This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a one pan wonder! It’s an easy keto skillet meal that takes 8 ingredients and only 25 minutes to make. And the whole family loves it.
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice has been one of my most popular keto dinner recipes for many years now. Even people who swear up, down, and sideways that they don’t like cauliflower enjoy this easy and skillet meal. That includes my own children!
We love Mexican food, but the traditional versions are typically not very keto-friendly. I struggle to find decent low carb choices when we go out to eat, and often end up with a salad.
So I have to take matters into my own hands and create my own versions. They may not be authentic Mexican, but they always taste fabulous. Taco Pie is a family favorite, as are my Keto Chicken Fajitas.
And this easy Keto Mexican Rice dish is a perfect addition to the dinner rotation.
Why this recipe is so awesome
Not only is Mexican Cauliflower Rice full of bold flavor, but it’s also astonishingly easy to make. It takes eight basic ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. And it’s ready in 25 minutes, start to finish.
It’s also a full meal in one pan, so clean up is a snap. It’s a perfect recipe for busy weeknights!
I was inspired to create this recipe after seeing the Mexican rice skillet from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts. It looked like something my family would love, but it wasn’t even remotely keto.
Of course, it wasn’t as simple as simply swapping the real rice for cauli rice. I also left out the beans and corn, and back on a few other items to cut down on the carbs.
But the basic concept was the same: cook everything in the same skillet, sprinkle with cheese, put the lid on for a few minutes, and it’s ready to eat. So easy and so good!
Reader reviews
But don’t take my word for it. This Keto Mexican Rice gets rave reviews every time. Check out these reader reviews:
I’ve made this twice as in the last two weeks following a keto diet and it is delicious! I made it the first time with fresh cauliflower and the second with thawed frozen and they were both great, but I think I prefer the frozen cauli. It’s even better reheated! – Shanna
I have been slow to get on the cauliflower rice train due to the taste/smell, but I just made this… and my oh my, it is delicious! No one would know that there is cauliflower rice instead of regular rice in the dish. Definitely a make again recipe! Thank you for the recipe. – Angie
Ingredients you need
- Ground beef: I like to use good grassfed beef from Wild Pastures. But you can also use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter meal.
- Onion: Just a little onion adds flavor, without adding too many extra carbs.
- Red pepper: Sweet peppers add color and flavor. You can use green or yellow as well.
- Taco seasoning: You can make your own or purchase pre-made seasoning. Just be sure to choose a spice mix that doesn’t have any additives, fillers, or sugars.
- Tomatoes: I like to use fresh tomatoes, but canned works too. I recommend draining off any extra juices.
- Cauliflower rice: It really doesn’t matter whether you use fresh or frozen. They both take about the same time to cook through.
- Chicken broth: You need a little extra liquid to help everything cook through.
- Shredded cheese: I like to use cheddar, but you can also use pepper jack, monterey jack, or a Mexican blend.
Step-by-step directions
- Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until almost cooked through, but still a little pink.
- Add some flavor: Add the onion and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender. Then stir in the taco seasoning.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients: Add the tomatoes and cauliflower rice and stir to combine. Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the cauliflower rice begins to soften.
- Cover with cheese: Sprinkle the skillet with the cheese and cover. Let cook until the cheese is melted, 3 or 4 minutes. Remove from heat and top with your favourite toppings like sour cream, avocado, and chopped cilantro.
Expert tips
Make sure you use a large skillet, at least 12 inches in diameter, in order to accommodate all the ingredients. They will cook down but it’s hard to stir everything together in a smaller pan.
Customize your meal! Add your favorite toppings or put them out in bowls and let everyone add their own.
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Black olives
- Chopped avocados
- Guacamole
- Fresh cilantro
- Green onions
- Hot sauce
- Chopped jalapeños
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these two terms refer to exactly the same thing. Cauliflower that has been “riced” means that it has been grated until it resembles grains of rice. However, most people simply call it cauliflower rice.
This recipe for Keto Mexican Rice has 6.4g of carbs and 2g of fiber. So it has a total carb count of 4.4g per serving.
