Make cauliflower rice quickly in your instant pot and turn it into a delicious cilantro lime rice recipe. This cilantro lime cauliflower rice is a keto recipe that can be made in minutes.

Want to make cauliflower rice quickly and easily?

Do what I like to do!

Cook the entire cauliflower in the instant pot and then, turn it into cilantro lime cauliflower rice.

Yes, you can cook cauliflower rice in the instant pot and it is delicious! Here is how I make it.

Top view of a grey plate filled with the cauliflower rice arranged in a somewhat spiral design with a side of 3 ramekins
Eat a whole plate of this cilantro lime cauliflower rice and not feel guilty!

Tips for making this cauliflower rice

  • I like working with smaller size of cauliflower. My cauliflower was about 2lbs. Try to keep your Cauliflower under 3 pounds.
  • Remove as many of the green stalks as you can. The base remains uncooked, if you keep to many stalks.
  • I set my Instant Pot setting to “steam” for 1 minute and put it on low pressure. If you have a cauliflower that is larger than 2.5lbs, set it to 2 minutes.
  • Use a container to place the cauliflower in before putting it in the Instant pot. It will cook the cauliflower more evenly.
  • Instead of using oil in this recipe, I went with grass fed butter and that made ALL the difference. Butter is so much better because it made the cauliflower practically melt in your mouth.
  • You can u se vegan butter too, but, I preferred using regular butter in this recipe because it doesn’t have any additional seed oils.
  • Once you have cooked your whole cauliflower, use your food processor to turn it into rice. It’s faster and easier than trying to cut it by hand.
  • Be sure to make it cool down first before chopping the cauliflower. It’s better for your food processor.
  • Don’t make it too mushy in the food processor. I didn’t press the chop button for more than 3 times. Eyeball it and see if it looks mushy or not. It will depend on your food processor.
  • You may have to put some of the large pieces back in the food processor to make them smaller.
  • Use as many organic ingredients as you can in this recipe.
side view of a plate filled with the food and ramekins on it's left side.
Can you make cauliflower rice in the Instant Pot? Yes, you can and it’s very easy.

Cauliflower rice is the new Basmati rice

You all know how much I love my Basmati rice! Most of the rice recipes on my blog have been made using basmati rice.

It’s the rice I grew up on and it’s the only rice in existence, as far as I am concerned!

But, things changed last year. I went away from eating too much rice for health reasons. Even though it was good for my body, it was very very very hard to do! Rice runs in my blood!

Just like everyone else, I turned to cauliflower to help satisfy that intense rice craving! It was an easy shift to make because I was able to make most of my usual rice recipes using this wonderful vegetable.

Now, every time I have a rice craving, I make this cilantro lime cauliflower rice instant pot style.

(Which is often!)

It hits all the right spot!

Top view of a grey plate filled with the cauliflower rice arranged in a somewhat spiral design with a side of 3 ramekins
Using butter instead of oil for the most buttery soft cilantro lime cauliflower rice

The health benefits of cauliflower

  • Low on the glycemic index.
  • Has Antioxidant fighting nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Manganese (Source: Live Science)
  • Packed with so many nutrients like Vitamin B6, Magnesium and so much more. (Source: USDA)
  • It’s a cruciferous vegetable that helps fight cancer and gives you better heart health.
  • Cauliflower is high in choline which is a huge helper for keeping the liver healthy.
  • Studies have shown that it helps support hormonal balance

Source: Live Science, USDA, BBC Good Food.

Top view of gre plate filled with cilantro lime cauliflower rice and a serving spoon in it.
Forget cilantro lime rice! Make this cilantro lime cauliflower rice instead

The many colors of the cauliflower

Cauliflower comes in many colors! If you can find any of these near you, make your cilantro lime cauliflower rice with it.

  • White cauliflower
  • Orange cauliflower
  • Purple cauliflower
  • Green cauliflower

Any color will be perfect for this Instant Pot riced cauliflower recipe.

I have roasted a whole cauliflower in the air fryer and it turned out so delicious.

Cauliflower is my favorite vegetable, so, I collected a few of my favorite cauliflower recipes in one place. Which one is your favorite?

Freezing cauliflower rice

Cauliflower rice will freeze well, but, freeze it after you chop it.

  • Cook the whole cauliflower head in the instant pot. Choose the “pressure” option and then set the pressure to low. Cook for one minute
  • When the instant pot is ready to open, remove the cauliflower head from it and let it cool down
  • Cut it into florets or large enough pieces that will fit in your food processor.
  • Put the florets in the food processor and add about 1tsp of pink salt in the food processor
  • Set to chop and chop them into rice size. Be careful and not mush them.
  • Transfer to meal prep containers and freeze them.
Closeup view of a grey plate with the cooked rice in it.
This cauliflower rice is perfect meal for any time of the year. Use it in meal prep recipes.

Ask me a question

Do I have to steam the whole cauliflower?

It is easier to steam the cauliflower when whole. It’s much more easier that way. It’s a time saver and you don’t have to put in too much effort into chopping it. If you buy pre cut cauliflower, follow the same steps and make sure you use an insert container to steam the florets

Can I add other ingredients?

Yes, you can add ingredients like asparagus, broccoli, jalapeno, bell peppers and even vegan “meats”. Cook them separately before adding to the rice.

Will my cauliflower get soggy?

If you use too much water in the Instant pot container, it will become soggy. Don’t add more than 1 cup of water in the base of the container.

Can cauliflower rice be frozen?

