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 every little thing I would like in a single easy bundle. Twenty minutes. That’s all it takes. How can I say no?

In case 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 joyful 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 somewhat totally 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 every little thing. 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!

A vertically aligned, top down, close up image of the pork, cabbage and red onion in this bowl.

Elements 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. In case 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 in case you don’t rinse them.

Carnitas – In case you are like my household, you will have this able to go within the freezer. You will have 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 of this punchy root vegetable goes a looong method.

Cilantro – Half a cup, chopped. In case you’re a type 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 capable of get pleasure from it!)

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

Notes on Gear

Giant skillet or microwave-safe dish
Chef’s knife – That is my all-time favourite knife for meals prep. The weighting makes it an absolute dream to make use of, and it holds an edge extremely properly. In case you’re able to graduate to a better high quality knife, this one is my decide.
Reducing board

A vertically aligned image showing a bowl loaded with fresh toppings and warm ingredients on a wooden tabletop with a grey and white tea towel visible in the background.

The way to Make Carnitas Bowls

Warming the Parts: 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 can even 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 usually will serve these bowls with the cabbage, crimson 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.

A top down image of the black bowl filled with ingredients, with half an avocado artfully sliced and fanned out on the top.

Knowledgeable Tip

The one largest distinction between a very good and a fantastic carnitas bowl is in taking the time to re-crisp the pork. I do know it’s tempting to only microwave every little thing. Don’t. Take the additional couple of minutes to get these carnitas again right into a scorching skillet. It’s even simpler to unfold them over a sheet pan and let the broiler work its magic. The sizzle. The sides. That’s what makes carnitas particular within the first place!

Prep the Toppings First – I’ve been cooking for many years. My knife abilities will not be the blazing quick work that you simply see on-line. That’s okay. You don’t need to rush. Simply chop the cabbage, onion, and cilantro earlier than you begin warming the remainder of it. Then, it’s able to assemble so every little thing remains to be heat when it hits the desk.

Don’t Skip the Lime – I say it just about each time I share a carnitas recipe, and I’ll carry on saying it. The squeeze of lime excessive is what makes this bowl shine. It doesn’t style “limey”. It brightens the opposite flavors, and retains the wealthy pork from overwhelming every little thing else.

Serving Recommendations

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, in case you 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 steadily to serve with carnitas meat, irrespective of how I’m utilizing it!

A vertically aligned top-down image of a carnitas bowl loaded high with pork, rice, beans, corn, and cabbage with lime wedges on the side.

Make Forward & Storage

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

The way to Retailer: Hold the nice and cozy elements 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.

The way to Reheat: You may heat every little thing within the microwave in case you’re in a rush. However, once more, don’t skip the skillet. The carnitas are so a lot better within the skillet!

Extra Carnitas-Impressed Recipes

A vertically aligned, top down close up image of a bowl ready to eat, with a black metal fork sticking out. Also visible are the lime wedgeson top of the bowl at the edge, and the wooden tabletop in the background.

What sort of carnitas ought to I take advantage of?

Any of them! My slow cooker carnitas and Dutch oven pork carnitas each work nice right here. You too can use store-bought carnitas in a pinch. The essential factor is that the pork is already cooked and simply must be re-crisped.

Can I take advantage of a unique protein?

Completely. Grilled hen, carne asada, and even seasoned floor beef would all work properly in these bowls. I’ve carried out it with leftover Cajun hen too and it was unbelievable. Simply don’t name it a carnitas bowl once you use a unique protein, or somebody on the web will depart you an indignant remark.

Do I’ve to make use of Jasmine rice?

Nope. Lengthy grain, basmati, brown rice, even cauliflower rice if that’s your factor. Jasmine is simply what I normally have readily available. Leftover rice really works greatest as a result of it holds its texture higher underneath all of the toppings.

How do I maintain the carnitas crispy?

They’ll lose texture once you retailer them. So, to crisp them again up, you need to use a skillet or the broiler. Or, even the air fryer. Simply don’t use the microwave.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS

Utilizing a skillet over the range or utilizing the microwave, heat the rice, beans, and corn. Recrisp the carnitas individually in one other skillet.
Chop the contemporary components whereas the others heat up within the pan. Then, assemble the bowls with rice, beans, and corn on the underside, then a layer of carnitas, and end with the contemporary components.
Generously squeeze lime juice over every portion. Serve with further lime wedges and extra toppings of your alternative.