Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (2024)

Spain on a Fork > All Recipes > Main Dishes > Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe – Low Carb & Grain Free

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (2)

All Recipes, Main Dishes / August 4, 2018

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Paella is one of my all-time favorite dishes ever and this Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella is right up there with the popular Spanish Seafood Paella. It offers the exact same flavors and the texture of the cauliflower rice is spot on. This paella is super healthy, easy to make and is low carb & grain free.

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (3)
The combination of seafood that I used was the Spanish typical: Squid, Shrimp and Fresh Mussels. This combination is very simple yet offers an array of flavors and textures that make this Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe an absolute stunner. If you´re looking for a low carb paella that actually taste like a paella, you won´t be disappointed with this recipe.

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (4)
– The Secret to Making the Perfect Caulifower Rice –

The key part to making thisCauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe is to nail the texture of the cauliflower rice. The secret is to add no liquid into the pan like you would a traditional paella. Cauliflower rice does not absorb water like regular rice does, which means if you do add liquid you will end up with a mushy rice that has no texture.

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (5)
In this recipe I will show you exactly how to cook the cauliflower rice so you end up with the exact paella style texture. Watch the video below on how to make this Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella or check out the recipe card below, which you can print. Salud!

Equipment I Used to Make this Recipe:
Chef´s Knife
Wood Cutting Board
Paella Pan

Watch the Video Below on How to Make this Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe

CourseMain Course

CuisineSpanish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 2

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

  • 1large head cauliflower (= 4 cups cauliflower rice)
  • 1/4cup extra virgin Spanish olive oil
  • 15jumbo shrimp
  • 8fresh mussels
  • 1red bell pepper
  • 1tube of squid
  • 4cloves garlic
  • 1/2tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2cup tomato puree
  • pinch of saffron powder
  • fresh parsley
  • sea salt
  • black pepper
  • lemon slices

Instructions

  1. Cut a large head of cauliflower into 4 quarters, remove the leaves from the stalk and rinse the cauliflower under cold running water, shake off any excess water and then cut off the stalks from the cauliflower pieces and pulse in a food processor for about 20 seconds to get the cauliflower rice

  2. Finely mince 4 cloves of garlic, roughly dice 1 red bell pepper, cut 1 tube of squid into small squares and season 15 jumbo shrimp that have beenpeeled and deveined with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

  3. Heat a paella pan with a medium-high heat and add a 1/4 cup of extra virgin Spanish olive oil, 1 minute after adding the oil add the shrimp seasoned side down and cook for 1 minute per side, then remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside, add the diced bell peppers and mix with the oil, about 3 minutes later make a well in the middle and add the cut squid, mix around with the oil and cook for 1 minute, then make another well in the pan and add the minced garlic, 30 seconds after adding the garlic add a generous 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, season with sea salt and a kiss of freshly cracked black pepper and mix everything together, then add 1/2 cup of tomato puree and season again with sea salt and mix together

  4. About 3 minutes after adding the tomato puree add 4 cups of the cauliflower rice into the pan along with 1 packet of saffron in powder form and some sea salt and mix everything together until well combined, then lower the fire to a LOW heat and add the shrimp back into the pan along with 8 fresh mussels, cover the pan with foil paper and cook for about 8 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes

  5. Remove the foil paper and garnish the paella with slices of lemon and freshly chopped parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If you need any of the above ingredients to make this recipe, you can purchase them through this Amazon Affiliate Link Shop for IngredientsCauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (6) and get them delivered right to your door!

Disclosure: At Spain on a Fork, we offer affiliate links to help you find what you need to re-create our recipes. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission, but you still pay the same price. Learn more here.

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Tags: cauliflower, cauliflower rice, grain free, low carb, mussels, paella, pescatarian, seafood, shrimp

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9 Comments

  1. What To Serve With Mussels - 45 BEST Side Dishes - Pantry & Larder

    […] Featured recipeSeafood paellaMake it surf-and-turfSeafood and chorizo paellaMake it low-carbCauliflower rice seafood paella […]

    18 . Feb . 2023

  2. Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (10)

    nikki

    can i use frozen riced cauliflower?

    12 . Apr . 2022

    • Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (11)

      Spain on a Fork

      Absolutely! Much love 🙂

      14 . Apr . 2022

  3. Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (12)

    JD

    Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (13)
    I made this last night with a few adjustments. I replaced the squid and mussels with chicken and salami but basically followed your recipe and recommendations to hold off on liquids. It was so good! Thank you so much for the recipe and tips.

    20 . Oct . 2019

    • Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (14)

      Spain on a Fork

      SO glad you enjoyed the paella 🙂 Thanks for the comment! much love

      22 . Oct . 2019

  4. Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (15)

    Jonathan

    Lemon wasn’t in the ingredient list.

    31 . Mar . 2019

    • Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (16)

      Spain on a Fork

      Thank you for noticing, it´s been updated 🙂 much love

      31 . Mar . 2019

  5. Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (17)

    Natalie

    Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (18)
    Oh my, this paella looks absolutely amazing. SO delicious. I love all the flavors and it’s super easy to make. I’m so making this for my family.

