This easy recipe for Keto Cauliflower Risotto makes a creamy low-carb risotto with hints of garlic, lemon, and thyme. This cauliflower risotto makes an excellent side dish for those on ketogenic, Atkins, grain-free, or Banting diets. 

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The recipe for Keto Cauliflower Risotto

This recipe for keto-friendly risotto is quick and easy to make. Even so, it makes a satisfying substitute for the carb-laden traditional risotto. 

The creaminess in this risotto comes from the heavy whipping cream. Cauliflower doesn’t have the same starchiness as arborio rice. Because of this, we needed to use another ingredient to create the smooth rich texture. 

This risotto boasts well-balanced flavors. The garlic goodness provides interest, but doesn’t overwhelm the scent of lemon and thyme.

The nutritional make-up of this recipe is low-carb, but includes a higher level of fat, so it is perfect for those on a keto diet.

The inspiration

This recipe was inspired by my desire to have a fresh new flavor version of risotto. I took my recipe for Low-Carb Cauliflower Risotto with Basil and Sun Dried Tomatoes and altered it into something brand new.

Is risotto keto-friendly?

While the original risotto made with rice is loaded with carbs and not really appropriate for a low-carb diet, riced cauliflower can make an excellent substitute.

You can use this keto-friendly version of risotto the same way you would the grain version. It has a similar texture and flavor profile.

How to make Keto Cauliflower Risotto

Making cauliflower risotto is very different from making the original rice-based dish. I start with cooking the shallot in a bit of avocado oil. 

Then, I add in the frozen riced cauliflower, season with salt and pepper, and cook it until crisp tender. 

Next, I stir in the garlic and cook it for a minute or so. Don’t overcook the garlic as this will make it bitter. 

After the garlic has cooked a bit, I add the lemon juice. This adds a bit of acidity and brightens the flavor of the dish. It also helps bring any of the tasty browned bits off the bottom of the pan and into the dish. 

When almost all of the lemon juice has evaporated, I start slowly adding the cream while stirring. I add about half of it, then let it cook down until the cauliflower has a creamy texture, After it’s nice and creamy, I add the rest of the cream and let it cook down until it reaches the desired texture.

Finally, I stir in the lemon zest and the thyme. Once this is done, I taste the risotto and add more salt and/or pepper if desired. This is when you adjust the recipe to suit your own taste. You could even add more thyme or lemon zest if you prefer stronger flavors.

Can I use frozen riced cauliflower to make cauliflower risotto?

I actually prefer using frozen riced cauliflower in many of my cauliflower recipes. For example, I use it in my Easy Low-Carb Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe and my Cauliflower Rice Pilaf Recipe.

One reason I like using frozen riced cauliflower is the convenience. I always keep a few bags in my freezer so I have it available when the cooking urge strikes.

In addition to convenience, I find that I actually prefer the taste of frozen riced cauliflower. It seems to be a bit milder.

I suspect this milder flavor might have to do with the vegetable being frozen at its peak ripeness, rather than sitting in the produce aisle and my fridge.

If you prefer to use fresh cauliflower, you can sometimes find it pre-riced in the produce department, or you can make it yourself using a food processor. 

What do I serve with Cauliflower Risotto?

This keto-friendly risotto pairs well with many foods. Some of my favorite pairings for this include seafood and chicken. It could even work well with pork.

You could serve this recipe with my Haddock with Orange Thyme Sauce, my Pan Seared Scallops with Sauce (Keto-Friendly), or even my Easy Grilled Dijon Mustard Pork Tenderloin Recipe (Low Carb, Keto).  It would also be wonderful with this keto pork tenderloin from My Life Cookbook.

This recipe works best with mildly-flavored meats. The mild flavors might be overpower by super-spicy dishes like my Low-Carb Cajun Salmon (Keto-Friendly), or deeply flavored dishes like my Low-Carb Beef Bourguignon Stew.

What substitutions can I make in keto risotto?

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that you can alter it to fit your needs. Instead of using lemon juice, you can use white wine vinegar. Instead of using lemon zest and thyme, you can use rosemary or basil.

If you don’t happen to have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs. Just decrease the amount to about 1/4 teaspoon. Another option is to leave out the herbs all together and let the black pepper and garlic play a bigger role.

If you don’t have a shallot on hand, you can use a bit of minced onion. Red onion would add a touch of color, but yellow or white onion would work as well. You could even use the white part of a green onion. 

It really depends on your own taste and your own needs.

Final words

This recipe makes a quick and easy side dish for a variety of meals. If you’re missing rice or risotto, you should give it a try.

Enjoy!

-Annissa

This Low Carb Cauliflower Risotto boasts savory lemon and thyme flavors. This recipe makes an easy keto-friendly side dish. 🍋🍚

4.67 from 6 votes

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Keto Cauliflower Risotto

This easy recipe for Keto Cauliflower Risotto makes a creamy herb low-carb risotto with hints of garlic, lemon, and thyme. This risotto makes an excellent side dish for those on ketogenic, Atkins, grain-free, or Banting diets. 

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, French, keto, low-carb

Keyword cauliflower risotto, creamy cauliflower risotto, keto risotto, keto side dish, keto vegetable, low carb cauliflower risotto

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 210 kcal

Author Annissa Slusher

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 medium shallot peeled and minced (a tablespoon of minced onion may be substituted)
• 1 10 ounce package frozen riced cauliflower
• sea salt to taste (I used about 1/2 teaspoon* total)
• black pepper to taste (I used about 1/4 teaspoon*)
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

1. Heat a large heavy skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the shallot. Cook the shallot, stirring frequently, untill the edges begin to brown.

   

2. Stir the frozen riced cauliflower into the cooked shallots. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook the cauliflower, stirring frequently, until the cauliflower is crisp-tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, while stirring.

   

3. Stir in the lemon juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until the lemon juice is almost completely evaporated. While stirring the vegetables, stream in about 1/2 cup of the heavy whipping cream.

   

4. When the risotto becomes creamy, stream in the remainder of the cream while continuing to stir. Cook, stirring frequently, until the risotto reaches the desired consisitency. Stir in the thyme and the lemon zest.

   

5. Taste and adjust seasoning. Optional: Garnish with additional thyme and/or lemon zest.

   

Recipe Notes

*This amount is included in the nutritional information.

Nutrition Facts

Keto Cauliflower Risotto

Amount Per Serving (3 ounces)

Calories 210 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Fat 21g32%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Trans Fat 0g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 60mg20%

Sodium 352mg15%

Potassium 116mg3%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1%0%

Vitamin C 3%4%

Calcium 33%3%

Iron 1%6%

Net Carbs 3g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.