Using cauliflower rice in place of traditional rice in a dish like this is simply awesome. The cauliflower soaks up the flavors of the Thai basil, onion, ginger, and garlic making it super flavorful while being so amazingly healthy! This Thai Basil Cauliflower Rice is hands down my favorite way to prepare cauliflower rice!
I have said it before, I am crazy for cauliflower. I am not alone! Learning how to jazz up some cauliflower rice is an invaluable tool when you are looking for a lighter alternative to white or brown rice. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bowl of brown rice especially Instant Pot Fried Brown Rice. But … there are just some days that only cauliflower rice will do, you get me, don’t you? Anyway, I have a few cauliflower rice favorites like Cauliflower Fried Rice With Tofu and Mexican Cauliflower Rice. Not crazy for cauliflower yet? Check out this article: Crazy For Cauliflower and you will be!
Tara’s Tips For Perfect Thai Basil Cauliflower Rice:
- Cauliflower rice is widely available now in the freezer section of lots of grocery stores. I buy a giant bag at Costco of the organic version that way I have a fuss-free + healthy option for busy nights. Be sure to thaw the rice out ahead of time or simply run it under hot water. You do not want to add frozen rice into your hot wok or skillet.
- If you have a wok, time to bust it out. If not, a deep non-stick skillet will work just fine.
- Use fresh ginger + garlic + mushrooms! This makes the entire recipe!
Adding Tofu Is Easy
There are so many options to make this a complete meal. Adding tofu in after the rice cooks is a great way to go here. You can air fry it, bake it or pan-fry it. I love love love using the air fried version with this one. Click here to learn how to make crispy tofu in your air fryer! If you use oil + prefer to pan-fry your tofu, follow my instructions here. Prefer to bake your tofu? Click here for my step-by-step process for crispy oven baked tofu. New to tofu? Start here with Tofu 101.
Tara’s Other Thai Inspired Favorites
Vegan Thai Curry, Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing, Vegan Pad Thai, Fried Rice Noodles, Oat Milk Red Curry. YUM!
Thai Basil Cauliflower Rice
This Thai Basil Cauliflower Rice is SO easy + quick + flavorful + healthy, you will love it!
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced onion
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or sesame oil
- 1 inch ginger (peeled + minced or shredded)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets (optional)
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms(optional)
- 3 cups frozen cauliflower rice (thawed)
- 2 cups frozen peas + carrots (thawed)
- 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil
- optional red pepper powder, salt to taste, chopped green onions, copped peanuts or cashews for topping/garnish
Directions
- Step 1 Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add onions, butter, and soy sauce.
- Step 2 Sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent. If the onion begins to stick, add 1 tbsp water at a time. Stir frequently.
- Step 3 Add the ginger and garlic. Continue to stir frequently and sauté for 2 minutes adding water 1 tbsp at a time if they begin to stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Step 4 Stir in the coconut aminos and lower the heat to medium..
- Step 5 Next, add in the broccoli florets and mushrooms, mix everything together, cover and cook for 2 minutes.
- Step 6 Stir in the cauliflower rice, and the peas + carrots. Give everything a gentle mix. Lower heat to low, place cover on and cook for 2-3 minutes. While waiting, chop the Thai basil. After 3 minutes, turn off the heat and stir in the Thai basil. Taste test salt and spice level. Add in red chili pepper powder for spice + salt to taste.
- Step 7 Garnish with additional Thai basil, chopped green onions, red pepper, chopped peanuts or cashews.
- Step 8 Serve immediately while hot. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
❤Did you make this Thai Basil Cauliflower Rice? Love it? Leave a rating below!
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