Those of you who like to meal prep will be thrilled to know that this keto skillet meal can be made one to two days in advance. As several readers have noted, it tastes just as good re-heated. I don’t recommend freezing this one, as the fresh vegetables will become mushy upon thawing. Store the leftovers in the fridge in a covered container. It’s good for up to 5 days.
We love this recipe so much, I included it in my Easy Keto Dinners Cookbook!
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ medium onion diced
- ½ medium red pepper diced
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 12 ounces cauliflower rice fresh or frozen
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese or Mexican Blend
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until almost cooked through (just a little pink). Add the onion and pepper and continue to cook until no longer pink. Stir in the taco seasoning.
- Add the tomatoes and cauliflower rice and stir to combine. Stir in the broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the cauliflower rice begins to soften (8 to 10 minutes for frozen).
- Sprinkle the skillet with the cheese and cover. Let cook until the cheese is melted, 3 or 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and top with your favourite toppings like sour cream, avocado, and chopped cilantro.
Sherri Kumfer says
Should you drain the grease off of the ground beef?
Carolyn says
No need.
Nicole says
I was wondering the same about the grease. I don’t understand why it wouldn’t be needed. Seems like I’ll immediately be on the toilet after I eat if I don’t strain it.
Carolyn says
Fat is good for you. Why on earth would you be on the toilet?
Lisa says
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it. Are the diced tomatoes canned diced tomatoes or fresh tomato, diced?
Carolyn says
I used canned and did the nutritional count from that but fresh would be fine and would lower the count a little.
Amy says
This was delicious! I’ve just started an LCHF diet and this’ll be one of our staple meals for sure. Thank you!
Carolyn says
You’re welcome. It’s quickly becoming a staple in our house too!
Nancy Eastwood says
This recipe is so flavorful and delicious! My family thinks it tastes better than regular Mexican casserole made with corn chips because the cauliflower rice absorbs the flavors where corn chips mask them. Thank you for the recipe! We will make it again and again!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Niccole says
Anyone know what the Smartpoints would be for this? Can’t wait to try it! Are your nutritional information numbers for the recipe as a whole or per serving? THANKS!
Carolyn says
I have no idea what Smartpoints are. And nutrition is always calculated per serving.
Niccole SERVAGE says
Thank you. Love your work.
Carolyn says
Thanks!
Katerina says
When you say 12 oz cauliflower raced you by by weight or by volume, i.e. 1 1/2 cups? I ask because I cannot get it frozen where I live so I must make it myself.
Thanks.
Carolyn says
A small head turned into rice would be about right.
Elizabeth says
I enjoy your recipes very much. But sometimes the ingredients are different in Europe than in the U.S.
So my question is: What do you mean by cauliflower rice?
Thanks from Germany,
Elizabeth
Carolyn says
It means cauliflower that is grated finely so that it resembles grains of rice. It’s a great rice replacement. You can do it yourself in a food processor.
Elizabeth says
Thankyou for your reply, Carolyn. I will definitely try it out. I have never liked cauliflower very much, but as a rice replacement, it may become a regular.
This website is a treaure trove for me:-)
Whitney says
I love this recipe!! I can’t tell you how many times I have made it. I do have one question on the nutritional value information. Does this recipe have any saturated fat in it?
Carolyn says
With beef and cheese? You bet it does – and that’s a good thing. Saturated fat is not the villain it’s been made out to be. If you want to know the amount, you will need to run the numbers yourself.
Caitlin C says
How many cups is in a serving? I would love to try this recipe!
Carolyn says
That’s a good question, I didn’t measure it that way. Maybe 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups? It fed my hungry family of five, with a portion leftover. My husband is 6’7″ and likes to eat so that says something!
Lorena says
This was my thought and question also, I have gestational diabetes and have to log in my meals so I wasn’t sure what you meant by “one serving”… I’m pretty sure I had more then a cup (it was sooo good and so easy to make) abut my numbers were good so I guess that’s all that matters!
Carolyn says
It’s hard to measure a serving in a recipe like this. You just have to eyeball what amounts to about 1/6 of the recipe.
