This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a one pan wonder! An easy keto skillet meal the whole family will love. They won’t even notice it’s low carb and grain-free. Winning!
If you love Mexican inspired keto recipes, you’ll also love my Easy Taco Pie.
Mexican cauliflower rice has been one of my most popular keto dinner recipes for years now. Even people who swear up, down, and sideways that they don’t like cauliflower rice enjoy this easy skillet meal. That includes my own children.
Not only is it full of bold flavor, but it’s astonishingly easy to make. 8 simple ingredients and 25 minutes, start to finish. It’s a full meal in one pan, too, so clean up is a snap.
Now doesn’t that sound like a meal you need to put on your menu immediately?
Praise for keto Mexican cauliflower rice
But don’t take my word for it. This is a recipe that 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
Recipe inspiration
I have many wonderful blogger friends who constantly inspire me, both in the kitchen and out. This recipe for Mexican cauliflower rice is no exception. I spied a high carb version with regular rice on Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts, and I just knew I had to try it with cauliflower.
Of course, it wasn’t as simple as simply swapping the real rice for cauli rice. It never is, of course. First, I left out the beans and corn, and back on a few other items (onions, tomatoes) to cut down on the carbs.
And I also cut back on the broth, since cauliflower rice isn’t going to absorb liquid in the same way. But the overall approach 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.
How to make Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Have I mentioned how ridiculously easy this is to make? That’s why it’s such a perfect dinner recipe for busy weeknights.
- Brown the ground beef over medium heat, but don’t cook it all the way through. You want it to be a little pink, as it will continue to cook after you add the other ingredients.
- Add the onion and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender. Then stir in the 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.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, the cauliflower rice, and some chicken broth. It really doesn’t matter whether you use fresh or frozen, they both take about the same time to cook through.
- Once the cauliflower is beginning to soften, sprinkle on the cheese and cover the whole skillet with a lid. Continue to cook until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
How easy is that???
Can you make this recipe ahead?
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
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ¼ medium onion diced
- ½ 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.
Rose Cancino says
Absolutely Delicious!! It was very easy to make too! Thank you for all your hard work Carolyn ♥️♥️😋😋
Ricki Ritter says
This was a wonderful flavorful meal the whole family enjoyed.
DIANE BOWLER says
This could be one of my new faves! Very enjoyable. Doesn’t seem like keto. It’s very very comforting.
Christine says
I made this today and it is so delish! This will definitely go on my meal planning rotation. I substituted the hamburger meat for ground turkey. It’s what I had on hand and will make it with hamburger meat next time.
Staci Bannister says
I just made this recipe tonight it is delicious I love all day I dream about food!
Johnny Lee Marquez says
Johnny Lee
Margaret DeVol says
I made this last night and it was so good! The whole family loved it, including my picky 11 year old. It was easy to make and very satisfying. I immediately sent the recipe to family members. Great recipes are worth sharing. This is definitely going into the regular dinner rotation. Thank you for all your recipes. This site is my trusted go-to.
Teresa says
Carolyn, you have done it again!!! I keep coming back to your website time and time again for my keto staples because they’re perfect!!! Every. Single. Time!!! This was quick, easy, and delicious!! Thank you for being an amazing resource on my keto weight loss journey! Much love and look forward to what you’re going to come up with next 💜
Christina Martin says
Love this!!! Prefect quick dinner! Thank you for the amazing recipes!!
Sheila says
It was excellent! I am going to add a small can of diced green chilis next time. Thanks for sharing!!!
Lori Kaumans says
Another amazing recipe! Tried this for dinner tonight. So easy to put together and delicious. Hit the spot! Thanks for all your hard work!
Lise Ode says
Yes please! I’m loving this recipe. So many of my favorite things all in one bowl. Yum!
Lisa says
This was quick, easy, and delicious! I’ll definitely make it again.
I don’t often post comments online, but this was so good!
Carolyn says
Thank you!
Barbara says
This sounds delicious and like one of the few cauli rice recipes my husband might like! I am looking for a bunch of recipes that I can make ahead and freeze before having major surgery soon. That might make a good topic for the blog if you are casting about for ideas one day. I do have 3 of your cookbooks, Everyday Ketogenic Cooking, Keto Soups & Stews, and Easy Keto Dinners, if you would like to suggest recipes that freeze well. I know that the meatloaf & Italian wedding soup will freeze nicely.
Jaimie White says
How much is 1 serving?? I do not see it on the recipe. Thank you
Carolyn says
The number of servings (6) is at the top of the recipe. You just need to eyeball it.
Sandra says
What are good “side” dishes. I eat Low carb however my husband likes to have “sides”…..
Carolyn says
I have a whole section devoted to sides. Remember, you can always look at my recipe index! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/category/side-dishes/
Courtney says
This is absolutely delicious and comes together so quickly and easily! A perfect meal for a busy weeknight that the whole family will enjoy.
Shellie Guess says
Delicious! I used ground turkey. Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Randi Jenkins says
I didn’t have any ground beef so I substituted already cooked pulled pork. I swapped out the tomatoes with a can of salsa exactly the right size. I served it with sour cream and sliced avocado and it was delicious. I had never eaten the cauliflower rice before. I’m so impressed I will use it a lot with other things! Thank you so much for always sending me recipes I love this. I’d give it 10 stars if I could!!! Bf loved it and I did too!
Karla says
This is a great recipe! Only things I changed eliminated the red bell pepper (it doesn’t agree with me😂) and used ground turkey. Everything else was perfect! Thank you for the recipe!