Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice

My husband is from Portugal, so I am always on the lookout for Portuguese flavors. It's nice to be able to cook him a little something from home. Since going keto, we've been experimenting with traditional Portuguese meals and turning them keto-friendly. After discovering cauliflower rice (game changer) this was the first attempt I made, and it turned out fabulous. Super yummy and easy to throw together, this Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice now makes a regular appearance in our house.

Choosing a Sausage

To make Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice you need, well, sausage. Preferably Portuguese sausage, though you could technically use any type you wish. Spicy Italian sausage would work well as a substitute. One thing is for sure: the type of sausage you use will make a big difference in the flavor and the "juiciness" of the dish. It also has a big impact on total carbs, as many sausages have added sugars in them.

I use Silva Linguica Portuguese Sausage (found at my local Whole Foods Market) for my Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice because it is flavorful, doesn't have additives, and it gives off a lot of juice. It also has an orange-y color, which is typical of Portuguese sausages/chouriço and gives the dish a nice color. If you use a sausage that is dry, like a bratwurst or hot dog, you might need to add more water/broth/butter when cooking. If you use a sausage that is very salty or spicy, then you may not need to add additional salt and spices. You can always taste it towards the end and add as needed.

Nutrition

Each serving has 6.8 net carbs, however the amount of carbs and fats in this Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice will greatly depend on the type of sausage you use. I use Silva brand of Portuguese Linguica Sausage. Whichever sausage you choose, just make sure you look at the nutrition label and get one that doesn't have added sugars. If you need to reduce the carbs, you could omit the onion and just use a few shakes of onion powder instead.

Tips & Tricks

• Choose a good sausage - that's the star of the dish!
• Is Portuguese Sausage Keto friendly? It can be. Check the nutrition label and make sure there are no added sugars. If you get it from a local butcher, ask if the sausage contains flours or sugars.
• Can I use a different kind of sausage? Of course you can! Though I recommend using a sausage that gives off a lot of juice as it cooks.
• Because the "rice" is cauliflower, it already contains a vegetable, so no need to serve a veggie on the side (although I do enjoy this dish with a side of asparagus). You can serve a bowl of this dish as-is, and rest assured that you're eating a well-balanced meal.
• Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Add some spice! Feel free to add some hot sauce or Cajun spice.

📖 Recipe

Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice

Finally, a Keto-friendly version! Approved by my Portuguese husband, this dish is easy to make and full of flavor.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

 

USAMetric

1x2x3x

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2-3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 tablespoon butter (or avocado/olive oil)
• pinch salt and pepper (amount depends on the sausage you're using)
• 11 oz Portuguese sausage, sliced
• 12 oz frozen riced cauliflower
• pinch garlic powder
• pinch ground sage (optional)
• ½ cup water or broth

Instructions

 

• Put the butter (or oil) in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, salt and pepper. Cook until translucent and slightly browned.
• Scoot all the onions and celery to the side of the pan to make space for the sausage (or remove if your pan is too small). Add the sausage to the pan and cook a few minutes on each side until browned.
• Add the cauliflower, garlic powder, sage (if using), and water/broth to the pan. If you removed the onion & celery mixture, add that back in. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Notes

The type of sausage you use will make a big difference in the flavor and the "juiciness" of the dish. I use Silva Linguica Portuguese Sausage because it gives off a lot of juice and has a lot of flavor. If you use a sausage that is dry, like a bratwurst or hot dog, you might need to add more water/broth. If you use a sausage that is very salty or spicy, then skip the salt and spices. You can always taste it towards the end and add as needed.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Keto Portuguese Sausage and Rice

Amount per Serving

Calories

235.1

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

15.5

g

24

%

Saturated Fat

 

5.5

g

34

%

Cholesterol

 

53.3

mg

18

%

Sodium

 

547

mg

24

%

Potassium

 

356.6

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

9.3

g

3

%

Fiber

 

2.5

g

10

%

Sugar

 

5

g

6

%

Net Carbs

 

6.8

g

Protein

 

17.3

g

35

%

Vitamin A

 

89.8

IU

2

%

Vitamin C

 

43.6

mg

53

%

Calcium

 

41.7

mg

4

%

Iron

 

0.4

mg

2

%

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

Nutrition information is estimated. Amounts may vary depending on the specific brand and/or type of ingredients you use. Sugar alcohols and other sweeteners that typically do not effect blood glucose levels, including but not limited to erythritol and allulose, are excluded from the carb count.