Low Carb Rice Substitute Ideas – the best healthy low-carb keto friendly alternatives to rice that are quick and easy to prepare when you want to include a rice alternative in your meals.
Low Carb Rice Substitute Ideas
These low carb rice substitute ideas are the perfect low-carb alternatives for when you want to prepare a meal that would usually have carb heavy white rice or whole grain brown rice.
As you start to look into it, you’ll discover that there are actually a number of delicious staple food options to choose from that will complement your favorite low-carb diet meals, without feeling like you’re missing out, yet still helping you on your journey to achieving your health and weight loss goals.
Cauliflower Rice
When it comes to low-carb rice alternatives, cauliflower rice is usually the first option that comes to mind. You can easily make cauliflower rice by popping a couple of cauliflower florets from a head of cauliflower into a food processor or using a box grater or cheese grater to quickly grate the cauliflower into rice. (Like in this easy cheesy cauliflower rice recipe.)
Another option is to pick up a pack of cauliflower rice or even cauliflower rice steam bags at grocery stores that you can use in place of traditional rice.
I’ve also found bags of cauliflower rice in the specials aisle at Aldi that can be kept in the pantry to quickly throw into meals.
Keeping a bag or two of instant cauliflower rice in your freezer or pantry means that you can quickly whip up a meal with the nutritious ingredient.
You can make all kinds of comfort food meals like the above mentioned cheesy cauliflower rice, a speedy risotto by frying up mushrooms, garlic and onion then throwing over the cauliflower rice and maybe a little stock or cream for flavor, or you could whip up egg fried rice with the help of cauliflower rice.
Another option with cauliflower is to make mash that serves as a creamy, comforting side dish alternative.
Broccoli Rice – Easy Low Carb Rice Substitute
Just as you would prepare cauliflower rice, you can also grate broccoli florets into rice, plus the broccoli stalk also grates to the perfect rice consistency, making broccoli a brilliant budget friendly, nutritious option that’s naturally low in grams of carbs.
Broccoli is also high in dietary fiber and Vitamin C, making it a great way to get more of the nutritious elements into your diet in a low carb diet friendly way. (Source.)
Here’s how to make a super cheesy broccoli rice recipe that comes together really quickly and can be enjoyed as a side dish in place of regular rice, or as a whole cheesy comfort meal.
Here’s the video where you can watch the low carb alternative being prepared, step by step. Hit play below or click here to watch on YouTube.
Shirataki Rice
If you’re watching your carb intake, then Shirataki Rice, also known as Miracle Rice or Konjac Rice, is a great store bought option when you’re wanting low-carb rice substitutes that are also ketogenic diet friendly. You’ll also find Shirataki noodles and pasta in store too that’s super low in grams of net carbs.
You’ll discover that the ingredient resembles the texture and flavor of regular rice, yet has virtually no calories or carbs, making it a healthy alternative that’s easy to pick up at your local grocery store.
Cabbage Rice
You can enjoy riced cabbage to soak up your favorite sauce that you enjoy as part of a keto lifestyle. You can easily grate cabbage using a box grater to make cabbage rice or you could just finely chop it to have shredded cabbage in place of regular rice.
Cabbage is the perfect ingredient to include with your next stir fry, such as the above pictured egg roll in a bowl, where finely chopped cabbage is fried with ground beef mince, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and salt and pepper.
You could just as easily make it a vegetarian meal by omitting the beef mince and adding in eggs or tofu, depending on your own personal tastes and dietary requirements.
Zucchini
Just as zucchini noodles are a popular replacement for any type of pasta, zucchini rice can be enjoyed in place of rice when served with keto recipes.
Or, of course you could simply enjoy zucchini noodles as a side dish when a meal would usually call for regular rice or in a dish like the above pictured comforting creamy keto Alfredo sauce.
Brussels Sprouts
Finely shredded Brussels Sprouts are a great option to serve as a side with your next meal that has fewer carbs.
You can simply fry sprouts with plenty of garlic and olive oil, coconut oil or butter, or make the above pictured roasted brussel sprouts with parmesan as a tasty side dish to serve with any meal.
Moderately Low Carb Rice Substitute Ideas
Depending on how low a low carb diet you’re following, you may choose to include either wild rice or quinoa in your diet.
I’d suggest doing your own research on each ingredient, and determining for yourself whether a small portion of either can be included in your diet to help you satisfy your rice cravings without such a high carb count.
Both wild rice and quinoa are loaded with health benefits and naturally high in grams of fiber, so would make a great substitute for different types of rice while being lower in net carbohydrates.
More Keto Diet Plan Resources
15 Quick Keto Desserts Recipes
What Fruits Are Keto Friendly?
Disclaimer – this post is meant for informational post only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health professional before making any dietary changes.
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