This Mexican Cauliflower Fried Rice is packed with veggies, protein, and lots of flavor and spice! It’s topped with an easy guacamole and chipotle ranch sauce for a tasty, filling meal that’s Paleo, Whole30 compliant and keto friendly.
This is one of those simple, yet really delicious and satisfying recipes that makes me LOVE paleo and Whole30 cooking!
True story – I wasn’t always on board with cauliflower rice. I thought it was far too much of an effort to “rice” the cauliflower and I didn’t yet realize how tasty cauliflower fried rice could be!
My vision of cauli rice was a whole lot of mess with resulting boring mushy “rice” that tasted nothing like actual rice.
Much like I had to accept that zucchini noodles weren’t actual noodles, I needed to accept that cauli rice wasn’t rice, but could be seriously awesome anyway.
I also needed to accept that I was going to have to compromise with myself and be lazy – I bought the pre-“riced” cauliflower at the grocery store and didn’t look back. For all of you who ain’t got no time for the mess – get the pre-riced cauli! And, for those of you who like ricing your own – more power to you!
Anyway, cauli rice can definitely be awesome in its own right – it’s amazing sauteed/fried, and picks up all the flavors it mixes with like a dream. When I first decided to make this chicken and bacon fried rice, I was completely sold – cauliflower rice can actually be pretty darn awesome.
I knew I was due for another cauliflower fried rice recipe but I wanted to make the flavors really different than the last.
I decided to go the Mexican-inspired route since I’ve been on a big guacamole kick lately – it’s SO perfect to top off this cauli rice!
For the ground meat, I actually used a mixture of ground beef and ground chicken, just based on what was in my fridge. You can use any ground meat at all, but I highly recommend one that’s a little less lean since it adds better flavor in my opinion. That said, simply adding a bit more cooking fat if you use a leaner meat will work out just fine.
The add-ins are super simple – onions, peppers, garlic, spices, diced green chilis and jalapeno. The toppings make it over-the-top tasty!
I went with my chipotle ranch – which is probably my most-made mayo-based dip/sauce. It goes with nearly everything and it’s so perfect here!
The guac also takes it to the next level – you get healthy fats, flavor, texture – the whole deal. Also, if you’re planning to make this ahead of time, you can prepare everything in advance with the exception of the guacamole and be totally good to go with a toss in the skillet to reheat the fried rice.
I hope you’re ready for an easy and oh-so-yummy, filling and heathy meal – let’s get cooking!
Mexican Cauliflower Fried Rice {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
Mexican Cauliflower Fried Rice {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
This Mexican Cauliflower Rice is packed with veggies, protein, and lots of flavor and spice! It's topped with an easy guacamole and chipotle ranch sauce for a tasty, filling meal that's Paleo, Whole30 compliant and keto friendly.
Ingredients
- 12 oz riced cauliflower about 1 head, just shy of 4 cups
- 1 lb ground beef turkey, chicken, or pork
- 3 Tbsp cooking fat coconut oil, bacon fat, olive oil, ghee, divided
- 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- generous dash chipotle pepper adjust to your taste or omit
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can chopped green chilis
- 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed and minced
- Cilantro for garnish
- 1/2 cup homemade chipotle ranch dip
- 1 batch easy guac see below:
Easy Guac:
- 1 large ripe avocado or 2 small, mashed
- 2-3 Tbsp onion minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1-2 Tbsp jalapeno peppers minced
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnish
Instructions
-
Prepare the chipotle ranch, cover and chill until ready to serve.
-
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp coconut oil.
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Add ground meat to skillet and sprinkle with salt and spices. Once browned, add onion, pepper and stir, cook about 45 seconds until softened.
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Add chopped green chilis, garlic, and jalapeno pepper and continue to cook another 45 seconds to heat through. Add cauli rice and stir to coat, then cover skillet for 30 seconds to soften cauliflower, remove from heat.
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Before serving, mash together all the guac ingredients in a bowl. To serve fried rice, top with extra cilantro, chipotle ranch and guac. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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Want More Whole30 and Keto Recipes? Try One Of These!
Chicken Bacon Fried Cauliflower Rice
One Skillet Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
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Your recipe for chicken/bacon fried rice sold me on cauliflower rice to!! I LOVED that version, so I’m excited for these new flavors 🙂
Looks delish. Definitely going to give this a try. How big is a serving size a cup or so?
Look so delicious!!! I want to eat all of this at the first moment when I see them.
Thank you for sharing these food.
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This was so good! Really great flavors and super easy to make!
I’ m not sure if this an error in the recipe or not, but you call for 3 tbsp of cooking fat but I only saw 1 tbsp used in the recipe.
Hi! I might have forgotten to mention when to add the additional Tbsps. Regardless happy you enjoyed it!
When do you add the additional 2 Tablespoons? (Haven’t made it yet!)
I made this last night… delish. It will be in my go to rotation. It’s a good one.
Thrilled you enjoyed it!
Well This fried rice paleo is very tasty .. I love to share this recipe with my friends
This was one of the best dishes I have ever made and it was so simple. So yummy 🙂
great recipe! I made it to take for lunch for a few days and it reheated well. Do not even miss rice!
That’s amazing! So happy you’re enjoying it 🙂
What is your recipe for chipotle ranch/mayo sauce?
This was fantastic! I used ground turkey and layered it with lettuce, black beans, this cauliflower rice, guacamole. Will definitely make this again. Would be good in a wrap as well
HI! So delish! But wondering how big the serving size actually is? It just says 6 servings. Trying to add it to my database and already ate some so I can’t measure out. Thanks!!
I typically don’t measure the servings in cups but rather estimate a mainly realistic number of servings for the batch.
This recipe is easy and quick, especially if you use frozen cauliflower. Highly recommend for meal prep as it’s delicious the next day!
This is easy to make and very tasty!!! I have made this numerous times and always turns out great!!!
I love this dish, it is very delicious and attractive.
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2nd time making this and love it just as much! I did leave out the onions this time since my husband is not a fan but it is sooo good! I use a little more chipotle mayo than recommended but that stuff is just sooo good!
How much is a serving?
Wow looks so delicious. With this recipe I’m gonna make this dish. Hope my family will love it.
This recipe is fantastic! I have made it numerous times and have even served it to guests and it is always well received. It tastes every bit as good, the next day, as a leftover too. I prep everything ahead of time so it comes together very quickly and easily. Thank you for another flavorful and easy dinner recipe!
What’s the serving size
very good. Thank you for sharing!,..,.,.,.,.,
Love this recipe!! So yummy!! Do you add the other tablespoons of oil after the meat is browned? Or when you add the onions and peppers? Thank you!
I love Mexican food. Your cooking looks fabulous and delicious. Thank you.
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