Karen says
OMG – Yasss. I used to make something similar to this, years ago on that other eating plan — the one with two w’s in the name. It was so, so, sooo tasty. (Oddly, I never lost weight on that other plan. Maybe because it had actual rice in it. DUH.) (That is not to say others don’t lose … I just didn’t. LC is the only way I can lose/maintain). Adding avocado and sour cream? Bonus!! Can’t wait to make this tonight.
Linda says
This looks great. I never knew that frozen cauliflower existed, so now I will have to look for it. This recipe may have been produced with children in mind because one pound of ground meat spread over 6 servings would leave 6 adults very hungry. I would think that it would actually be 3 servings if one is feeding adults.
Carolyn says
You’d be VERY surprised at how filling it is. My husband is 6’7″ and both he and my kids are hungry eaters and eat quite a lot. This made dinner for the 5 of us PLUS a serving of leftovers. I was surprised by it too. Keep in mind that the nutritional info does not include addition like sour cream and avocado. So that adds some fat and calories.
Sonja says
Where do you get the cauliflower rice?
Carolyn says
I got that package at Trader Joe’s.
Liz says
Your recipes must be a blessing for these families!!! I’m still watching my carbs and this cheesy skillet dinner sounds fantastic!! Not sure if Bill would go for cauliflower rice, but I could make a 50/50 recipe with regular for him. I know I’ll love it.
Rose, Rachel says
Oh Carolyn I adore you!
We are still eating cold meats from Carters Birthday mixed grill. But, this is saturdays dinner for sure!
I’m one of those T1 mums and I massively appreciate your recipes every single day! I also appreciate just how much goes into you producing these recipes! As a (poor) baker, I’ve been trying out your recipes for my sons birthday and it’s no mean feat, to make them up from scratch classifies you as some sort of super-hero-human!!
We are currently loving your Boston poke cake with no blood sugar issues from it at all! It’s amazing!! I’ve been telling everyone how they ‘have to try it’!!!
Thank you so much ??
Carolyn says
I am so so glad. This is clearly a mutual admiration society we’ve got going. 😉
Shannon Mills says
I have been following this website for sometime now not all my recipes come out great however I am trying this tonight, my kids love cauliflower rice!!!!
Thanks Carolyn
Carolyn says
Hope they love it!
Tracy says
It never stops amazing me how well we can eat low carb. I have eaten better AND have had more fun cooking and baking then ever before. I never used to experiment much but now whenever I see a high carb recipe my mind goes to “how can I change this” mode.
Love all your recipes and always look forward to new ones. Thanks so much!
Carolyn says
So glad and I feel the same…scheming to make all the high carb recipes into low carb healthy ones!
Candace @ Cabot says
Your low-carb recipes never fail to delight. This one looks muy bueno. Sunday dinner, you have been planned!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Candace! Would be divine with Cabot, of course. I used pre-shredded for simplicity’s sake this time. But with some sharp Cabot? Heaven.
Isa says
Thanks very much Carolyn for thinking about T1 moms and making our lives easier. This recipe looks amazing and I am definitely trying. Love your blog!!
Holly Herrin says
What an absolutely beautiful post and a scrumptious looking recipe that I cannot wait to try. I appreciate all you do to help make delicious recipes which help keep my son’s blood sugar steady. You’re greatly appreciated!
Kim says
What brand of taco seasoning do you use; or do you make your own?
This looks great, btw!
Carolyn says
I linked to it in the recipe. 🙂
Barbara Loeding says
Do you have a recipe for homemade taco seasoning?
Carolyn says
Not one that I’ve ever published! ;). I do have one going into my cookbook, though. I don’t know that I am allowed to share yet… But I have seen some good ones on Pinterest if you want to check there. Or google it.
Barbara says
Made this twice now – it’s considered a winner because I got my husband to eat cauliflower rice without knowing it!!!!
Carolyn says
Nice!
April says
Pioneer woman has
an easy one.
Angela LaPrise says
I use this blend for about 2lbs of meat:
1/2T Garlic powder
1/2T Onion powder
1/2 T Salt
1T Chili powder
1T Cumin
1T Smoked Paprika
Dagar says
I substituted the beef with beans and added alfalfa sprouts, lemon, cumen powder and it was superb. Everyone was asking for the recipe …thanks a lot
Robin says
Looks really good! I can’t wait to try it.