Carnitas Burrito Bowl (Printable)

Tender carnitas with rice, beans, corn, fresh veggies, and lime crema.

# 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 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 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 evenly. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until pork is fork-tender.
02 - Remove cooked pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks. For enhanced texture, place shredded pork under a preheated broiler for 3 to 5 minutes or in a hot skillet until edges are golden and crispy.
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, let stand 5 minutes covered, then fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth and fully combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Layer black beans, corn, romaine lettuce, and tomato salsa over rice. Top each bowl with a generous portion of carnitas and drizzle with lime crema. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The carnitas are so tender they practically melt, and the crispy edges add a textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • This bowl lets you build exactly what you crave—skip the corn, double the salsa, add avocado—it's endlessly adaptable to your mood.
  • Once the pork is done, assembly takes minutes, which means you can serve something that tastes like it took all day.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—this single step is what separates fluffy grains from a starchy, clumpy mess that ruins the whole bowl.
  • The braising liquid that accumulates in your slow cooker is liquid gold; pour some over the rice or beans if they seem dry, because it's packed with flavor.
  • Fresh lime juice makes an enormous difference in the crema, and bottled juice just doesn't deliver the same brightness or depth.
03 -
  • Don't be afraid to let the carnitas sit in their braising liquid overnight before shredding—they'll absorb even more flavor and become even more tender.
  • If your lime crema breaks or gets too thin, whisk in a tiny bit more sour cream, and it'll come back together instantly.
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