If you’re already a fan of cauliflower rice, you’ll love this Greek-style cauliflower rice salad. If you’ve never tried it, then this is a great introduction. This salad has a ton of flavor, and it’s easy to make too.
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I’ll admit I hadn’t tried cauliflower rice myself until I made a cauliflower risotto with asparagus and mushrooms last year. In fact, being totally honest I was a bit skeptical of the cauliflower trend.
Cauliflower rice felt a little too over-hyped and all too convenient as a low-carb substitute for rice, it surely couldn't actually be any good.
My early experience of cauliflower didn't help. Growing up, I remember it mainly boiled as a side, and horribly bland. Sometimes better was when it was made into cauliflower cheese (the UK’s equivalent of mac and cheese, but with cauliflower and often a slightly mustard-spiked cheese sauce). But it depended who made it, of course.
More recently, though, I used it in a roasted cauliflower and eggplant salad which I really enjoyed. Initially, I put that down to being more due to the eggplant and herby dressing. Plus, roasting makes everything good, I think (which is part of what made me try roasted cauliflower steak with salsa verde).
However what I hadn’t really appreciated is cauliflower, when riced at least, can act as a bit of a sponge. So even though it might not be that interesting eaten plain, let’s face it that's true of a few things (like rice, typically).
Add some good flavors in there, and cauliflower get’s interesting.
When I made my risotto, I added in some lemon and herbs which worked really well, and led me to the idea of this salad.
Steps to make this Greek-style cauliflower rice salad
This salad is super-easy to make:
- Microwave the riced cauliflower then leave it to cool while you prepare everything else.
- Chop up some tomatoes, crumble some feta and chop some parsley, arugula and green onion (you can use a food processor to help, if you like).
- Whisk up the dressing then mix everything together.
This would make a great salad to take to a potluck as it won’t wilt like a lettuce-based salad, plus it’s fantastic for lunch. It’s full of flavor, satisfying and healthy. It’s easy to make too, so really you have no excuse not to give it a try. We were certainly won over and I hope you will be too.
Looking for more salads perfect to pack for a picnic/lunch? Try these!
- Raw beet quinoa salad
- Kisir (Turkish bulgar salad)
- Vegan lentil salad with roasted Brussels sprouts and grapes
- Plus get many more lunch recipes in the archives.
If you're looking for more tasty uses for cauliflower, try my cauliflower waffles and cauliflower pakora.
Greek-style cauliflower rice salad
Ingredients
- ½ cauliflower medium
- 4 tablespoon olive oil divided
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
- 1 cup arugula rocket, packed cup
- ¼ cup parsley relatively well packed
- 3 green onions
- ¼ cup pitted olives sliced or whole then thickly sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese broken into chunks
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Remove the florets from the cauliflower, relatively close to the stem. Put them in a food processor and pulse until they are roughly the size of rice grains. Transfer to a microwaveable bowl or box and mix through 1tbsp of oil. Cook on high, covered, for 2 ½ minutes. Either transfer to a baking sheet or a cold bowl to allow to cool while you prepare the rest.
- Cut the tomatoes in half (or quarters if large). Roughly chop the arugula and parsley - you can do this in the food processor along with the roughly-chopped green onions. Thinly slice the green onions if not using the food processor.
- Mix together the cooled cauliflower rice, tomatoes, chopped arugula, parsley and green onions, and olives. Whisk together the remaining oil, lemon juice, vinegar and oregano and add it to the bowl along with the feta. Mix through and serve (or transfer to a box if taking for lunch/potluck).
Nutrition
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I first shared the recipe for Greek style cauliflower salad on Sunday Supper Movement where I am a contributor.
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Carla
I made this dish and even my husband who hates everything liked it. The only thing I did different is I used thawed frozen cauliflower rice and sauted the riced cauliflower in a skillet with the olive oil to toast it a bit and I added salt , pepper and garlic powder to the dressing. It is a keeper recipe.
Caroline's Cooking
So glad to hear you both enjoyed it! And yes, frozen cauliflower rice can also work just as well for this.
Anjali
Made this last weekend as a side to a greek keto meal I was making for a dinner party. This salad is flavor packed and definitely the favorite of everyone on the table (including non Keto eaters). I used more vinegar and lemon than suggested to make it super tangy. Loved this recipe!
Caroline's Cooking
Perfect, so glad you enjoyed! And yes it's easy to make a little more tangy, as you say, if that is your preference.
Katty Balle
That looks like a perfect dish for summer. Cauliflowers are amazing so I would definitely try this.
danielle wolter
I love the flavors you're using here. I still haven't made cauliflower rice though! I need to try it someday.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, I was a bit late to trying it as well, and do think it needs a little help at times, but the flavors here work really well.
shelby
I follow Keto and this would be a great meal for us! I love the flavors and I love you used cauliflower rice!
Caroline's Cooking
Perfect! Hope you enjoy.
Claudia Lamascolo
wow what a wonderful and color ful so perfect for this summer heat and light I love cauliflower great idea!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, indeed it's perfect for warm weather like we're having now.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I love cauliflower rice! This salad looks so healthy and delicious!
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, it's a delicious, and healthy, combination.
Emily
I really need to make more cauliflower rice! This recipe looks amazing, I love the greek flavors.
Caroline's Cooking
Thanks, it's a tasty way to dress up cauliflower rice.