Carnitas Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Slow-cooked pork carnitas over rice with beans, corn, lettuce, salsa and lime crema.

# Components:

→ Carnitas

01 - 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
08 - 1/2 cup orange juice
09 - 1/4 cup lime juice
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 medium onion, quartered

→ Rice

12 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
13 - 2 cups water
14 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Bowl Components

15 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
16 - 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
17 - 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
18 - 1 cup fresh tomato salsa

→ Lime Crema

19 - 1/2 cup sour cream
20 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
21 - 1/2 tsp lime zest
22 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

23 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
24 - Lime wedges

# Method:

01 - Combine pork shoulder, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and onion in slow cooker. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and shred with two forks. Optional: crisp shredded pork under broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or in hot skillet until edges are golden.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water. In saucepan, bring water and salt to boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff rice with fork.
03 - In small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.
04 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Layer each bowl with black beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, and generous portion of carnitas. Drizzle with lime crema and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pork cooks itself in the slow cooker, leaving you free to do anything else while the house fills with incredible aromas.
  • Every bite delivers layers of flavor, from smoky spices to citrus brightness, with textures that range from crispy edges to creamy drizzles.
  • It's endlessly customizable, so picky eaters and adventurous eaters can build their perfect bowl side by side.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making it ideal for lunches or quick dinners all week long.
02 -
  • Crisping the carnitas under the broiler is optional, but it adds texture and deeper flavor that makes the dish go from good to unforgettable.
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice, it removes excess starch and prevents the grains from turning gummy or clumping together.
  • Let the rice rest off the heat before fluffing, it finishes steaming and firms up perfectly without getting mushy.
  • If your crema looks too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of water or milk to thin it into a drizzle-friendly consistency.
03 -
  • Save a few tablespoons of the slow cooker liquid to toss with the shredded pork before crisping, it keeps the meat moist and adds extra flavor.
  • Toast your spices in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding them to the slow cooker, it deepens their flavor and makes the whole dish more aromatic.
  • Use a mix of fresh and canned ingredients to balance convenience with vibrant flavor, frozen corn and canned beans work just as well as fresh.
  • Let the carnitas rest for a few minutes after crisping so the juices redistribute and every bite stays tender and juicy.
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