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15-minute Flavorful Spanish Cauliflower Rice

By: Alison Marras

September 3, 2021

(updated August 31, 2022)

4.56 from 43 votes
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What’s Inside: This easy Spanish Cauliflower Rice features all the flavors you love about the classic carb-loaded side dish, but is packed with veggies and free of grains. It’s Paleo, Gluten-free, and Whole30- friendly with swaps to make it AIP as well. It’s a perfect side for any protein or your next Taco Tuesday!

How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe

What Is Spanish-Style Cauliflower Rice?

As a nutritionist, I’m always on the hunt for flavorful spins on crave-worthy foods that are gut-friendly and delicious. This Spanish Cauliflower rice recipe definitely fits the bill! I grew up eating this plain or with beans using good old-fashioned white rice which can be so great in moderation but to keep my sugar in check, I love making it low carb using cauliflower rice (you won’t tell the difference because of all the amazing flavors). This was a winner with my whole family, Puerto Rican or not!

Packed with veggies like cauliflower (obviously), carrots onion, and garlic, we well as spices like cumin and oregano, this Whole30 alternative to traditional Spanish-style rice is just as flavorful and won’t leave you feeling overly full or bloated.

On top of tasting good and being good for you, this Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe only calls for a handful of fresh ingredients and a couple of pantry staples, and it all comes together in 15 minutes. You can’t beat that! Serve alongside your favorite Latin-inspired proteins like my Grilled Picanha Steak and Vegetables or my Easy Paleo Ground Chicken Taco Salad.

How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe

Key Ingredients

To make this easy Spanish Cauliflower Rice, you’ll need ghee (grass-fed butter or olive oil will also work), a yellow onion, garlic, cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen), shredded carrots, tomato paste, filtered water, cumin, oregano, sea salt, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Want to make this AIP-friendly? Use olive oil instead of ghee, sweet potato puree instead of tomato, as well as turmeric and fresh chopped cilantro in place of the cumin.

How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Cook the chopped onion in one tablespoon of ghee over medium-low heat in a nonstick skillet until translucent. Then, add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds. 
  2. Cook the Cauliflower Rice: Next, stir in another tablespoon of ghee and add the cauliflower rice while still stirring until cauliflower rice is coated. Then stir in shredded carrots and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the Seasonings: To the skillet, add the filtered water, tomato paste, cumin, oregano and a pinch of salt. Stir well so tomato paste coats the veggies and no clumps remain. Reduce heat to low and let cook for 4 minutes or so until all veggies are soft. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
  4. Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or lime wedges, serve, and enjoy!
how to make Spanish cauliflower rice recipe

Serving Suggestions

Tips and Variations

  • To make this Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe AIP-friendly, use sweet potato puree instead of tomato and use turmeric and fresh chopped cilantro in place of cumin.
  • Spice it up with some dried red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeño peppers.
  • Add more veggies like broccoli rice, chopped bell peppers, corn, or sweet peas.
  • Try broth in place of water for even more flavor and nutrients.

Everyone loves a good side, am I right? Don’t miss my roundup of 20+ Gluten-free Side Dishes (Perfect for every occasion) including Paleo and AIP-friendly recipes right here.

How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Freeze cooled Spanish Cauliflower Rice in an airtight, freezer-safe container or plastic bag for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in the microwave for 2-4 minutes, until warmed through. Don’t overcook, or the cauliflower will get mushy.

More Healthy Side Dish Recipes To Try

How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice recipe

15-minute Flavorful Spanish Cauliflower Rice

4.56 from 43 votes
This easy Spanish Cauliflower Rice features all the flavors you love about the classic carb-loaded side dish, but is packed with veggies and free of grains. It's Paleo, Gluten-free, and Whole30- friendly with swaps to make it AIP as well. It's a perfect side for any protein or your next Taco Tuesday!
Print Pin
Author: Alison Marras
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp ghee (or grass-fed butter or olive oil)
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 4 cups cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp filtered water
  • 1/2 tsp cumin (or more to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Sea Salt to taste
  • Optional garnish: Fresh cilantro and lime or lemon wedges

Instructions:

  • Over medium-low heat, saute onion in 1 Tbsp ghee until softened, approx. 3 minutes, then add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
  • Next, stir in another tablespoon of ghee and add the cauliflower rice while still stirring until cauliflower rice is coated.
  • Next, stir in shredded carrots and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add water, tomato paste, cumin, oregano and a pinch of salt. Stir well so tomato paste coats the veggies and no clumps remain. Reduce heat to low and let cook for 4 minutes or so until all veggies are soft. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
  • Optionally garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and lemon or lime wedges and serve!

Notes:

To make this AIP, use olive oil in place of ghee, sweet potato puree instead of tomato, and use turmeric and fresh chopped cilantro in place of cumin.
Diet: Spanish
Keywords: paleo, whole30
Course: Side Dish
-Alison Marras
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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30-minutes Cauliflower Gluten-free Grain-free Low-carb One-pot Paleo Sides Whole30
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22 comments

  2. I love this healthier version of Spanish rice! It was super flavorful and had great texture. We served it alongside tacos for taco night yesterday!

    Reply

  3. What a healthy, flavorful side dish! This year is my year to eat more healthy, so I’m glad that goal can include some tasty dishes like this one!

    Reply

  4. The tomato paste adds so much depth of flavor to this recipe. My family loved it so I’m adding it to my menu rotation!

    Reply

  7. I love cauliflower rice, and I lOVE Spanish rice, so I know I have to try this recipe out. Looks so flavorful and delicious and your pictures are beautiful!

    Reply

  10. This is a good way to replace rice and have it low carb too! I’ll be sure to keep this recipe to feed my family more veggies!

    Reply

  13. I love this Spanish cauliflower rice. I’ve always found cauliflower rice bland but this recipe is so flavourful, thank you! It’s goes so well with so many meals.

    Reply

  15. I LOVE Spanish rice and am so happy I found this healthy version of Spanish Cauliflower! This will also make my husband happy. I could eat just this for lunch right now.

    Reply

  17. What a great meal idea when you want to eat more veggies while also keeping it low on the carbs. I can totally understand the final flavour is so intense you would barely notice it’s cauliflower rice!

    Reply

  19. I love cauliflower rice but I’ve not tried it Spanish style yet. This recipe looks so easy and tasty and perfect for the weather right now.

    Reply

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