Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (2024)

By Marjory Pilley Published · Updated

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe

Easy Curry Cauliflower Rice is ready in 15 minutes! Make this healthy, low-carb recipe for dinner when you need something fast and flavorful.

Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (1)

I can hear you now (or is that my family in the background?!) Cauliflower isn't the same as rice! You're absolutely, 100% correct.

But riced cauliflower mimics the texture of traditional rice or couscous. And it's delicious in its own right. It's also easy to cook and keto-friendly. So, what's not to love?

Cooking cauli-rice with sauteed onion, garlic, and curry powder is one of my favorite ways to prepare it. It's light and fluffy with distinctive yellow color and amped-up flavor.

Serve curried cauliflower rice as a side dish, or add your favorite protein for a quick meal.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Shortcut: Frozen Cauliflower Rice
  • Variations
  • How to Rice Cauliflower
  • Directions
  • What to Serve with Curry Cauliflower Rice
  • Storage
  • More Cauliflower Rice Recipes
  • 📋 Recipe

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make curry cauliflower rice:

  • Riced cauliflower - Follow the directions below to make it or buy it at the grocery store. Use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice.
  • Onion - Dice sweet or yellow onions.
  • Garlic cloves - Press or finely mince these.
  • Curry powder is a blend of spices with turmeric as the main ingredient. Depending on who makes it, the mixture might include cinnamon, garlic powder, clove, mustard seeds, black pepper, and fennel seed. An alternative is garam masala, the spice traditionally used in Indian food.
  • Olive Oil is used for softening vegetables.
  • Salt this dish to taste.
  • Green onions and fresh cilantroare optional garnishes that add flavor and eye appeal.

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.

Shortcut: Frozen Cauliflower Rice

Save time and energy by using frozen riced cauliflower to make this curry cauliflower rice recipe! Buy it in the freezer section at the grocery store. You don't even need to defrost it. Just be sure to break up any frozen clumps before you use it.

You can make lots of recipes with frozen cauliflower rice! It's a game-changer in the kitchen.

Variations

Consider the ingredients above the bare minimum! Here are some other things you can add to curry cauliflower rice:

  • Carrots, green, orange, or red bell peppers, zucchini, or other seasonal vegetables.
  • Cinnamon for a touch of additional sweetness.
  • Dried fruit, such as raisins, currants, or apricots.
  • Toasted almonds or shredded coconut.
  • Lime wedges or lemon slices.
  • Add coconut milk for creamier cauliflower.

How to Rice Cauliflower

There's good news if you decide to make your own cauliflower rice! It takes about 10 minutes. But since you're pulling out an appliance you'll have to clean, make extra to freeze.

Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (2)

Here's how to do it:

  1. Cut a head of cauliflower in half and cut the florets from the stalk.
  2. Drop them into a food processor. Pulse cauliflower for about 60 seconds or until you have a consistency that resembles rice. Don't process it too long, or you'll have puree! It's better to stay on the chunky side.
  3. It's ready to use right away.
  4. Portion any amounts that you won't use in resealable plastic bags. That's it. You don't need to cook it first. When you're ready to use the cauli-rice, simply pull the bag out of the freezer.

Use the same process to rice broccoli and freeze it!

Directions

Here's how to make cauliflower rice with curry and vegetables.

  1. Saute onions and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat to soften, for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add cauliflower rice and curry powder to the pan and stir to combine.
  3. Cover and allow the ingredients to cook untouched for about 5 minutes. If you cook it any longer, give it a quick stir so that the garlic does not burn.
  4. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Salt to taste and add additional garnish.
Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (3)

What to Serve with Curry Cauliflower Rice

Turn this dish into a complete meal by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, tofu, or your protein of choice.

Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (4)

Storage

  • Store- Place leftover curry cauliflower rice in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    • Tip: Store in single-serve containers for make-ahead lunches during the week.
  • Reheat- Warm leftover rice in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot or reheat in the microwave.
  • Freeze- Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. However, the reheated dish won't be as good as the fresh one. Store for up to 3 months. It may be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.

More Cauliflower Rice Recipes

  • Roasted Cauliflower Rice from Frozen (or Fresh)
  • Cheesy Cauliflower Grits and Shrimp
  • Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Andouille Sausage
  • Cauliflower Rice Pilaf with Vegetables {Frozen or Fresh}

Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

📋 Recipe

Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (9)

Curry Cauliflower Rice in Minutes

Easy Curry Cauliflower Rice is ready in 15 minutes! Make this healthy, low-carb recipe for dinner when you need something fast and flavorful.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Author: Marjory Pilley

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cauliflower rice approx. 1 head cauliflower or 10 ounce bag of frozen.
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 1 garlic clove pressed
  • ½ teaspoon curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ cup green onions optional garnish
  • ¼ cup cilantro optional garnish

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to a large skillet. Add onions and garlic and saute for about 3 minutes or until the onions are softened.

  • Stir the curry powder and riced cauliflower into the onion mixture.

  • Cover and allow the ingredients to cook, untouched, for about 5 minutes. If you cook it any longer, give it a quick stir so that the garlic does not burn.

  • Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Salt to taste and add additional garnish if desired.

To rice fresh cauliflower

  • Cut cauliflower florets from the center stalk and add to the bowl of a food processor.

  • Pulse florets for about 60 seconds or until they resemble "rice." Don't overprocess or it will puree the cauliflower.

Notes

Depending upon the size of the head of cauliflower, the yield will be more than 2 cups of "rice." Processed cauliflower can be portioned into bags and stored in the freezer.

Grab 5 Low-Carb Saucesand get more easy, healthy recipes! JOIN HERE

Nutrition

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 130IU | Vitamin C: 41.7mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze
  • Baked Sweet Potato Chips Recipe
  • One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo (4-Ingredients)
  • What to Serve with Corn on the Cob - 30 Best Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Veronica Gamble

    Ah, I added a little cumin and paprika, and some green peas. Just delish! MMMMMM I could easily go another bowl of it already!

