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Better Than Chipotle Carnitas Bowls

April 18, 2025

Say “hello” to the best fast food “copycat” recipe that comes together in minutes. These are my Better Than Chipotle Carnitas Bowls, and they’re made from tender, homemade pork carnitas that are assembled in a classic Chipotle-style bowl. This reicpe is perfect to serve as an easy weeknight dinner, or for a simple meal-prep recipe that the whole family will love!

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Friends, while I may not be a big fan of fast food, I have to admit: I do love Chipotle. I feel hesitant to even call them “fast food,” because they are definitely not your typical fast food restaurant. Unlike traditional fast food restaurants, Chipotle has mostly organic, higher-quality ingredients, and the customization options are endless. When I’m running back-and-forth between picking my boys up from school and dropping them off at their sports practices, sometimes, grabbing Chipotle on-the-go can be one of the better options to keep my boys fed. But while Chipotle is certainly a better option, it isn’t perfect. That’s why I love to make it at-home.

These Better-Than-Chipotle bowls truly are better, and that’s because they use minimal, high-quality ingredients that are sure to keep you feeling full and satisfied. They come together with my Perfect Pork Carnitas, and if you haven’t tried them before, you MUST. They come together in an Instant Pot, which makes this recipe truly the easiest way to make Carnitas at home. Gone are the days of standing over a stove (or grill) preparing carnitas for hours. This recipe comes together with just a few minutes of easy prep!

Then comes the best part: assembling the bowls. Like the classic Chipotle bowl, these bowls come together with a base of white rice (which you can also substitute for my Copycat Chipotle Cauliflower Rice!) followed by Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and my Quick Marinated Red Onions for some added crunch and flavor. You can also add in a scoop of sour cream, some shredded cheese, or even add my Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa on top to truly make it like the fast-food classic. No matter how you choose to adorn these bowls, you can’t go wrong!

To make this recipe, you’ll need boneless pork shoulder, avocado oil, chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, seasonings, white rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, and quick marinated red onions.

A baking sheet filled with shredded, browned carnitas, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. A serving spoon rests on the sheet, ready to serve the meat. — To make this recipe, you’ll need boneless pork shoulder, avocado oil, chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, seasonings, white rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, and quick marinated red onions.

What You Need to Make These Homade Chipotle Bowls

Boneless Pork Shoulder: Of course, this wouldn’t be a carnitas recipe without the pork. You’ll need boneless pork shoulder in order to make this recipe. I recommend trimming off the excess fat too, so that the pork shoulder is nice and lean.
Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a better-for-you oil that is full of healthy fats and is perfect for preparing this carnitas recipe. Olive oil also works well here, too!
Chicken Broth: I like using chicken broth to add moisture and juciness to these carnitas, but you can use any broth that you’d like. As always, I will recommend using what you have!
Orange Juice: Don’t knock it until you try it – orange juice adds juiciness to these carnitas that gives them the best flavor.
Lime Juice: Fresh squeezed lime juice adds acidity and tang to these carnitas. Don’t skip it!
Garlic: I will always recommend using fresh garlic, in my recipes. It adds the beast flavor that garlic powder just can’t replicate, and is especially delicious in this carnitas recipe!
Seasonings: A blend of oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and ground black pepper adds the perfect balance of flavors to these carnitas, giving them the absolute best flavor.
White Rice: Fluffy white rice is the perfect base of any delicious Chipotle bowl. I like using Jasmine rice, but any type of rice works well.
Pico de Gallo: Pico de gallo is crisp and refreshing, making it the perfect addition to this recipe.
Guacamole: The best part about making this recipe at home? Guac isn’t extra. 😉 I love topping these bowls with LOTS of homemade guacamole, without having to pay Chipotle prices!
Quick Marinated Red Onions: My Quick Marinated Red Onions are the perfect addition to this recipe! They come together in just a few minutes, and are the perfect way to elevate an recipe.

Once the carnitas are done, add them to a baking sheet, shred them with a fork, and broil them for 3 minutes, until they’re perfectly crispy on the edges.

How to Make This Recipe: the Carnitas and the Bowls

This recipe comes together in two steps: first, with the carnitas, and second, with the Better than Chipotle bowls. Be sure to leave time to prepare the carnitas first, so that you can have the bowls ready in mere minutes!

How to Make the Perfect Pork Carnitas

To make these Perfect Pork Carnitas, start by turning the Instant Pot on to the sauté setting. Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot and allow it to heat. While the pot is heating, prepare the pork shoulder by trimming away the fat and cutting it into cubes, approximately 3-inches in size (tip: you can also ask your buter to do this for you and skip this step!) Once the pot is hot, add the pork shoulder to it and allow it to cook evenly, for 5-6 minutes. You may need to work in batches to ensure that the pork cooks evenly.

Once the meat has browned, add in the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, dried oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the meat is fully coated in the seasonings. Then, place the cover on the Instant Pot. Turn the settings on to “Manual Pressure,” set to “high,” and cook for 30 minutes with quick release.

Once the pork has finished cooking, remove it from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a baking sheet. Shred the meat with two forks. Then, turn your oven on to broil high and transfer the meat to the oven.

Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and prepare the tacos. Allow the carnitas to broil for approximately 3 minutes, until the edges are browned and crispy. Then, add them to the tacos!

Three bowls of rice topped with shredded meat, guacamole, pickled onions, salsa, and lime wedges. There are extra toppings and a serving spoon nearby, with a hand serving guacamole onto one of the bowls. — Then, assemble the bowls. Cook the white rice according to your preferred method, then add it to a bowl topped with the carnitas, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

Two bowls of rice topped with shredded meat, guacamole, pickled red onions, pico de gallo, and lime wedges. Surrounding the bowls are drinks, salsa, extra guacamole, cilantro, and a patterned napkin. — Then, assemble the bowls. Cook the white rice according to your preferred method, then add it to a bowl topped with the carnitas, pico de gallo, and guacamole.

How to Make The Better Than Chipotle Bowls

Prepare the Better Than Chipotle bowls by making the white rice. Cook the rice according to your desired method. Once the rice is done, divide it evenly amongst four bowls.

Add the carnitas on top of the rice, followed by the fresh pico de gallo, fresh guacamole, and a scoop of my quick marinated red onions. Garnish with some fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, then serve and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Dairy Free/gluten-free/Grain Free/Nut Free/Paleo/Refined Sugar Free