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 part I need in a single easy package deal. 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 know the way I really feel about carnitas. I’ve been making them on repeat for effectively over a decade, and that reveals 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 wish to go all out. Each are improbable. And, each depart me with a fridge stuffed with pork that I’m pleased to make use of in new in scrumptious methods every time we now have leftovers.

Carnitas Bowl

Rising up within the Southwest, I’ve eaten my fair proportion of burritos and tacos. And, I’ll by no means flip them down. However, once in a while 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 high, lime squeezed over every part. 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 in case you don’t rinse them.

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

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 strive it once more as a result of I used to have that downside, 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.

The way 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 remainder. I exploit my skillet, however you may also toss them on a sheet pan below 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, pink onion, cilantro, and lime wedges on the aspect. That manner everybody will get to construct the actual bowl they need.

Serving: Set out the contemporary stuff and no matter different additional toppings you need. Salsa, guac, and queso make a daily look at our desk. And, we all the time put out the Cholula.

Serving Strategies

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 improbable flavors to the completed dish.

And, in case you actually wish 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 regularly to serve with carnitas meat, regardless 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 will 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.

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 hold for 3-4 days. The cabbage and onion will hold about the identical, however chop the cilantro contemporary.

The way to Reheat: You’ll be able to heat every part 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