Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice comes to the rescue when you’re craving a carb-loaded meal without the extra calories. Light, fresh, and surprisingly filling, it gives you more room on your plate for protein and good fats while still delivering the satisfaction of a proper rice base.

And yes, it’s actually good. This isn’t sad, soggy pretend rice. The texture is fluffy, the flavor is bright, and once it’s off the stove, don’t be surprised if you start “taste testing” straight from the pan before it ever makes it to the table.

Top view of Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice in a bowl - 1
  • What Makes This Recipe So Good
  • What Goes Into Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
  • How To Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
  • Tips For Making Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe

What Makes This Recipe So Good

This cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe works because it focuses on texture first. The cauliflower is cooked quickly over medium heat so excess moisture evaporates instead of steaming, which gives you light, fluffy grains that actually resemble rice instead of a soft mash.

What really sets this cilantro cauliflower rice apart is when the flavor is added. Fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro are folded in right at the end, keeping everything bright and fresh rather than muted or bitter. That final step turns simple cauliflower rice with cilantro and lime into a side dish that holds its own, not just a substitute.

What Goes Into Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Flat lay photo of onion, scallions, extra virgin olive oil, fresh cilantro, pepper, salt, garlic, lime juice, cauliflower - 2

Fresh, simple ingredients are what make this dish shine. Each one plays a specific role in building flavor while keeping the cauliflower light, fluffy, and anything but bland.

  • Cauliflower: A large head gives you plenty of “rice” without turning mushy, as long as it’s chopped finely and cooked hot and fast.
  • Lime Juice: Fresh lime adds the bright, zesty finish that lifts the cauliflower and keeps the dish tasting clean instead of heavy.
  • Fresh Cilantro: Stirred in at the end, cilantro brings a fresh, herby bite that makes the rice taste vibrant rather than vegetable-forward.
  • Onion: Cooking the onion first builds a savory base and adds subtle sweetness, giving the cauliflower rice more depth than seasoning alone.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.

How To Make Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Pulse about 1 cup of cauliflower florets at a time in a blender until it resembles rice. - 3
  1. Pulse Cauliflower: Pulse about 1 cup of cauliflower florets at a time in a blender until it resembles rice. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining cauliflower.
Set a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat and add the oil. - 4
  1. Heat the Pan: Set a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat and add the oil. Let it warm fully so the aromatics cook evenly once added.
Add the onion, scallions, and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes. - 5
  1. Build the Base: Add the onion, scallions, and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 3 minutes. Stir often until soft, fragrant, and lightly translucent.
Stir the cauliflower rice into the pan and season with salt and pepper. - 6
  1. Add the Cauliflower: Stir the cauliflower rice into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to high to cook off excess moisture.
Add the lime juice and chopped cilantro, stirring frequently as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until tender with lightly crisp edges. - 7
  1. Finish With Flavor: Add the lime juice and chopped cilantro, stirring frequently as it cooks. Continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until tender with lightly crisp edges.
Remove from heat and adjust seasoning if needed. - 8
  1. Serve Immediately: Remove from heat and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot as a side dish or a fresh base for bowls and mains.

This cilantro lime cauliflower rice works beautifully as a fresh base for bold, savory mains. Serve it alongside Cilantro Lime Chicken when you want something cohesive and zesty, or pair it with Garlic Butter Salmon for a lighter dinner that still feels satisfying. The citrus notes in the rice balance rich proteins without overpowering them.

For something a little heartier, it also pairs well with Mongolian Beef and Broccoli , where the bright, herby rice cuts through the savory sauce and keeps the plate feeling balanced rather than heavy.

Tips For Making Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

  • I always pulse the cauliflower in short bursts instead of letting the processor run. It gives you rice-sized pieces instead of cauliflower paste, which makes a huge difference in texture.
  • Don’t rush the pan heat. Starting with a properly hot skillet helps the moisture cook off quickly so the cauliflower stays fluffy rather than soft and watery.
  • If your cauliflower releases a lot of liquid, keep the heat high and keep stirring. It will dry out and lightly crisp if you give it a little patience instead of turning the heat down.
  • Add the lime juice and cilantro at the very end. Cooking them too early dulls the flavor, and this dish really relies on that fresh finish to shine.

Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan. Cooking the cauliflower quickly allows moisture to evaporate instead of steaming, which keeps the texture light and fluffy.

Aim for pieces similar to short-grain rice. Too fine and it becomes mushy; too large and it won’t cook evenly.

Yes, lemon works, but the flavor will be slightly sharper and less aromatic. Lime pairs more naturally with cilantro in this recipe.

Side view image of Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice in a bowl - 9 Karina in a white and black dress with her hair blowing back, standing in front of her cooktop, cooking salmon in a pan - 10

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IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x

  • ▢ 1 cauliflower large, chopped into florets, leaves and stalk removed and discarded
  • ▢ 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil
  • ▢ 1 onion chopped
  • ▢ 2 scallions green onions/shallots, sliced finely
  • ▢ 2 cloves garlic
  • ▢ 1/8 cup lime juice
  • ▢ 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • ▢ 1 pinch salt to taste
  • ▢ 1 pinch pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a blender (or food processor) add 1 cup of cauliflower florets at a time (working in batches) and pulse each batch quickly about 3-5 times or until the cauliflower is the same consistency of rice. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining cauliflower until all done.
  • Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, scallions (shallots) and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes on low-medium heat, until soft and fragrant.
  • Add the cauliflower “rice”: season with salt and pepper to your tastes; increase stove temperature to high heat. Add the lime juice and cilantro; stir mixture and cook, while stirring frequently for about 6 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender-crisp (soft on the inside; crispy on the outside).
  • Serve!

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice in a bowl - 11

Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

Ingredients

  • 1 cauliflower large, chopped into florets, leaves and stalk removed and discarded
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or coconut oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 scallions green onions/shallots, sliced finely
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/8 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 1 pinch pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a blender (or food processor) add 1 cup of cauliflower florets at a time (working in batches) and pulse each batch quickly about 3-5 times or until the cauliflower is the same consistency of rice. Transfer to a large bowl and repeat with remaining cauliflower until all done.
  • Heat a large skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat. Add olive oil, onions, scallions (shallots) and garlic and sauté for about 3 minutes on low-medium heat, until soft and fragrant.
  • Add the cauliflower “rice”: season with salt and pepper to your tastes; increase stove temperature to high heat. Add the lime juice and cilantro; stir mixture and cook, while stirring frequently for about 6 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender-crisp (soft on the inside; crispy on the outside).
  • Serve!

Notes

Nutrition

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