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Home » Recipes » Vegetables

Cauliflower Rice in a Food Processor

felice kaufman author bio
Modified: May 19, 2026 · by Felice Kaufman · This post may contain affiliate links ·
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Making cauliflower rice at home is quick and easy with a food processor. It's a healthy, low carb swap for regular rice. You can cook it on the stove, steam it, or microwave it. Use it in bowls, stir fries, or serve it as a simple side. If you're eating cleaner or just want something lighter, this is a good place to start.

Cauliflower rice in bowl with cut cauliflower.

Cauliflower rice is a quick, low carb alternative to regular rice. Just pulse cauliflower in a food processor and cook it your way, sautéed, steamed, or microwaved. Perfect for bowls, stir fries, or a healthy side.

Why You'll Love Cauliflower Rice

  • Low in carbs, gluten free, and full of nutrients.
  • Easy to make with just one ingredient.
  • Pairs with seafood, meat, or veggies.
  • An easy substitute for white rice without the starch.
  • We love cauliflower rice with roasted rellowtail snapper, shrimp tacos, and this marinated chuck steak.
cauliflower rice being shredded.

How To Make Cauliflower Rice in a Food Processor

1. Use the S Blade

Cut the cauliflower into chunks. Add a few pieces at a time to your food processor fitted with the S blade. Pulse in short bursts until the texture looks like rice. If any big pieces are left, scoop them out and re-process.

2. Use the Shredding Disk

Attach the shredding disk to your food processor. Feed the cauliflower through the chute. It shreds into small, even pieces in seconds.

cooking cauliflower rice

Cooking Cauliflower Rice on The Stove

Once the cauliflower is broken down, you can enjoy it raw or cook it for a few minutes in a skillet.

  • Heat a tablespoon of butter or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the cauliflower and stir to coat.
  • Cover and let it steam for 3 minutes.
  • Uncover, stir, and cover again. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes until tender.
  • Season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings.

Flavorings

Here are some simple flavorings for cauliflower rice.

  • Garlic or onion: Toast 2 cloves of garlic or sauté a small yellow onion in butter before adding the cauliflower to the pan.
  • Coconut aminos, green onions, and sesame: After steaming the cauliflower rice for 3 minutes, uncover and stir in coconut aminos and chopped green onions. Cook until tender. Off the heat, finish with a few drops of sesame oil and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
  • Fresh herbs: Add chopped basil, thyme, oregano, or dill just before serving.

For Crispy Cauliflower Rice

If you want more texture and a little crunch, let it cook a bit longer until it browns on the edges.

Season with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Reheating

Reheat cauliflower rice in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter. Stir occasionally and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through.

You can also microwave it in a covered bowl for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir halfway through to heat evenly.

Serving Suggestions

Cauliflower rice is a great base for meals or a quick side dish. Here are a few ideas:

  • Serve with seared white fish or lemon basil roasted chicken.
  • Enjoy with reverse seared New York strip steak
  • Add to beef bone broth for a filling mealSauté with butter and salt
  • Serve with scrambled eggs
  • Make cauliflower fried rice

Want more ideas? Check out my roundup of Cauliflower Rice Recipes for more ways to use cauliflower rice.

Takeaway

There are a few simple ways to turn a head of cauliflower into rice, and you don't need any fancy tools.

The easiest way to make cauliflower rice is with a food processor and the S blade. Add the florets in small batches and pulse until they break down into rice-sized pieces. It's fast, simple, and gives you an even texture every time.

Another great option is to use the shredding disk that comes with your food processor. Just feed the cauliflower through the chute and you're done in seconds.

If you don't feel like dragging out the food processor, a box grater will do the trick. Grab a large bowl, use the big holes of the grater, and run the cauliflower over it just like cheese. When you get to the smaller leftover bits, just chop them up with a knife.

No matter which method you choose, you'll end up with a bowl of light, fluffy cauliflower rice you can cook up in minutes.

