How to Steam Cauliflower in the Microwave for a quick and simple side or to use in recipes that call for cooked cauliflower.
So, you guys know I love a good kitchen hack. And try and tell me that “hacks” are so 2015 and I’ll shove my fingers in my ears whilst (simultaneously) typing a 500-word post about how you should whip your egg whites for the fluffiest pancakes or how to use two simple ingredients to make a killer 30-second Chocolate Sauce .
Or in today’s case, why you should absolutely try steaming your cauliflower in your microwave.
That’s right, I’m here today bringing you a super quick kitchen hack/ tips & tricks post on cooking cauliflower in your microwave. You can also use this method to steam broccoli, or check out the post How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave .
Why steam cauliflower in the microwave?
- It’s faster than doing it on the stove.
- You don’t need any special equipment like a steamer basket.
- Best of all, there’s no pot or pan to wash. You just need a bowl, a plate, and a vegetable.
When you want a super simple vegetable side or are making a recipe that calls for steamed cauliflower, this method is going to save you so much time.
How to Steam Cauliflower in the Microwave
Wash your head of cauliflower well, and use a sharp knife to cut it into bite-sized florets. If you don’t usually cut cauliflower, here’s a great tutorial on how to cut cauliflower .
Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl, and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much bite you like in your cauliflower, how large the pieces are, and how powerful your microwave is.
You may have to do a little experimenting to find your perfect cooking time.
Let the cauliflower sit in the microwave for 1 minute before removing from the microwave. Be careful, the steam trapped under the plate will be hot!
Your steamed cauliflower is now ready to be enjoyed as a simple side, maybe tossed with a little butter or olive oil and salt, or dipped in ranch or cheese sauce (<–this, do this!), or mashed and turned into something yummy. The possibilities are endless.
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- ▢ 1 head cauliflower
- ▢ 2 to 3 tablespoons water
Optional Toppings
- ▢ Melted butter
- ▢ Olive oil
- ▢ Salt and pepper
- ▢ Cheese sauce
Instructions
- Wash your head of cauliflower well, and use a sharp knife to cut it into bite-sized florets.
- Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons.
- Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much bite you like in your cauliflower and how powerful your microwave is.
- Let the cauliflower sit in the microwave for 1 minute before removing from the microwave. Be careful, the steam trapped under the plate will be hot.
- Toss with butter and salt and pepper or serve alongside ranch or cheese sauce as a simple side and enjoy!
This Quick Keto Fried Rice will hit all those fried rice sweet spots without all the carbs.
Hey, friend. If you’ve been craving fried rice, have a half-used bag of cooked cauliflower in your fridge, or need a super quick and easy low-carb meal, I have just the recipe for you: Keto Fried Rice.
This will hit all those fried rice sweet spots without all the carbs.
How to Make Keto Fried Rice
You make cauliflower fried rice almost exactly the way you would traditional fried rice.
Cook some chopped bacon in a pan and add “rice” to cook in the fat. Then move the rice to half the pan and add eggs. Scramble, mix everything together, and that’s it.
You can throw this fried rice together, top with some sugar-free ketchup , and be eating in about 10 minutes.
Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe Notes
- As written, this recipe serves one, but doubles or triples with no preparation changes needed.
- Looking for more keto recipes? You might also like Keto Chicken Soup and Bacon and Feta Chicken Breasts .
<img loading=“lazy” src=“https://bakingmischief.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/keto-fried-rice-image-square-2-200x200.jpg" onerror=“this.onerror=null;this.src=‘https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe7F7TRXHtjiKvHb5vS7DmnxvpHiDyoYyYvm1nHB3Qp2_w3BnM6A2eq4v7FYxCC9bfZt3a9vIMtAYEKUiaDQbHMg-ViyGmRIj39MLp0bGFfgfYw1Dc9q_H-T0wiTm3l0Uq42dETrN9eC8aGJ9_IORZsxST1AcLR7np1koOfcc7tnHa4S8Mwz_xD9d0=s16000';" alt=“Quick Keto Fried “Rice” (For One) - 17”>
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 large eggs
- ▢ 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- ▢ 2 slices uncooked bacon chopped
- ▢ 3/4 cup cooked riced cauliflower
- ▢ 1 teaspoon soy sauce optional
- ▢ No-sugar ketchup optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, beat together eggs and heavy cream. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until browned but not yet crispy.
- If there is more than about 1 tablespoon of grease in the pan, pour off some of the fat.
- Add riced cauliflower and soy sauce and cook, stirring often, until heated through and coated in sauce and bacon is just about crispy.
- Scrape cauliflower and bacon to one side of the pan and add eggs. Use a spatula to scramble eggs and cook until eggs reach your preferred level of doneness.
