Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (2024)

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Boost your gut health in the most delicious way with this Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe! This dish is a breeze to make and can be served with or without the egg. 214 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP
Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (1)

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Kimchi cauliflower fried rice was definitely not on my mind years ago when I sat at a Korean BBQ restaurant, surrounded by bowls of condiments, including several versions of kimchi. I was in heaven as we grilled the marinated meat right on our tabletop grill, then tried each bite with a different condiment. Taste explosion! From then on, I was a fan of spicy, salty kimchi. (Be sure to check out my Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice, too.)

Besides the flavor, kimchi is a rockstar in the probiotic and anti-inflammatory diet world. "Gut health" is a popular topic these days, and rightly so. Your digestive health can be a key component to your overall health and well-being. The fermentation process used to make kimchi produces gut-beneficial bacteria that help to keep your body running smoothly.

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (2)

What is kimchi (or kimchee)?

  • If you've ever eaten Korean food, there's a good chance you've tried kimchi. Spicy and salty, it's a fantastic accompaniment to grilled meats.
  • Kimchi is a condiment made of fermented vegetables, such as Napa cabbage, and plenty of seasonings.
  • Seasonings often include ginger, garlic, onion, scallions, fish sauce or fermented anchovies and Korean chili flakes (gochugaru).
  • Because kimchi typically includes fish sauce, fermented anchovies or Korean salted shrimp, it is not vegetarian. However, more and more vegetarian brands are coming available. Just be sure to read the ingredients list!
  • One word to the wise: Even though kimchi contains gut-friendly bacteria (probiotics!), take care not to go overboard on your consumption, particularly if you're watching your sodium intake.

Where to buy kimchi:

  • Up until a few years ago, kimchi could only be found at restaurants and at Asian markets. But the kimchi market has exploded and a wide variety of brands can be found at health food stores and many well-stocked supermarkets.

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (3)

Tips for making this kimchi cauliflower fried rice recipe:

  • Cauliflower rice can be bought in many grocery stores, either in the frozen foods or produce sections. I use the raw cauliflower rice from Trader Joe's. If you use a frozen variety and cook it according to the package directions - typically in the microwave or a skillet - the cooking time in this recipe should be decreased. If you prefer to make cauliflower rice from scratch, check out the tips in this post.
  • On the lid of the kimchi I often use, there are instructions to "Open slowly over the kitchen sink." They're not kidding! Because fermentation produces so much gas, there is a lot of pressure inside of a kimchi jar. Opening the jar VERY SLOWLY will help to preserve some of the liquid, which you'll need for the recipe.
  • Melt the ghee in a nonstick skillet. If you prefer, coconut oil can also be used. Sauté the white sections of the green onion, the kimchi and the kimchi juice.
  • Next, the cauliflower rice cooks for a few minutes before adding the edamame. Since the edamame are already cooked, you're really just re-heating them in this step.
  • Season with soy sauce and sesame, stir in the green onions and serve with a fried egg on top. If you prefer to serve this as a side dish, just leave off the egg.

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (4)

Other cauliflower rice recipes:

Sloppy Joe Cauliflower Rice {Cookin' Canuck}
Vegetarian Cauliflower Rice Skillet Meal {Cookin' Canuck}
Breakfast Fried Cauliflower Rice {Paleo Running Mama}
Mexican Cauliflower Rice {Isabel Eats}

Printable Recipe

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (5)

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Boost your gut health in the most delicious way with this Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe! This dish is a breeze to make and can be served with or without the egg. 214 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: Cauliflower Rice, Kimchi

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 214.4kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced, green & white sections separated
  • 1 ½ cup chopped kimchi
  • 1 tablespoon kimchi juice from jar
  • 3 ¼ cup cauliflower rice
  • ¾ cup cooked edamame
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce tamari for gluten free
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 4 eggs

Instructions

The Cauliflower Rice:

  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the ghee.

  • Add the white and light green parts of the green onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.

  • Add the kimchi and kimchi juice, and cook for 2 minutes.

  • Stir in the cauliflower rice. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the edamame, soy sauce and sesame oil. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the cauliflower is tender, about 3 minutes.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in the green sections of the green onion.

  • Divide the mixture between 4 plates. Top each with a fried egg. Serve.

The Eggs:

  • Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray (use ghee or coconut oil, if preferred) then crack the eggs into the pan.

