High Fructose Corn Syrup Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder gets an incredible transformation here — braised low and slow until fall-apart tender, then finished under the broiler so the edges turn irresistibly crispy and caramelized. The spice rub of turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme builds a warm, complex flavor that feels anything but ordinary for a weeknight dinner. Bright lime juice and apple cider vinegar cut through the richness of the pork, while a drizzle of coconut oil before broiling helps those gorgeous, crackling edges develop. One of the quiet wins of this recipe is that every single ingredient is whole and recognizable — no packaged seasonings, no bottled sauces, no sweeteners hiding under a long chemical name. Store-bought carnitas marinades and seasoning packets are notorious for sneaking in corn-derived sweeteners, so making this entirely from scratch puts you fully in control. The braising liquid — bone broth, lime, and vinegar — does all the heavy lifting without a drop of anything processed. Spoon a little of that reserved liquid back over the crisped pork at the end and you get juicy, punchy bites every single time. Pile it into tortillas with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and it honestly tastes like something that took far more effort than it did.
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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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