Carnitas Burrito Bowl (Print Version)

Tender carnitas with rice, beans, corn, fresh toppings, and zesty lime crema in a vibrant Mexican-style bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 fresh orange juice
09 - 0.25 cup fresh 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

# 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 on high for 3-4 hours until pork is fork-tender.
02 - Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. For crispy edges, place shredded pork under a broiler for 3-5 minutes or in a hot skillet until edges are golden brown.
03 - Rinse rice under cold water. In a saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth and well combined. Chill until ready to serve.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top each with black beans, corn, lettuce, salsa, and a generous portion of carnitas. Drizzle with lime crema and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Tender & Flavorful: Slow-cooked pork infused with citrus and spices.
  • Customizable: Perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd with various toppings.
  • Gluten-Free: A naturally gluten-free main dish that doesn't compromise on taste.
02 -
  • Make Ahead: The carnitas can be prepared in advance and reheated easily for quick meal assembly.
  • Rice Texture: Rinsing the rice under cold water before cooking removes excess starch, ensuring it stays fluffy.
  • Allergen Safety: This recipe is gluten-free as written, but always verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
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