How To Make Keto Cauliflower Dirty Rice

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A full meal in itself this keto cauliflower dirty rice is a spin-off of a classic Creole dish. Made with a fiery seasoning, loaded with protein, and completely low carb, this dirty rice recipe is the tastiest way to stay full and love what you eat.

A bowl and a serving dish filled with savory cauliflower dirty rice, ready to be enjoyed on a wooden table.

Dirty rice is typically made from ground meat, more protein, colorful vegetables, and traditional Creole seasonings. It’s a main course recipe that can easily varied.

We love healthy alternatives! Just like our Instant pot BBQ PULLED PORK, this keto version of dirty rice uses all the classic flavors but replaces the regular rice with riced cauliflower for a healthier, low-carb twist. It’s a one-pan meal that comes together easily in roughly 30 minutes making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

You’ll be curling up with a bowl of delicious comfort with this keto cauliflower dirty rice!

Ingredients

The ingredients you need to make a keto dirty rice may seem like a long list. However, the majority of items are basic seasonings you already have on hand.

Ground chicken
Lean ground beef
Olive oil
Onion
Celery
Bell pepper
Minced garlic
Fresh cauliflower rice
Oregano
Salt
Bay leaf
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Pepper
Cayenne pepper
Parsley, for garnish

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Instructions

Start by browning the ground chicken and beef with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan.

A stovetop scene with a frying pan ready for cooking, with oil heating up and diced ingredients prepped on a wooden cutting board nearby.

Once cooked through, drain the grease and set the meat aside.

Preparing a hearty meal: draining cooked ground meat with chopped vegetables lined up and ready to add to the mix.

Add in another tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and sauté the onion, celery, and bell pepper until they’re tender.

Chopped onions and green peppers starting to cook in a pan on the stove, hinting at the beginnings of a flavorful dish.

Sautéing diced vegetables in a non-stick pan over a gas stove.

Add in the minced garlic and continue cooking for one minute before mixing in the cauliflower rice and seasonings.

Sautéing diced vegetables in a skillet on a stove with a wooden spatula.

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Once mixed, stir the browned meat back in and mix it together well. Add in the bay leaf.

Preparing a savory dish: ground meat being added to diced vegetables in a frying pan, with a wooden spoon and a perforated kitchen tool resting on the countertop nearby.

Cook over low to medium heat for another 6-8 minutes and then remove the bay leaf and serve.

Preparing a savory fried rice dish on a gas stove.

Storage

You’ll want to let the keto cauliflower dirty rice cool completely before storing any leftovers. Once cooled, portion it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat the rice on the stove over medium to low heat with a bit of added oil until heated through.

Keto dirty rice also freezes well once cooled. Stored in a freezer-safe container, it will last up to 3 months making it a great meal prep recipe. When you need it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before re-cooking it.

Two bowls of savory ground meat and cauliflower dirty rice, garnished with herbs, ready for a comforting meal.

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

Tips and Tricks

Is cauliflower rice keto?

Cauliflower rice is a delicious alternative for anyone on a low-carb diet. Made by using a food processor or box grater to rice the cauliflower, it is then sauteed and seasoned before being served. This means that on the keto diet, you’re replacing a grain with a low-carb cruciferous vegetable. It’s easy to make, versatile, and a staple the whole family will enjoy. You can use it in a stir fry, as the base for Mexican food, or just as the perfect side dish. It’s a great choice for all keto recipes.

Can I use any ground meat?

Yes. Changing up the meat base in the cauliflower dirty rice is a great way to rotate proteins and give a new flavor to the dish. Use ground beef, chicken, turkey, or even ground venison if you have some on hand.

Can you use frozen cauliflower rice?

Though frozen cauliflower rice will work, it needs to be thawed and drained to remove the excess water. Otherwise, it will make the dish watery. The best cauliflower rice to use is the one you find in your produce section. Of course, you can make homemade cauliflower rice as well from a large head of cauliflower and use that for any keto cauliflower rice recipes.

How do you serve keto dirty rice?

Serve the dish with a pop of color by adding sliced green onions or fresh parsley to the top. Likewise, adding some sliced avocado will do the trick too, or even a sprinkle of sesame seeds. If you absolutely love heat, topping each bowl with sliced jalapenos is a great way to bump it up.

If making my own cauliflower rice, what size should the florets be?

This is a personal preference. traditionally, the rice consistency is very light and not chunky. This means that you want the cauliflower florets to be very small and pretty much greater. This is the best way to make cauliflower rice resemble normal rice in any recipe. If it’s your first time, know you can do this with a food processor or a handheld grater.

Why is cauliflower rice so soggy?

When cooking cauliflower rice, it needs to be sauteed and not simmered in order to get the best texture. Sauteing the rice allows the water to evaporate. For this dirty rice recipe, this means that you need to ensure you drain the grease from browning the beef before adding the cauliflower rice. If you skip this step, the rice will absorb more and cause the dish to come out more watery than you’d like.

Two plates with a homemade cauliflower dirty rice, ready to be served on a wooden table.

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A spoonful of savory keto cauliflower dirty rice with minced meat and vegetables being served from a patterned bowl full of the same dish, suggesting a home-cooked meal.

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