Chipotle Burrito Bowl Flavor (Printable Version)

A vibrant bowl layered with carnitas, lime rice, beans, queso, fresh salsa, sour cream, and creamy guacamole.

# What You'll Need:

→ Carnitas

01 - 2 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large chunks
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
05 - 1 tsp ground cumin
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small onion, quartered
10 - Juice of 1 orange
11 - Juice of 1 lime
12 - 1 cup chicken broth

→ Cilantro Lime Rice

13 - 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
14 - 3 cups water
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - Juice of 1 lime

→ Beans

19 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
20 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
21 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
22 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Queso

23 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
24 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
25 - 3/4 cup whole milk
26 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
27 - 1 tbsp butter
28 - 1 jalapeño, minced (optional)

→ Tomato Salsa

29 - 2 medium tomatoes, diced
30 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
31 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
32 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
33 - Juice of 1 lime
34 - Salt, to taste

→ Guacamole

35 - 2 ripe avocados
36 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
37 - 1 small tomato, diced
38 - Juice of 1 lime
39 - Salt and pepper, to taste
40 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

→ For Serving

41 - 1 cup sour cream

# How To Make It:

01 - Season pork shoulder with salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown pork on all sides. Add minced garlic, quartered onion, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low for 2 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily. Remove pork, shred with forks, return to pot, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce liquid.
02 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rice, water, olive oil, and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice.
03 - In a small saucepan, combine drained black beans, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
04 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cornstarch and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in whole milk and cook until mixture slightly thickens. Add shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses along with minced jalapeño, stirring until cheeses melt and sauce is smooth. Keep warm until serving.
05 - Combine diced tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, seeded and diced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
06 - In a bowl, mash ripe avocados. Stir in finely chopped red onion, diced tomato, lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper to taste.
07 - Layer cilantro lime rice, warmed beans, shredded carnitas, queso, tomato salsa, sour cream, and guacamole in serving bowls. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like your favorite fast-casual spot, except you control every ingredient and can make it richer, spicier, or however your mood demands.
  • Everything comes together in about 30 minutes if you prep ahead, and the carnitas can be made the day before so you're really just assembling magic.
  • Once you nail the technique, you'll find yourself making these bowls for weeknight dinners and impressing friends without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • The carnitas need to braise for the full 2 hours—rushing it will give you tough pork that won't reward your effort, so trust the low-and-slow process.
  • Make your guacamole within 30 minutes of serving because exposed avocado oxidizes quickly; if you're prepping ahead, wait until the last moment.
  • Taste everything before assembling bowls because the salsa, beans, and queso are your seasoning adjustments—a pinch more salt or lime can transform the whole bowl.
03 -
  • Crisp the shredded carnitas under the broiler for 3 minutes right before serving to recreate that textural contrast from the restaurant where some edges get slightly crunchy.
  • Make your salsa and guacamole fresh the day of—they're the components that suffer most from sitting around, and their freshness is what elevates the whole bowl.
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