes and cookbooks.

        Reply
  14. Scarlet says

    May 30, 2019 at 12:53 pm

    This sounds delish! I just love cilantro- it makes everything better. I am pinning this cauliflower rice recipe to try soon!

    Reply
  15. Maria Isais says

    June 3, 2019 at 2:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love, love, this version of cauli rice. It’s just so flavorful. I didn’t have lime, used lemon. Used butter and little avocado oil…Yummmy
    Thanks!!!

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      June 3, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      So glad to hear it!

      Reply
  16. Sandy says

    June 22, 2019 at 10:34 pm

    Do you have a link to this chicken? I’d love to try this whole recipe!

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      June 23, 2019 at 6:32 am

      Those were just some chicken thighs that I cooked in my air fryer with some Mexican spices on top.

      Reply
  17. Michelle says

    July 27, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Perfect low-carb side dish with grilled fish, thank you!!

    Reply
  18. Claudia says

    September 26, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    5 stars
    FYI: I was at my local Costco (Vancouver, BC) today and they now sell 2kg bags of frozen cauliflower! 100% organic cauliflower, no seasonings or additives. Only $11.99 a bag. GAME CHANGER!!

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      September 26, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      Excellent!

      Reply
  19. Pam says

    February 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm

    Hmmmm…did I miss it? I’d love to watch your video, especially the trick for chopping cilantro, which I always use. I am going to make this recipe and do not see a video or a link. Please let e know how to find it. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      February 2, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      The video is right there. If you’re not seeing it, try a different browser.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        February 3, 2020 at 4:29 pm

        Ok I’ll give that a try – thanks for the quick reply!

        Reply
  20. Lynn says

    March 21, 2020 at 2:32 pm

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

    Reply
    • Carolyn says

      March 21, 2020 at 2:50 pm

      Ha, I love it! <3

      Reply
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. Bethany says

    July 6, 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 7, 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
  25. COURTNEY says

    July 8, 2020 at 8:01 pm

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

    Reply
  26. Debbie says

    August 5, 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

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Carolyn PortraitLooking for the best low carb recipes? You've come to the right place! I'm Carolyn, a major carnivore and an unrepentant sweet tooth. Here you will find all you need to enjoy the low carb keto lifestyle to the fullest! Read more

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