Golden Carnitas Burrito

There are few dishes as satisfying and versatile as a fully-loaded carnitas burrito. Imagine tender, slow-cooked shredded pork, nestled alongside creamy homemade guacamole, fluffy white rice, and all your favorite vibrant mix-ins, all wrapped in a warm, soft tortilla. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience perfect for quick family dinners, lively parties, or smart meal prep that makes your busy weeknights a breeze. Beyond its incredible flavor, this recipe is designed for ease and convenience, even including a foolproof method for rolling perfect burritos every single time, ensuring no delicious filling escapes.

Cross section of a carnitas burrito, with the two halves stacked on top of each other to show ingredients inside.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Carnitas Burrito Recipe

This carnitas burrito recipe isn’t just good; it’s a culinary triumph that will earn a permanent spot in your rotation. Here’s why:

Unforgettable Flavor & Tender Texture

Our carnitas are crafted to perfection, delivering melt-in-your-mouth pork that’s bursting with flavor. The secret lies in a simple yet potent spice rub, combining pantry staples like dried oregano, cumin, salt, and chili powder. This aromatic blend infuses the pork shoulder with a rich, savory depth before it even hits the heat. The braising liquid, a harmonious mix of fresh orange juice, zesty lime, fragrant garlic, and a hint of jalapeño, tenderizes the meat over several hours, ensuring every bite is succulent and juicy. The result? Restaurant-quality shredded carnitas with minimal effort, ready to star in your burritos or any other Mexican-inspired dish.

Incredibly Versatile and Customizable

One of the greatest joys of a carnitas burrito is its endless customizability. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, accommodating dietary restrictions, or simply catering to diverse tastes, this recipe adapts effortlessly. Load it up with extra cheese, a dollop of sour cream, crunchy lettuce, or a fiery habanero salsa. Omit any ingredients you don’t fancy or swap them out for alternatives. Beyond burritos, the tender carnitas and fresh guacamole are perfect for crafting:

Taco Bar Nights: Set out warm tortillas, the carnitas, guacamole, and an array of toppings for a build-your-own taco fiesta.
Hearty Burrito Bowls: Skip the tortilla and serve all the delicious components over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice for a lighter, gluten-free option.
Nachos & Quesadillas: Utilize leftover carnitas to create epic nacho platters or cheesy quesadillas for a quick snack or light meal.

For an extra treat, pair your burritos with a side of creamy, homemade restaurant-style queso – it’s a game-changer!

Perfect for Any Occasion: Entertaining & Efficient Meal Prepping

This carnitas recipe is a crowd-pleaser that simplifies entertaining. Once the pork shoulder is slow-cooked, shredded, and ready, all you need to do is arrange your desired toppings buffet-style. Guests will love the interactive experience of creating their personalized burritos or taco bowls, making your gathering fun and memorable. And for those busy weeks, this recipe is a meal prep dream come true. Prepare a large batch of carnitas and guacamole, and you’ll have delicious, healthy meals ready to assemble in minutes throughout the week. It’s a smart way to enjoy incredible homemade food without the daily hassle.

Essential Chef’s Tips for Perfect Burritos

Achieving burrito perfection involves a few simple tricks. These chef-approved tips will elevate your homemade carnitas burritos from great to absolutely extraordinary, ensuring delightful flavor and structural integrity every time.

Mastering Flexible Tortillas for Flawless Rolling

A common frustration when making burritos is dealing with tortillas that crack or tear during rolling. The secret to perfectly pliable tortillas is steaming them before assembly. This simple step makes them warm, soft, and much more flexible, significantly reducing the risk of breakage. Here’s how to do it:

**Dampen Paper Towels:** Lightly dampen two paper towels – they should be moist, not soaking wet.
**Layer Tortillas:** Place one damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Stack your flour tortillas on top, layering a damp paper towel between each one if you’re steaming multiple simultaneously.
**Cover & Microwave:** Cover the top tortilla with the second damp paper towel. Microwave the stack in 30-second bursts.
**Check for Warmth:** Continue microwaving until the tortillas are warm and soft to the touch. Be careful not to let the paper towels dry out completely, and ensure no parts of the tortillas are left uncovered, as this can lead to dry, brittle spots.

This quick steaming process will make your tortillas much more cooperative, allowing you to roll tightly packed, sturdy burritos without a hitch.

