We both LOVE a good burrito and Carnitas Burritos are probably one of our favorites ever! It’s also one of the most popular pork dishes in California according to National Pork Board’s website, and we’re not surprised! We could probably eat carnitas burritos every single week, we love them that much!
Although carnitas are easy to make in the oven, we wanted to simplify things even more by making ours in a slow cooker. After rubbing the pork shoulder with our simple spice rub, just place the whole thing into a slow cooker, toss in the remaining ingredients, set it an forget it! It’s really that easy. After shredding the carnitas up, we love sticking it under the broiler for a couple minutes to get some delicious crispy bits of pork, but that step is totally optional! Either way, you’re guaranteed to get the most tender, flavorful carnitas you’ll ever taste, we promise!
One of our favorite things about carnitas burritos is how you can customize them based on personal preference! We really love loading our burritos up with as many fixins as possible, but you can definitely omit any of our suggested add-ins, and even add some of your own, based on how you like your burritos!
Pork is such a diverse protein that is used in an infinite amount of ways throughout cultures all across the country (and the world, for that matter!) and we love learning about different and new to us pork dishes all the time! Head on over to the National Pork Board’s website to check out other states’ most popular and iconic pork dishes for delicious cooking inspiration as well as just a wealth of knowledge on different cuts and cooking methods. Enjoy!
https://www.spoonforkbacon.com/carnitas-burrito/(opens in a new tab)
Pork Carnitas Burrito
EQUIPMENT
- slow cooker
INGREDIENTS
carnitas
- 1 tbsp Mexican Oregano
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp chile powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 4 pound boneless pork shoulder cut into 3 inch cubes
- 1 orange quartered
- 2 cinnamon sticks
burrito
- 8 flour tortillas burrito sized, warmed
- 4 cups cilantro rice
- 4 cups pico de gallo
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese or queso fresco
- 4 cups guacamole
- 4 cups canned pinto beans drained
INSTRUCTIONS
- Carnitas: Combine oregano, cumin, chile powder, and salt into a small bowl. Rub spice mixture over pork and place into a slow cooker (fat cap side up).
- Squeeze orange juice over pork and add orange quarters, onion and cinnamon sticks to slow cooker.
- Close lid and cook over low heat for 9 hours or high heat for 6 1/2 hours. (internal temperature should read ~190F˚)
- Once pork is fork tender and falling apart remove most of remaining fat cap and discard.
- Discard orange, onion and cinnamon sticks.
- Transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and shred using two forks.
- Spoon a few tablespoons of braising liquid from slow cooker over shredded pork.
- Place baking sheet under broiler and broil for 2 to 4 minutes or until some edges become crispy.
- Remove from broiler.
- Assembly: Lay tortilla onto a clean surface and spread about 1/2 cup guacamole over the tortilla in a shape of a brick. Top with about 3/4 cup carnitas, ½ cup cilantro rice, pico de gallo, cheese, guacamole, and beans.
- Carefully fold sides of the tortilla inwards, to the center of the burrito, then starting from the end closest to you roll until the burrito is fully wrapped and place onto a cutting board seam side down.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients and serve.
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I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad recipe from you guys. I was reticent to try the carnitas – generally not a carnitas fan. The husband is though so throwing all caution to the wind I went for it. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! You forgot to add the onion in the ingredients list – not a big deal…just looked it up on the other recipe. Will definitely put this in the make again, and soon, pile. Thanks!
Do you keep the meat in one piece, as shown in the picture, or cube it? Thanks!
Cube it!
This was an easy weeknight recipe that provided lots of leftovers for lunches. I made the pork in an instant pot though. For a 5lb shoulder, I put it on high for 75 minutes, natural released for 10. Fantastic with a little hot sauce!
The onion isn’t listed in ingredients – so how much? Do we squeeze the orange quarters first and that’s the juice or is it in addition to juice? This looks delicious so I want to make sure I get it right.
Hi! It’s 1/2 an onion and the juice quarters are squeezed over the pork and then the squeezed quarters are added to the slow cooker!
This looks sooo good. Thank you!