Hey there, fellow food adventurers! Are you ready to ditch the tortilla and embrace the bowl? I'm talking about the incredible, the magnificent, the utterly satisfying carnitas burrito bowl! Forget about struggling with folding that burrito, sometimes it's all about getting straight to the good stuff.
I recently stumbled upon this recipe, and I have to say, it's a game-changer! It's not just delicious, it's also surprisingly healthy and a fantastic way to get your dose of nutritious goodness. Plus, it’s super easy to customize - what's not to love?
The Star of the Show: Slow Cooker Carnitas
The magic begins with slow-cooked carnitas. Imagine succulent pork, infused with the bright flavors of orange and lime, mingled with garlic and spices. It's so simple, you'll wonder why you haven't tried it before. The slow cooker does all the work, so you can focus on other things, like dreaming about the delicious meal ahead.
Building Your Bowl: A Flavor Fiesta
Once you have your incredible carnitas, it’s time to build your bowl. Here’s the winning combination:
- Cilantro-Lime Rice: Fluffy, zesty, and utterly essential. This rice is the perfect foundation for our bowl. Just a little butter, some chicken broth, a good pinch of salt and pepper, cumin, and of course, lime and cilantro and you're on to a winner
- Black Beans & Corn: These add a fantastic texture and a boost of fiber and goodness.
- Crisp Romaine Lettuce: For that essential crunch and freshness.
- Guacamole: Because no burrito bowl is complete without it! Creamy, dreamy, and full of healthy fats.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime to brighten everything up.
Customize Your Bowl, Your Way!
Here's the beauty of this recipe – it's completely customizable. Feel free to add some cheese (I personally love queso fresco), some pico de gallo, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!
Healthy Eating Made Easy
What I love most about this recipe is that it’s delicious and healthy. It's packed with protein, fiber, and tons of vitamins, making it the perfect meal for a nutritious and balanced diet. It's also incredibly easy to adapt to your dietary needs - swap out ingredients as required.
Make it Your Own with Menuistia!
Want to make meal planning even easier? Check out Menuistia, the app that helps you create custom recipes and plan your meals. It's the perfect tool for finding and organizing all your favorite healthy recipes, like this fantastic carnitas bowl!
Ready to Get Started?
I've included the simple recipe below, so you can get started today. Don't forget to share your creations – I’d love to see them!
Carnitas Burrito Bowl Recipe
Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- Carnitas
- 3 lb pork shoulder roast
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ¾ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- Cilantro-lime rice
- ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- Other
- 3 cups sliced romaine lettuce
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup whole kernel corn
- Guacamole
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker. Add orange juice, lime juice, and garlic. Cover and cook on high for 6-8 hours.
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return to the slow cooker.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the rice and cook while stirring for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, zest and lime juice, cilantro, and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for about 15-16 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for an additional 10 minutes.
- Layer the rice at the bottom of a bowl. Top with carnitas meat, corn, black beans, romaine lettuce, and guacamole.
- Squeeze some lime juice over the top.
Enjoy!
Let me know how it turns out and how you customized yours! And don’t forget to check out Menuistia for more fantastic recipe ideas and tools to make menu planning a breeze! Happy cooking!