Carnitas Bowl (Printable)

Tender pork carnitas with rice, beans, salsa, and avocado create this vibrant and satisfying bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Pork Carnitas

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 0.5 onion, chopped
09 - 1 orange, juiced
10 - 1 lime, juiced
11 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Rice

12 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
13 - 2 cups water
14 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

→ Pinto Beans

15 - 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
16 - 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
17 - 0.25 teaspoon chili powder
18 - 0.25 cup water

→ Toppings

19 - 1 cup fresh tomato salsa (pico de gallo or store-bought)
20 - 1 large ripe avocado, sliced
21 - 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
22 - 1 lime, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Combine pork shoulder, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, garlic, onion, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
02 - Remove cooked pork from slow cooker and shred using two forks. For crispy caramelized edges, transfer shredded pork to a baking sheet and broil for 5 to 7 minutes until browned.
03 - Rinse rice under cold running water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine pinto beans, cumin, chili powder, and water. Simmer over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
05 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Layer with pinto beans, carnitas, salsa, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Maximum Flavor: The combination of orange juice, lime, and warm spices creates an incredible depth of flavor.
  • Texture Contrast: Tender shredded pork gets a quick broil for those essential crispy edges.
  • Customizable: Easily adapted to suit different dietary preferences or ingredient availability.
  • Meal Prep Friendly: The components can be prepared in advance, making weekday lunches a breeze.
02 -
  • Rinse the Rice: Always rinse your rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for fluffy, non-sticky results.
  • Don't Waste the Juice: Drizzle a little of the slow cooker liquid over the shredded pork before broiling to keep it moist.
  • Citrus Choice: Using fresh orange and lime juice is key to achieving the authentic, bright flavor of carnitas.
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