Carnitas Burrito Bowl – Barefeet within the Kitchen

Piled excessive with crispy pork, rice, black beans, corn, crunchy cabbage, and a beneficiant squeeze of lime, this Carnitas Bowl is all the things I would like in a single easy bundle. Twenty minutes. That’s all it takes. How can I say no?

When you’ve been round right here for any size of time, you already understand how I really feel about carnitas. I’ve been making them on repeat for properly over a decade, and that exhibits no indicators of slowing down. My slow cooker carnitas are the set-it-and-forget-it model for busy days, and these conventional Dutch oven pork carnitas are what I make after I need to go all out. Each are unbelievable. And, each depart me with a fridge filled with pork that I’m glad to make use of in new in scrumptious methods every time we’ve got leftovers.

Carnitas Bowl

Rising up within the Southwest, I’ve eaten my justifiable share of burritos and tacos. And, I’ll by no means flip them down. However, from time to time I crave one thing a little bit completely different. And a bowl satisfies that craving completely by letting every ingredient shine by itself.

This carnitas bowl recipe is what occurs when leftover pork carnitas meet a actually good bowl. Rice on the underside, all the great things piled on prime, lime squeezed over all the things. It simply works.

Wait, you didn’t make carnitas yesterday, or final week, or pull them out of the freezer this morning? That’s okay. Don’t sweat it. Simply make them now!

Components and Substitutions

Rice – I like to make use of Jasmine rice for this recipe.

Corn – If I don’t occur to have contemporary corn at my fingertips, canned corn is the transfer, right here. I’ve additionally used frozen corn earlier than, however you’ll have to heat it up, first. Canned corn and contemporary corn, they will get added to the bowl straight from the can or the cob. (And sure, I love uncooked corn. When you haven’t tried it, you’re lacking out!)

Black beans – I rinse and drain the canned black beans. However, you do you. Perhaps you want consuming gritty beans? As a result of that’s what you’ll get if you happen to don’t rinse them.

Carnitas – In case you are like my household, you’ve gotten this able to go within the freezer. You have to about three cups of ready pork carnitas, chopped chunk dimension.

Cabbage – Inexperienced cabbage is doing a little heavy lifting on this recipe! You’re going to like the feel it provides. However, it must be very finely sliced, nearly shredded.

Pink onion – Sliced as skinny as you probably can after which roughly chopped. A bit of this punchy root vegetable goes a looong method.

Cilantro – Half a cup, chopped. When you’re a kind of individuals who thinks cilantro tastes like cleaning soap, depart it out. No judgment. (However, possibly attempt it once more as a result of I used to have that drawback, and about 10 years in the past it simply went away so now I’m in a position to get pleasure from it!)

Limes – Don’t skip the beneficiant squeeze of lime juice. It completely makes the bowl.

Learn how to Make Carnitas Bowls

Warming the Elements: I heat the rice, beans, and corn collectively in a skillet or the microwave.

Crisping the Carnitas: You need them to have the ability to unfold out and re-crisp these edges. So, don’t toss them in with the remaining. I take advantage of my skillet, however you may also toss them on a sheet pan underneath the broiler.

Constructing the Bowls: Divide the rice, beans, and corn between 4 bowls. Layer the carnitas excessive. Don’t be shy about it.

Including the Contemporary Stuff: I sometimes will serve these bowls with the cabbage, pink onion, cilantro, and lime wedges on the aspect. That method everybody will get to construct the precise bowl they need.

Serving: Set out the contemporary stuff and no matter different further toppings you need. Salsa, guac, and queso make an everyday look at our desk. And, we at all times put out the Cholula.

Serving Options

I’ve two go-to rice recipes that I like to make use of when making carnitas bowls, if I’ve the time. Cilantro lime rice and chipotle lime rice each lend unbelievable flavors to the completed dish.

And, if you happen to actually need to go all out, make a batch of elote to serve on the aspect. All of the flavors simply work collectively. It’s one of many issues I make most often to serve with carnitas meat, irrespective of how I’m utilizing it!

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: That is virtually a make-ahead meal by design. The carnitas are already cooked. The rice could be made days upfront. The beans and corn come from cans. All you’re actually doing is chopping just a few contemporary toppings and warming issues up.

Learn how to Retailer: Hold the nice and cozy parts and the contemporary toppings in separate containers within the fridge. The rice, beans, corn, and carnitas will maintain for 3-4 days. The cabbage and onion will maintain about the identical, however chop the cilantro contemporary.

Learn how to Reheat: You possibly can heat all the things within the microwave if you happen to’re in a rush. However, once more, don’t skip the skillet. The carnitas are so significantly better within the skillet!

Extra Carnitas-Impressed Recipes