Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice
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This paleo fried rice is an insanely delicious spin on a Chinese takeout favorite. It's a low-carb version made with cauliflower, eggs, your favorite veggies, garlic, ginger, cashews, and sesame seeds. It's an easy-to-make main or side dish, and it's ready in just 25 minutes!
For a more traditional version, try this pineapple fried rice!
You're going to love this paleo cauliflower fried rice
When it comes to healthy recipe swaps in my house, it has to taste really good. That's why I love this paleo cauliflower fried rice recipe that can be served as a main or a side dish.
Here are 5 reasons I'm a big fan of this fresh and healthy fried rice:
- With fresh ginger, garlic, green onions, and sesame oil, it's super flavorful. There's nothing bland or boring about this fried rice recipe!
- The toasted cashews give it a nice texture and add a nuttiness to the flavor.
- It's filled with healthy ingredients. Unlike takeout, you can feel good about filling up on this energizing meal.
- It's suitable for a variety of eaters: gluten-free, paleo, and low carb. Even my 7 year old likes this recipe!
- The leftovers taste great warm or cold for lunch, too.
I made this recipe for the first time years ago when I started learning about the paleo diet. I'm still amazed that cauliflower rice can taste so good! Now it's a staple recipe in my kitchen that even my man loves.
You can easily make your own cauliflower rice with a boxed grater, microplane, food processor, or sharp knife. If you're in a pinch for time, look for riced cauliflower in the produce section or frozen cauliflower rice in the freezer section of your grocery store.
This paleo fried rice is hearty enough that you can serve it as a main meal for two people. It also makes a great side dish with chicken recipes. My family loves it with my sweet and spicy paleo chicken fingers, Korean BBQ chicken, and baked sesame orange chicken.
How to make cauliflower rice
If you're new to using veggies to replace rice or noodles, it might seem difficult. Don't worry, it's really easy. There are a few different ways you can make cauliflower rice:
- Buy it! This is by far the easiest. Most stores carry packages of cauliflower rice in the refrigerated section of the produce department.
- Use a grater. Take a head of cauliflower and use the large holes on a grater to grate it.
- Use a food processor. You'll need to work in a couple of batches and be careful not to process it too much, as the texture will be too fine.
- Use a knife. When I don't buy cauliflower rice, I use my knife to make it as I find it's the easiest and least messy option. Separate the cauliflower into florets and mince them into rice-sized pieces.
READ MORE: How to make cauliflower rice
Frequently asked questions
If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, you can ask it in the comments below, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
How long do leftovers keep?
Store any leftover paleo fried rice in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. The leftovers make great lunch the next day and can be enjoyed warm or cold.
Can I use soy sauce instead of coconut aminos?
Yes, soy sauce is a great alternative to coconut aminos. If needed, use gluten-free soy sauce; otherwise, regular soy sauce does the trick.
Can I use pre-grated cauliflower?
For sure! Bagged cauliflower rice is a nice, easy option that you can find in the freezer or produce section of most grocery stores. My preference is to use a bag of fresh cauliflower, but frozen will work in a pinch.
Paleo Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 large head of cauliflower (about 12 ounces of riced cauliflower)
- 3 teaspoons avocado oil (divided)
- 4 green onions (chopped ā white and green parts separated)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger
- 2 large carrots (diced small)
- Ā¼ cup coco aminos (can use soy sauce if not paleo)
- Ā½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 large eggs (whisked)
- Ā¼ cup roasted cashews (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Either grate the cauliflower or pulse it in your food processor to make the cauliflower rice.1 large head of cauliflower
- Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the light parts of the green onions, the garlic, and ginger. Let them cook for 2 minutes. Add the cauliflower rice, diced carrots, coco aminos or soy sauce, and chili flakes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.4 green onions, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger, 2 large carrots, Ā¼ cup coco aminos, Ā½ teaspoon chili flakes
- Add the peas and sesame oil to the pan and continue to cook until the vegetables are soft and the peas are warm.1 cup frozen peas, 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan and pour the remaining teaspoon of oil into the center and let it warm. Pour the eggs into the pan and scramble them. Once they are cooked stir them into the cauliflower rice. Sea salt to taste and stir in the remaining green onions, cashews, and sesame seeds.3 large eggs, Ā¼ cup roasted cashews, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This was soo good! I didnāt have carrots or cashews , and it still came out delicious!Ā
This was delicious!! I am not a fan of peas or carrots, so I ended up adding broccoli and mushrooms instead. I just cooked sauteed them in the pan before adding all the other ingredients and following the order of the recipe. Thank you for this!
I made this , but egg-free, as I’m vegan. Absolutely delicious! So easy to make my own cauliflower rice too ( quick pulse in mini food processor…) This recipe makes A LOT too! Yay!!!! I had it as a side dish with a vegan Chipotle sausage. Yum yum! Thank you for this easy tasty recipe!
Amazing! Iām fairly new to Paleo and have been looking for tasty recipes. I miss rice. This recipe is better than any rice Iāve ever had! Winner for sure!Ā
Made this tonight and the family loved it!
That’s so great to hear, Annie! Thank you for letting us know!
I am allergic to legumes, lentils and nuts of any kind. Do you have a suggestion to substitute for the peas and nuts or can I just leave them out?
You can omit them. This recipe is quite flexible so if there are any other veggies that you want to add in place of the peas you can do that. Broccoli works well. š
This cauliflower fried rice recipe is healthy and filling and the flavor in this meal is an amazing experience in itself, the perfect thing to indulge in on your paleo diet.
That makes me so happy to hear! Hooray!
Just had this as a side dish with garlic honey chicken. Ā Weāre eating low carb, and this is great! Ā Almost couldnāt tell the difference between this and fried rice. We all loved it. Ā Iāll be using this one often.
That is so great to hear! Thank you for taking the time to come back to let us know!
Even though it is early in the morning, I would, by all means, eat this fabulous looking cauliflower fried rice right now. I love how easy and how healthy this recipe is. Thanks so much for sharing!
Haha I love it! I’ve definitely eaten leftovers for breakfast before lol. It’s delicious!
I made this the other day after you posted it to instagram and it was everything you said it would be. Even my young son loved it. Thank you for the recipe!
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit with your family!
I am in much need of gluten free options in my diet.
I’m moving toward a Paleo diet, but have yet to try cauliflower as a replacement for grains. Will have to try this!
Love cauliflower rice! finding inventive ways to replace some not so great carbs/starches with veggies is something i’m looking to do after an indulgent holiday season (which somehow starts at the end of November now, what?).
This cauliflower fried rice looks amazing! I definitely need to incorporate more healthy eating habits into my life right now. All those Christmas cookies and cocktails really did me in!