Looking for a healthy side dish? This Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice is easy to make, has amazing flavor, and is a perfect side dish that your family will love.

A serving bowl filled with garlic herb cauliflower rice. You can see the green herbs in the rice and there is a wooden spoon filled with cauliflower rice resting in the bowl.

I’m trying really, really hard to be a more mindful eater. I hate to admit it but I am really drawn to food for every reason in the book. 

I am :

  • An emotional eater
  • A casual eater
  • Social eater
  • Meal planner
  • Connoisseur of food
  • Tired eater
  • Healthy eater
  • Treats and carb lover
  • Snacker

Alright, you get the point. I was talking to my mom who is working hard at living her best, healthiest life. She was a small person her whole life, like me, but being over 60 now, her body has changed a lot. Mom was saying how hard it is to adjust to a body so different than what she’s used to, one that needs far more discipline and less calories etc. 

 

A Warning from Mom

Her warning?

Set good habits that can last a lifetime because your body will change whether you like it or not.

Heard you loud and clear, Mom.

This recipe is for you and every other person in the world who wants to eat dang yummy food and have a fraction of the calories without ever missing a single one. 

 

A white serving bowl containing garlic herb cauliflower rice. There are green herbs, garlic and sliced almonds in the rice. Parsley leaves are scattered on top of the rice. There are four lemon wedges next to the bowl of rice.

How to Make Cauliflower Rice

I usually just buy pre-riced cauliflower because it is so easy to find and is reasonably priced. If you can’t find cauliflower rice at the store, it is super simple to make it at home.

Food Processor Method: The easiest way to make cauliflower rice at home is to use a food processor. Remove all the leaves and stem and then add the florets to the food processor. Pulse until the cauliflower has broken down into small bits.

A food processor containing chopped cauliflower.

Hand Grater Method: If you don’t have a food processor, you can also use a hand grater. Remove the leaves and stem and cut the head of cauliflower into smaller sections. Grate the cauliflower down into smaller bits. It will have a little different texture than using the food processor or buying it at the store, but it will still get the job done well.

a glass bowl of cauliflower rice.

What Ingredients Do I Need for Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice?

The title of this recipe pretty much gives all the ingredients away. Add a couple of seasonings, lemon juice and almonds and you’re all set:

  • Cauliflower
  • Sliced Almonds
  • Butter
  • Garlic
  • Sea Salt
  • Pepper
  • Parsley (fresh)
  • Dill (fresh)
  • Basil (fresh)
  • Lemon Juice

A glass bowl filled with cauliflower. There is a small bowl of chopped parsley, dill and basil and a small container of sliced almonds in the background.

How Do I Make Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice?

Detailed instructions of how to make this dish are described below in the recipe card, but here is a broad overview:

  1. If needed, make the cauliflower using a food processor or hand grater (see section above).
  2. Toast the almond slices.
  3. Saute the garlic in butter.
  4. Add the cauliflower rice with salt and pepper.
  5. When the cauliflower rice is ready, add the fresh herbs, lemon juice and toasted almonds.

A white serving bowl with garlic herb cauliflower rice. There are green herbs, garlic and sliced almonds in the rice and it has parsley leaves scattered on top.

What Do I Eat with Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice?

This healthy side dish goes great with just about any protein main dish. We love it along side our easy garlic butter steak, bottom of the jar chicken, slow cooker garlic chicken, or our easy garlic butter salmon.

Can You Use Cauliflower Rice Instead Of Rice In Recipes?

You can use cauliflower rice instead of rice in most recipes.

A white serving bowl of garlic herb cauliflower rice. It is topped with fresh parsley leaves. There are lemon wedges, a small container of salt and a blue napkin in the background.

What Are Herbs?

Herbs are plants with fragrant or aromatic properties that are used to flavor food.

The herb is the green or leafy part of some kind of plant.

Basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and dill are all herbs. 

Do Herbs Add Nutrition?

Herbs are actually good for you, and are quite nutritious.

