Carnitas Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Tender slow-cooked carnitas over rice with beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, and 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, fresh or frozen
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

# How to make it:

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 evenly. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
02 - Remove cooked pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. For enhanced texture, crisp shredded pork under a broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or in a hot skillet until edges are golden brown.
03 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small bowl, combine sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Layer each bowl with black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, and fresh tomato salsa. Crown each bowl with a generous portion of carnitas.
06 - Drizzle each bowl with lime crema. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. Serve immediately while carnitas are warm.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • Features tender pork shoulder infused with cumin, oregano, and citrus.
  • A balanced combination of warm rice, cool lettuce, and zesty salsa.
  • Naturally gluten-free and easily customizable for different diets.
  • The slow-cooking process ensures maximum flavor with minimal effort.
02 -
  • Ensure you rinse the rice under cold water before cooking to achieve a fluffier, non-sticky texture.
  • Always check ingredient labels for hidden allergens; this recipe contains dairy through the sour cream.
  • The dish is gluten-free as written, making it a safe choice for those with dietary restrictions.
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