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Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl

May 27, 2014 by Joy the Baker 45 Comments

Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl

Be advised:  It would be best not to get in between me and my burrito.

I’m talking about the kind of burrito that’s the size of a newborn baby and served, covered in cheese and red sauce, on a scalding hot that plate that I always touch even thought I’m cautioned against it.  The kind of burrito that is filled with so much cheese, so much rice, so much stewed beef, so much guacamole… it feels as right as it does obscene.

Yea… don’t get in between me and that burrito.  It’s probably best if we don’t even make eye contact.

This (thankfully/sadly) is not that burrito.

Let’s welcome cauliflower to the table.  We’ll set aside all the beef, red sauce, and most of the cheese momentarily.

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

This recipe starts with Cauliflower Rice which I’m pretty sure is ALL THE RAGE on paleo blogs.  I make the opposite of a paleo blog, so…. this might seem a little strange.

We’re talking about the simple art of turning raw cauliflower florets into little bits of simulated rice.  It’s good, it’s really really good!

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

Cauliflower + Food Processor = Cauliflower Rice.

I used a purple and green cauliflower, not because I’m fancy, mostly because that’s what looked fresh at the grocery.

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

Once the cauliflower is pulverized, it’s placed into a hot skillet with olive oil.  It’s sautéed, softened, and browned.  Salt and pepper are generously added.

Cauliflower, olive oil, salt and pepper are just the basics.  This rice really can take on any flavor that you’d like.

You might consider adding:

– sautéed onions and garlic.

– roasted tomatoes and fresh cilantro.

– fresh lemon juice and parsley.

You can decide on your degree of fancy.  It’s up to you!

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

I surrounded my simply seasoned cauliflower rice with burrito bowl inspired flavors:  fresh avocado, black beans, spicy salsa, cilantro, jalapeños, leafy kale greens,  cheese and freshly fried corn chips because CAN WE LIVE A LITTLE!?  Yes, of course we can.

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

The kale is cooked down with olive and garlic.  Wilty but not too wilty.

Cheese is grated, because we like treats, and chips are ready to be fried.

cauliflower rice burrito bowls

I think this bowl is best served in zones… unlike, very unlike a well-made burrito.

Warm cauliflower rice, garlic greens, black beans, crispy salty fried corn chips, shredded cheddar, avocado chunks, lime and spicy salsa.

Totally burrito bowl good-times without feeling like we ate an entire burrito baby.  Protein + greens + vegetables + a little cheese for good measure.  I’m pretty sure the next step is getting way way into CrossFit, so… get ready!

Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowl

makes 2 bowls

Print this Recipe!

For the Cauliflower Rice:

(Like any rice, this cauliflower rice takes on any flavor that you’d like.  Feel free to add sautéed onions, garlic, or fresh herbs to this rice.  Below are the bare bones of cauliflower rice.)

1 small head of raw cauliflower, any color, cut into medium florets

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

For the Burrito Bowls:

(Divide and heap each of the following onto two large shallow bowls, or two plates.)

2 large portions of cauliflower rice

1 cup black beans, warmed

2 cups kale or spinach, wilted and sautéed in olive oil and garlic

2 spoonfuls spicy salsa

2 small handfuls shredded cheddar cheese

1 ripe avocado, sliced or cut into chunks

pickled jalapeños

fresh fried corn tortilla chips

fresh cilantro leaves

To make the cauliflower rice, place florets in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.  Process until cauliflower is ground into fine bits that resemble bits of rice or couscous.

Place a large skillet over medium heat.  Add olive oil.  Add the cauliflower bits to the heated pan and toss to combine.  Allow to cook until the cauliflower rice has softened slightly and browned, about 6 to 8 minutes.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  Add any other flavoring, herb, or seasoning you might enjoy.  Remove from heat and spoon into two large bowls.  If you have any excess rice, store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To make a burrito bowl, start with a large shallow bowl or plate.  Spoon cauliflower rice onto the plate.  Spoon warmed black beans next to the rice.  Spoon sautéed kale next to the beans.  Top generously with hot salsa, shredded cheese, ripe avocado, pickled jalapeños, fried tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro leaves.  Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Featured Dinner, Featured Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free, Healthy, Recipes, Savory

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Reader Interactions

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  1. Courtney

    January 29, 2019 at 8:38 am

    Looks great!! Lagniappe Fitness (across from the Broad Ave Whole Foods) is waiting for you when you want to get way way into Crossfit!

    Reply
  2. Louise

    June 27, 2016 at 4:31 am

    Loved the sound of this and tried to make it but cooking the cauliflower rice almost made me be sick. The smell of the raw plant when I blended it was bad but when I was cooking it it became even worse :( I definitely think it would be better to boil it before pulverizing it. The cauliflower ended up being saved when I added water to the skillet and boiled it but it certainly wasn’t rice-like. I couldn’t even eat the boiled cauliflower because I still felt sick. I will try cauliflower rice again, but with a different recipe sorry. I’d still love to try the rest of the recipe with that future rice though.

    Reply
  3. Andrea

    June 25, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Joy, this recipe changed my life. Or, well, at least drastically increased the amount of cauliflower in my diet. I can’t believe how delicious it is! I fell in love with roasted cauliflower last year, but clearly 2014 is the Year of Cauliflower Rice. It’s a real thing.

    Reply
  4. SouthernSpoon

    June 9, 2014 at 4:51 am

    An inspired burrito bowl. Cauliflower rice really is good, isn’t it?! I think it’s tastier than rice– use it as a rice replacement in every dish now… even gumbo. Don’t tell your N.O. neighbors.

    Reply
  5. The Picnic Press

    June 2, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    This looks gorgeous! I love cauliflower rice. You should also try cauliflower mash ;-)

    Reply
  6. atasteofmadess

    May 29, 2014 at 11:55 am

    This is looking so good! I think I need to try out cross fit just looking at this :p

    Reply
  7. Heather

    May 29, 2014 at 10:16 am

    Love, love this, you just jazzed up my cauliflower rice to a thousand :)

    Reply
  8. Lauren @ Living the Savory Life

    May 29, 2014 at 8:58 am

    I can’t wait to try this! Your photos are so beautiful.

    Reply
  9. Taylor

    May 28, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    Yum! I love me a burrito too, and this looks like a very yummy and healthier version of that love.

    xoxo
    Taylor

    Reply
  10. Samina | The Cupcake Confession

    May 28, 2014 at 9:00 am

    This burrito bowl is SCREAMING my name!!!!!!!! Get in my belly you badass bowl of delicious burrito goodness!

    Reply
  11. Alex

    May 28, 2014 at 7:21 am

    This looks so great, and really easy to change into a vegan recipe. All I would need to do is replace the real cheese with either Daiya or perhaps some homemade cashew cheese. I’ll definitely have to give it a shot!

    Reply
  12. Amy

    May 27, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    I want to lounge in that multi-zoned bowl of goodness. I think if I add a little meat I might even be able to get my manly man boyfriend to eat cauliflower rice.
    Thanks Joy!

    Reply
  13. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    May 27, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    I love that you put cauliflower rice in your burrito!! So yummy!

    Reply
  14. Dara

    May 27, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    This is particularly great having read your link to “Dear Guy Who Just Made My Burrito”!

    Reply
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