Genius Meal Prep & Freezer Solutions

This recipe is an absolute champion for meal prep, saving you time and effort during busy weekdays. You can prepare and assemble your burritos in advance, making them an ideal grab-and-go option:

**Individual Wrapping:** Once assembled, wrap each burrito tightly in aluminum foil. This prevents freezer burn and keeps them fresh.
**Refrigeration:** Stored in the fridge, wrapped burritos will stay fresh and delicious for 2 to 3 days.
**Freezing for Later:** For longer storage, transfer the foil-wrapped burritos to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. They will maintain their quality in the freezer for 3 to 4 months.
**Reheating Instructions:** To reheat from frozen, unwrap the burrito, wrap it in a damp paper towel, and microwave for 2-4 minutes, flipping halfway, until heated through. Alternatively, bake in foil at 350°F (175°C) for 30-45 minutes. From the fridge, microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake for 15-20 minutes.

Don’t forget the versatility of leftover carnitas! Any unused shredded pork can be stored in an airtight container for several days in the fridge or up to a month in the freezer. Reheat and use it to elevate your breakfast tacos, add protein to salads, create delicious sandwiches, or even toss it into a hearty chili.

Healthy & Low-Carb Alternatives

Looking to lighten things up or reduce your carb intake? These carnitas burritos can easily be adapted without sacrificing flavor:

**Lettuce Wraps or Taco Bowls:** Ditch the flour tortillas entirely and serve your carnitas and toppings in crisp romaine lettuce cups or as a vibrant burrito bowl. This is a fantastic low-carb, gluten-free option that’s also less messy, making it perfect for kids or casual dining.
**Cauliflower Rice Swap:** Replace traditional white rice with steamed cilantro-lime cauliflower rice. This significantly cuts down on carbs while adding extra vegetables and a zesty flavor that complements the carnitas beautifully.
**Dairy-Free Options:** Easily make this recipe dairy-free by opting for your favorite shredded dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Two carnitas burritos cut in half and laying on a sheet of parchment paper.

Dive Deeper into Carnitas: The Heart of Your Burrito

Carnitas, meaning “little meats” in Spanish, is a beloved dish originating from Michoacán, Mexico. Traditionally, carnitas involve slow-cooking pork (typically pork shoulder or butt) in its own fat, sometimes with a little lard, often seasoned with citrus juices and various spices. The long, gentle simmering process renders the meat incredibly tender, allowing it to easily shred. Towards the end, the heat is often increased to crisp up the edges, creating a delightful contrast of textures – tender and succulent on the inside, beautifully golden and slightly crispy on the outside. Our recipe captures this essence, using a heavy-bottomed pot to achieve that perfect balance without excessive fat, ensuring maximum flavor and tender results.

Crafting the Best Homemade Guacamole

No carnitas burrito is complete without a generous dollop of fresh, creamy guacamole. Making your own is incredibly simple and far superior to store-bought versions. The key is ripe avocados: look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Our basic recipe combines mashed avocado with fresh lime juice and salt, creating a vibrant and zesty complement to the rich carnitas. For an extra kick, consider adding finely minced red onion, chopped cilantro, or a touch of cayenne pepper.

The Ultimate Carnitas Burrito Recipe

Carnitas Burrito

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 3 hours 15 minutes

Total: 3 hours 30 minutes

A fantastic meal-prep option for a busy week and a fun choice for entertaining. This recipe yields incredibly flavorful, tender carnitas burritos that everyone will love.

Sam Guarnieri

Pin
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

Servings: 6 burritos

Ingredients

For the Carnitas

1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 pounds pork shoulder
1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.)
Half of one onion, chopped
¼ cup orange juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, stem and seeds removed, minced
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

For the Guacamole

2 medium avocados, pit removed, peeled
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste

For the Burritos

6 (12-inch) flour tortillas
2 cups cooked white rice
2 cups pico de gallo or salsa
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
1 cup pinto beans or black beans, drained
Chopped fresh cilantro, to taste

Equipment

Small bowl
Cutting board
Paper towels
Large, heavy-bottomed pot with lid
Tongs
Small mixing bowl
3 forks (or 2 forks and 1 potato masher)
Large plate

