Quick and Easy cauliflower rice and sausage flavored with tajin is a healthy vegan dinner recipe. Make it for a quick weeknight dinner or serve it as a side dish.
If a basmati rice aficionado like me can fall in love with cauliflower rice, then anyone else can do the same!
Being Indian, we were raised on basmati rice and no other rice. In fact, all other rice types were considered taboo in our home!
So, break out of your rice routine and come join me in celebrating this awesome rice
Tips for making this one pot recipe
- Slice the sausages thinly because they will cook faster. I like to slice them to about 2 quarter coins thickness.
- I cook the sausage first because it takes a little more time to cook and also make them crispy.
- Get the store-bought cauliflower rice from the produce section of your grocery store. They make your life and my life much easier. If you want to make your own, just blend about half of a small cauliflower. You will need 2 cups worth of cauliflower rice for this recipe.
- The cauliflower rice cooks in less than 10 minutes, so, make sure you stand by the stove while it’s cooking. Otherwise, you will have a charred mess on your hands. I talk from experience! My phone distracted me causing me to burn my first batch of this recipe.
- You can also use frozen cauliflower rice. They are actually very delicious. If you use frozen cauliflower, then you will definitely need to use the mushroom stock. Cook it for a minute or two longer since it is frozen cauliflower.
- Tajin has a very tangy and salty flavor, with a little bit of spice. If you haven’t tasted it before, make sure you adjust it to your taste.
- Feel free to add more ingredients like mushrooms, peas and even bell peppers.
- I prefer cooking this vegan sausage and cauliflower rice in a (Affiliate Link) 12″ wok because it cooks faster and more evenly. You can use other pans which will vary your cooking times.
What is Tajin?
Tajin is a Mexican company that makes a delicious chili, lime, salt and peppers seasoning. This seasoning is commonly made with dehydrated lime and chili that is ground up to form a powder.
Put it in your Mexican corn on the cob (Elote) and you will never forget the delicious taste!
If you find yourself in Orlando, Florida, visit the restaurant Zero Degrees. They put Tajin in their smoothies and French Fries. You won’t believe how delicious they taste!
Try their Mangonado! I like to add extra tajin on mine!
Why I love this rice recipe
It’s low carb!
If you are a low carb eater, you will love this recipe. The cauliflower rice has just 3g of net carbs. Since they are the good and natural kind of carbs, I don’t even count them in the final tally.
The sausage has 16g of net carbs. Since this meal is for 2 people, you get only 8g of net carbs in this entire meal.
It’s tangy and salty!
Aside from all the nutritional benefits of this recipe, it’s the wonderful flavors that really make me love this meal. Tajin makes this a tangy, spicy cauliflower rice and sausage. It’s like a huge party for your taste buds!
It needs just 7 ingredients!
- Cauliflower rice
- Vegan Field Roast Smoked Apple and Sage sausage
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Tajin
- Fresh Dill
- (Optional) Mushroom Stock
This recipe needs just 7 simple ingredients! Most of them are probably in your pantry right now.
It’s very quick and easy to make!
This recipe also happens to be a quick recipe. You just need one skillet (or wok) and 30 minutes of your time.
For those weekdays that you are so busy and don’t have enough time to make dinner, here is a recipe that you can quickly put together an serve immediately. It’s better than ordering pizza, right?
Ask me a question
Can I use ground vegan sausage?
Yes, if you have ground vegan sausage, use it. Or, take whole vegan sausage and blend it in your food processor.
Be sure to cook the sausage first. Let it brown a little before you add the remaining ingredients.
I don’t like cauliflower rice, so, what can I sub it with?
- Basmati rice
- Wild rice
- brown rice
- Arborio rice
- Orzo pasta
Make sure you cook the rice you choose before you add it to the sausage. It will cook faster. Want to know the best practices for cooking basmati rice? Check out my favorite tips and tricks to cook restaurant style basmati.
Other ingredients to add to this vegan sausage and rice?
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, green and orange)
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Peas
- Broccoli
- Tomatoes
- Cilantro lime.
What other seasonings can I use?
If you don’t like tajin or don’t have it in your pantry, try other spices like cajun seasoning, or creole seasoning. Or, go with a simple taco or fajita seasoning in it. The beauty of this recipe is that any flavoring will make it taste just as delicious.
Can I freeze this cauliflower rice and sausage?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze this rice and sausage. Make it as part of your meal prep and use it during the week. It’s the ideal make-ahead vegan meal that you can reheat in a few days.
Check out some of my favorite cauliflower recipes.
More ways to use vegan sausage
Vegan sausage can be put into so many different recipes. It’s an easy ingredient for hearty meals.
Bread and vegan sausage together make for the perfect vegan stuffing recipe! This is a very filling stuffing that you can make for Thanksgiving or any time of the year
The cold weather got you down? Or, you just need a very comforting, pick-me-up meal? Then, you will love this stew that you can easily make in your Dutch oven.
If you have cauliflower rice remaining turn it into a hearty vegan biryani recipe. This is the best biryani recipe you will ever make
The cauliflower rice is perfect for a healthy vegan sushi bowl. It’s a healthy meal that you can make any time of the year.
Vegan Cauliflower Rice and Sausage Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Vegan Field Roast Smoked Apple Sausage Cut into thin slices or crumble them
- 1 Tbsp garlic grated (about 2 large cloves)
- 1 Tbsp ginger grated
- 6 oz cauliflower rice about 2 cups
- 2 Tbsp Tajin see note #4
- 1 cup mushroom stock optional
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil divided into half
Instructions
- add half of the extra virgin olive to a wok that was heated on low for 30 seconds
- add the vegan sausage slices
- saute for about 3 minutes on each side, until it has browned
- add the ginger and garlic
- add the cauliflower rice and the remaining olive oil
- add the tajin. If using mushroom stock, add it now
- mix well and let it cook on low for about 10 minutes (see note #3)
- cook until the cauliflower is easily crushed with the back of a spoon
Video
Notes
- I prefer cooking this vegan sausage and cauliflower rice in a 12″ wok because it cooks faster and more evenly. You can use other pans which will vary your cooking times.
- To make your life easier, get the store-bought cauliflower rice from the produce section of your grocery store.
- The cauliflower rice cooks in less than 10 minutes, so, make sure you stand by the stove while it’s cooking. Otherwise, you will have a charred mess on your hands. I talk from experience! My phone distracted me causing me to burn my first batch of this recipe.
- Tajin has a very tangy and salty flavor, with a little bit of spice. If you haven’t tasted it before, make sure you adjust it to your taste.
Looks so good. I know my family will love this!
Thank you, Katie
Oh yum! What a delicious option for weeknights and I love all that flavor. Looks amazing!
Thank you, Tara
Super simple recipe to have a fantastic dinner with your family and friends. Love how easy it is!
Thank you, Mahy
This vegan cauliflower rice and sausage is so hearty and healthy! My husband loved it, and it’s difficult to get him on board with vegan recipes!
Thank you, Alison
Simple, comforting, and healthy! I love all of the fresh ingredients and how easy it is to make!
Thank you, Michelle