    Reply

    • Marjory

      Yum! I often have to stop myself...because it can't be good to eat an entire head of cauliflower in one sittin! Can it?

      Reply

  2. Veronica Gamble

    Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (14)
    And then I stuffed my face... Now I'm a believer.... 🙂 🙂

    Reply

    • Marjory

      Lol! Me too! Thanks for your comment!

      Reply

  3. Ron Alphin

    Add to that, the time to wash, dry, and put away the food processor, mince the garlic, slice the onions, wash up the chopping utinsels, and you can DOUBLE that time. Tastes just as good leaving the cauliflower in small flourettes, and adding a dash of cumin. A little turmeric will yellow it up a little more, and looks better against the green cilantro.

    Reply

    • Marjory

      Thanks for your comment! and tip...it sounds delish. Once I drag out the food processor, I process as much cauliflower as I can for later!

      Reply

  4. Naomi Teeter

    So, I've made a lot of cauliflower rice over the last couple of year... but the thought never dawned on me that I could freezer it for quicker use later! Thanks for the insight! It's the little things...

    Reply

    • Marjory

      Thanks for stopping by! So glad to help!

      Reply

  5. Melanie

    I love everything about this. The flavors, the health of it all and it looks so pretty. I can't wait to try this!

    Reply

Curry Cauliflower Rice Recipe in Minutes (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cauliflower rice from getting mushy? ›

Easy DIY Raw Cauliflower Rice Recipe (That's Not Mushy!)

In a food processor, add the cauliflower florets and pulse for 30-60 seconds. Add 2-3 cups at a time and remove as it is riced. This will prevent the cauliflower from being over-processed. With a towel, pat dry or squeeze the liquid out from the cauliflower.

Can you overcook cauliflower rice? ›

Overcooking It

"When it is riced it's really easy for it to turn mushy from overcooking and then it won't hold up as well in your dishes where you're trying to use it to substitute rice," says Maggie Michalczyk, MS, RD.

Why is my cauliflower rice so wet? ›

"Do not for any reason stockpile your pan with tons of cauliflower rice," Patel says. "If you add a whole lot of cauliflower to a small pot, it generates steam — and steam is going to make the whole thing mushy." Patel recommends using either a very large flat-bottomed pan or simply working in batches over high heat.

How long does uncooked cauliflower rice last? ›

Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Store uncooked cauliflower rice in the freezer up to 1 month.

How do you make rice not sticky and mushy? ›

Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This helps prevent the rice from becoming sticky as it cooks. 2. Use the Right Ratio of Water to Rice: Use the appropriate water-to-rice ratio for the type of rice you are cooking.

What happens if you eat too much cauliflower rice? ›

While everyone's tolerance is different, too much cauliflower can create G.I. distress, like excess gas and bloating. “Make sure to drink enough water to move it through your system,” suggests Lincoln. Cooking it can also dial back digestion woes.

Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

Cauliflower rice is a nutritious alternative to rice that's low in calories and carbs. It may even provide a number of benefits, such as boosting weight loss, fighting inflammation, and even protecting against certain illnesses. What's more, it's simple to make and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Is cauliflower rice healthier than white rice? ›

However, rice can be high in calories and carbohydrates, meaning it will fill you up without providing you with many additional nutrients. Substituting cauliflower rice for white rice is a great way to get more antioxidants while reducing calories and carbohydrates in order to save room for other nutrient dense foods.

Can you eat raw cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower may be just what you're searching for. This versatile veggie can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, grilled, baked into a pizza crust, or cooked and mashed as a substitute for mashed potatoes. You can even rice cauliflower and serve it in place of white rice.

How do you hide the taste of cauliflower rice? ›

Stirring in fresh lime or lemon juice can add a new dimension to your cauliflower rice. Try adding lime juice and cilantro to make cilantro-lime rice, which works great as a base or a side. Drizzle on sauce. A spoonful of sauce such as chimichurri can mask any cauliflower-iness in the rice.

Why is my cauliflower rice brown? ›

Cauliflower can develop brown spots due to oxidation, a chemical reaction from prolonged exposure to light and air. But don't fret, you can still make easy cauliflower recipes and your dinner isn't necessarily ruined.

Can I eat expired frozen cauliflower rice? ›

The good news is that you can eat frozen food that has passed its expiration date — although in some cases, the flavor, color, or texture may have decreased in quality (1).

Can dogs eat cauliflower? ›

Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower in moderation, either raw or cooked. Cauliflower is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C for dogs. Some dogs may dislike the slightly bitter taste of cauliflower. Avoid cauliflower with seasonings or oils, as they can cause upset stomach.

What are the brown spots on my cauliflower? ›

“The spots that you see on cauliflower are typically areas where the vegetable has started to age and oxidize, which can occur due to exposure to air and light,” explained Norah Clark, a chef and registered dietitian. “It's essentially a natural process akin to how an apple turns brown after being cut open.”

Why is my cauliflower mushy? ›

First, take care not to overcrowd your pan; if the cauliflower is packed in rim-to-rim, the moisture will not be able to escape as the florets cook, which will result in soft steamed cauliflower instead of roasted. Next, don't be overly generous with the oil — a light coating is what we're after here.

How do you make cauliflower rice not soggy Reddit? ›

-Heat a large lightly greased sauté pan (olive or avocado oil) on med-high heat. -Dump the cauli rice into the hot pan and spread out to a nice even layer. Wait a minute before tossing so the bottom browns up a little (but not burn). -Toss around with a spoon or spatula, then let it sit again for 30 sec to a minute.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5630

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.