Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice with guacamole – an easy, one skillet plant based dinner | Grain Free, Vegan, Gluten Free
Things I’m currently excited about
- this skillet full of goodness
- finally getting my UK license (!!!)
It’s only taken me about two years to get myself together and get my license sorted out. It’s about damn time, too.
The first year or so after moving to England I didn’t mind not being able to drive quite as much. A little walking and fresh air usually does me good. Not to mention, we live in such a beautiful place. Even now I can’t quite get over how scenic everything is.
After awhile though, I really started to miss the freedom of having a car. While the walk to the nearest grocery store is an easy 15 minute walk downhill, the uphill walk home carrying bags of heavy vegetables turned me into a sweaty mess in no time.
But enough about hills and driving! I made you dinner and it’s delicious!
Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a savory recipe on my blog – and that’s not something that I say lightly.
I mean, anytime guacamole is involved I’m on board, but this Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice is probably my new favorite dinner and I feel really good about that.
It’s
- made in one skillet
- topped with guacamole
- entirely plant based
- healthy
- savory
- addicting
Plus, it gives you an excuse to add a few tortilla chips which is all the more reason to love it.
Between the beans and the cauliflower there’s enough fiber to fill you up despite being a ‘rice’ dish.
Altogether this dish takes about 30 minutes to throw together making for a great/healthy weeknight meal.
Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice with guacamole
Mexican Style Cauliflower Rice with guacamole – an easy, one skillet plant based dinner | Grain Free, Vegan, Gluten Free
Ingredients
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, deseeded and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed or minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (15 ounccan black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ouncecrushed tomatoes
Gaucamole
- 2 avocados, pitted
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- juice of 1/2 limes
- 1/2 jalapeno, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- How to make the cauliflower rice
- Quarter cauliflower head and cut out the hard inner core from each section. Break apart the cauliflower into smaller florets.
- Transfer the florets to a food processor or blender. If you use a blender you will need to do this part in several batches so that you don’t over process the cauliflower. Pulse the cauliflower at 1 second intervals until it’s broken down into small, rice sized pieces. Once you’ve processed everything, set aside your cauliflower rice to a bowl until you’re ready to add it to your skillet.
- ORJust use the large side on a box grater to grate the cauliflower florets into a grain like texture.
Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the bell pepper, crushed garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano. Stir everything together and continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add the drained and rinsed beans and crushed tomatoes and stir everything together.
- Turn the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for about 15 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Meanwhile make the guacamole by mashing all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
- After 15 minutes has gone by, reduce down to a medium heat and stir the cauliflower rice into the skillet until it’s completely mixed in. Cook or another 5 minutes to warm up the cauliflower. Once it’s nice and tender remove it from the heat.
- Serve the cauliflower rice warm with guacamole and sprinkle extra cilantro over the top and enjoy.
Elizabeth says
I just made this tonight. It was great! I’m so glad I found your blog.
Sarah says
Yay! glad you liked it!
Sherry says
I just made this tonight. I couldn’t find a can of crushed tomatoes that was 15 oz. Opened a 28oz can to use half. Once I
put the cauliflower rice in, I needed more sauce and dumped the rest of the can in. Very tasty! Will make again.
Sarah says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment letting me know how it went!
Tamzyn says
Does it reheat well?
thanks x
Sarah says
Yep! Just throw it in a pan and warm it up for a few minutes on medium heat until it’s warm through and you’re good to go!
Lindsay says
How many servings is this recipe?
Sarah says
You should be able to get at least 4!
Christine says
Great recipe! Literally tastes like rice & beans! SO good!
Sarah says
Thanks Christine! So glad you liked it!
Efi says
I made this tonight instead of Mexican rice to pair with my tilapia fish taco bowls and it was amazing. I used a bag of pre made cauliflower rice from Trader Joes. Also, I didn’t have a can of black beans on hand so I left them out and I used a can of tomato sauce instead of crushed tomatoes as I didn’t have that either. It was still delicious. The cauliflowers took on all the flavors of the bell pepper, onions, garlic and seasoning. My son ate it and he doesn’t like cauliflower. Thank you. I’ll definitely be making this again.
Sarah says
Thanks Efi! I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Harper Slusher says
Wow, this looks incredible! I normally just add cheese and butter to my cauliflower rice, so trying this recipe will be a nice change!
Sarah says
Thanks Harper! I hope you like it 🙂
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
This dish is the perfect mash of everything I LOVE! Give me all the guac on top and I’d be set for life!
Sarah says
Haha thanks Bethany!
Kristen says
This looks like my kind of dinner!! I love Mexican food and we could eat guac every. single. day!! YUM!!
Sarah says
Amen! All guac all the time!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I’m very intrigued by your recipe…I love Mexican food and my family really likes Mexican rice. And guacamole is a staple…as in I think we’d all go into withdrawals if there weren’t avocados in the house. LOL I might be exaggerating but we eat a ton of guacamole here! I really need to try your recipe…I’m always looking for healthy options!
Sarah says
A day without guacamole is sad day indeed 😉 Hope you and your family like it as much as we do!