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    Home >> Latin American

    Pork Carnitas Burrito Bowl Recipe

    Modified: Feb 17, 2024 · Published: Aug 27, 2017 by Analida · • Word count:1023 words. • About 6 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

    689 shares
    • 33
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    I love burritos! Some of the best Mexican food is so easy to make at home. Slow cooked authentic Mexican pork carnitas burrito bowls is what I am making today. The smell is filling my house and I am getting HUNGRY. Mexican pork carnitas are really the first cousin to pulled pork, a USA favorite. Slow cooker tender and delicious with a nice crispy finish! You will love these authentic Mexican pork carnitas burrito bowls ! Super easy to make in the slow cooker and then crisp up in the oven. Add some pico de gallo, some fried green plantain, avocado and some black beans. | ethnicspoon.com

    Recently I went home to Panama for a visit, and met up with an old classmate for lunch. She suggested Mexican, and I quickly agreed. Well, one satisfying steak burrito bowl, and two margaritas each later, and I was totally inspired. Who wouldn't be?

    a pork carnitas bowl with fried plantains, rice, beans, and avocado surrounded by plates of cilantro, plantains, salsa and a napkin with a fork and knife

    Unfortunately my friend had to return to work in a food coma. I on the other hand got to enjoy a cappuccino with my sister, and do some shopping. Aah, the advantages of being on vacation.

    a pork carnita bowl with fried plantain, avocado, salsa, beans, and cilantro with toppings dishes in the back

    Today's pork carnitas burrito bowl recipe is my attempt at duplicating that glorious meal my friend and I enjoyed. I know what you're thinking. How can she even remember what she ate after two Margaritas? Well, let me tell you, when it comes to delicious food I am like an elephant. I never forget.

    Actually today's recipe for burrito bowls is a combo of some of my favorite foods,  some of which are already on this blog. I totally love it when I can double dip. The fried green plantain on the top was sort of an afterthought, but I think it works well in many ways: color, texture, and taste of course. The plantains add a little bit of sweetness to the ensemble with a delicate crunch. We eat plantains frequently in Panama, and they do too in Mexico! Not only is it a welcome addition to this lovely meal, but it’s authentic to Mexican culture too. 

    The pico de gallo is almost a staple at my house. It's probably one of the healthiest appetizers around. I sometimes like to put it on top of a piece of broiled fish for a change. You can throw pico de gallo in just about anything for a quick and easy burst of vegetal brightness. Other dishes like tacos and tamales are always better with some pico de gallo to cut through the meaty flavors. You really can’t go wrong with having some pico de gallo on hand, and at its core, it contains just five simple ingredients: onion, tomato, cilantro, salt and lime juice. It’s not only delicious, but super simple. What’s not to love!

    a pork carnitas bowl with sliced avocado, salsa, plantains, beans and rice

    This amazing homemade pork carnitas burrito bowl recipe is a hearty meal, and not to hard to make especially if you have the pork carnitas made ahead of time. Don’t feel like you need to eat these delicious carnitas in just burrito bowl form. Wrap them in a warm flour tortilla to get the burrito experience, or throw the carnitas in a summer corn salad, Mexican style. The opportunities are endless with these pork carnitas because they’re so versatile. The recipes you can use for many dishes are my favorite. It allows you to perfect the dish you’re cooking, while also learning how to make your food go further! It certainly makes for a more creative culinary brain. 

    Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Carnitas

    • Can I freeze the pork carnitas for later use? Yes, set aside and portion the amount you want to freeze before you get it crispy under the broiler. Allow the pork to completely cool and store in airtight freezer containers for 1-2 months. If you vacuum pack it will last over 12 months.
    • How long will the pork last in the refrigerator for leftovers? If properly stored in airtight containers the pork should be used in 3-4 days.
    • Can I make this in the oven? Yes, you can place all the ingredients in a roaster or large oven safe Dutch oven. Preheat the oven to 300°F and cook covered for 3 hours then flip the pork over and  cook for 2 more hours. It should be fork tender and separate easily when done.
    • What else can I make with the pork carnitas? Our favorite dishes to make are tacos with lettuce, cilantro, tomato and onion. You can also make quesadillas, tostadas and burritos with your choice of fillings.
    • How do I adjust the recipe up or down? You can simply click on the number right next to: Servings: Change to adjust. Increase or decrease this number to your desired number of servings.

    Looking for more recipes?  
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    Some of the best Mexican food is so easy to make at home! Slow cooked authentic Mexican pork carnitas burrito bowls is what I am making today. The smell is filling my house and I am getting HUNGRY. Mexican pork carnitas are really the first cousin to pulled pork, a USA favorite. Slow cooker tender and delicious with a nice crispy finish! You will love these authentic Mexican pork carnitas burrito bowls ! Super easy to make in the slow cooker and then crisp up in the oven. Add some pico de gallo, some fried green plantain, avocado and some black beans. | ethnicspoon.com

    Pork Carnitas Burrito Bowl Recipe

    This hearty and delicious pork carnitas burrito bowl recipe has rice, black beans, fried plantains, avocados, and tasty pico de gallo. You will love it!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: authentic
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 409kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    Rice

    • 1 ½ cups white rice raw
    • 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
    • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
    • 2 tsp olive oil
    • ⅓ cup onion chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • ¼ tsp coriander ground

    Black beans

    • 1 15.5 oz can black beans
    • ½ tsp oregano ground
    • ½ tsp cumin
    • ¼ tsp chili powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp coriander ground
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt

    Plantains

    • 2 plantains green
    • oil for frying
    • 1 tsp Kosher salt

    Pico de gallo

    • 3 Roma tomatoes cored and diced
    • ¼ cup red onion diced
    • ½ tsp red wine vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp lime juice
    • ¼ tsp Kosher salt
    • 2 Tbsp cilantro chopped
    • 1 jalapeno cored, seeded, diced
    • 1 dash sugar

    Other

    • 2 avocados sliced
    • 2 cups pork carnitas see recipe
    • 2 limes cut into wedges

    Instructions

    Rice

    • Place rice, broth, and tomato paste in a rice cooker. Stir until well mixed. Cook until done.
    • In a skillet heat oil on medium, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Sprinkle in the coriander, then add the cooked rice and mix thoroughly. 

