Cashew Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder gets an incredible transformation here — braised low and slow with warm spices like turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon until it's fall-apart tender, then finished under the broiler for those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges. The combination of lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and bone broth creates a braising liquid that keeps the meat juicy while building serious depth of flavor. Tree nut allergies and sensitivities can make a lot of bold, spiced dishes feel off-limits, but every single ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from cashews and cashew-derived products — no swaps or substitutions needed. Coconut oil is tossed over the shredded pork before broiling, adding richness and helping those edges crisp up beautifully without any nut-based fats. That final step of spooning reserved braising liquid back over the crisped meat is the secret move that makes this taste like it came from a restaurant. Pile it into tortillas, serve it over rice, or load it onto a salad with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime — however you serve it, this one is going to earn a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 3 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- ½ cup bone broth
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For serving
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, combine the salt, turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme. Pat the pork shoulder chunks dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of each piece.
- 2
Scatter the smashed garlic and chopped onion across the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Nestle the seasoned pork pieces on top in a single layer as much as possible.
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