    08 . Aug . 2018

    • Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (19)

      Spain on a Fork

      Thank you so much for your comment Natalie, much love 🙂

      08 . Aug . 2018

Leave A Comment

Cauliflower Rice Seafood Paella Recipe - Low Carb & Grain Free - Spain on a Fork (2024)

FAQs

How many carbs are in 1 cup of cauliflower rice? ›

In addition, cauliflower rice is low in carbs. It provides only 3 grams of net carbs per cup (107 grams) — 18 times fewer carbs than the same quantity of rice ( 1 , 2 , 3 ).

Is cauliflower rice good for diabetics? ›

On the flip side, eating low glycaemic foods – including cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower rice - can curb blood sugar spikes, help control weight and lower the risk of diabetes. Riced cauliflower is an excellent low-carb, low-calorie alternative to rice.

Is cauliflower rice good for weight loss? ›

Cauliflower has several properties that may help with weight loss. First, it is low in calories with only 27 calories per cup (107 g), so you can eat a lot of it without significantly increasing your calorie intake ( 1 ). It can also serve as a low calorie substitute for high calorie foods, such as rice and flour.

Why should you not stir paella? ›

Leave it be. In terms of the basic ingredients, paella is similar to a risotto. The main difference is paella doesn't require constant stirring. In fact, it's important not to stir it once the stock is added to ensure the delicious, light-golden crust, known as socarrat, forms on the base.

Can I eat cauliflower rice everyday on keto? ›

With only 5 grams of carbs (3 grams net carbs) per cup, yes: Cauliflower rice is keto. Normal portions of cauliflower rice are unlikely to kick you out of ketosis, especially if you consume them with plenty of healthy fat.

How many calories and carbs are in 2 cups of cauliflower rice? ›

Riced cauliflower benefits

One cup of cauliflower rice has: 25 calories. 2 grams of protein. 4 grams of carbohydrates.

Will cauliflower rice raise my blood sugar? ›

“This is a really good option for someone who has diabetes. A cauliflower rice dish is very low in carbs,” says Warner. Cauliflower is much lower in carbohydrates than typical white rice, so therefore it has less of an impact on a person's blood sugar levels.

Does cauliflower spike blood sugar? ›

Cauliflower consumption does not significantly spike insulin levels. Cauliflower has a low glycemic index, meaning it has minimal impact on blood sugar levels and insulin response. It is considered a suitable choice for individuals looking to manage their insulin levels.

Does cauliflower flour spike blood sugar? ›

The Diabetes Effect

A slice of cauliflower pizza, on the other hand, can have as few as 3-5 grams of carb! The cauliflower pizza takes longer to work it's way into the blood stream than the flour-made stuff, so it doesn't have that complex carb effect that often shoots our glucose levels up many hours later.

What are the side effects of cauliflower rice? ›

Here are 5 possible side effects of cauliflower that you must be cautious of.
  • Gastrointestinal Distress and Flatulence. Cauliflower and other cruciferous veggies contain a complex sugar called raffinose. ...
  • Hypothyroidism. ...
  • Allergy. ...
  • Might affect your blood-thinning medication. ...
  • Might make you feel less hungry.
Jan 20, 2023

Is it OK to eat riced cauliflower everyday? ›

The fact that it's a vegetable makes cauliflower automatically good for you. Additionally, cauliflower is packed with nutrients that give it unique benefits, such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K and choline. These properties give you a good reason to eat it frequently or even daily.

What can you not put in paella? ›

What Can You Not Put in Paella? Real paella does not include many ingredients that go into other rice dishes. Some of these include onions, peas, mushrooms, carrots, and chorizo. While all good combinations with rice, these aren't part of the traditional paella recipes.

Do you eat paella with a fork? ›

- The most appropriate utensil for eating paella is a spoon. Using a fork is just tacky.

What is the secret ingredient in paella? ›

Sofrito. Sofrito is a flavorful mixture of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers that is used as a base for many Spanish and Latin American dishes, including paella. It's often called the "secret ingredient" in paella, as it adds a depth of flavor and richness to the dish.

Can you eat cauliflower rice on a low-carb diet? ›

Cauliflower is low in carbohydrates, which makes cauliflower rice a good choice if you're on the keto diet. One cup of white rice contains about 45 grams of carbohydrates, while one cup of cauliflower rice has only 2 grams of carbs.

Is cauliflower rice a good carb? ›

Carbohydrates. With very few carbohydrates (4g total, 2g net) cauliflower rice is an excellent option for people following the keto diet or generally watching their carb intake. Also, the reduced carbs found in cauliflower rice may help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar levels.

What is a good low-carb alternative to rice? ›

6 Keto-Friendly and Low Carb Rice Substitutes
  • Cauliflower Rice. 0.9 grams net carbs and 0.9 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Shirataki Rice. 0.6 grams net carbs and 0 grams protein per 50 grams cooked serving. ...
  • Mushroom Rice. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Wild Rice. ...
  • Quinoa.

How many net carbs in 1 cup of cooked cauliflower? ›

Cauliflower, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, 1 cup (1" pieces)
Protein (g)1.14
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)2.55
Energy (kcal)14.26
Sugars, total (g)0.87
Fiber, total dietary (g)1.67
34 more rows

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