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 the whole lot I would like in a single easy package deal. 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 know the way 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 incredible. And, each depart me with a fridge stuffed with pork that I’m completely happy to make use of in new in scrumptious methods every time we have now 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, once in a while I crave one thing somewhat 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 the whole lot. 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’ll 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 the event 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 chew measurement.

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

Purple onion – Sliced as skinny as you presumably can after which roughly chopped. A little bit of this punchy root vegetable goes a looong manner.

Cilantro – Half a cup, chopped. In case you’re a kind of individuals who thinks cilantro tastes like cleaning soap, depart it out. No judgment. (However, perhaps attempt 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 take pleasure in it!)

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

Methods 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 beneath 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 precise bowl they need.

Serving: Set out the contemporary stuff and no matter different further 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 incredible flavors to the completed dish.

And, in the event 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 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 may be made days upfront. The beans and corn come from cans. All you’re actually doing is chopping a couple of contemporary toppings and warming issues up.

Methods to Retailer: Preserve the nice and cozy parts 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.

Methods to Reheat: You may heat the whole lot within the microwave in the event you’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