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Cauliflower Fried Rice – A Fast, Flavorful Weeknight Favorite

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium head cauliflower, riced (about 4 cups) or 1 bag pre-riced cauliflower
  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado, canola, or light olive oil), divided
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (no need to thaw)
  • 3–4 green onions, thinly sliced (whites and greens separated)
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1–2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional, for brightness)
  • 1 cup cooked protein, chopped (rotisserie chicken, shrimp, tofu, or leftover pork; optional)
  • Red pepper flakes or sriracha, to taste
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Sesame seeds and extra green onion for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Rice the cauliflower: If using a whole head, cut into florets and pulse in a food processor until it looks like rice. Don’t over-process. You want small, even grains.
  2. Prep aromatics: Dice the onion and mince the garlic and ginger. Slice the green onions, keeping whites and greens separate.
  3. Scramble the eggs: Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs, scramble briefly, then remove to a plate. Don’t overcook; they’ll finish in the pan later.
  4. Sauté the aromatics: Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Cook onion and green onion whites until softened, 2–3 minutes. Stir in garlic and ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add veggies and protein: Toss in peas and carrots. If using a cooked protein, add it now to warm through. Stir-fry 2–3 minutes.
  6. Cook the cauliflower rice: Push everything to the sides. Add the remaining oil to the center, then the cauliflower rice. Spread it out and let it steam-fry for 2 minutes without stirring, then toss. Cook 4–6 minutes total until tender with a slight bite. Avoid overcooking or it will get mushy.
  7. Season: Stir in soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, and rice vinegar if using. Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to taste. Return the scrambled eggs to the pan and break into small pieces.
  8. Finish: Toss in green onion tops. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and soy. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if you like, and serve hot.