Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe {Paleo + Whole30 Compliant} (2024)

FAQs

Is frozen cauliflower rice Whole30 compliant? ›

Frozen or Fresh Riced Cauliflower

We can't emphasize this enough — a bag of cauliflower rice should be a staple in your freezer or fridge, especially during the Whole30. Mix it with veggies and top with a protein, and you've got a hearty meal.

In fact, the product is described in the press release as "a new rice option that is compliant with Keto, Whole30®, Paleo, Vegan, and Vegetarian diets." Cauliflower has, in recent years, become a super popular diet tool for anyone cutting carbs. It can mimic rice, starchy potatoes, and the flour in pizza crust.

Make sure you pulse instead of running the food processor continuously or you might end up with cauliflower mush! If using a box grater: Cut your head of cauliflower into large chunks (not individual florets!) and use the medium sized holes on your grater to break the cauliflower down into rice.

Riced cauliflower is an excellent low-carb, low-calorie alternative to rice. Not only does it have a mild flavor, but it's also incredibly versatile, satiating and delicious with some big nutritional benefits.

Grains are off limits on Whole30, meaning no rice, quinoa, oats, or pasta of any kind. These seaweed-based noodles are an excellent replacement for the grains we craved. Note: you do need to soften kelp noodles before enjoying in your favorite recipe.

Vinegar. Nearly all forms of vinegar, including white, red wine, balsamic, apple cider, and rice, are allowed during Whole30 program. Added sugar, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, stevia, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, xylitol, etc.

In January 2021, Chipotle tested a cilantro lime cauliflower rice as a lower carb replacement for their standard rice, but it was discontinued later that year. Prepared in-restaurant daily, Chipotle's Mexican cauliflower rice is made from freshly grilled cauliflower, prepared in small batches on the plancha.

Are Cauiliflower Gnocchi #whole30? Nope, though the ingredients are compliant, and here's why from the headmistress Melissa Urban herself: “This is a hard one because some will say 'it's the same as zucchini noodles. ' But these are meant to LOOK, FEEL, and TASTE like pasta, where zucchini noodles are decidedly not.

One additional step I like is to press any excess moisture from the rice by transferring the cauliflower rice to a large paper towel or absorbent dish towel and squeeze/press to remove any remaining water. This ensures no excess moisture remains, which can make your dish soggy.

Can you overcook cauliflower rice? ›

Overcooking It

That cauliflower rice might turn into cauliflower mush if you cook it way too long, whether in the microwave or on the stove top.

The reason for this is that cauliflower, as well as other cruciferous veggies, such as kale and broccoli, contains raffinose and other oligosaccharides. These are specific types of sugars that remain undigested until bacteria in the gut ferment them, producing gas, and, in turn, causing bloating and gas.

Carb-rich foods, especially ones made of simple carbs, tend to be high on the glycemic index (GI) scale. This means they may cause your blood sugar to rise faster than foods that have lower GIs. While white rice has a relatively high GI, cauliflower has a very low GI, making the swap a diabetes-friendly one.

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.

Brown rice actually has more selenium (good for heart health) and vitamin B3 (needed for the production of sex and stress hormones) than quinoa, but quinoa is still the healthier choice. Cauliflower rice is a grain-free, gluten-free and nutrient-dense way to replace the white rice on your plate.

From the Whole30 team: Frozen vegetables can also be economical, and allow you to eat your favorites year-round. Try the Creamed Spinach recipe on page 387 of The Whole30 for an easy side dish featuring frozen spinach.

Store-bought cauliflower rice may save you a bit of time in the kitchen. Although frozen varieties may retain slightly more nutrients than refrigerated versions, both options are generally just as nutritious as homemade versions.

Nutritionally speaking, fresh and frozen veggies are very similar. In fact, studies have found no consistent differences.