Yes, it’s very easy to freeze the cauliflower rice. Cook it in the Instant pot as described in the recipe card below. Then, chop it up and place it in freezer safe containers. When ready to use, don’t thaw it. Place the cauliflower rice in an instant pot container and steam for 1 minute. Remove and add the flavors as needed.

Is this recipe keto friendly?

Yes, this cilantro lime cauliflower rice is keto, low-carb, paleo, Whole 30 and vegetarian friendly. To make it vegan friendly, use vegan butter.

Suggested recipes

Cilantro lime is a good combination to add to corn too! That’s my other favorite way to use it.

I also have a large collection of cilantro lime recipes that you can make. Pick a favorite and let me know.

Use your instant pot for more good recipes. Here is my favorite quinoa, kale and red beans soup recipe.

Cauliflower rice and vegan sausage

What spice brings the cauliflower rice and vegan sausage together? It’s a very unique spice that I am in love with!

Vegetarian meatball casserole

The sauce is made with hidden veggies and that includes riced cauliflower. This is a very hearty dish for the whole family.

Vegan sushi bowl

Instead of using sticky rice, I used cauliflower rice and it is absolutely delicious. This sushi bowl is one of a kind and you will love the many layers of texture in it.

Sharing is caring

Thank you for reading my recipe this far. Don’t be shy, chime in below in the comments. Let me hear your opinion on this recipe.

⭐️ If you tried and enjoyed this instant pot cilantro rice recipe, please rate it 5 stars! Share it on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and even YouTube. ⭐️

Equipment needed to make it

  • Instant Pot (6qt)
  • Instant Pot safe container
  • Food processor
  • Knife to cut the cauliflower
Top view of a grey plate filled with the cauliflower rice arranged in a somewhat spiral design

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Rini
Quickly make cauliflower rice in your instant pot and add cilantro lime flavors to make the perfect keto dinner recipe. Can be made vegan friendly too.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Servings 4 people
Calories 100 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (6qt)
  • Instant Pot safe container
  • Food Processor
  • Knife to cut the cauliflower

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cauliflower about 2 to 2.5lbs, 1 head
  • 4 Tbsp butter half a stick of grass-fed butter
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2.5 Tbsp lime juice about 3/4 of a lime
  • 1.5 tsp pink salt adjust to taste
  • 1.5 cup cilantro chopped, about 1/2 a bunch of cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Cut the green stalks from the bottom of the cauliflower
  • Place the cauliflower head in an Instant Pot safe container
  • Put 1 cup of water in the inner container of the instant pot
  • Place the cauliflower container on top of the water
  • Close the lid of the Instant Pot
  • Set the following settings on your instant pot: Choose the steam option, Set the time to 1 minute, Turn off "Keep Warm", Set the pressure to "Low"
  • Once the instant pot is done cooking, wait for the valve to drop.
  • Open the lid and remove the cauliflower.
  • Cut pieces of the steamed cauliflower so that they will fit in your food processor
  • Chop the cauliflower until the cauliflower is chopped but not mushed.
  • Wash your instant pot container, dry it and place it in the instant pot
  • Set the instant pot saute and then add the butter in it.
  • Gently transfer the cauliflower rice to the container
  • Add the garlic, lime juice and cilantro.
  • Mix well and cook for 2 minutes or until all the butter has completely melted
  • Now, it’s ready to serve.

Video

Notes

** CALORIE INFORMATION IS APPROXIMATE.  PLEASE CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE CONSULTANT FOR MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION
  • I like working with smaller size of cauliflower. My cauliflower was about 2lbs. Try to keep your Cauliflower under 3 pounds.
  • Remove as many of the green stalks as you can. The base remains uncooked, if you keep to many stalks.
  • I set my Instant Pot setting to “steam” for 1 minute and put it on low pressure. If you have a cauliflower that is larger than 2.5lbs, set it to 2 minutes.
  • Use a container to place the cauliflower in before putting it in the Instant pot. It will cook the cauliflower more evenly.
  • Instead of using oil in this recipe, I went with grass fed butter and that made ALL the difference. Butter is so much better because it made the cauliflower practically melt in your mouth.
  • You can u se vegan butter too, but, I preferred using regular butter in this recipe because it doesn’t have any additional seed oils.
  • Once you have cooked your whole cauliflower, use your food processor to turn it into rice. It’s faster and easier than trying to cut it by hand.
  • Be sure to make it cool down first before chopping the cauliflower. It’s better for your food processor.
  • Don’t make it too mushy in the food processor. I didn’t press the chop button for more than 3 times. Eyeball it and see if it looks mushy or not. It will depend on your food processor.
  • You may have to put some of the large pieces back in the food processor to make them smaller.
  • Use as many organic ingredients as you can in this recipe.
Keyword Instant Pot recipe, Keto recipes, what to make with cauliflower rice?

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20 Comments

  1. So amazing to see this recipe, can’t believe you made cauliflower rice in the IP. Soon trying this recipe.

  2. Thanks for the great instant pot cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe and good information. Count me in on the jalapeños. Yay for cauliflower!

  3. I made this recipe last night to go along with bbq pork tenderloin. It was delicious and easy to make. And the tip of cooking the cauliflower before chopping it was genius!

  4. Cauliflower rice in the Instant Pot! I’m blown away! I love cilantro rice so trying this recipe was a no-brainer. It turned out perfectly fluffy and flavorful and took hardly any time at all.

  5. Great recipe, the combination of cilantro and lime is just so good! We served this cauliflower rice with some grilled fish and it was so light and so tasty!