5 Veggies You Can Turn Into Rice (Besides Cauliflower)

In many cultures, a meal isn’t complete without a side of rice. But if you find your diet monopolized by carbs and want to sneak in more fiber-rich veggies, cauliflower rice is the brilliant kitchen hack you’ve always dreamed of.

Cauliflower rice is really just a head of cauliflower, blitzed into rice-sized bites. You can grate it by hand, pulse it a few times in a food processor, or—if you’re really dedicated—chop that baby up with a knife (but who has time for that?).   

Because this cruciferous veg has such a neutral flavor and an inconspicuous white hue, you can swap it in for rice in any of your favorite recipes and hardly tell the difference: burritos, sushi, fried rice, soup, rice bowls, and more. (Here’s a recipe for fried cauliflower rice that’s a deadringer for the real thing. Seriously.) But if you’re ready to jazz things up, here are five other veggies you can turn into rice.

1. Broccoli: Use this in your sushi for a gorgeous green roll. Learn how to make sushi at home here.
   

2. Carrots: This orange veggie is sturdy and can stand up to heat, so it’s great for hot dishes. Here’s how to make a carrot rice paella, courtesy of Healthy Little Foodies.

3. Sweet potatoes: Your favorite pub fry can also make your carb dreams come true. Learn how to make a coconut red curry with sweet potato rice here, courtesy of Inspiralized. 

4. Beets: The vibrant color of this riced root will keep you coming back for more. Beets have a bold flavor, so don’t be afraid to make them the star of the recipe. Find how to make beet rice with spinach and egg here.

5. Winter squash, like butternut squash or pumpkin. Use this mock rice to make a cozy, low-carb risotto.

Special thanks to Healthy Little Foodies and Inspiralized for photos.