• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Cozy Fall Recipes
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe

Season & Thyme logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Cozy Fall Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Social
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sides » Spanish Cauliflower Rice with Olives

    Published: Aug 8, 2021 · Modified: Apr 23, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Spanish Cauliflower Rice with Olives

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Those who have been around Season and Thyme a while know that there is nothing off limits here. I don't follow any specific diet or cut things out. But when something is good, it's GOOD. And this Spanish Cauliflower Rice is GREAT. After I made this accidentally keto spanish rice dish, my husband came around the corner and said "whatcha making?" He said his mouth was literally watering from the smell. He ate several bites and then brought it upstairs by his desk where he was working. Only later did he realize that it was cauliflower rice and not regular rice! This rice dish is full of flavor from tomato paste, spices, and jarred olives, and it just so happens to be KETO spanish rice. A win-win, in my book.

    overhead shot of red spanish rice with sliced green olives on top in a shallow grey bowl

    Cauliflower Recipes

    I may not be keto, but cauliflower is just gosh, darn good. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it. OR if you are looking for more Spanish recipes, try this Spanish Chicken Paella.

    • spicy cauliflower mac cheese featured
      Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
    • spicy cauliflower soup in a bowl and garnish with lime and cilantro
      Spicy Cauliflower Soup with Curry
    • finished spinach and chickpea curry topped with cilantro and limes with rice.
      Easy Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • cauliflower chowder featured
      Cauliflower Chowder

    Ingredients

    • olive oil
    • riced cauliflower
    • tomato paste
    • yellow onion
    • salt
    • cumin
    • chili powder
    • water
    • green olives
    ingredients for rice. Cumin, a whole onion, salt, tomato paste on a spoon, and riced cauliflower in packaging

    Instructions

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

    Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. After the onions start to become translucent, add in riced cauliflower and cook for 5 more minutes. Only stir once or twice so the cauliflower rice has a chance to brown.

    Next, add in tomato paste and spices. As the tomato paste warms, it will begin to coat the rice. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the color of the tomato paste.

    Add in water and stir. Allow to cook 1-2 more minutes, until all combined. The cauliflower rice doesn't soak up water like traditional rice does, but the liquid will help to get up any bits from the bottom, as well as help all the cauliflower rice to be coated in the tomato and spice mixture. The rest will evaporate.

    Remove from heat and stir in sliced olives.

    Helpful Hint: When browning the rice, try to have it all in one thin, even layer at the bottom of your pan. This will help ensure quick, even browning!

    Variations

    Don't like green olives? Try frozen green peas for a milder flavor that still adds the beautiful green color! Similar to this Nando's Rice! If you do like green olives, these ones from Mezzetta are great, and have just the right amount of heat!

    Fresh Herbs: Add in a handful of fresh cilantro at the end, after you have taken this dish off the heat. I love how it elevates the spices and adds a little lightness to the dish, just like this Chipotle Copycat Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice.

    Add a little acid: A squeeze of fresh lime juice complements this spanish cauliflower rice perfectly. Try this Lemon Butter rice, for something milder!

    angled shot of red spanish rice with sliced green olives on top in a shallow grey bowl

    Double the Recipe

    This recipe makes around 2 large servings or 4 small servings of cauliflower rice. You can easily double it, if you have more to serve or would like leftovers.

    TOP TIP: Frozen Cauliflower Rice

    Did you know that cauliflower rice freezes really well? Well, it does! You can freeze it as is, if you are using pre-done riced cauliflower like I did. The bag isn't perfectly airtight, but it will still last for several months. Plus, it is really easily to pull out of the freezer and hit it on the counter a few times to break up any big clumps.

    And as a bonus, there is no need to thaw it before cooking, as the rice pieces are so small and break apart and cook quickly.

    Storage

    This spanish cauliflower rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave or place in a small saucepan. You may want to add a little water or broth to freshen it up when reheating.

    cauliflower spanish rice featured

    Spanish Cauliflower Rice with Olives

    Sarah Baumeister
    Spanish cauliflower rice takes simple ingredients like spices and jarred olives, and creates side dish that's full of flavor-- all while being low carb and dairy free!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course sides
    Cuisine spanish
    Servings 2 servings
    Calories 148 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tbsp. olive oil
    • 1 10 oz. package riced cauliflower
    • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
    • ¼ yellow onion about ¼ cup, diced
    • ½ tsp. salt
    • ½ tsp. cumin
    • ½ tsp. chili powder
    • ½ cup water
    • ¼ cup green olives about 15 olives

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • After the onions start to become translucent, add in riced cauliflower and cook for 5 more minutes. Only stir once or twice so the cauliflower rice has a chance to brown.
    • Next, add in tomato paste and spices. As the tomato paste warms, it will begin to coat the rice. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the color of the tomato paste. Add in water and stir. Allow to cook 1-2 more minutes until all combined. The cauliflower rice doesn't soak up water like traditional rice does, but the liquid will help to get up any bits from the bottom, as well as help all the cauliflower rice to be coated in the tomato and spice mixture. The rest will evaporate.
    • Remove from heat and stir in sliced olives.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 872mgPotassium: 615mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 560IUVitamin C: 78mgCalcium: 67mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More all about sides

    • mushroom pea risotto in a white bowl.
      Mushroom Pea Risotto
    • 4 ingredient guacamole in a white bowl unmixed with limes in the background.
      4-Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • up close of air fryer asparagus.
      Air Fryer Asparagus (Ninja Foodi)
    • bowl of tortellini salad.
      Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I could stand and am excited to share my love for being in the kitchen with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, we love it all!

    Learn more about me →

    Fall Favorites

    • bowl of mashed pumpkin next to pressure cooker.
      Instant Pot Pumpkin
    • overhead of pumpkin cheesecake cookies sprinkled with cinnamon.
      Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
    • Protein Pumpkin Muffins
    • one apple cider muffin on a wooden cutting board with apples in the background.
      Apple Cider Muffins
    • finished granola in a container on a wooden cutting board
      Brown Butter Cinnamon Granola
    • img 0899
      Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup

    Popular Posts

    • Chicken Pastina with Egg
    • overhead of finished ranch dressing.
      Copycat Wingstop Ranch Recipe
    • thai eggplant curry featured
      Thai Eggplant Curry (and all about Thai eggplants)
    • featured image of fermented pickles without vinegar in a mason jar
      Fermented Pickles without Vinegar
    • bowl of mexican sopita with a spoon.
      Mexican Sopita (Sopa de Conchas)
    • finished burger on a plate
      Ninja Foodi Frozen Burgers (in Air Fryer)

    Season and Thyme has been featured in:

    image of brand logos of all the places Season and Thyme has been featured.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Copyright © 2023 Season and Thyme