Piled excessive with crispy pork, rice, black beans, corn, crunchy cabbage, and a beneficiant squeeze of lime, this Carnitas Bowl is all the things I need in a single easy package deal. Twenty minutes. That’s all it takes. How can I say no?
If you happen to’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 exhibits no indicators of slowing down. My sluggish 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 go away me with a fridge filled with pork that I’m glad to make use of in new in scrumptious methods every time we’ve got 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, from time to time I crave one thing a bit 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 high, lime squeezed over all the things. 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!
Substances and Substitutions
Rice – I like to make use of Jasmine rice for this recipe.
Corn – If I don’t occur to have recent 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 recent corn, they’ll get added to the bowl straight from the can or the cob. (And sure, I love uncooked corn. If you happen to 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 when you don’t rinse them.
Carnitas – If you’re like my household, you may have this able to go within the freezer. You will have about three cups of ready pork carnitas, chopped chunk measurement.
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, virtually shredded.
Crimson onion – Sliced as skinny as you presumably can after which roughly chopped. Somewhat of this punchy root vegetable goes a looong method.
Cilantro – Half a cup, chopped. If you happen to’re a type of individuals who thinks cilantro tastes like cleaning soap, go away it out. No judgment. (However, possibly attempt it once more as a result of I used to have that drawback, and about 10 years in the past it simply went away so now I’m in a position to take pleasure in it!)
Limes – Don’t skip the beneficiant squeeze of lime juice. It completely makes the bowl.
Notes on Gear
- Giant skillet or microwave-safe dish
- Chef’s knife – That is my all-time favourite knife for meals prep. The weighting makes it an absolute dream to make use of, and it holds an edge extremely effectively. If you happen to’re able to graduate to the next high quality knife, this one is my decide.
- Slicing board
Learn how 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 exploit my skillet, however it’s also possible to toss them on a sheet pan underneath 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, crimson onion, cilantro, and lime wedges on the facet. That method everybody will get to construct the precise bowl they need.
Serving: Set out the recent 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.
Knowledgeable Tip
The one greatest distinction between and an important carnitas bowl is in taking the time to re-crisp the pork. I do know it’s tempting to simply microwave all the things. Don’t. Take the additional couple of minutes to get these carnitas again right into a scorching skillet. It’s even simpler to unfold them over a sheet pan and let the broiler work its magic. The sizzle. The sides. That’s what makes carnitas particular within the first place!
Prep the Toppings First – I’ve been cooking for many years. My knife abilities are usually not the blazing quick work that you simply see on-line. That’s okay. You don’t must rush. Simply chop the cabbage, onion, and cilantro earlier than you begin warming the remainder of it. Then, it’s able to assemble so all the things remains to be heat when it hits the desk.
Don’t Skip the Lime – I say it just about each time I share a carnitas recipe, and I’ll carry on saying it. The squeeze of lime excessive is what makes this bowl shine. It doesn’t style “limey”. It brightens the opposite flavors, and retains the wealthy pork from overwhelming all the things else.
Serving Ideas
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, when you actually need to go all out, make a batch of elote to serve on the facet. All of the flavors simply work collectively. It’s one of many issues I make most incessantly 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 recent toppings and warming issues up.
Learn how to Retailer: Hold the nice and cozy parts and the recent toppings in separate containers within the fridge. The rice, beans, corn, and carnitas will maintain for 3-4 days. The cabbage and onion will maintain about the identical, however chop the cilantro recent.
Learn how to Reheat: You possibly can heat all the things within the microwave when 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
Any of them! My sluggish cooker carnitas and Dutch oven pork carnitas each work nice right here. You may also use store-bought carnitas in a pinch. The essential factor is that the pork is already cooked and simply must be re-crisped.
Completely. Grilled rooster, carne asada, and even seasoned floor beef would all work effectively in these bowls. I’ve achieved it with leftover Cajun rooster too and it was incredible. Simply don’t name it a carnitas bowl once you use a unique protein, or somebody on the web will go away you an offended remark.
Nope. Lengthy grain, basmati, brown rice, even cauliflower rice if that’s your factor. Jasmine is simply what I normally have readily available. Leftover rice really works finest as a result of it holds its texture higher underneath all of the toppings.
They’re going to lose texture once you retailer them. So, to crisp them again up, you must use a skillet or the broiler. Or, even the air fryer. Simply don’t use the microwave.
OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS
Utilizing a skillet over the range or utilizing the microwave, heat the rice, beans, and corn. Recrisp the carnitas individually in one other skillet.
Chop the recent substances whereas the others heat up within the pan. Then, assemble the bowls with rice, beans, and corn on the underside, then a layer of carnitas, and end with the recent substances.
Generously squeeze lime juice over every portion. Serve with extra lime wedges and extra toppings of your alternative.
Energy: 719 kcal | Carbohydrates: 109 g | Protein: 38 g | Fats: 15 g | Saturated Fats: 5 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 1 g | Ldl cholesterol: 76 mg | Sodium: 1238 mg | Potassium: 627 mg | Fiber: 11 g | Sugar: 27 g | Vitamin A: 442 IU | Vitamin C: 22 mg | Calcium: 152 mg | Iron: 5 mg
Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.