Inspired by this book (which I’m writing about next week) and this head of cauliflower, this Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowl came to life.
And a recent visit to Chipotle reminded me how much I love rice bowls. Now I can eat rice until the cows come home. I love rice. But sometimes a girl needs a low-carb option.
Enter my glorious cauliflower rice!! All you need is a head of cauliflower and a food processor. It’s that easy. I even love eating it as a pesto, and leaving it raw, which is what I did here. Never tried cauliflower rice?
What are you waiting for?
Now, you can’t have a good Mexican rice bowl without some good mix-in’s.
I love the vibrant colors here. The only thing cooked here is the corn, which you can also grill which would be just lovely. I just cooked corn on the cob and cut the corn kernels from there.
I prepared the cauliflower rice pretty much the same way I make cilantro lime rice. A little salt, some cilantro and some freshly squeezed lime juice go a long way.
Top your Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowl with avocados, some lettuce and some radishes . . you can even mix in some pico de gallo or some salsa if desired.
Mix and enjoy!
Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowl
Ingredients
For the cauliflower cilantro lime rice:
- half a medium sized head of cauliflower chopped into chunks
- handful of fresh cilantro diced + more when serving
- juice from 1/2 lime
- kosher salt to taste
For the black beans:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 jalapeño chile stemmed, seeded and minced (optional)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- salt and pepper to taste
For the corn mixture:
- 2 to 3 ears of corn cooked and cut from the cob
- 1 to mato finely diced
- 1/2 yellow tomato finely diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper finely diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper finely diced
- 2 scallions finely diced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Fresh toppings:
- fresh green leaf or romaine lettuce chopped
- radishes sliced thin
- 2 to 3 ripe avocados
- salsa if desired
- 1 lime sliced for wedges
Instructions
For the cauliflower cilantro lime rice:
- Using a food processor, place the cauliflower chunks inside and pulse until it becomes a cous-cous like texture. Remove from food processor and place into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix in the fresh cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice and season with salt. Mix and taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Set aside.
For the black beans:
- Using a large skillet over medium high heat, add the olive oil and onions and cook until softened, for about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño (if using), garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant, for about 30 seconds. Stir in the black beans and vegetable broth and cook until the liquid has nearly evaporated, for about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the corn mixture:
- Using a large mixing bowl, mix together the corn, diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers, scallions, cilantro and lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
To assemble your Mexican Cauliflower Rice Bowl:
- Serve in large bowls and divide evenly into 4 bowls: the cauliflower cilantro lime rice, black bean mixture and fresh corn mixture. Top with chopped lettuce, radishes, sliced avocados, salsa if desired and lime wedges. Mix and enjoy!
Black bean mixture from America’s Test Kitchen’s The Best Mexican Recipes cookbook, shared here with permission from ATK.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This is seriously such a great idea! I keep reading about cauliflower rice but I gotta try it! The texture looks so similar! And how are you enjoying that new book?
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i love cauliflower too and used it several times before. this is such a great idea for a meal.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh this is such a great idea to make a cauliflower bowl, Alice! I absolutely love it! And those flavors sound just perfect. What a great meal!
Mir says
My husband’s obsessed with Chipotle burrito bowls, but this option is about 50 times healthier. The lime is the best! And it looks so good. I’ve been meaning to try cauliflower rice for a while, and now I really am going to do it!
Kelly says
This Mexican cauliflower rice bowl is such a great idea, Alice! My husband is obsessed with Chipotle’s burrito bowls and I can’t wait to make him this healthier version! It looks so fresh and delicious!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
My oh my! I love rice bowls, but this is such a creative twist. I would love to make this for supper soon.
Jen says
I’ve been seeing a lot about cauliflower rice lately. Your version sounds pretty awesome. Love the mexican flavors!
Shinee says
Seriously, your awesome cauliflower recipe will transform me from rice eater to cauliflower eater! Love this healthy take on regular rice bowl. LOVE IT!!!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
I definitely need some low-carb options these days! Love all those bright veggies and Mexican flavors!
hipfoodiemom says
thanks so much, Ashley!!!
Stacey+@+Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
I haven’t tried cauliflower rice yet, and I really need to! This recipe may have convinced me, I love anything Mexican, and this rice bowl looks amazing!
hipfoodiemom says
Stacey, you need to try it!!! cauli rice is fabulous!!! you might want to try a version that cooks or sautes the cauliflower rice first . . this recipe keeps it raw, which I love too.
