Trader Joe's Mexican-Style Cauliflower Rice Recipe

My dream job would be to work on Trader Joe's product development squad. I just imagine these geniuses together in a room throwing out the most outrageous yet delicious concoctions. Perusing the aisles of Trader Joe's is a delight, discovering what new yummies they've dreamed up. One of my absolute favorite Trader Joe's exclusives is the Trader Joe's Spicy Mexican-Style Riced Cauliflower. It is low calorie, high in nutrients, with bold flavor that is oh so spicy and delicious. 

Serving Suggestions

If you're looking to add extra veggies to your diet or for a low carb meal, this Mexican-style cauliflower rice is a great way to do those things. It works as a spicy side dish to swap for regular rice for a Mexican meal. Serve with black beans and chicken breast for a fiber filled, high-protein meal. It also works great as the base for an easy meal like a burrito bowl. Even eat with egg whites and salsa for breakfast to sneak in some additional veggies. It serves as the perfect addition to a salad. Top greens with chicken, Mexican cauli rice, a sprinkle of cotija cheese and salsa. Anywhere you'd eat traditional Mexican rice, this is a great swap for. If you're not ready to swap all your rice out just yet, blend a mix of half cauli rice with white or brown rice. I honestly prefer this to real rice now and think you will too.

Ingredient Swaps and Additions

If no fresh tomatoes on hand, no problem. Swap out with some tomato paste and bit of water or some tomato sauce. The goal is to cook off liquid for this recipe so it is dry and fluffy so add sparingly. Adding a bit of red onion to the mix would be delicious too. If you are industrious and want to take a stab at making your own cauliflower rice, this can be done with cauliflower florets and a box grater. For busy weeknights and quick prep or if you just don't want to grate cauliflower, frozen cauliflower rice can be found in the frozen sections of most grocery stores and even Costco.

Trader Joe's Mexican-Style Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Mary
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 15
• Total Time: 25
• Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

16 oz frozen or fresh riced cauliflower

½ cup red, yellow or orange bell peppers or sweet peppers, diced

1 small tomato, finely diced

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, finely diced (remove seeds if prefer less spicy)

1 teaspoon diced garlic (about 2 cloves)

1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Juice of ½ a lime

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a large bowl mix together riced cauliflower, peppers, tomato, cilantro, jalapeno and lime juice.
2. If cauliflower rice is frozen, no need to defrost. Just break up chunks and stir together with other ingredients.
3. In a large skillet, drizzle olive oil
4. Over medium heat, saute the garlic for about 30 seconds
5. Add the cauliflower mixture to the skillet and saute for 30 seconds
6. Add the salt and cayenne pepper and mix to incorporate with the cauliflower in the skillet
7. Press the cauliflower into a single layer in the skillet and let cook over medium to high heat until liquid has cooked off, about 10 to 15 minutes
8. Cauliflower should be fluffy with a rice-like texture and browned on side contacting skillet.
9. Cooking out the moisture removes the strong cauliflower flavor and lets the flavors of the ingredients meld
10. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Easily reheat in the microwave.

Nutrition

• Calories: 62
• Sugar: 4 g
• Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g