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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Ask me a question
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
Yes, you can add ingredients like asparagus, broccoli, jalapeno, bell peppers and even vegan “meats”. Cook them separately before adding to the rice.
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.
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.
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
Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice Recipe
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 ¾ of a lime
- 1.5 tsp pink salt adjust to taste
- 1.5 cup cilantro chopped, about ½ 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
- 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.
Hayley says
So amazing to see this recipe, can’t believe you made cauliflower rice in the IP. Soon trying this recipe.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Hayley
Jenny says
Thanks for the great instant pot cilantro lime cauliflower rice recipe and good information. Count me in on the jalapeños. Yay for cauliflower!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Jenny
Amy Liu Dong says
Sounds like a perfect substitute for my regular rice. It is so easy and delicious!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Amy
Laura says
Lovely recipe, loved the combination of flavors and cauliflower rice is an all-time favorite at home.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Laura
Amy says
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!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Amy
Helene says
It was delicious and full of flavor. Definitely a good side dish to keep in my repertory.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Helene
Sharon says
This cilantro lime cauliflower rice was the perfect addition to taco night! So easy to make too.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Sharon
Linda says
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.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you so much, Linda. I love the tangy and herby flavors in this recipe. It’s become my weekly staple now.
veenaazmanov says
Definitely vegan, healthy and a One pot meal. Looks delicious.
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Veena
Anna says
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!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you, Anna. I am so happy to hear that you served it with fish. The flavors are the perfect compliment.