Carnitas Taco Bowls
Get ready to dive fork-first into a flavor fiesta that’s not just delicious but also a medley of fun and festivity! Picture this: juicy, seasoned carnitas nestled in a bowl with sliced avocado, cherry tomatoes, black beans, rice, cotija cheese, cilantro, and a spritz of lime – it’s like a vibrant palette of flavors coming together for a party on your taste buds.
Ingredients for the Carnitas Taco Bowls:
For the Carnitas:
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 orange, juiced
For the Bowl Assembly:
- Sliced avocado
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Black beans, drained and rinsed
- Cooked rice
- Cotija cheese, crumbled
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
Preparation Time for Carnitas: 15 minutes
Cooking Time for Carnitas: 3 hours
Serves: 6-8
Step into the Fiesta:
- Sear the Pork: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Season the pork shoulder chunks with salt and pepper, then sear them in the skillet until browned on all sides.
- Flavorful Infusion: Transfer the seared pork to a slow cooker or a heavy-bottomed pot. Add chopped onions, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, chicken broth, and the juice from the orange. Stir to combine. Cook on low heat for about 3 hours in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until the pork becomes tender and easily shreds.
- Assemble the Bowls: Once the carnitas are cooked and ready, it’s time to build your taco bowls! Begin with a base of cooked rice, then add a generous portion of the succulent carnitas. Surround the pork with sliced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, black beans, and a sprinkle of crumbled cotija cheese. Finish off with a vibrant touch of freshly chopped cilantro and a lime wedge for that zesty kick.
Carnitas Taco Bowls are a delightful feast that brings together a medley of textures, flavors, and colors in a single bowl. The tender, juicy pork blends harmoniously with the fresh, vibrant ingredients to create a fiesta of flavors on your plate.
