Vegan Mexican “Rice”
Loaded with flavor, vegan Mexican Rice is made with plenty of fresh vegetables and it has a hefty kick from spices and other ingredients. It’s also vegetable-forward, making it a low-carb option as well. When you’re craving flavor and the perfect side dish to so many recipes, grab a skillet and get cooking!
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Vegan, Low-Carb, and Gluten-Free
Made with cauliflower rice, this hearty veggie-centric dish is packed with flavor and plenty of nutrition. You don’t have to worry about carbs or gluten, either, as this dish is naturally low in carbs and gluten-free. It’s pretty much the perfect side dish, and this gluten-free Mexican rice dish is going to win you rave reviews.
It’s also easy to make, and with common ingredients, it can be on the table in about 10 minutes.
What you’ll love about this recipe
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, and low in carbs.
- So easy to make!
- A quick side dish ready in about 10 minutes.
What is Cauliflower Rice?
There’s no “rice” in cauliflower rice. Instead, it is named that because of the rice-like texture that forms from the cauliflower when you pulse it in a food processor. No food processor? No worries, this handy gadget makes quick work of making cauliflower rice out of cauliflower.
How To Make Cauliflower Rice
Use a cauliflower ricer or a food processor to make your own cauliflower rice from fresh, whole cauliflower. You can also buy it pre-made in the grocery store, both in the fresh and frozen food aisles. Honestly? The frozen stuff is more expensive (and the fresh cauliflower rice is even more expensive.) Buy a head of cauliflower, trim it up and quarter it. Pulse it in the food processor a few times until it is crumbly. There, you just made cauliflower rice for so much cheaper than the premade kind.
And just as a warning, take it from one who knows: you can’t make good cauliflower rice from frozen and thawed cauliflower. You’ll end up with a goopy mess. It just won’t work in this vegan Mexican rice recipe.
What You Need To Make Vegan Mexican Rice with Cauliflower
- Olive or avocado oil – I usually cook with olive oil, but avocado oil works great too.
- Yellow onion – Yellow onion gives the best balanced flavor.
- Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves. Skip jarlic; it won’t give the same flavor.
- Cauliflower rice – About ½ head of cauliflower riced, or roughly 4 cups. Fresh works best, but frozen cauliflower rice will work if thawed and drained well.
- Tomato paste – Adds rich tomato flavor and helps give the rice its color.
- Taco seasoning – Use your favorite blend. I like a salt-free mix so I can control the seasoning.
- Cumin – Adds warm, earthy flavor; a little goes a long way.
- Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
- Vegetable broth – Use a low-sodium vegetable broth so you can control the salt level.
How To Make Spanish Cauliflower Rice
For the full list of ingredients and instructions, please scroll down to the recipe at the end of this page.
Saute the onion and garlic in the olive or avocado oil until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.
Add the cauliflower rice, tomato paste, taco seasoning, cumin, salt, pepper, and vegetable broth. Mix well.
Simmer the cauliflower rice mixture over medium heat until the cauliflower is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
Serve and enjoy!
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use fresh cauliflower and make your own cauliflower rice to make this easy dish more economical.
- It’s all about the taco seasoning! Make sure you use a good brand or make your own like this Fiesta Taco Seasoning.
- Add some chopped cilantro or sliced green onions at the end just to add a pop of color and more flavor.
- A squeeze of lime will also add to this dish, but it isn’t necessary.
What To Serve With Vegetarian Mexican Rice
This vegan Mexican rice side dish goes so well with so many dishes. To keep your meal vegan, pair this easy vegan side dish with your favorite jackfruit tacos or tempeh fajitas. You can also toss in some sauteed tofu to up the protein, or just devour it like it is.
Frequently Asked Questions
It sure is! The hardest part is making the cauliflower rice. Once that’s done, it is made quickly and easily in a skillet.
Yes! It’s totally gluten-free, as long as there’s no added gluten in the taco spice blend that you choose to use. I’ve also seen gluten added to vegetable broth – so also watch for that.
Yes! Because it is made with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice, it is keto compliant.
Vegan Mexican Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups cauliflower rice
- 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sautee the onion and garlic in the olive or avocado oil until it's softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.
- Add the cauliflower rice, tomato paste, taco seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper, and vegetable broth. Mix well.
- Simmer the Spanish cauliflower rice mixture over medium heat until the cauliflower is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
CHEF JENN’S TIPS
- Use fresh cauliflower and make your own cauliflower rice to make this easy dish more economical
- It’s all about the taco seasoning! Make sure you use a good brand or make your own like this Fiesta Taco Seasoning
- Add some chopped cilantro or sliced green onions at the end just to add a pop of color and more flavor
- A squeeze of lime will also add to this dish, but it isn’t necessary
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
Delicious! Absolutely love that this is cauliflower rice and perfectly fills my rice-craving in a healthy way!
I love cauliflower rice but sometimes find the flavor a little strong. The taco seasoning really made this perfect. Wil make a gain for sure!
I had all the ingredients in my house to make this recipe so I decided to make it for dinner. So easy to make and my family asked to make this Mexican “Rice” again!!
We love cauliflower rice, and this was such a wonderful way to switch things up!
Wow! Cauliflower rice is not usually my go-to but I love how flavorful this is!