This easy Spanish cauliflower rice recipe is keto Spanish rice or Mexican rice made with sofrito for Spanish-style riced cauliflower with flavor!
Spanish Style Cauliflower Rice
Spanish-style cauliflower rice, or coliflor arroz rojo, meaning cauliflower red rice in Spanish, is a healthy low carb variation of traditional Spanish rice or Mexican red rice. This cauliflower Spanish rice, or Mexican cauliflower rice, is keto-friendly, gluten free, grain free, paleo, vegan, and muy delisioso! The Spanish cauliflower rice is flavored with a quick and easy homemade sofrito rojo that is packed with nutrients and has a wonderful combination of flavors.
Spanish rice is typically served as a side dish in Mexican, Southwestern, Latin, Tex-Mex, and Spanish cuisine and there are many variations of the dish. However, this Spanish-style riced cauliflower is very versatile, it pairs well with many things and can be served in many ways, not just as a side dish for Spanish or Mexican food.
I love Spanish rice made with cauliflower since I can eat lots of it and change it up in so many ways! I eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is great topped with an egg and avocado for a Mexican-style breakfast. You can serve it as a side dish or base for main courses like chicken and seafood, mix it into recipes, or use it as a filling for things like enchiladas, salads, burrito bowls, and more. If you want to serve it as a main course, try mixing the Spanish cauliflower rice with ground turkey or Chipotle Sofritas for a healthy dinner or lunch that is filled with protein, fiber, and nutrients. I have listed a few more ideas for you to try below.
Spanish Riced Cauliflower Pairings
This Spanish riced cauliflower pairs well with many things and can be served as a side dish, base, filling, or mixed into other dishes. You can serve it as a main course by adding the protein and toppings of your choice.
- Baked Shrimp Fajitas
- Cajun Shrimp Tacos
- Cajun Chicken
- Cedar Plank Salmon
- Chipotle Tofu Sofritas
- Chipotle Corn Salsa
- Easy Baked Tofu
- Enchiladas with The Best Sauce!
- Fiesta Lime Slaw
- Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Pork Carnitas
- Portobello Mushroom Steaks
- Roasted Chipotle Cauliflower Tacos
- Roasted Shrimp
- Sweet Potato Tacos
- Turkey Chili
- Turkey Taco Meat
Cauliflower Spanish Rice Recipe Ingredients
This easy cauliflower Spanish rice recipe with low carb and keto friendly ingredients uses an easy homemade Spanish sofrito rojo to add lots of flavor and healthy nutrients to the dish.
- cauliflower – I used organic fresh riced cauliflower. You can rice the cauliflower in a food processor or buy pre-riced bags of cauliflower. I highly recommend using fresh riced cauliflower instead of frozen due to the water content and texture. Fresh cauliflower also has a better flavor. However, frozen cauliflower does work if you are in a pinch but the texture will be different.
- olive oil – or avocado oil.
- salt & pepper – to taste.
- Sofrito Rojo – This easy sofrito recipe is made from scratch and has a wonderful flavor! You can use the sofrito for many things and can use more or less in this recipe, depending on your personal preferences.
optional garnish:
- cilantro – fresh chopped cilantro.
- limes – lime wedges for serving.
Spanish Style Riced Cauliflower Instructions
To make this Spanish-style riced cauliflower recipe, first, make the Easy Sofrito Sauce. It can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Add the oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add the riced cauliflower to the pan and saute for 3 -5 minutes.
Next, add the sofrito to the pan, stir, and simmer the cauliflower in the sofrito. Stir often and reduce the heat if needed to keep at a simmer for about 10 – 15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the cauliflower is tender but not mushy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side if desired. Enjoy!
Spanish Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower rice (about 1 lb. of fresh riced cauliflower) *see notes
- 1 cup Sofrito Rojo (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- salt & pepper to taste
optional garnish:
- fresh cilantro chopped
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Make the Easy Sofrito Sauce. It can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Add the oil to a large pan over medium heat. Add the riced cauliflower to the pan and saute for 3 - 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the sofrito to the pan, stir, and simmer the cauliflower in the sofrito. Stir often and reduce the heat if needed to keep at a simmer for about 10 – 15 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the cauliflower is tender but not mushy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- cauliflower - I used organic fresh riced cauliflower. You can rice the cauliflower in a food processor or buy pre-riced bags of cauliflower. I highly recommend using fresh riced cauliflower instead of frozen due to the water content and texture. Fresh cauliflower also has a better flavor. However, frozen cauliflower does work if you are in a pinch but the texture will be different.
- Easy Sofrito Rojo Recipe - It can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can use the sofrito for many things and can use more or less in this recipe, depending on your personal preferences.
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- Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
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