Low Carb Palm Oil Rice

Published on Apr 3, 2025. Updated on Apr 3, 2025. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 4 Comments

Enjoy this delicious, low carb palm oil rice made with cauliflower and spiced with mouthwatering African spices. Just 1g net carb!

What is Palm Oil Rice?

The Nigerian palm oil rice goes by many names: local jollof rice, native jollof rice, iwuk edesi, or concoction rice. It’s a meal that comes together really quick and contains just a few traditional Nigerian spices.

This delicious meal is prepared using cauliflower for a lower carb count but does not sacrifice on taste.

Why You’ll Love It

This recipe is ready in only 20 minutes from prep to finish. I really love this when I’m famished and have no energy for making a lavish dinner for myself. It has such a rich and robust flavor that truly reminds me of home.

Ingredients Used

These are the ingredients used for making this local jollof rice.

Cauliflower rice: I use this instead of regular rice.
Palm oil: This is the main oil used in the recipe to give it a rich color and taste.
Spices: Ground crayfish and Iru (fermented locust beans). These spices are very popular in Nigerian cuisine and give the dishes a very distinct taste and flavor. This is also used heavily in most Nigerian soups.
Smoked catfish: I add smoked catfish for flavor but this is also optional.
Other: Onions, salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Low Carb Palm Oil Rice

If using iru (fermented locust beans), soak it in hot water for a few minutes, rinse and drain.
Soak the smoked catfish in hot water for a few minutes, then drain. Break into smaller chunks and remove the pieces of bones.
In a large skillet, add about half a cup of palm oil and let it sit for a few minutes till it gets hot.
Add the chopped onions, dry fish and Iru and stir on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Add your cauliflower rice and keep stirring till well saturated.
Add salt, pepper, and crayfish to taste. You can also add any other spices you desire.
Cook on medium heat for another 10 minutes, longer if you prefer it softer.

Tips and Variations

If you dont have iru, you can omit it. But it does give this dish a very unique, traditional flavor.
Add cayenne pepper if you want it spicier.

Storage and Reheating

Palm oil rice is best eaten within 3-4 days. You can reheat in the microwave or on the stove with a little water.

I would not recommend freezing it because cauliflower rice tends to turn mushy when refrozen and defrosted.

What Can I Eat This Palm Oil Rice With?

Cauliflower palm oil rice can be served with any choice of meat for a delicious, satisfying, healthy meal.

I love to eat it with some fried goat meat, but you can enjoy it with any protein. I have eaten it with shrimp, pork, lamb and chicken before. Absolutely delicious!

Enjoy these other cauliflower rice recipes!

Curry Cauliflower Rice

Cabbage Rice

Shirataki Rice

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower Rice with Mushrooms

📖 Recipe