8 healthy ways to substitute carbs with cauliflower

Substituting carbs with cauliflower is one of the latest food trends today—and with good reason.

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable and it has recently been popularized that it can substitute grain-based dishes very well. According to Empowered Sustenance, cauliflower can mimic the color and flavor of rice when steamed, can pass as "faux-rice" for dishes that require the bulk-like structure of grains, and can be pureed to substitute mashed potatoes and cream sauces.

All in all, cauliflower is a great substitute vegetable for carb-less dishes in Paleo diets or for people who are looking to eat healthier in general.

If you want ideas about how to eat cauliflower instead of carbs, here are eight ways:

1.) Cauliflower bread

Are you on a low carb diet or a follower of Paleo diet? This bread from Chocolate Chilli Mango can be used for both. It is also gluten free. If you want it to be dairy-free as well, substitute protein powder with extra coconut flower instead.

2.) Vietnames fried cauliflower "rice"

Hankering for some Vietnamese food but can't because of all the carbs from the rice? This recipe from The Urban Poser creatively substitutes rice with grated cauliflower. The dish is so convincing that the recipe owner even managed to dupe one of their friends into thinking it was rice before being told that it was actually cauliflower.

3.) Cauliflower grilled cheese

What's the hallmark of a good grilled cheese? It's crispy bread crust. However, this recipe from The Iron You has managed to recreate the recipe using cauliflower crust. All you need to do is chop the cauliflowers in a food processor, cook it and squeeze out its moisture so you get a mushy dough-like consistency for the "bread." Make it into squares, bake it again and you have your own cauliflower crust. All you need now are the basic core ingredients of a standard grilled cheese sandwich: butter and cheese.

4.) Cauliflower "rice" tabbouleh salad

What could be healthier than a salad? This recipe from Hello Natural, that's what. While tabbouleh is a Mediterranean dish typically made with wheat, this recipe calls for cauliflower rice instead. To make the "rice," all you need to do is break cauliflower florets in a food process and grind until it resembles couscous.

5.) Cauliflower "breadsticks"

Breadsticks are always a hit but if you're looking to eat it without getting guilty, try this recipe from An Edible Mosaic. The recipe calls for substituting the bread with, you guess it, cauliflower!

6.) Mashed cauliflower

This recipe from 365 Days of Crackpot uses cauliflower instead of potatoes.

7.) Cauliflower pizza crust

Love pizza but hate the carb-loaded crust? This recipe from Gimme Delicious Food might just be for you. According to the blog, the cauliflower crust resembled just like bread and paired well with cheese and the marinara sauce.

8.) Cauliflower tortillas

If it's made with grain, you can substitute it with cauliflower. This dish from Recipe Girl is a testament to that. This recipe is even made healthier as it only requires to be baked and then browned for a few minutes before you can have your way with it as a tortilla.