Mustard Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder that falls apart at the fork and crisps up under the broiler — this is the kind of weeknight win that feels way more impressive than the effort involved. The spice blend of turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme builds a deeply aromatic crust on the meat before it ever hits the slow cooker, and eight hours on low does the rest of the heavy lifting. Mustard shows up in more places than most people expect — marinades, spice blends, store-bought seasonings — so building your own rub from scratch like this is a genuinely smart move. Every ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify, which means no label anxiety and no hidden surprises. The finishing touch is what really sets this apart: shredded pork gets tossed in coconut oil and slid under a high broiler until the edges go golden and crackling, then hit with a spoonful of the reserved braising liquid for a juicy-crispy contrast that's hard to beat. A squeeze of fresh lime and a handful of cilantro at the end keep things bright and fresh. Pile it into tortillas, spoon it over rice, or eat it straight off the pan — no judgment.
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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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