Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (2024)

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Katerina

4.67 from 12 votes

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Easy, crunchy, incredibly flavorful Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice is simple, healthy, and so surprisingly GOOD!

Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (2)

    MY NEW FAVORITE WAY TO MAKE CAULIFLOWER RICE

    Cauliflower rice is cooked in butter with garlic and spinach for a healthy, delicious and very easy side dish. This is a perfect side dish for chicken or fish, and it’s done in about 15 minutes.

    I don’t really know what more to say about this than that I am crazy in love with cauliflower rice. I really AM! It’s SO good. Better than rice, and better than non-riced cauliflower… does that even make ANY sense? It does to me.

    Few of my favorites include, Coconut Lime Cauliflower Rice, Honey Sriracha Chicken with Cauliflower Rice, as well as Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice – YUM!

    Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (3)

    GARLIC BUTTER CAULIFLOWER RICE

    ThisGarlic Butter Cauliflower Rice with Spinach is an easy low carb, keto, gluten free, paleo, vegetarian, and most importantly, SUPER DELICIOUS recipe that will have even the pickiest eater licking up her plate.

    I have a 9 year old that pretty much hates food – well, food that is NOT chocolate and cereal – but she devoured this cauliflower rice, caveman style.

    I served it with my Juicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs, and it was just the ideal meal during one of our busy, soccer-filled weeknights.

    Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (4)

    HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BUTTER CAULIFLOWER RICE

    In this recipe, I used already riced cauliflower that I picked up at my local grocery store because I didn’t have time to mess around with a whole head of cauliflower. BUT, if you want to rice your own cauliflower, no biggie! Just follow my easy recipe for How to Make and Store Cauliflower Rice.

    • First, you will need to melt some butter and add a few minced cloves of garlic in there; cook until fragrant.
    • Add the cauliflower rice, chili powder, salt, and pepper; stir and cook for 2 minutes, or until tender.
    • Add a little vegetable broth, lime juice, baby spinach, and continue to stir until spinach is wilted and liquid evaporated.
    • Remove from heat; taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.

    Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice with Spinach is simple to make, and its buttery and garlicky flavor will make a fan out of you, and you, and you!

    Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (5)

    WHAT TO SERVE WITH CAULIFLOWER RICE

    • Maple Mustard Salmon in Foil
    • Lemon Garlic Herb Shrimp in Packets
    • Spicy, Sweet, and Sticky Chicken Thighs
    • Tender and Juicy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts

    HOW TO STORE COOKED CAULIFLOWER RICE

    • Store cooled down, cooked cauliflower rice in covered airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    • You can also freeze cooked cauliflower rice in covered airtight containers. Freeze for up to 5 months.
    • Defrost cauliflower rice on the counter before reheating.

    YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

    • Almond Brown Rice Pilaf
    • Cauliflower Cheese Soup
    • Garlicky and Cheesy Cauliflower Broccoli Bake
    • One Pan Chicken Piccata and Rice
    • Tomato Pesto Salmon and Rice

    ENJOY!

    Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (6)

    Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice with Spinach

    Katerina | Diethood

    Easy, crunchy, incredibly flavorful Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice is simple, healthy, and so surprisingly GOOD!

    4.67 from 12 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 4 serves

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

    Prep Time 10 minutes mins

    Cook Time 10 minutes mins

    Total Time 20 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoons butter
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 cups cauliflower rice
    • 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
    • salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
    • 1/4 cup low sodium vegetable broth (you can also use chicken broth, bone broth, beef broth, etc...)
    • 1 lime, juiced
    • 6 ounces baby spinach

    Instructions

    • Melt butter over medium heat.

    • Add garlic and cook and stir for 2 minutes; careful not to burn the garlic.

    • Stir in the cauliflower rice; season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.

    • Cook and stir for 2 minutes, mixing around until everything is thoroughly combined.

    • Add in the vegetable broth and lime juice.

    • Stir in baby spinach; cook and stir for 1 minute or until spinach is wilted and the liquid has evaporated.

    • Remove from heat and taste for seasonings; adjust accordingly.

    • Serve.