Manali@CookWithManali says
love this rice bowl, I love anything and everything with cauliflower so this is right up my alley!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I raise my glass to you Alice – Heck yeah to a big bowl of veggies – I adore cauli-rice – and pairing it with cilantro and all these veggies would make this one heck of a lunch!
hipfoodiemom says
thank you, Shashi!!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Cauli rice is the best! This bowl looks amazing… I’ve been feeling Mexican all the time recently 🙂
hipfoodiemom says
Medha, I know right?! I’ve been eating Mexican-ish food all week!!! we love it!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I am a chipotle burrito bowl girl all the way! Loving this healthier option : )
Amy @Very Culinary says
Yeeesssss. RICE. Why doesn’t any eat rice anymore? Remember how survivor contestants were only given rice to eat? I’m like, “Ya. Ok. I could handle that.” Ha. But I’m completely on board with cauliflower, too. Nature’s candy! Pass me a bowl of this.
hipfoodiemom says
haha, I LOVE rice . . but if I ate regular white rice all the time, I would be 200 lbs. 😛 gotta love a low-carb option 🙂
marcie says
This is lunch or dinner at it’s finest! Nice and light, but plenty satisfying! Pinned.
hipfoodiemom says
Thank you, Marcie!!!
Brooks says
Alice, I was nearly fooled for a minute. On first glance I thought I’d be reading about true rice; not cauliflower as the rice. Beautiful dish, the avocado and radish are nice touches!
Sneha says
Heyyaa.. i love cauliflower too and used it several times before. this is such a great idea for a meal.Seriously, your awesome cauliflower recipe will transform me from rice eater to cauliflower eater.. I’ve been feeling Mexican all the time recently 🙂 🙂
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
I´m in awe! Cauliflower rice! I´ve got to try this! Definitely a lower carb option because like you, I love my rice 🙂
Cali @ Cali's Cuisine says
What an interesting use of cauliflower. Love the concept and the meatless meal option.
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Cauliflower rice makes my world go ROUND! Would you believe though that I’ve never had it in a rice bowl?! I absolutely love all the mexican-style goodness you packed into this bowl! Totally need this to be my dinner tonight. 😉
David @ Spiced says
What a fun and healthy twist on this delicious classic! I think I could eat Chipotle rice bowls every single day and not get tired of them. But that’s a lot of rice. Next time, it’s cauliflower rice! 🙂
mira says
Love cauliflower rice and this bowl looks amazing! Need to make this bowl, so easy! Pinned!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
What?! This is genius, Alice!
Maria|Pink Patisserie says
Perfectly delicious, gorgeous and healthy!! Love that cauliflower rice!!
Zainab says
Wow this is so fresh!! Love that it’s packed with flavors and low carb 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I think I just found lunch! Loving this healthy and colorful bowl, Alice! 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Definitely hear you on eating rice until the cows come home…Damn, I can’t believe how much I used to put away as a kid! Love the use of cauliflower and the Mexican twist sounds delicious!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
I LOVEEE these bowls. Chipotle is my favorite but they need to add in your cauliflower rice to their menu! 😉
Pinning!
Amanda says
This is a fantastic recipe!!!
Liz says
It looks divine! I’ve been meaning to make cauliflower rice for months, but when it comes down to it, I’d have to make regular rice for Bill. I’m just going to have to bite the bullet as your rice bowls look marvelous!!!
THE HUNGRY MUM says
Am the only person on planet who hasn’t tried cauli rice but dammit! Now I want some 😉
Joanne says
I have seen that cookbook EVERYWHERE so obviously I need it!! And this BOWL…totally love a good tex-mex bowl and even better that it’s totally healthy and low carb!
hipfoodiemom says
Joanne, I’m giving away a copy of the ATK Best Mexican Food recipes tomorrow!!!
Meagan @ The F&B Department says
Cauliflower rice is my new (guilt-free) dinner “grain”. I love the use of it in this rice bowl. And with black beans and avocado? So healthy!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I need to do this with cauliflower more often. Such a great substitute for rice and with the Mexican flavors I bet it’s awesome!
Melissa | Bits of Umami says
“Now I can eat rice until the cows come home. I love rice.” Literally laughed out loud. I LOVE RICE. Growing up being Puerto Rican and Cuban – white rice has been a staple in every single meal. I’ve been wanting to give cauliflower rice a try. I may just have to go for it and try a Mexican Rice Bowl out with it!
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
So is the cauliflower “rice” essentially raw? I don’t see you heating it up anywhere… Love the whole bowl concept!
hipfoodiemom says
Hi Kelly, yes it is .. I explained in the post that I left it raw. . it’s similar to a raw cauliflower pesto that I love and make. The only thing cooked here is the corn, which you can also grill . . you can saute the cauliflower if preferred .. but yes, I left it raw. thank you, Kelly!
Kathryn Grace says
You’ve totally inspired me with this bowl. If I can get to the store before 11:30, we’ll have this gorgeous dish for lunch today. Sharing it as my Recipe of the Day on my Facebook page, Cooking with Whole Grains & Real Whole Foods, pinning, etc. Thanks so much!
Laura L Shrum says
What can I use instead of line juice?
hipfoodiemom says
Hi Laura, the lime juice is kind of key to this recipe, especially for the cauliflower cilantro lime rice. . you could try lemon juice or another citrus juice but for best results, get your hands on some limes!