This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
Even though you can buy it, the best quality, most economical cauliflower rice is the kind you make yourself. I’ll show you two easy methods for how to make cauliflower rice, with a grater and with a food processor.
What is Cauliflower Rice made of?
Cauliflower rice has one ingredient: cauliflower. That’s it!
Cauliflower rice can be served raw or cooked. For cooked cauliflower rice, it can be steamed, sautéed, roasted, blanched, or quickly boiled. It can be added to soups, salads, pilafs, and more.
Does Cauliflower Rice taste good?
Cauliflower rice has a very mild, cabbage-like taste; exactly the same as whole cauliflower. From there, it is a great blank canvas for other flavors in many different cuisines.
To replace rice or pasta, sauté lightly in a little olive oil with onion and garlic. Use as a base for curries, stews, and sauces.
By adding spices and herbs to the cauliflower rice, both raw and cooked, the “rice” can easily fit into just about any recipe.
How To Rice Cauliflower
The two preferred methods for making cauliflower rice are using a food processor or a cheese grater. The results vary only in the size and shape of the cauliflower rice.
Preparing the cauliflower:
Remove the green leaves and large stem using a paring knife. Trim any brown or bruised spots on the cauliflower. Cut into florets, or keep whole depending on the method used.
Food processor method:
Prep the cauliflower as directed above. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Cut up or chop any stem pieces. Place in a food processor fitted with the steel chopping blade.
Pulse a few times to start breaking up the cauliflower florets. Continue pulsing until all of the florets are chopped. Stop and scrape down the sides, as needed, and remove any really large, hard pieces that aren’t as easily chopped. Be careful to only pulse or you could end up with raw cauliflower puree instead.
Grater method:
I like to use a box grater for this method. Depending on the size desired, the larger holes or smaller holes can be used. Prep the cauliflower as directed above to remove the leaves and largest part of the stem. Keep the cauliflower intact, or cut in half, and start running the cauliflower firmly against the grater holes.
Can you use a ricer for cauliflower?
A ricer is typically used for potatoes and other root vegetables in place of mashing where a finer texture is desired. Cooked cauliflower could technically be put through a ricer, but the result will be more like mashed potatoes than rice.
How long does cauliflower rice last?
Raw cauliflower rice is at its best the day of or 1-2 days after chopping or grating. Keep in an airtight container in the vegetable crisper drawer.
Cooked cauliflower rice will last up to 4 days depending preparation method and/or added ingredients.
Cauliflower rice can be frozen. The preferred prep before freezing is to slightly pre-cook the cauliflower rice, allow to cool completely, then freeze in an airtight bag or container.
Pre-cooking yields a better texture and flavor when the frozen cauliflower is thawed and used in recipes. One more note about frozen cauliflower, it’s best to use it only in cooked recipes rather than thawed and used to replace raw cauliflower rice.
Is cauliflower rice allowed on whole30?
Yes, cauliflower rice is allowed on Whole30 and is a great replacement for grains and other starches.
Join Us
How to Make Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 head cauliflower
Instructions
- Remove the green leaves and large stem using a paring knife. Trim any brown or bruised spots on the cauliflower.
Food Processor Method:
- Cut the cauliflower into florets. Cut up or chop any stem pieces. Place in a food processor fitted with the steel chopping blade.
- Pulse a few times to start breaking up the cauliflower florets. Continue pulsing until all of the florets are chopped. Stop and scrape down the sides, as needed, and remove any really large, hard pieces that aren't as easily chopped.
Grater Method:
- Depending on the size desired, the larger holes or smaller holes can be used on the grater.
- Keep the cauliflower intact, or cut in half, and start running the cauliflower firmly against the grater holes to create the rice.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Easy peasy!