Are you watching your carbs? Then this Cauliflower Shrimp Fried "Rice" is the perfect meal that'll satisfy that fried rice craving, without the rice! It's packed full of veggies and nutrition, it's ready in 35 minutes, and it's easy enough for a weeknight dinner. You won't miss the rice at all!
I LOVE this meal. Love. Not only is it incredibly healthy, but is sooooo easy. Who knew cauliflower rice was so delicious? Better yet, who knew that you could make a Cauliflower Shrimp Fried "Rice" could be so freakin' tasty?
Ingredients Needed
It's all so fresh, which is one of the reasons why I love it.
Can I use frozen peas and carrots? Totally. You can throw them right into the pan frozen.
What kind of shrimp? Raw and make sure that it's been peeled and deveined. You can use precooked but it wont need to be cooked in the pan as long.
Eggs! Don't forget the eggs (like I did in this picture).
Sauce ingredients not pictured: soy sauce, sesame oil, seasoned rice wine vinegar.
How to Rice Cauliflower
First, you can totally buy it already riced. But it's also super easy to make at home.
You can use either a good box grater (we love this one!) or a food processor with a shredding disc (we love this one!).
Using a box grater, all you need to do is cut off the leaves, cut it into florets and then grate it with the bigger holes of your grater to make it into “rice” size. Watch your fingers!
Using a Food Processor, attach the shredding disc and shred, super duper fast but you then do have extra things to clean. I also find that you can get some longer "stringy" like pieces.
In short, I prefer to use a box grater. It's not as fast, but it's less to clean and I think it produces something that's more "rice" like.
Step-by-Step Instructions
As easy as rice-ing the cauliflower is, it's probably the most difficult part of this whole dish. The rest is just one pan goodness.
- Saute up the shrimp (unless you're using cooked shrimp)
- Scramble up a couple of eggs.
- Cook the veggies
- Whisk together sauce ingredients
- Toss it all back together with the sauce
Does it get much easier? Nope. This is a great weeknight meal!
Our Other Favorite Shrimp Recipes
Sheet Pan Shrimp and Asparagus
Teriyaki Shrimp Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
10 Minute Spicy Shrimp Skewers
Tips and Substitutions
Fresh Raw vs. Frozen Shrimp? I always prefer raw shrimp for this dish, but you can totally use frozen - either cooked or raw. Whatever you use, make sure it's peeled and deveined.
- Frozen Raw, make sure you place them in a colander in the sink and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes, first.
- Frozen Cooked, also be sure to run it under water to thaw and then all you really need to do is heat them up, but you don't want to over cook because it'll get chewy so just add it to the pan in the last few minutes just to heat up after it's thawed.
Frozen Peas and Carrots? No problem! Just sub 'em in for the fresh.
Other Veggies? Use whatever you have! Other great additions:
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Zucchini
- Broccoli
Recipe FAQs
Raw and make sure that it's been peeled and deveined. You can use precooked but it wont need to be cooked in the pan as long.
For any frozen shrimp (pre-cooked or raw) be sure to thaw it first. If it's raw, follow instructions as if it were fresh. If it's pre-cooked, add at the end just to heat it through.
Yup!
Yes, you can. But it will lower the overall sodium content and affect the taste. I prefer it will regular soy sauce.
Of course! Use some chicken or even leftover cooked chicken and turkey. If using raw chicken, cook it in butter first until fully cooked. If using cooked chicken or turkey, add it in the pan after the peas and carrots have cooked, to heat it.
This recipe is one that my whole family loves. My rice loving kids are totally "fooled" by this dish and eat multiple servings of it!
Have you made this recipe or any of my others? But be sure to share it with me and how much you love it on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Cauliflower Shrimp Fried "Rice"
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head fresh cauliflower (will be approx 4 cups riced) see recipe notes
- 1 lb shrimp see recipe notes
- 2 cups carrots, diced
- 2 cups peas, fresh or thawed if frozen see recipe notes
- 1/2 cup white onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1/3 cup soy sauce, low sodium
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan on medium heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Add shrimp and cook approximately 90 seconds per side until pink. Season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add other 1/2 tablespoon of butter to pan and melt and then add eggs and scramble with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Remove from pan and set aside with the shrimp.
- Add sesame oil to pan and add garlic, onion, carrots, peas, and ginger and sauté for about 4-5 minutes, stirring often.
- Add cauliflower to sauté pan, stir, and then add soy and vinegar and mix well. Turn heat to medium high stir again so everything is well combined, then flatten in all in the pan and let "fry" for approximately 7 minutes. Give it one more gentle stir, flatten, "fry" again for 3-5 minutes allowing the cauliflower to brown and crisp a little.
- Add shrimp and eggs back to pan. Stir to combine top with remaining sesame oil (if desired) and serve!
