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    Home » Recipes

    Cauliflower Fried Rice

    Oct 18, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This cauliflower fried rice tastes just like real fried rice, but it's way healthier. I use a bag of frozen cauliflower rice, so it's easy peasy and doesn't require fresh cauliflower (or the mess and time associated with it). It's loaded with bacon, cashews, onions, garlic, sriracha, eggs, peas, and carrots, so you can't even tell you're not eating real rice.

    Fried cauliflower rice on a plate with chopsticks.

    This recipe has become a staple in our house when we're craving real fried rice but want something a little lighter. It's quick, healthy-ish, and really delicious! Best of all, you can serve it as a side or as a main dish (it's also really good with an over-easy egg and some hot sauce in the morning).

    Looking for other vegetable-based dishes? Try our Sweet Potato Vegetarian Tostadas or Buffalo Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Suggested Pairings
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

    Ingredients

    • Cauliflower rice- I use frozen cauliflower rice from Costco or Trader Joe's, but you can use whatever is easiest for you. Fresh or frozen cauliflower rice both work.
    • Bacon
    • Onion- We use sweet onions, but use whatever you have on hand and enjoy eating.
    • Egg
    • Sriracha
    • Cashews
    • Peas and carrots- We usually buy a bag of frozen peas and carrots--most grocery stores sell a combo bag. You can also use fresh peas and carrots if that's your preference.
    • Soy sauce- If you're gluten-free/Paleo/Whole30, substitute coconut aminos.
    • Pantry ingredients/spices: fresh garlic, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper

    Instructions

    Step 1: Crack the eggs into a bowl and add the salt and pepper. Whisk to combine, then set aside.

    Eggs whisked in a bowl with salt and pepper.

    Step 2: Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and sauté for 5 minutes, or until it begins to crisp. Then add the diced onion and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.

    Bacon, onion, and garlic cooking in a pan.

    Step 3: Add bag of frozen cauliflower rice and sesame oil and cook for around 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

    Bacon, onion, garlic, and cauliflower rice cooking in a pan.

    Step 4: Push the cauliflower and veggie mixture to one half of the pan. On the empty side of the pan add the eggs and let cook for 30 seconds. Then break up the eggs and mix them into the cauliflower rice.

    Eggs cooking in half of a pan. The other half has cauliflower rice.
    Cooked eggs being mixed in with cauliflower rice in a pan.

    Step 5: Add the sriracha, cashews, peas and carrots, and soy sauce. Mix everything up and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the peas and carrots are warm and cooked through (we like our carrots with a little bit of bite).

    Finished cauliflower rice in a pan.

    Step 6: Enjoy! If you so desire, serve with one of our suggested pairings below.

    Suggested Pairings

    • Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (One-Pan and Paleo)
    • Teriyaki Shrimp with Horseradish Mashed Cauliflower
    • Easy Beef and Broccoli with Peppers and Mushrooms
    This is a picture of cauliflower fried rice with broccoli, steak, and veggies. The Hangry Economist.

    Frequently asked questions

    How long do I cook cauliflower rice on the stove?

    Cauliflower rice usually cooks in about 5 minutes on the stove, but I like to cook it for a bit longer than that so that it dries out a bit. The longer you cook it, the more liquid cooks out of it...that way it's not soggy! I usually cook it for about 10 minutes, or until there's no liquid left in the pan.

    Does this cauliflower fried rice taste like real rice?

    It's a really good substitute! The cauliflower doesn't have the same bite that real rice does, but I've loaded this recipe with flavor, so there isn't a super strong cauliflower taste.

    Can I make this cauliflower fried rice vegan?

    Sure! Just omit the egg and the bacon. Edamame and tofu would be great additions to bulk it up a little.

    Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

    Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

    Recipe by Mollie

    This cauliflower fried rice tastes just like real fried rice, but it's way healthier. I use a bag of frozen cauliflower rice, so it's easy peasy and doesn't require fresh cauliflower (or the mess and time associated with it). It's loaded with bacon, cashews, onions, garlic, sriracha, eggs, peas, and carrots, so you can't even tell you're not eating real rice.

    Course: DinnerCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Easy
    5 from 5 votes
    Pin
    Print
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    10

    minutes
    Cooking time

    18

    minutes
    Calories

    308

    kcal
    Total time

    28

    minutes
    Cook Mode

    Prevent your screen from going dark!

    Ingredients

    • 5 5 slices of bacon, chopped into small squares

    • 1 1 small white onion, chopped

    • 2 2 garlic cloves, minced

    • 10 or 12 oz bag of frozen cauliflower rice

    • ½ teaspoon ½ sesame oil

    • 2 2 eggs

    • ¼ teaspoon ¼ salt

    • ⅛ teaspoon ⅛ black pepper

    • 1 tablespoon 1 sriracha

    • ½ cup ½ cashews

    • 1 cup 1 frozen peas and carrots

    • 3 tablespoons 3 soy sauce (substitute coconut aminos for gluten free)

    Directions

    • Crack the eggs into a bowl and add the salt and pepper. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
    • Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and sauté for 5 minutes, or until it begins to crisp. Then add the diced onion and cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
    • Add bag of frozen cauliflower rice and sesame oil and cook for around 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Push the cauliflower and veggie mixture to one half of the pan. On the empty side of the pan add the eggs and let cook for 30 seconds. Then break up the eggs and mix them into the cauliflower rice.
    • Add the sriracha, cashews, peas and carrots, and soy sauce. Mix everything up and cook for an additional 4 minutes, or until the peas and carrots are warm and cooked through (we like our carrots with a little bit of bite).
    • Enjoy!

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    hi, we're Michael and Mollie

    Welcome! We are Michael & Mollie, a hangry economics enthusiast and her husband. Our goal is to provide you with delicious, accessible, and healthy-ish recipes that are both time- and money-efficient.

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