Sautéed Garlic Cauliflower Rice
In short: Cauliflower grated to rice-size grains and sautéed in olive oil with garlic and lemon. A quick, light, low-carb side that cooks in under 10 minutes. It takes about 23 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 23 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 105 kcal
Cauliflower rice is raw cauliflower grated or pulsed to the size of rice grains and cooked very briefly. Sautéed in olive oil with garlic until just tender, with some golden edges, it makes a light, low-carb stand-in for rice that cooks in about 8 minutes. It soaks up the sauce of curries, stir-fries and stews, and it will not turn watery if you leave the pan uncovered.
Instructions
- Cut the cauliflower into florets, trimming away most of the thick stalk. Pulse the florets in a food processor in 2 or 3 batches, 6 to 8 one-second pulses each, until the pieces are the size of rice. Or grate them on the large holes of a box grater.
- Press the cauliflower rice in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. Wet cauliflower rice turns mushy.
- Heat the oil in a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and stir for 20 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cauliflower rice, salt and pepper. Spread it out and cook, stirring every minute or so, for 5 to 6 minutes, until just tender with a few golden flecks.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and parsley.
- Taste, adjust the salt and serve hot.
Tips
- Do not cover the pan, because steam makes cauliflower rice soggy. If your pan is small, cook it in two batches.
- Frozen cauliflower rice works too: cook it from frozen in a hot, dry pan for 3 minutes to drive off water before adding the oil. Cumin, turmeric or lime juice can match it to your main dish.
Questions and answers
Can I make cauliflower rice ahead of time?
Yes. Process the raw cauliflower up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Cook it just before serving.
How do I stop cauliflower rice from getting soggy?
Blot it dry before cooking, use a wide pan over high heat and do not cover it. Cook it for only 5 to 6 minutes.
Does cauliflower rice taste like rice?
Not exactly. It is milder and slightly sweeter, with a softer texture. It works best as a base that soaks up sauce, so it pairs well with saucy dishes.
How long does it take to make Sautéed Garlic Cauliflower Rice?
About 23 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sautéed Garlic Cauliflower Rice?
About 105 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 105 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