  • Cook until the whites of the eggs are set, but the yolks are still runny.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 2 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 5 (Points+)

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup rice + 1 egg | Calories: 214.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.1g | Protein: 13.4g | Fat: 11.7g | Saturated Fat: 4.2g | Cholesterol: 193.5mg | Sodium: 565.2mg | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 3.1g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Erica

    Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (11)
    Healthy, easy, quick, delicious! What more could you ask for? Even the kids scarfed it down!

    Reply

    • Dara

      I'm so glad to hear that! And I love hearing about kids that enjoy ingredients like kimchi.

      Reply

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe - Cookin Canuck (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cauliflower fried rice soggy? ›

Be sure to thaw frozen riced cauliflower before using, and wring out any excess moisture to keep your fried rice from getting soggy.

How do you get moisture out of frozen cauliflower rice? ›

The best way to deal with the liquid is to put the riced cauliflower in a covered microwave-safe dish, heat it thoroughly to get all the liquid out of it you can, then drain it. If you have to cook it on the stovetop, add as little water as possible and stir frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan.

What does kimchi fried rice contain? ›

Kimchi fried rice or kimchi-bokkeum-bap (김치볶음밥) is a variety of bokkeum-bap ("fried rice"), a popular dish in South Korea. Kimchi fried rice is made primarily with kimchi and rice, along with other available ingredients, such as diced vegetables or meats like Spam.

Why won't my fried rice get crispy? ›

1) Use cold rice: You've gotta plan ahead and use thoroughly-chilled cooked rice. A fresh batch of warm (or even lukewarm) rice will not fry well when it hits the hot pan, and will result in soggy and sticky clumps — no good. So leftover refrigerated rice is ideal!

How do you keep cauliflower from getting mushy? ›

If you cut all the way through the floret, you're cutting through the cell structure of the curd — and when you cook it, that part will get mushy. Easier still: Place the larger florets on a baking sheet, sprinkle with a little olive oil and roast them. Michael Marks is the marketing manager for FreshPoint.

Why does cauliflower rice taste sour? ›

While product is hot, you can taste something a bit sour which is the malic acid, a NATURAL product (look it up, it's also used in cosmetics). **Product tastes best after stirred & cooled a little!** Before opening, use hands to squish around contents before opening to mix up the cauliflower.

Why is my cauliflower rice wet? ›

"Do not for any reason stockpile your pan with tons of cauliflower rice," Patel says. "If you add a whole lot of cauliflower to a small pot, it generates steam — and steam is going to make the whole thing mushy." Patel recommends using either a very large flat-bottomed pan or simply working in batches over high heat.

Why is cauliflower rice so filling? ›

It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour. As a good source of fiber, cauliflower slows digestion and promotes feelings of fullness. This may help reduce the number of calories you eat throughout the day, an important factor in weight control ( 2 , 9 ).

Why do people like kimchi fried rice? ›

This versatile dish takes humble fried rice to new heights by incorporating additional ingredients such as diced meat and vegetables, enhancing its texture, flavor, and nutritional value. At its core, kimchi fried rice is a beloved classic comfort food and a staple in Korean cuisine.

Can kimchi fried rice go bad? ›

Telling if Kimchi Fried Rice has gone bad can be quite simple. Visually, you will see a change in the color, it might appear darker. In terms of smell, it won't be as aromatic and may have a sour or rancid scent. When you see visible mold or any unusual growth in your rice, it's a definite sign it has spoiled.

Can I eat just kimchi and rice? ›

It compliments many flavors in sometimes surprising ways and has enough flavor to stand out on its own. A truly simple Korean meal is just steamed rice and kimchi, and it's mighty yummy.

What do Asians eat kimchi with? ›

As the national dish of South Korea, kimchi is a staple in kitchens around the world. This fermented cabbage dish can be served as a side dish, over a bed of rice, folded into scrambled eggs, whirred into tomato sauce, or even just eaten as is.

How to eat kimchi for gut health? ›

It can also be added to Western dishes like sandwiches, vegetable dishes, and pasta. Along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, kimchi contains natural probiotic bacteria. If you eat them regularly, the probiotics in fermented foods can be beneficial to your gut microbiome.

How to stop fried rice from being mushy? ›

High Heat is Key: Cook the rice over high heat, as in the P.F. Chang's Chicken Fried Rice (Copycat Recipe). High heat allows for quick evaporation of excess moisture, keeping the rice grains separate and preventing sogginess.

Why is my cauliflower rice so wet? ›

Leave riced cauliflower on the heat too long and it will become soft and soggy. Follow this tip: Quickly cooked in a little butter or olive oil on the stovetop, riced cauliflower becomes softer and more tender. As a rule of thumb, about three minutes over medium heat and not too oil much should do the trick.

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