You won’t believe that the base for this cauliflower rice pilaf is made entirely from riced cauliflower! It’s unbelievably fluffy and jam-packed with tender broccoli, crunchy almonds and soft golden raisins.
Just a pan full of pure rice gold filling all your side dish needs!
As you may have guessed by now, the “rice” part of this pilaf is actually cauliflower all ground up into rice-shaped pieces and pretending to be legit rice.
And may I say, doing a damn good job at it. This pilaf is a dead ringer for the real thing only without the extra carbs!
You’re pretty dang sneaky, cauli. You’re gonna love this kind of sneakiness, trust me.
This Pilaf features…
- Tender homemade cauliflower rice
- Sauteed broccoli and shallot
- Crisp toasted almonds and golden raisins
- Ready in only 30 minutes with a handful of ingredients
Making the Pilaf
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Cauliflower
- Unsalted butter
- Shallot
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Almonds
- Golden raisins
- Parsley
How to Prep Cauliflower
All you need to make riced cauliflower is a food processor. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets and pulse them several times in the food processor until cauliflower is finely-minced and close to rice consistency.
If you would like to rice the cauliflower in advance it stores well in refrigerator up to 4 days.
Tips for Perfect Pilaf
- Finely chop broccoli – this will make for a quick cook time.
- Toast almonds – toss the almonds around in a nonstick pan over medium heat until a light golden brown. This will add a lovely crunch to the pilaf.
- Sauté riced cauliflower – a quick cook on the stovetop will tenderize the cauliflower and make it fluffy.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this pilaf.
- Add a different dried fruit – try dried apricots, regular raisins, or dried cranberries.
- Try another nut – toasted walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts work great in place of the almonds.
- Add more veggies – try adding peas, sweet pepper, or corn.
Reheating Pilaf
This pilaf reheats great if you would like to store leftovers for later. Reheat larger servings on the stovetop over medium heat or heat smaller individual servings in the microwave 1-2 minutes on high.
Who knew cauliflower could be so sneakily amazing? This pilaf is packed with so much flavor from the crunchy almonds and golden raisins and omg, the fluffiness of the cauliflower itself is almost unreal!
Meet your new favorite side dish for any and every occasion.
More side dishes you definitely need to try next!
Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chopped fresh cauliflower florets
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cups finely-chopped fresh broccoli
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place chopped cauliflower florets in a food processor. Pulse several times until cauliflower is ground up into tiny rice-like pieces.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and broccoli and sauté 4-6 minutes until broccoli is tender.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet and swirl until melted. Add riced cauliflower and saute an additional 4-6 minutes until cauliflower is tender. Add garlic and cook 1 additional minute until fragrant.
- Remove pilaf from heat and stir in almonds, raisins, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 9/5/25.
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
Cauli-rice?! Brilliant!!!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I was going to say this is so great for Paleo diet! Your mom must really love you for making her this. How can your mom avoid the temptation of all the yummy treats you make? She is a strong lady : )
Sarah says
I definitely earn some major points with her when she sees me making her a pan of this rice!
And oh gosh, I don’t know how she resists the variety of sweets we usually always have in the house either!—she’s definitely a strong lady. 😉
Danielle says
I’ve been wanting to try cauliflower rice, but haven’t yet. I can’t lie I’m a little scared! Your recipe is definitely convincing me to give it a try though, it looks delicious! Pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Don’t be nervous, Danielle! I was little nervous too the first time I tested out this rice, but the results were SO good! Let me know if you try it, girl!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love cauliflower rice, Sarah! My mom made it one time and it was so delicious. Sadly, I haven’t attempted it on my own, but this sounds like the perfect recipe to try out! Love the addition of broccoli, too!
Sarah says
Isn’t cauli-rice the best thing EVER, Gayle?! You so need to try making ‘yer own! 🙂
marcie says
I’m a cauliflower fiend, and I would eat this entire bowl! It looks so healthy and delicious! Pinning. 🙂
Sarah says
Haha! Cauliflower fiend—love that. 😀 Thanks for the pin, Marcie!
Grandma says
WOW! This is beautiful. I have heard so much about this (from your Mom) – now I get to try it. Thanks Sarah!
Sarah says
I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Grandma! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This looks fantastic Sarah! I love cauliflower rice and that’s so sweet that you made this for your mom 🙂 She must have loved this so much – pinning 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! Cauli-rice is the best, right? 😉 Thanks for the pin too, girl!
Caleah says
Wow!!!! Never heard of cauliflower rice!!! I’ll have to try it! Yummy as always Sarah!
Sarah says
You SO need to try it, Caleah! Best. thing. ever. 😀
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
I NEED to get on the cauliflower rice train 🙂 Your cauliflower rice actually looks like the real thing! I love cauliflower sauces and mashed potatoes so I am sure that I’d love this dish! I love how you’ve made a meal out of it with raisins and broccoli (love those cruciferous veggies). Very excited to try this dish in the future 🙂
Sarah says
I still have yet to try cauliflower mashed potatoes!—on my to-do list. 😉 I hope you’ll let me know how this rice turns out, Ceara!
Joanne says
I’ve heard so many good things about cauli rice and yet I so rarely (read: never) make it! Love all the mix-ins you threw in here. Those have to make it all the more delicious.
Sarah says
Get on the cauli-rice train, girl! You’ll never wanna get off. 😀
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I love raw cauliflower pulsed in a food processor! Try this as a cauliflower “pesto” with sun dried tomatoes, olives, parsley, parmesan etc. . it’s delicious!!! love this, pinned!
Sarah says
Oh, yum! I love the idea of making it into a pesto—must try that one!
Thanks for the pin, Alice! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I LOVE me some cauli rice! BUT I have yet to turn it into a pilaf. I used to eat so many pilafs in my “real rice” eatin’ days so I NEED to stuff this mah face! Pinned!
Sarah says
You’re basically already the queen of all cauliflower rice so you for SURE need to try it in the form of a pilaf! Your face will LURVE it, I promise. 😀 LOL Thanks for the pin, girl!
Shashi at runninsrilankan says
I have yet to try cauli rice – yours is making my mouth water – love the texture and flavor combos in it!!!
Sarah says
Oh, you SO need to try cauli-rice, Shashi! You’ll love it. 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
How fun?! I have never tried the whole cauliflower rice thing, mainly because…well because I like real rice! ha! But this looks great, I love the almonds and broccoli you added!
Sarah says
Hahaha! Real rice is amazing too, but cauli-rice is a whole ‘nother ballpark of amazing. 😀 Thanks Annie!
Isadora says
I could totally eat a big bowl if this for dinner and be so happy! I’ve honestly never tried the cauliflower rice thing, but I’ve been wanting to for so long. You have really motivated me! It looks so much like real rice that I’m wondering if I could trick my cauliflower hating husband into eating it, haha! I will have to give it a try!
Sarah says
I think it’s definitely worth a shot! I wasn’t able to trick most of my picky family members, but hey, maybe you’ll have better luck than I did! Really, there’s NOTHING to hate about amazing-ness like this. 😀
Jessica @ Jessica in the Kitchen says
ISN’T Cauliflower amazing??? I loveeee this!! I cannot believe I haven’t tired cauliflower rice yet – Shame! I’ve got to especially since I just bought broccoli. Great recipe Sarah!
Sarah says
I’m kinda loving the fact that we BOTH posted cauliflower recipes so close together! And YES you so need to try cauli-rice, Jessica! You will fall completely in love. 🙂