Cauliflower rice is perfect for a low-carb, keto, paleo, or vegan diet. Each cup of plain cauliflwoer rice has 3 net carbs and 2 grams of fiber. It's a healthy addition to any diet.

What Goes with Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice pairs well with almost any meal and can be served as a side or main dish base. Use it in salads or serve it with your favorite proteins. Try these recipes for a low-carb meal that's easy, filling, and full of flavor.

  • Pan Seared Chuck Steak
  • Roasted Mahi Mahi
  • Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
  • Whole Roasted Red Snapper
  • Grass Fed Beef Tacos
  • Air Fryer Chicken Livers and Onions

For more healthy recipes, take a look at our low-carb vegetable recipes made with fresh ingredients

FAQ

How much cauliflower rice does one head of cauliflower make?

One medium head yields about 4 cups of cauliflower rice.

Do I need to cook the cauliflower before ricing it?

No, start with raw cauliflower. Process it first, then cook it however you like-sautéed, steamed, or microwaved.

What blade do I use to make cauliflower rice?

Use the S blade for pulsing florets into rice-sized pieces. You can also use the shredding disk for a finer, flakier texture.

How to reheat cauliflower rice

Skip the microwave! Heat a skillet with a teaspoon of oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add cauliflower and heat, stirring constantly for a minute or so.

Can I freeze cauliflower rice?

Yes. After ricing, transfer it to a freezer bag and flatten it out. It keeps well for up to 1 month.

Can I use frozen cauliflower rice?

Yes, frozen cauliflower rice works great. You don't need to thaw it first, just add it straight to a hot pan and cook until warmed through. If there's excess water, cook uncovered to let the water evaporate.

cauliflower rice in a food processor

How To Make Cauliflower Rice in A Food Processor

Felice Kaufman
Learn how to make cauliflower rice in a food processor. Withjust one head of cauliflower, you'll have a fresh batch in minutes. A quick,healthy swap for white rice that's light, low carb, and easy to make at home.
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Total Time 17 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 66.9 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium head of cauliflower rinsed and trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

Breaking Down The Cauliflower

    Grating the Cauliflower with "S" Blade Attachment

    • Cut the cauliflower into chunks. Add a few pieces at a time to your food processor fitted with the S blade. Pulse in short bursts until the texture looks like rice. If any big pieces are left, scoop them out and re-process.

    Grating the Cauliflower with Shredding Disk

    • Attach the shredding disk to your food processor. Feed the cauliflower through the chute. It shreds into small, even pieces in seconds.

    How To Steam Cauliflower Rice in a Skillet

    • Heat a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the cauliflower and stir to coat. Cover and let it steam for 3 minutes.
    • Uncover, stir, and cover again. Cook another 3 to 5 minutes until tender.
    • Season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings.

    Notes

    Flavorings
    • Garlic or onion: Toast 2 cloves of garlic or sauté a small yellow onion in butter before adding the cauliflower to the pan.
    • Coconut aminos, green onions, and sesame: After steaming the cauliflower rice for 3 minutes, uncover and stir in coconut aminos and chopped green onions. Cook until tender. Off the heat, finish with a few drops of sesame oil and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
    • Fresh herbs: Add chopped basil, thyme, oregano, or dill just before serving.
    Reheating
    Reheat cauliflower rice in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter. Stir occasionally and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through.
    You can also microwave it in a covered bowl for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir halfway through to heat evenly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 66.9kcalCarbohydrates: 7.1gProtein: 2.8gTotal Fat: 3.9gSaturated Fat: 0.7gSodium: 188.5mgPotassium: 429.9mgFiber: 2.9gSugar: 2.7gNet Carbohydrates: 4.3g
    Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below & tag @cookinginthekeys on social!

     

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    Welcome!

    Hi, I’m Felice. I live in the Florida Keys and share easy recipes made with fresh seafood, steak, and seasonal vegetables. Everything is inspired by island life, simple, delicious, and made with real food.

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