Instructions

For the Carnitas

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoons cumin, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon chili powder. Mix these spices together until they are thoroughly blended.
Place the 2 pounds of pork shoulder on a clean cutting board. Use paper towels to pat the pork shoulder completely dry on all sides. Generously coat all surfaces of the pork shoulder with the prepared spice mixture, taking care to rub the spices deeply into the meat. Set the cutting board aside.
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot (such as a Dutch oven) over medium heat. Once the pot is warm, add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil and swirl the pot to ensure the oil coats the bottom surface evenly. Continue heating until the oil is hot and shimmery, indicating it’s ready for searing.
Carefully place the seasoned pork shoulder into the hot pot. Sear the pork on one side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. Using tongs, turn the pork over and repeat the searing process. Continue turning and searing until the pork shoulder is golden brown on all sides, locking in its juices and flavor.
Once the pork is seared to a golden brown, add the chopped half of an onion, ¼ cup orange juice, 3 minced cloves of garlic, 1 minced jalapeño pepper, the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice to the pot. Stir all the ingredients gently to combine them. Cover the pot with its lid and reduce the heat to low.
Allow the pork shoulder to simmer, covered, for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pork is incredibly fork-tender and easily pulls apart. The long, slow cooking process will ensure succulent, flavorful carnitas.

For the Guacamole

Scoop the flesh of 2 medium avocados into a small mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice and 1 teaspoon of salt (adjust salt to your personal taste).
Using a fork or a potato masher, mash the ingredients together until they are fully combined and reach your desired consistency – whether you prefer it chunky or smooth. Set the prepared guacamole aside.

To Fill and Roll the Burritos

Once the pork shoulder is fully cooked and tender, remove the pot from the heat. Use two forks (or a potato masher and one fork) to shred the pork into small or large pieces, according to your preference. Ensure it’s thoroughly shredded, then set it aside.
Place one warm, flexible flour tortilla on a clean, flat surface. Spoon about ⅓ cup of cooked white rice horizontally across the center of the tortilla, leaving ample space around the edges.
Gently flatten the line of rice. Then, generously top the rice with a hearty amount of shredded carnitas, approximately ⅓ cup of pico de gallo (or salsa), ⅓ cup of shredded Mexican cheese, about ⅙ cup of drained pinto or black beans, a spoonful of your fresh homemade guacamole, and a sprinkle of chopped fresh cilantro as desired. Be mindful not to overload the tortilla or place the toppings too close to the edges, as this will make rolling difficult.
To begin rolling, lift the edge of the tortilla farthest from you. Fold this edge down and over the filling, aiming to meet the bottom edge of the tortilla. Lightly press down on the filling to compact it, then gently unfold the tortilla. The filling should now be mostly centered on the bottom half of the tortilla, forming a neat cylinder.
Next, take the left and right edges of the tortilla and fold them inward towards the center. Aim to cover as much of the filling as possible without overlapping the tortilla edges, creating a sealed side.
With the sides of the tortilla now neatly folded towards the center, lift the bottom edge of the tortilla (the edge closest to you). Fold this bottom edge up and over the filling, tucking it firmly under the top edge of the filling. This creates the initial tight seal for your burrito.
Gently but firmly roll the tortilla away from you, maintaining a tight cylinder as you go. Hold the folded sides in place as needed to prevent them from unraveling, continuing until the burrito is completely rolled and sealed.
Place the rolled burrito on a large plate, with the seam facing down to keep it intact. Repeat this entire process with the remaining tortillas and filling until all 6 burritos have been expertly rolled. Serve these delicious, warm burritos immediately with any additional toppings or sauces you desire.

Recipe Notes & Variations

Make it Dairy Free: Simply substitute traditional shredded Mexican cheese with your preferred dairy-free shredded cheese alternative.
Make it Low Carb: For a low-carb version, use low-carb tortillas. Additionally, replace the cooked white rice with steamed cilantro-lime cauliflower rice for a delicious and carb-conscious meal.
Spice it Up: For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your carnitas rub or a dash of hot sauce to your guacamole.
Bean Alternatives: Feel free to use refried beans instead of whole pinto or black beans for a creamier texture inside your burrito.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Explore

If you’re craving more delicious flavors from south of the border, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes that will bring vibrant tastes to your kitchen:

Tuna Ceviche
Achiote Chicken
Keto Tacos with Homemade Keto Tortillas
Cheesy Shrimp Enchiladas
Mexican Chicken and Rice Bake
Burrito Suizo

This Carnitas Burrito recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of flavor, convenience, and culinary creativity. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or simply stocking your freezer for future enjoyment, the tender carnitas, fresh guacamole, and perfectly rolled tortillas promise a deeply satisfying experience. We encourage you to try it, customize it to your heart’s content, and share your delicious creations! We can’t wait to see how you make this recipe your own.

If you loved this recipe as much as we did, don’t forget to leave us a review below. ★ Follow Easy Healthy Recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, too!

For more delicious recipes, visit our sister sites, 40 Aprons and Easy Cheap Recipes.