Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice
Slow-cooked pork carnitas wrapped in a warm tortilla with fresh pico de gallo and zesty cilantro-lime rice, inspired by San Francisco’s iconic Mission burritos. This mexican-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 210 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, and lime juice)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a large Dutch oven or ovenproof pot, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Toss until pork is evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over medium-high heat in the pot and brown pork on all sides for 8-10 minutes. Cover with lid and transfer to preheated oven to braise for 3 hours until pork is very tender.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, mix 3 cups cooked white rice with 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro and juice of 1 lime to make cilantro-lime rice.
- Step 4: Remove pork from oven and shred with two forks. Warm 6 large flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds each side.
- Step 5: To assemble each burrito, spread 1/2 cup cilantro-lime rice, 1/4 cup shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup pico de gallo, 1/4 cup sour cream, and 1/3 cup shredded pork in the center of each tortilla. Fold ends and roll tightly.
- Step 6: Serve immediately with extra pico de gallo and sour cream on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pico de Gallo and Cilantro-Lime Rice?
Mexican tacos & burritos like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Cilantro Lime Rice
Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Cilantro-Lime Rice and Pinto Beans
Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Lime Rice
Mission-Style Carnitas Burritos with Cilantro Lime Rice and Pico de Gallo
Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Cilantro Lime Rice and Pickled Onions
Mission-Style Carnitas Burrito with Fresh Cilantro Lime Rice
