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    Home » Keto Dinner Ideas » Mexican Cauliflower Rice

    Published: May 26, 2021 · Modified: Sep 27, 2022 by Carolyn

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice

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

    138.3K shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Top down image of Mexican Cauliflower Rice in a large skillet, with avocado, cilantro, jalapeno and olives all around.

    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.

    A pan filled with keto Mexican style cauliflower rice on a white background, with avocado, jalapeno, and tomatoes in the background.

    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!

    A white bowl of Mexican cauliflower rice over a grey patterned napkin.

    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

    Top down image of the ingredients for Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
    • 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

    A collage of four images showing the steps for making Keto Mexican Cauliflower Rice.
    1. Brown the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until almost cooked through, but still a little pink.
    2. Add some flavor: Add the onion and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender. Then stir in the taco seasoning.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    A bowl of Mexican Cauliflower Rice with avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, and olives on a cutting board in the background.

    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
    Close up shot of a white bowl filled with Mexican Cauliflower Rice with a fork digging into it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is cauliflower rice the same as riced cauliflower?

    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.

    How many carbs are in Mexican 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.

    Can I Mexican cauliflower rice in advance?

    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!

    Banner for Easy Keto Dinners Cookbook
    Close up shot of a pan of Mexican Cauliflower Rice.

    Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe

    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.
    4.83 from 136 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: keto Mexican rice, Mexican cauliflower rice
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 352kcal

    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
    US Customary – Metric

    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.

    Video

    Notes

    Storage Instructions: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 day. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ⅙th of recipe)
    Calories 352 Calories from Fat 195
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 21.7g33%
    Cholesterol 96mg32%
    Carbohydrates 6.4g2%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Protein 29.1g58%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    138.3K 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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      Recipe Rating




    1. Rose Cancino says

      September 28, 2021 at 9:39 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely Delicious!! It was very easy to make too! Thank you for all your hard work Carolyn ♥️♥️????????

      Reply
    2. Ricki Ritter says

      August 26, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      This was a wonderful flavorful meal the whole family enjoyed.

      Reply
    3. DIANE BOWLER says

      August 22, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      This could be one of my new faves! Very enjoyable. Doesn’t seem like keto. It’s very very comforting.

      Reply
    4. Christine says

      August 16, 2021 at 6:19 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    5. Staci Bannister says

      August 04, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      I just made this recipe tonight it is delicious I love all day I dream about food!

      Reply
    6. Johnny Lee Marquez says

      July 23, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      5 stars
      Johnny Lee

      Reply
    7. Margaret DeVol says

      July 21, 2021 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    8. Teresa says

      July 19, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      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 ????

      Reply
    9. Christina Martin says

      July 10, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      Love this!!! Prefect quick dinner! Thank you for the amazing recipes!!

      Reply
    10. Sheila says

      June 21, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      5 stars
      It was excellent! I am going to add a small can of diced green chilis next time. Thanks for sharing!!!

      Reply
    11. Lori Kaumans says

      June 01, 2021 at 7:11 pm

      Another amazing recipe! Tried this for dinner tonight. So easy to put together and delicious. Hit the spot! Thanks for all your hard work!

      Reply
    12. Lise Ode says

      May 27, 2021 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      Yes please! I’m loving this recipe. So many of my favorite things all in one bowl. Yum!

      Reply
    13. Lisa says

      March 26, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      This was quick, easy, and delicious! I’ll definitely make it again.
      I don’t often post comments online, but this was so good!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 26, 2021 at 6:11 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    14. Barbara says

      March 26, 2021 at 9:41 am

      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.

      Reply
    15. Jaimie White says

      December 15, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      How much is 1 serving?? I do not see it on the recipe. Thank you

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 15, 2020 at 8:20 pm

        The number of servings (6) is at the top of the recipe. You just need to eyeball it.

        Reply
    16. Sandra says

      November 09, 2020 at 3:06 pm

      What are good “side” dishes. I eat Low carb however my husband likes to have “sides”…..

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 10, 2020 at 8:40 am

        I have a whole section devoted to sides. Remember, you can always look at my recipe index! https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/category/side-dishes/

        Reply
    17. Courtney says

      July 23, 2020 at 9:25 pm

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious and comes together so quickly and easily! A perfect meal for a busy weeknight that the whole family will enjoy.

      Reply
    18. Shellie Guess says

      May 25, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! I used ground turkey. Definitely a keeper! Thank you!

      Reply
    19. Randi Jenkins says

      April 30, 2020 at 5:42 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    20. Karla says

      April 18, 2020 at 9:05 pm

      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!

      Reply
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