Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe

I am excited to share my take on fresh cauliflower rice featuring cauliflower florets sautéed with garlic, onion, and unsalted butter. A touch of lemon juice and parsley adds brightness while salt and pepper perfect the flavor. It is a versatile side that meets my keto standards with ease.

A photo of Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe

I recently discovered this garlic butter cauliflower rice recipe and it quickly became one of my favorite keto side dishes. I start with a fresh head of cauliflower that i rice into small florets, then sauté it in a couple of tablespoons of unsalted butter.

The dish gets an extra burst of flavor from three cloves of minced garlic and a quarter cup of finely chopped onion. I season all of this with salt and black pepper to taste.

Sometimes, when I feel fancy, i add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley to brighten the dish up even more. This recipe is an easy and clever way to enjoy all the yummy textures and flavors of a healthier rice alternative without sacrificing taste.

It’s suited for any meal and is a great way to mix up your regular side dish routine. Enjoy trying it out!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it packs a ton of flavor in every bite. The garlic and butter mix with the lemon juice to give me a rich, tangy taste that always surprises me. I also appreciate how simple it is to make – even when Im in a rush, I can whip this up quickly without too much fuss. Another thing I enjoy is that its a healthy, low-carb alternative to regular rice, so I feel good about what Im eating. Plus, the crunchy yet tender texture of the cauliflower feels like the perfect twist on a classic side dish.

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe

  • Packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, cauliflower is a low-carb, nutritious rice substitute.
  • Butter adds rich, creamy flavor that enhances the garlic and overall taste.
  • Garlic infuses the dish with a bold, aromatic punch and healthful benefits.
  • Onion adds mild sweetness and depth to develop a rich, savory base.
  • Lemon juice delivers a tangy, bright finish that perfectly elevates overall flavor.
  • Parsley finishes the dish with fresh, herbal notes and adds a vibrant pop of color.
  • Salt enhances flavors and perfectly balances savory notes in every bite.
  • Black pepper adds warming spice and subtle heat for a well-rounded taste.

Ingredient Quantities

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets and riced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

How to Make this

1. First, wash the cauliflower and cut it into small florets. Then pulse it in a food processor or grate it with a box grater to get a rice-like texture.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter.

3. Once the butter melts, toss in the minced garlic and chopped onion. Stir them around for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.

4. Add the riced cauliflower to the skillet. Stir it well in with the garlic and onion.

5. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to your taste. Keep stirring so the flavors mix in nicely.

6. Let it cook uncovered for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower softens but still has a little crunch.

7. If you like a bit of tang, squeeze in about 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice during the last minute of cooking.

8. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Remove the skillet from the heat.

10. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley over the top, and serve the garlic butter cauliflower rice as a yummy keto side dish with your main course.

Equipment Needed

1. A large cutting board and a sharp knife to wash and cut the cauliflower, garlic, and onion
2. A food processor or a box grater for ricing the cauliflower
3. A large skillet to cook all the ingredients
4. Measuring spoons to accurately measure the butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice
5. A spatula or wooden spoon to stir the mixture while cooking

FAQ

Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe Substitutions and Variations

  • Unsalted butter: Instead of butter you can use ghee or even olive oil if you’re lookin for a dairy-free option.
  • Garlic cloves: If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder is an ok substitute (use about 1/8 teaspoon per clove for a milder flavor).
  • Chopped onion: Try using shallots instead, they give a slightly sweeter taste, or even green onions if that suits you better.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Splash in a little white vinegar instead for that tangy kick if you don’t have lemons.
  • Fresh parsley: Cilantro can be a fun replacement if you enjoy its unique flavor, or basil in a pinch.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you dont let the garlic burn when you’re stirrin it in the butter, cuz burnt garlic can give a bitter taste to the whole dish.
2. Keep an eye on the cauliflower when its cookin, you want it to stay a little crunchy, so don’t overcook it or else it gets mushy.
3. If you use the lemon juice, squeeze it in right at the end so that its fresh tangy flavor pops without gettin lost in the heat.
4. Taste and adjust your seasonin as you go; sometimes a lil extra salt or pepper can really bring out the flavors in your cauliflower rice.

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Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe

My favorite Garlic Butter Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Equipment Needed:

1. A large cutting board and a sharp knife to wash and cut the cauliflower, garlic, and onion
2. A food processor or a box grater for ricing the cauliflower
3. A large skillet to cook all the ingredients
4. Measuring spoons to accurately measure the butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice
5. A spatula or wooden spoon to stir the mixture while cooking

Ingredients:

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets and riced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. First, wash the cauliflower and cut it into small florets. Then pulse it in a food processor or grate it with a box grater to get a rice-like texture.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the unsalted butter.

3. Once the butter melts, toss in the minced garlic and chopped onion. Stir them around for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.

4. Add the riced cauliflower to the skillet. Stir it well in with the garlic and onion.

5. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to your taste. Keep stirring so the flavors mix in nicely.

6. Let it cook uncovered for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower softens but still has a little crunch.

7. If you like a bit of tang, squeeze in about 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice during the last minute of cooking.

8. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Remove the skillet from the heat.

10. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley over the top, and serve the garlic butter cauliflower rice as a yummy keto side dish with your main course.