    Notes

    HOW TO STORE COOKED CAULIFLOWER RICE

    • Storecooled down, cooked cauliflower ricein covered airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
    • You can also freeze cooked cauliflower rice in covered airtight containers. Freeze for up to 9 months.
    • Defrost cauliflower rice on the counter before reheating.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 135 kcal | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 9 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Cholesterol: 22 mg | Sodium: 221 mg | Potassium: 741 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 4375 IU | Vitamin C: 94.6 mg | Calcium: 89 mg | Iron: 2 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Side Dish

    Cuisine: American

    Keyword: cauliflower rice, easy cauliflower recipe, easy vegetable side dish, side dish recipe

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Dinner Recipes
    • Freezer Friendly Meals
    • One Pot Meals
    • Quick Dinner Ideas
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian
    Easy Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe with Spinach (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you make cauliflower rice not 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.

    How do you take the bitterness out of cauliflower rice? ›

    In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the scallions and cauliflower and sauté until heated through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice to help remove any bitterness from the raw cauliflower.

    Is it cheaper to make cauliflower rice or buy it? ›

    Cheaper: Making riced cauliflower from scratch will save you money in the grocery store. A head of cauliflower is cheaper than buying fresh or frozen riced cauliflower. Tastes Great: Because it's made fresh, it also tastes better. You can use it in any recipe that calls for rice.

    How do you get moisture out of cauliflower rice? ›

    If using a food processor, cut into small pieces and use the grater attachment to grate the cauliflower into “rice.” Optional: Transfer to a clean towel or paper towel and press to remove any excess moisture, which can make your dish soggy. Once you have your cauliflower rice, it's easy to cook (or enjoy raw)!

    Why is my cauliflower not softening? ›

    "When making cauliflower steaks or roasting florets, if you don't roast it in the oven long enough it will be warm but still hard and unenjoyable to eat," says Michalczyk. Be sure to check them before you turn the oven off and give them extra time if they are still too firm.

    How do you thicken riced cauliflower? ›

    You can add a litle softened cream cheese to the pot in the final step and stir until melted. Or you can add a keto thickener like glucomannan or xanthan gum. Be sure to whisk it in well when the mashed cauliflower is hot. You don't need more than about ¼ teaspoon per head of cauliflower.

    Is cauliflower rice good for weight loss? ›

    Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

    Why does cauliflower rice make me bloated? ›

    Broccoli and cauliflower are high in molecules called oligosacharrides, a complex carbohydrate that isn't broken down by the human body. It passes undigested to the large intestine where it is broken down by bacteria. Sometimes these bacteria produce gas that makes you feel bloated. Don't eat as much!

    Why does my cauliflower taste weird? ›

    Bitter tasting cauliflower can be caused by too much heat or sun. It can also taste bitter from a lack of moisture, uneven watering, waiting too long to harvest, or overcooking.

    What is the best appliance to make cauliflower rice? ›

    While using a food processor is one of the fastest and easiest ways to chop cauliflower into rice, there are a handful of other methods that can also be used. Chopping by hand, using a box grater, or substituting a food processor for a blender are all techniques that can also make cauliflower rice.

    Which is better broccoli or cauliflower rice? ›

    While they are both very nutritious vegetables, broccoli has a higher vitamin content, specifically in vitamin K and C, than cauliflower and is specifically known to be great for eye health. Broccoli florets also provide more minerals and fiber as well as contains vitamin A that isn't in cauliflower.

    Is cauliflower rice actually healthy? ›

    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.

    Why does cauliflower rice taste sour? ›

    While product is hot, you can taste something a bit sour which is the malic acid, a NATURAL product (look it up, it's also used in cosmetics). **Product tastes best after stirred & cooled a little!** Before opening, use hands to squish around contents before opening to mix up the cauliflower.

    Can you overcook cauliflower rice? ›

    Why is my cauliflower rice soggy? The key to preventing soggy cauliflower rice is making sure you don't overcook it. Once the 'grains' are hot, you're ready to serve. The best cooking method to avoid any sogginess is to roast the cauliflower grains on a wide, shallow tray.

    Why is my frozen cauliflower rice soggy? ›

    If you're cooking frozen cauliflower rice on the stovetop, cook it in small batches. Cooking too much at once can produce excess moisture and lead to soggy cauliflower rice.

    How do you keep rice from getting mushy after cooking? ›

    Avoid Overcooking: Cook the rice just until done; overcooked rice tends to be mushy. Follow package instructions or use a rice cooker for precise cooking. Store in an Airtight Container: Store the cooked rice in an airtight container to prevent moisture loss and maintain its texture.

    How to 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.

    Why is my cauliflower rice 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.

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