Slow Cooker Carnitas Burrito Bowls
with quinoa / corn salsa / avocados
We have used slow cooker carnitas in a variety of ways in past meal plans, but this is the first time we've added it to burrito bowls. These include a sweet and savory warm corn salsa and are served over quinoa as an alternative to the more traditional rice base.
Smarts: Make a double batch of carnitas tonight and save half for a soup later in the week.
Smarts: This recipe could be made in the Instant Pot. For tips, join the Cook Smarts Instant Pot Facebook Group.
Smarts: Make a double batch of carnitas tonight and save half for a soup later in the week.
Smarts: This recipe could be made in the Instant Pot. For tips, join the Cook Smarts Instant Pot Facebook Group.
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Ingredients
Slow Cooker Carnitas (enough for 2 nights):
- Jalapenos - 1, chopped
- Garlic - 6 cloves, chopped
- Stock, any type - 1/2 cup
- Pork, boneless shoulder roast (enough for 2 nights) - 2 1/2 lbs (sometimes labeled pork butt; if using bone-in, purchase a slightly heavier cut)
- Oregano, dried - 3 tsp
- Cumin, ground - 2 tsp
- Salt - 2 tsp
- Black pepper - 1 tsp
Slow Cooker Carnitas Burrito Bowls:
- Quinoa, uncooked - 3/4 cup
- Stock, any type - 1 1/2 cups
- Avocados - 1, sliced
- Cilantro - 1/4 bunch, leaves torn
- Slow-cooker carnitas (ingredients listed separately) - ~3 cups
- Sour cream (opt) - for serving
- Tortilla chips, gluten-free (opt) - for serving
Warm Corn Salsa:
- Shallots - 1, diced
- Bell peppers, from a jar of roasted red peppers - 1/2, chopped
- Cilantro - 1 Tbsp, chopped
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Corn, frozen - 1 1/2 cups
- Lime juice - 2 tsp
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
547
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
24g
38%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
6g
32%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
101mg
34%
Just a moment...
Sodium
1463mg
61%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
42g
14%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
7g
28%
Just a moment...
Sugars
4g
Just a moment...
Protein
41g
Just a moment...
Prep
- Jalapenos / Garlic / Shallots / Bell peppers - Prep as directed. Combine jalapenos and garlic. Store shallots and bell peppers in their own separate containers. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Quinoa - Combine quinoa with stock (portion for burrito bowls) in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Slow cook pork - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Combine jalapenos, garlic, and stock (portion for carnitas) in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add pork. Rub pork on the top and sides with oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Cook pork until tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.
- Avocados / Cilantro (for bowls and salsa) - Prep as directed.
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Make
- When pork is finished cooking, transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop. Reserve half the pork for Wednesday.
- [Optional step:] If you'd like your pork crispy (like traditional carnitas), heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add some oil and then the portion of the pork for tonight's dinner. Cook without stirring until dark golden brown on the bottom. Stir and continue cooking until pork is crisp and golden brown in spots.
- Heat a wok or skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Add corn and shallots and saute until corn is lightly blackened, ~2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in bell peppers, cilantro (portion for salsa), and lime juice. Season with a pinch of salt.
- If quinoa was made ahead reheat in the microwave.
- Assemble by dividing quinoa between serving bowls. Top quinoa with pork, avocados, corn salsa, and cilantro leaves (portion for bowls). Serve with some sour cream and tortilla chips on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories
547
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
24g
38%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
6g
32%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
101mg
34%
Just a moment...
Sodium
1463mg
61%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
42g
14%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
7g
28%
Just a moment...
Sugars
4g
Just a moment...
Protein
41g
Just a moment...
Reviews
Ratings
Most Helpful
A new weeknight favorite! I did the meat (1.25 lbs) for 20 min in the instapot with natural release. 1c water and used double spices.
1 Helpful64 reviews
A new weeknight favorite! I did the meat (1.25 lbs) for 20 min in the instapot with natural release. 1c water and used double spices.
1 HelpfulLoved the spice level and the flavor! Also loved that part of this meal was used for a meal later in the week!
0 Helpfulit was great. Did it with the instapot with 20 min on High pressure and it turn out great but maybe doing cooking for longer would be better .However for a rapid mean for a family the instapot was acceptable.
0 HelpfulThis was extremely tasty! (And made my house smell amazing) I recommend throwing in the jalapeño towards the end, or maybe using a can of green chiles in its place; feels like the flavor/spice of the pepper died somewhere in the 8 hours of cooking.
0 Helpful