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

FAQs

What is a Whole30 rice substitute? ›

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.

As far as we can tell, it's the same thing, just a different name. The term “cauliflower rice” didn't become an internet sensation until around 2012. But ever since then, this nutrient-rich rice substitute has been booming in popularity!

Sautéing for too long. Riced cauliflower can benefit from a quick sauté, but be mindful of the clock. Leave riced cauliflower on the heat too long and it will become soft and soggy.

Although they don't have a rice-like texture, paleo-friendly starches like potatoes, plantains, and yams are all nutritious carb sources that can be used in place of rice. Rice substitutes made from vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli are among the most popular paleo-friendly rice swaps.

Vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, provide versatile rice alternatives that are extremely low calorie and packed with nutrients. If a person wishes to include whole grains in their diet, they can choose from bulgar wheat, barley, or farro.

Cauliflower Rice

You can also try cabbage rice, broccoli rice, and zucchini rice to similar effect.

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.

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.

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.

Usually the smell is from overcooking with cabbages and cauliflower. Try just cooking it just until it wilts instead of until it goes mushy.

Why does cauliflower rice hurt my stomach? ›

Cauliflower provides essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients, but it can also cause stomachaches or abdominal cramps. The culprit behind the stomachaches is cauliflower's fiber content, which becomes most troublesome when you increase your fiber intake too rapidly without giving your body time to adjust.

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.

It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour. As a good source of fiber, cauliflower slows digestion and promotes feelings of fullness. This may help reduce the number of calories you eat throughout the day, an important factor in weight control ( 2 , 9 ).

There are many alternatives to rice that can help you meet your personal health goals or simply add variety to your diet. Quinoa is a great gluten-free, high-protein option. Vegetables, such as riced cauliflower, riced broccoli, and chopped cabbage, are low-calorie and low-carb alternatives packed with nutrients.

Quinoa is a popular rice substitute that has a grain-like taste. It's gluten-free and has a high protein content – just ½ cup of quinoa contains four grams of protein, which is double the amount found in the same serving of white rice.