Understanding how to make cauliflower rice taste good is a simple process, but it’s one that will bring a lot of flavor to healthier meals in your kitchen. In this article, there are a couple of things that I’m going to touch on, but making cauliflower rice taste great is the main point.
What is cauliflower rice?
Cauliflower rice is something quite exceptionally simple. So simple, in fact, that I am astonished that no one thought of it a long, long time ago!
Essentially, it’s a head of cauliflower that has been finely grated such that it’s around the same shape and size as individual grains of rice. Therefore, it can be cooked and seasoned like rice, providing a slightly healthier alternative that could be great for a range of diets.
How to make cauliflower rice taste good – 5 tips
Does your cauliflower rice taste kind of bland and not exciting? Here are some tips to transform your cauliflower rice into a delicious dish!
1. Uniform pieces are the best
Working with your grater or food processor, make sure to slice the cauliflower down into uniformly sized florets and chunks before you actually make any kind of start on the grating and food processing.
This will ensure that the final pieces of cauliflower rice are as close to uniformly sized as possible which, in turn, will ensure that they’re evenly cooked, and very easy and tasty to eat.
2. Don’t shy away from sweet flavors
Sweeter flavors might sound a little strange, but they can work wonderfully well, especially when combined with spicy food. For example, opting for some coconut flavors can work well to create a simple, bright, and creamy flavor in your cauliflower rice.
Try, for example, sauteing the cauliflower rice with coconut oil, salt, coconut sugar, and a little coconut milk. By the time the milk is evaporated, the ‘rice’ will be wonderfully well-flavored.
3. The world is your oyster
Cauliflower doesn’t have a whole host of flavors. It’s slightly bitter, perhaps, but beyond that, it’s not the kind of ingredient that would be added for the sake of boosting a meal and the flavors within.
With that in mind, it serves as a great canvas for you to add any range of flavors that you might like. You could make sharp, acidic rice that balances out a creamy, rich curry very well. Alternatively, you could make an earthy, rich, and hot rice that serves to contextualize and spread out some marinaded meat.
4. Feel free to add some liquid to the pan
Adding a little liquid to the pan might seem like a bad idea, in that you could crush and thereby cook the small pieces of cauliflower that you’re working with. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case.
Adding a little liquid, whether it’s sweet or savory, will instill flavor into the rice. The reason for this is that the rice itself will soak up the liquid while it’s evaporating, leading to the flavors spreading through the dish very well.
5. Avoid overcooking
Overcooking cauliflower rice is the worst thing that you can do for it. It only needs to be sauteed in your favorite pan for three to five minutes, or until it’s just a little softened. You’re aiming for an al dente texture, rather than a stewed, mushy texture.
How to cook cauliflower rice
Cooking cauliflower rice really couldn’t be simpler. See these instructions below to get a handle on the best ways to ensure that your cauliflower rice is ready to eat after just a few moments in the pan.
Ingredients you need
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or any other cooking oil
- 4 cups riced cauliflower
Step-by-step Instructions
- Heat the oil that you’re working with in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Wait for the oil to totally preheat, otherwise the rice will soak up the oil more than it will cook in it.
- Add the rice to the pan, and regularly stir it around the pan. Make sure to keep the rice in a rough level to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the rice for three to five minutes, or until the cauliflower itself is just a little soft, but not totally mushy.
Cauliflower rice storage tips
When you rice cauliflower but haven’t yet cooked it, you can add it to the fridge in an airtight container. Once it’s in the airtight container, it will store in the fridge well for up to ten days. Beyond that, it will begin to spoil.
After cooking, you can store your cauliflower rice in the fridge for up to 4 days in total. This can change depending on what ingredients you might add. Cooked chicken, for example, cannot be kept in the fridge for more than three days, to be safe.
How to reheat cauliflower rice
Reheating the rice is very simple. Add it to a microwave-safe container, and zap it on full power in thirty-second increments until the rice is steaming hot all the way through. This will ensure it’s totally safe to eat.
FAQ
Does cauliflower rice taste like normal rice?
No, it doesn’t Cauliflower rice certainly does taste like cauliflower, which is to say that it has a slightly bitter and watery flavor to it. This can be enhanced through cooking and seasoning.
Is cauliflower rice good for weight loss?
This depends upon a few things, but cauliflower rice can be good for weight loss. It contains no carbohydrates, which allows it to slot into a number of different diets very well.
How do you make cauliflower rice not soggy?
If your cauliflower rice is soggy, it’s likely overcooked. Next time, cook it for a minute less than you did this time. That should allow the rice to retain some more bite, leading to a nicer side dish.
How to make cauliflower rice taste like fried rice?
To make cauliflower rice taste like fried rice, I would recommend adding a drop or two of sesame oil to the pan before frying the rice and increasing the temperature of the oil. Then, add garlic, ginger, and spring onions to the pan along with the cauliflower – they will instill some Chinese flavor. Serve with a hearty helping of soy sauce!
How To Make Cauliflower Rice Taste Good
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or any other cooking oil
- 4 cups riced cauliflower
Instructions
- Heat the oil that you’re working with in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Wait for the oil to totally preheat, otherwise the rice will soak up the oil more than it will cook in it.
- Add the rice to the pan, and regularly stir it around the pan. Make sure to keep the rice in a rough level to ensure even cooking.
- Cook the rice for three to five minutes, or until the cauliflower itself is just a little soft, but not totally mushy.
- To make cauliflower rice taste good (like fried rice), I'd recommend adding a drop or two of sesame oil to the pan before frying the rice and increasing the temperature of the oil. Then, add garlic, ginger, and spring onions to the pan along with the cauliflower rice. Lastly, serve with a hearty helping of soy sauce!
Notes
Wrapping it up!
I adore cauliflower rice, and I hope that this article has given you the information that you need to make sure you love it too!