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How to Make Cauliflower Rice: Simple Riced Cauliflower Recipe

Name: How to Make Cauliflower Rice: Simple Riced Cauliflower Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head cauliflower

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Apr 28, 2025 • 1 min read

Cauliflower rice takes advantage of cauliflower's tendency to break down into small florets, presenting the vegetable in a whole new way.

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What Is Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice isn't regular rice cooked with cauliflower—it's cauliflower cut into tiny pieces that resemble grains of rice. Cooked cauliflower rice can replace white rice in many easy recipes: crispy fried rice, burritos, risotto, casseroles, or a simple side dish for a stir fry. It can even replace couscous.

What Does Cauliflower Rice Taste Like?

Riced cauliflower doesn't taste like real rice; it tastes like cauliflower florets, which have a mild, slightly cabbage-y flavor, like most brassicas. Its delicate flavor takes a backseat to whatever you season it with, whether that's soy sauce or parmesan. Raw cauliflower rice, unlike raw white or brown rice, is safe to eat. When sautéed, cauli rice takes on a caramel flavor. To bring out the sweetness, cook cauliflower rice in olive oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium heat or high heat until golden brown, about five to 10 minutes.

Simple Cauliflower Rice Recipe

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makes

prep time

15 min

total time

15 min

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower

1
Trim the cauliflower, removing the stem and leaves. Using a sharp knife, quarter the head of cauliflower. Slice on the diagonal to remove the core from each quarter. Using your hands, break the four pieces of cauliflower into large florets.
2
Transfer the florets to a colander and rinse. Dry the florets well on a dish towel or paper towel, removing all excess moisture.
3
Transfer the dry cauliflower florets to the bowl of a food processor and briefly pulse. Continue pulsing in short bursts until the cauliflower has reached the desired consistency. You should have small pieces the size of rice or couscous, not a puree. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a box grater.
4
Enjoy the grated cauliflower raw, or transfer to a freezer-safe container and store frozen cauliflower rice for up to 3 months. Alternatively, sauté the cauliflower on the stovetop for a nutty, caramelized cauliflower fried rice.

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