Cauliflower Fried Rice will trick your tastebuds in the best way possible. This 20 minute low-carb recipe tastes like regular fried rice!

Bowl of cauliflower fried rice

There are a few things to be grateful for in terms of getting diagnosed with Celiac Disease, including eating fresher and healthier than ever before.

Case in point: Cauliflower Fried Rice!

I can say with 100% certainty that I would have never thought to swap regular white rice for CAULIFLOWER rice in my standard fried rice recipe had I not been diagnosed, but this is one healthy swap that I am totally here for. It’s a dead ringer for the real thing!

Watch How to Make It

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Grain Free Cauliflower Fried Rice

Grated or “riced” cauliflower is stir fried with frozen mixed vegetables, green onions, garlic, and sesame oil-laced eggs then tossed with gluten-free Tamari (or soy sauce if you’re not gluten-free) and served up hot.

Absolutely delicious. A revelation. No restaurant – nor rice! – required.

Bowl of fried rice with chop sticks

Tips for Making Cauliflower Fried Rice

  1. Fresh or Frozen: I’ll show you how to make this recipe with freshly riced cauliflower though you can use frozen, pre-riced cauliflower instead. No need to thaw prior to cooking.
  2. Customize It: Add any/all vegetables you may have on hand. I often add frozen pepper stir fry mix and/or frozen edamame.
  3. Tools Needed: While a food processor rices cauliflower in seconds, you can also use a box grater to make cauliflower rice. Additionally, a large wok works great for this recipe, though a large, nonstick skillet does the job too.
  4. Too veggie heavy? If you’re serving Cauliflower Fried Rice to little ones, or have a dining parter that won’t go for so many veggies, feel free to cut the cauliflower rice with regular, cooked white rice.
  5. Pump up the protein: If the egg aren’t your thing, swap in shrimp or cubed tofu instead. Leftover diced steak, smoked sausage, or chicken is great too.

Even if you don’t need to eat gluten-free, we could all use a little more plants in our diet. This low-carb, 20 minute supper is going to make you all kinds of happy!

Overhead photo of bowl of fried rice with chopsticks

Step 1: Prep the Cauliflower

Start by slicing out the core of a small head of cauliflower, then cut the head into a few big hunks.

head of cauliflower on cutting board

Next, fit a large food processor with the grating attachment. If you don’t have a food processor you can use a box grater OR, as I mentioned, you can use store-bought frozen riced cauliflower instead.

image of food processor

Pop the cauliflower hunks into the shoot then let ‘er rip.

Cauliflower-Fried-Rice-iowagirleats-06

Here’s a close up shot of the results. Visually the cauliflower is a cross between rice and hash browns.

hand holding riced cauliflower

Step 2: Cook the Cauliflower Fried Rice

Place a large wok or nonstick skillet over high heat then add sesame oil. Measure out 4 cups grated cauliflower then add it to the hot oil along with frozen mixed vegetables and chopped green onions. 

Stir fry until the cauliflower is just starting to become tender, 3-4 minutes, then add minced garlic and season with salt and pepper. Stir fry until the garlic is fragrant, another minute or so.

fried rice cooking in skillet

Next, push the cauliflower to the sides of the wok to create a well in the center, then pour in a couple of eggs whisked with more sesame oil. Let sit until set on the bottom then scramble and toss to combine.

scrambled eggs on fried rice in skillet

Last step is to drizzle in gluten-free Tamari or soy sauce then toss to combine.

sauce on top of rice in skillet

Last step is to scoop the Cauliflower Fried Rice into bowls then serve. I hope you love this healthier, gluten free take-out fake out dish – enjoy!

Closeup photo of fried rice made of cauliflower

More Cauliflower Rice Recipes

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Cauliflower Fried Rice

4.7 from 22 votes

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 3
Cauliflower Fried Rice will trick your tastebuds in the best way possible. This 20 minute low-carb recipe tastes like regular fried rice!

