The Best Cauliflower Fried Rice {Low Carb!}

Name: The Best Cauliflower Fried Rice {Low Carb!}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb frozen raw shrimp, defrosted and de-shelled; Salt & pepper, to taste; 1 tbsp butter; 1 yellow onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 4 cups cauliflower rice (or 1 head cauliflower); 3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free or coconut aminos for Whole30); 2 cups mixed frozen vegetables; 1 pinch salt; 1 egg; 4 green onions, sliced; Sesame seeds, for garnish

This is the Best Cauliflower Fried Rice! The low carb dish is ready in 15 minutes thanks to frozen veggies and pre-chopped cauliflower rice.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil – use any neutral cooking oil such as grapeseed or canola oil. Sesame oil would also work if you want a stronger flavor.
Frozen raw shrimp – you can make this fried rice with another protein like chicken, beef, pork or tofu.
Salt & pepper – to taste.
Butter – swap out the butter for your favourite butter substitute.
Yellow onion – white onion or shallots would both work.
Garlic – I prefer freshly minced garlic, but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
Cauliflower rice – buy the pre-chopped cauliflower rice to cut down on prep time. You can also use a food processor to make your own cauliflower rice.
Low-sodium soy sauce – coconut aminos or tamari are the best substitutes for soy sauce.
Frozen vegetables – use any mixed blend of your choice including corn, carrots, green beans, peas, etc.
Egg – feel free to leave this out if you’re allergic to eggs.
Green onions – scallions would also be good.
Sesame seeds – black or white sesame seeds can both be used.

Ingredients for cauliflower fried rice: cauliflower rice, frozen veggies onion, garlic, sesame seeds, egg, soy sauce, butter, green onions and shrimp.

How to make cauliflower fried rice

Steps 1 and 2 for making cauliflower fried rice: Cook shrimp then add butter to pan.

Step 1: Cook the shrimp.

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, then stir fry over medium-high heat for a few mins until they're no longer translucent. Remove from the pan.

Step 2: Add butter to the pan.

Without wiping the skillet clean, add butter.

Steps 3 and 4 for making cauliflower rice: Saute onions and garlic then add in rice and soy sauce.

Step 3: Sauté the onions and garlic.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sauté over medium heat until softened.

Step 4: Add the rice and soy sauce.

Add the cauliflower rice and soy sauce and sauté until softened.

Steps 5 and 6 for making cauliflower fried rice: Mix in veggies then crack egg.

Step 5: Mix in the frozen veggies.

Step 6: Crack an egg into the middle.

Create a circle in the middle of the veggies and add a tiny bit more butter. Crack an egg and scramble until solid.

Steps 7 and 8 for making cauliflower fried shrimp: Add back in shrimp then garnish and serve.

Step 7: Dump the shrimp back in.

Stir in the shrimp with the rest of veggies, and add the shrimp back to the pan.

Step 6: Garnish, serve and enjoy!

Stir in the green onions, then garnish with sesame seeds. Serve and enjoy!

Cauliflower fried rice tips

Here are some of my top tips for making this delicious cauliflower fried rice recipe:

Make fresh cauliflower rice: You can use a food processor, a sharp knife or a box grater to make cauliflower rice out of fresh florets. Check out my post on how to make cauliflower rice for more tips!
Defrost frozen rice: If you want to use frozen cauliflower rice, make sure to defrost it completely and then drain out any excess moisture.
Swap out the protein: If you're not a fan of shrimp, add in some diced chicken, tofu or edamame.
Try out different veggies: I normally use a frozen vegetable mix for this recipe, but feel free to use any veggies you have kicking around your fridge like red bell pepper, celery, peas and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cauliflower fried rice soggy?

If you’ve made your cauliflower rice from scratch and you find that it’s a bit soggy, you likely left it on the heat too long. Make sure you’re not overcooking the rice or it’ll get too soggy!

How do you get the moisture out?

If you’re making cauliflower rice from scratch, you’ll need to let it drain on a paper towel before cooking.

Can you use frozen cauliflower rice?

Yes, but you'll need to defrost it in the fridge overnight and drain any excess water. You can also defrost in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. You don't have to get crazy with draining it as the heat from the skillet will absorb some of the liquid, but try to get the rice as dry as you can with some paper towel or a clean dish towel.

Can you add protein to this recipe?

This fried rice recipe already contains protein thanks to the shrimp and eggs, but if you want to try a different kind of protein, swap out the shrimp and/or eggs for tofu or chicken.

Can you freeze cauliflower fried rice?

Yes you can! You can freeze this recipe without the shrimp for up to 2 months in a Ziploc bag. Let it defrost in the fridge overnight, then cook the shrimp and dump the bag into the pan to reheat.

Storing and reheating

This cauliflower rice is great for meal prep. After it’s cooked, divide individual serving sizes into glass meal prep containers and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to eat, all you have to do is sprinkle a bit of water over top and then reheat it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes.

Freezing this recipe

You can prep this cauliflower rice ahead of time and freeze it. Add everything (except for the shrimp, which will already be frozen in a separate package) to a large Ziploc freezer bag and store it for up to 2 months.

The night before you want to make this dish, stick the bag in the fridge overnight to defrost. Cook the shrimp as usual, then add your bag of rice/veggies/soy sauce to the skillet and continue cooking. Stir in green onions fresh and you're ready to go.

If you make your cauliflower rice from scratch, grate the cauliflower, place it into an airtight container, and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. After you've frozen your cauliflower rice, you can thaw it in the refrigerator when you're ready to eat it. It will take a few hours to fully defrost. If you're in a rush, you can also cook cauliflower rice from frozen. It will only take an extra minute to cook.

More low-carb cauliflower recipes

See more related recipes

Meal Prep Tools

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into your weekly lunches.
Use these Ziploc bag holders if you're assembling this recipe then freezing it to cook later.
Freeze this recipe once it's been cooked in glass microwave-safe bowls up to 3 months.
Buy coconut aminos if you plan on making this dish Whole 30 friendly.
**Get my full list of tools here**

5 from 7 votes (4 ratings without comment)

The Best Cauliflower Fried Rice {Low Carb!}

Ingredients and substitutions