- Mix everything back together, top with ketchup if desired, and enjoy.
Notes
Three different ways to make Carnitas Tacos. Rich, crispy pork carnitas make the best pork tacos, whether piled with cilantro and onions, topped with cheese and sour cream, or served with eggs and salsa for breakfast.
So, yesterday I posted a recipe for the best homemade carnitas (have you checked it out yet?) and I have to admit, I am so glad to have finally finished that post because I have spent the last two months up to my eyeballs in carnitas doing recipe testing.
As much as I love carnitas, there’s only so much super rich, delicious, crispy pork a girl can eat. My freezer is currently packed with it, and what I didn’t eat, I’ve been making into all sorts of delicious things these last two months.
Which is why I’m here today with not one, but three different carnitas tacos recipes. There are so many really excellent ways to use carnitas that it seemed a shame to limit this post to just one. I have a bunch more carnitas recipes coming your way over the next month and a half (update: Carnitas Enchiladas , Carnitas Nacho Fries , Carnitas Burrito Bowls ), but today I’m starting with these three different perfect little pork tacos.
These three carnitas taco recipes all call for cooked carnitas, so they’re perfect for using up leftovers. But if you don’t have some already cooked, go make them ( this post will walk you through making carnitas from start to finish because even though they are super easy, it’s a bit of a process), and then come back.
Anyways, on to the tacos!
Carnitas Tacos, Three Ways
Classic Pork Tacos I
It doesn’t get much easier or tastier than traditional tacos. A handful of simple ingredients really let the carnitas shine. You get the bright, clean flavors of cilantro, finely diced white onion, and a squeeze of lime that go so well with the crispy richness of the pork.
Classic Carnitas Tacos II
These are the tacos I think a lot of us grew up eating, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and sour cream, usually with hamburger in the place of pork. I love these tacos for using up leftover carnitas because you probably have these ingredients on hand already.
And I know it’s not traditional traditional, but cheese and sour cream are delicious, and they taste extra delicious in a taco.
Carnitas Breakfast Tacos
And finally, why not eat pork tacos for breakfast? Scramble some eggs, add salsa, carnitas, and a handful of cheese, wrap it all up in a tortilla, and you’ve got a breakfast that starts your day off right.
More Taco Toppings and Ideas
All of these recipes can be made with flour or corn tortillas (warmed in the microwave or pan fried (SO GOOD!)) and customized any way you want. There are so many other good things you could add to a carnitas taco, like:
Chipotle Yogurt Sauce Chipotle Aioli Sriracha Aioli Avocado Crema Pineapple Slaw
What to serve with Carnitas Tacos?
Serve the tacos alongside some cilantro rice and a simple veggie like roasted broccoli , green beans , or zucchini .
You Might Also Enjoy
- Easy Barbacoa
- Freezer Burritos
- Carne Asada Fries
- Carne Asada
- Barbacoa Tacos
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Carnitas Tacos
- ▢ 4 cups pork carnitas
- ▢ 8 taco-sized tortillas flour or corn
- ▢ Paper towels optional
Classic I
- ▢ 1 cup diced cilantro
- ▢ 1/2 cup finely diced white onion
- ▢ 2 limes quartered
Classic II
- ▢ 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1/2 cup sour cream
Breakfast Tacos
- ▢ 4 large eggs
- ▢ 2 teaspoons milk
- ▢ Salt
- ▢ 1 cup salsa
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
Prepare Your Ingredients
- If starting with cold, leftover carnitas, reheat them in the microwave. To warm your tortillas, microwave 4 at a time on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Heat in 30-second increments until warm.
Classic I
- Layer each tortilla with 1/2 cup carnitas, cilantro, and white onion. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice. Serve and enjoy!
Classic II
- To each tortilla, add 1/2 cup carnitas, tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
Breakfast Tacos
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Lightly grease a medium skillet and heat over medium heat. Add eggs and a sprinkle of salt, and scramble the eggs. Top tortillas with 1/2 cup carnitas, scrambled eggs, salsa, and cheese.
Notes
How to Steam Cauliflower in the Microwave
Ingredients
Cauliflower
- 1 head cauliflower
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water
Optional Toppings
- Melted butter
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Cheese sauce
Instructions
- Wash your head of cauliflower well, and use a sharp knife to cut it into bite-sized florets.
- Place pieces in a microwave-safe bowl and add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons.
- Place a plate over the bowl and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on how much bite you like in your cauliflower and how powerful your microwave is.
- Let the cauliflower sit in the microwave for 1 minute before removing from the microwave. Be careful, the steam trapped under the plate will be hot.
- Toss with butter and salt and pepper or serve alongside ranch or cheese sauce as a simple side and enjoy!