    Beans

    • In a saucepan place the beans, oregano, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder coriander and salt. Mix thoroughly, and simmer on medium for about 20 minutes.

    Pico de gallo

    • Place all the ingredients in a glass or ceramic bowl and mix thoroughly.

    Pork Carnitas

    • See recipe link.

    Plantains

    • Cut ends of the plantain, and peel.
    • Heat oil in a medium size skillet on medium high.
    • While the oil heats cut plantains 1" pieces. Fry until they begin to turn golden.
    • Remove from oil, and place on a cutting board lined with paper towel. Then smash with the bottom of a measuring cup. They should flatten out, and crack a bit.
    • Return to the oil, and fry again until golden. Remove, then place on paper towels to drain and sprinkle with salt.

    Avocados

    • Peel and slice avocados, and sprinkle with lime juice.

    Assembly

    • Evenly divide rice, beans, pork carnitas, pico de gallo, avocados and plantain into bowls.
      Sprinkle with cilantro.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1041mg | Potassium: 903mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1150IU | Vitamin C: 40.1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1.8mg

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    689 shares
    • 33

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dominique | Perchance to Cook

      August 29, 2017 at 6:53 am

      Now THAT is a burrito bowl. These look so great! The plantains on top look so yummy too!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 29, 2017 at 2:18 pm

        Thanks Dominique! This dish is made up of some of my favorite things. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.

        Reply
    2. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

      August 29, 2017 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      I love carnitas so much. When I first worked at a Mexican restaurant many moons ago, I wasn't thrilled with it because I found the recipe too spicy, but it grew on me. I used to get a kick out of saying carnitas to the guests. Your recipe looks fabulous and I can't wait to make this.

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 30, 2017 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you Elaine! Sometimes dishes/foods do grow on us. When I was younger I did not like tomatoes, I do now. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Claire @ The Simple, Sweet Life

      August 29, 2017 at 9:31 pm

      I am ALL about burrito bowls because I am so not about boring, lack-luster lunches. Can't wait to add this to my lunch prep list for next week!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm

        Awesome Claire! Hope you enjoy it. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Silvia

      August 30, 2017 at 4:22 am

      5 stars
      Now that's a good looking filling lunch. I'm pinning the recipe for later. 🙂

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 30, 2017 at 3:47 pm

        Thanks Silvia!!!

        Reply
    5. Jessica Pinney

      August 30, 2017 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      Oh man, I love carnitas! This bowl recipe is definitely going on my "to make" list!

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 30, 2017 at 3:45 pm

        Hi Jessica! So glad you want to make it. Let me know how it turns out.

        Reply
    6. Anne Murphy

      August 31, 2017 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      I'm with you - I love recipes I can use in several different ways, and recipes that are a combination of foods I've already prepared! Only way to cook in my opinion!

      So now I need to put this combination together (and try your carnitas recipe!)

      Reply
      • Analida

        August 31, 2017 at 4:39 pm

        Hi Anne! Thanks for your kind comments. Yes, please try it and let me know how you like it.

        Reply
    7. Michelle | The Last Food Blog

      September 01, 2017 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      This looks delicious and those plantains are definitely calling me 😉

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 01, 2017 at 4:27 pm

        Thanks Michelle! Plantains are one of my favorite foods.

        Reply
    8. Sandi

      September 01, 2017 at 10:11 pm

      I love the pork and plaintains together.

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 02, 2017 at 7:28 am

        Thanks Sandi! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Jessica Randhawa

      September 02, 2017 at 11:03 pm

      Burrito bowls are pretty much the best thing since sliced bread and your burrito bowl looks AWESOME! I can't wait to make this!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 03, 2017 at 6:59 am

        Hi Jessica! Thanks for the comment. Yes, aren't burrito bowls awesome? When you make it, let me know how you like it.

        Reply
    10. Amanda Mason

      September 03, 2017 at 8:37 am

      5 stars
      I love when I get inspirations from good dishes! And so glad you got to go chill after eating a good lunch. It's the simple things in life, right?!?! This looks delish! I'll have to try it!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 03, 2017 at 8:42 am

        Thanks Amanda! Yes, chilling with my sister after lunch with my friend was perfect.
        Let me know if you make this and how you like it.

        Reply
    11. Sam | Ahead of Thyme

      September 04, 2017 at 11:08 pm

      I love burrito bowls. This looks so yummy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 06, 2017 at 7:22 am

        Thanks Sam! I hope you can make them soon.

        Reply
    12. Linda @ 2 Cookin Mamas

      September 06, 2017 at 8:22 pm

      I'm so jealous! You probably got some of the best carnitas ever down there. I love the additions of all that delicious avocado and black beans, not to mention those plantains. The whole meal looks fantastic!

      Reply
      • Analida

        September 07, 2017 at 4:22 pm

        Thanks Linda! Yes, these carnitas rock! 🙂 You should try them.

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI have been researching and creating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. I love to share "mostly healthy" easy and affordable ethnic recipes using fresh ingredients, with a bit of culture and food history sprinkled in.... Read more-->

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