Carnitas Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Tender slow-cooked pork over fluffy rice with beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, and tangy lime crema.

# What You'll Need:

→ Carnitas

01 - 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 tsp chili powder
08 - 0.5 cup orange juice
09 - 0.25 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 - 0.5 tsp salt

→ Bowl Components

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

→ Lime Crema

19 - 0.5 cup sour cream
20 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
21 - 0.5 tsp lime zest
22 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnish

23 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
24 - Lime wedges

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a slow cooker, combine pork shoulder, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and onion. Toss to coat. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and shred with two forks. Optionally, crisp shredded pork under a broiler for 3-5 minutes or in a hot skillet until edges are golden.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
03 - In a small bowl, mix sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth. Chill until ready to use.
04 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top each with black beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, and a generous portion of carnitas. Drizzle with lime crema. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Rich and tender pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection.
  • A balanced meal featuring whole grains, protein, and fresh vegetables.
  • Easy to customize with your favorite toppings for a versatile weeknight dinner.
02 -
  • Trim the pork shoulder well before cooking to ensure the carnitas are tender and not overly greasy.
  • Always rinse your white rice under cold water before cooking to remove excess starch for fluffier results.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
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