Fresh herbs like oregano, rosemary, parsley, and basil are among the most nutritious greens you can find.

A close-up of a bowl of garlic herb cauliflower rice with a serving spoon inserted in the rice. You can see the green herbs and sliced almonds in the rice.

Why Would You Use Cauliflower Rice?

Cauliflower rice is a high-fiber, low-carb alternative to real rice that’s also packed with a number of antioxidants and vitamins.

Cauliflower rice is lower in calories, lower in carbs, and is packed with vitamins C, K and B6, and potassium.

A white serving bowl filled with garlic herb cauliflower rice. There are green herbs and sliced almonds in the rice. There is a container of salt and several lemon wedges and a blue linen napkin in the background.

Is Cauliflower Good For You?

Cauliflower is vegetable that is naturally high in fiber and B-vitamins.

It is a good source of antioxidants.

Is Cauliflower Keto?

 Cauliflower is a vegetable of choice if you’re on the keto diet.

The plant is low in carbs and can replace potatoes, rice and pasta. 

A close-up of a bowl of garlic herb cauliflower rice. There are green herbs, garlic and sliced almonds in the rice, and fresh parsley leaves scattered on top. There is a lemon wedge in the background.

Tips for Making Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice

We love the addition of the toasted almond slices in this dish. Not only does it give the cauliflower rice some crunchy texture, but it also give it a great nutty flavor and some healthy protein.

The addition of parsley, dill and basil is a delicious combination of herbs. We have already posted a cilantro lime cauliflower rice that goes great with Mexican dishes. Feel free to try your favorite herbs in it.

A white serving bowl filled with garlic herb cauliflower rice. There are green herbs and sliced almonds in the rice. There is a container of salt and three lemon wedges, a glass container of oil, and a blue linen napkin in the background.

Does Cauliflower Rice Freeze Well?

Uncooked cauliflower rice will keep in the freezer for up to 4-6 months.

How Long Will Cauliflower Rice Keep?

Cauliflower rice will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator.

A serving bowl containing cauliflower rice. There are green herbs and sliced almonds in the rice and fresh parsley leaves are scattered on top.

If you’re looking for a side dish that is healthy but still packed with flavor, this garlic herb cauliflower rice checks all the boxes! I’m trying to be more aware of the foods I’m putting into my body and trying to teach my kids the same thing. This is a favorite for our whole family!

Main Dish

Need a main dish? Switch the rice out for this cauli rice in our garlic parmesan chicken recipe.

More Healthy Side Dishes:

 

Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice

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Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Description

Garlic Herb Cauliflower Rice is healthy and easy to make, and has amazing flavor.

Ingredients 

  • 1 Head Cauliflower, Medium, or 16 ounces store-bought cauliflower rice
  • 1/2 Cup Almonds, sliced
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter, or extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt, fine
  • Black Pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 1/4 Cup Parsley, fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Dill, fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Basil, fresh, chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, or more, to taste

Instructions

  • Using a food processor, cut the head of cauliflower into medium chunks and remove the core. Working in batches, add the cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the cauliflower is broken down into very small bits that resemble rice. Do not do all at once or it will be mush and whole in other parts.
  • Add the almonds to a large skillet over medium heat. Stir the almonds around the pan until they are fragrant and lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. 
  • Return the skillet to the burner and add the butter. When the butter is melted and bubbling, stir in the garlic. Cook the garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the cauliflower rice, salt, and a few pinches of black pepper. Cook, stirring until the cauliflower rice is crisp-tender and starts to turn light brown in places, 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Take the skillet off of the heat, and then stir in the fresh herbs, lemon juice, and toasted almonds.

Notes

Cauliflower rice will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 7gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 243mgPotassium: 598mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 797IUVitamin C: 79mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 2mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100 Family Favorite Easy Healthy Recipes, 200+ Easy Side Dish Recipes Every Mom Needs
Cuisine: American

A serving bowl filled with garlic herb cauliflower rice. You can see the green herbs in the rice and there is a wooden spoon filled with cauliflower rice resting in the bowl.

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