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 small head cauliflower, see notes
  • 1/2 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 – 3 Tablespoons gluten free reduced-sodium Tamari, or soy sauce if not gluten free

Directions 

  • Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil plus the eggs to a bowl then whisk to combine and set aside.
  • Chop cauliflower head into big chunks then send through a food processor fitted with the grating attachment. Alternatively you could grate the cauliflower on a box grater, or use 4 cups frozen cauliflower rice. Measure out 4 cups grated cauliflower then save the rest for another use.
  • Heat remaining 3 teaspoons sesame oil in a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add cauliflower, green onions, and frozen mixed vegetables then stir fry until cauliflower is just beginning to turn tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, season with salt and pepper, then continue to stir fry until garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds or so.
  • Push mixture to the sides of the wok to create an opening in the center then add the whisked eggs and scramble. Toss mixture to combine then drizzle in 2 Tablespoon gluten free Tamari and mix again to combine. Taste then add remaining Tablespoon gluten free Tamari if desired, and then serve.

Notes

  • You can use 4 cups frozen riced cauliflower instead of freshly grating your own. No need to thaw prior to cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 755mg, Potassium: 428mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1779IU, Vitamin C: 48mg, Calcium: 57mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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165 Comments

  1. Jennifer L says:

    Just curious, but is there a reason you have to use the grater on the food processor? I don’t have a grater for mine so wondering if I can just throw the pieces in with the regular blade.

  2. Alice says:

    You may have just convinced me to try this cauliflower rice thing once and for all! I have a friend who’s been trying to get me onto it for a while now and I keep resisting. You make it sound delicious though!

  3. amanda says:

    Just wanted to let you know every time I come to your website within the past 2 days, I get a malicious image threat from my norton antivirus program.

  4. April says:

    My kids call cauliflower the magical vegetable bc we can’t have any grains or starches for a while (we’re doing the GAPS diet to heal leaky guts). It replaces rice and potatoes for us. Do you ever use frozen cauliflower to make your rice? I love to keep it on hand. I make cauli-rice to make a fajita skillet dish (we don’t do GF tortillas. Full of chemicals) and an enchilada casserole. And I put it in chicken soup to have chicken and rice soup. For that I add it to each individual bowl and ladle the soup over it so it doesn’t disintegrate by getting overcooked in the pot. What are you doing to heal?

  5. Ali @ Whisk and Repeat says:

    I have never made cauliflower rice, but this is the recipe that makes me want to actually try it! I love, love, love fried rice! My husband is a cauliflower hater, so all of this will be for me. :)

  6. Melissa says:

    YUM! Started Atkins a few days ago, and this is the perfect low carb side!! :D

  7. Terri says:

    I’ve been wanting to try this, so thanks for the recipe. It looks delicious! I’m not sure my cook (my husband) would rave over it, but I might try to make it on my own.

  8. Katie says:

    Alright alright, I’ve considered making cauliflower fried rice before, but always assumed it was difficult. It might be time for me to finally make it! Also, I’ve been known to make quinoa (which I think is GF?) instead of regular rice as a side for chinese food.

  9. Sara says:

    LOL I think we need to see a picture of your billboard! :) That dish looks so yummy and guilt free. LOVE!

  10. Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says:

    This recipe looks delicious! I make a similar sauce with sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic powder, and TONS of red pepper flakes! :D

  11. Julie says:

    I’ve been wanting to try this. With rice it’s always better to use day old rice for fried rice. Do you think the same is true for cauliflower or does it matter?

    1. Kristin says:

      You can definitely grate the cauliflower a day ahead to save some time but it won’t make a difference texture/taste wise if it’s fresh or day old grated.

    2. Teri C. says:

      The reason why they use day old rice is because the glutens or starches in the rice develop more which is great for sushi, it will hold it’s shape. Won’t matter with cauliflower.

      1. Jill says:

        Rice doesn’t have any gluten but cauliflower is a great substitute if you want to reduce calories and carbs

  12. Chicago Jogger says:

    This looks EXACTLY like regular fried rice! So smart :) Love it.

  13. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says:

    I love how you’re making the best of your restrictions! This looks like a great way to enjoy a favorite dish without the rice. I’ve had cauliflower rice twice–the first time almost scarred me for life. I reluctantly tried it again and it was good. So I know it can be good when prepared correctly. Looks like this dish has plenty of flavor!