By Gwynedd Stuart |
The best cauliflower rice is firm, fluffy, and tasty—and it’s probably best if you cook it in the microwave. Back in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, people used to really gloat if they didn’t own a television. You’d be going off about a funny episode of Seinfeld or whatever, and they’d gingerly mount their high horse and offer, “Oh, I don’t even have a TV.” That’s kind of how I feel about not owning a microwave. I’ve always thought of it as a point of pride, but this cauliflower rice taste test really changed my tune.
Every single bag of frozen cauliflower rice we tried comes in a bag that you can just toss into the microwave for a few minutes, no muss no fuss. And as someone who has long been preparing cauliflower rice on a stovetop—either in a saucepan or a skillet—I can tell you that it’s so much better in the microwave. If you have a microwave, you should be eating cauliflower rice all the damn time! It’s a great alternative to rice if you’re watching your carb intake, and there are all kinds of varieties and even flavors now.
In this taste test we were looking for cauliflower rice with a good, firm texture, quality veggies (if other veggies were included), and a moderate amount of salt (some are frozen in salt water and they sure taste like it). From good to greatest, this is the best frozen cauliflower rice we tasted.
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- Birds Eye Riced Cauliflower Savory Herb
I generally think people can (and should) be trusted to season their own cauliflower rice, but if you want a quick, pre-seasoned side, this is a good option. It’s very buttery tasting, has a little salt but not too much, and a dose of pleasant parsley flavor. It’s a pretty nice side dish for pork chops or chicken that’s ready with literally zero effort in just a few minutes—the best cauliflower rice if you want to cook without actually cooking.
Credit: Merc / TK
- Green Giant Riced Veggies Risotto Medley
Full disclosure: I’ve never attempted to make risotto with frozen cauliflower rice. But if I were to attempt it, I’d gladly use this Green Giant mushroom-asparagus medley that’s made for risotto. The mushrooms actually have a huge flavor—they’re very earthy and very savory. (I don’t love frozen mushrooms because they take on a lot of water, but the flavor is there even if the texture is a little iffy.) I don’t know if I would eat this as a side dish on its own; it seems like it was very specifically intended to be cooked in a pan with heavy cream and parmesan cheese, but now I really want to try that. If you give it a shot, tell me how it is.
Credit: Merc / TK
- Great Value Riced Cauliflower
Spoiler: Green Giant makes a truly superior frozen cauliflower rice. Besides the herb-flavored version, Birds Eye couldn’t hang, nor could the store brands we tried. But, if you want to save around 60 cents and get cauliflower rice that’s comparable, give Great Value a shot. It’s firm but tender, and actually has some crunch. It isn’t salty and it actually tastes like cauliflower, unlike some other store brands. Our designer Liv says she uses this at home to make fried rice, but it would be plenty good buttered with some freshly ground pepper, too. It’s the best budget frozen cauliflower rice we tried and it cooks up in just five minutes in the microwave.
Credit: Merc / TK
- Green Giant Riced Veggies Cauliflower Medley
This Green Giant cauliflower rice medley includes peas, carrots, onion, and green onion, which makes it perfect for fried “rice.” I’m sure it’s good not fried, but it’s just so excellent cooked in a hot skillet with butter, soy sauce, and a dash of white pepper. I pretty much always have a bag of this in the fridge at home to serve alongside frozen dumplings.
Credit: Merc / TK
- Green Giant Riced Veggies Cauliflower
If you’re looking for a plain cauliflower rice that isn’t intended for any specific purpose (fried rice, risotto, etc.), Green Giant riced cauliflower is the best cauliflower rice at the grocery store. I cooked this in the microwave for about five and a half minutes (you don’t even have to cut open the bag to vent!) and it came out crunchy and pleasant, fluffy but firm, and it wasn’t oversalted when it was packed—I don’t know what more you could or would want from frozen cauliflower rice. Bonus: It has a ziplock so you can save the rest in the fridge. I love this stuff.Someone buy me a microwave!
Credit: Merc / Instacart
Best Seasoned
Rating:
7/10
Sporks
Best for Risotto
Best Budget
Rating:
9/10
Sporks
Best for Fried Rice
Rating:
9.5/10
Sporks
Best of the Best
Rating:
10/10
Sporks
Other products we tried: Del Monte Veggieful Riced Cauliflower Southwest, Birds Eye Roasted Garlic Riced Cauliflower, Simple Truth Riced Cauliflower, 365 Riced Cauliflower
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About the Author
Gwynedd Stuart
Gwynedd Stuart, Sporked’s managing editor, is an L.A.-based writer and editor who spends way, way too much time at the grocery store. She’s never met an Old El Paso taco or mozzarella stick she didn’t like.
Your thoughts.
Folami
I keep a stockpile of Hanover. The texture is nice and firm, and it’s not too wet. It’s the only cauliflower rice the people in my house will eat without complaining. LOL
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Kat
I really like the Del Monte Southwest Cauliflower Rice, it makes a great taco bowl style meal.
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Kate
Trader Joes Organic Cauliflower Rice (frozen) is only $1.99 for 12 ounces and maintains its texture even during long cooks. It’s a staple in my freezer!
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