Pecan Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder gets an incredible transformation here — braised low and slow until it's fall-apart tender, then finished under the broiler for those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges that make carnitas so craveable. The spice rub is the real secret weapon, layering turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme into something warm and deeply aromatic without being heavy. Bone broth, fresh lime juice, and apple cider vinegar create a braising liquid that keeps the pork incredibly juicy while building a bright, tangy backbone throughout the cook. After shredding, a drizzle of coconut oil and a quick trip under the broiler gives you those golden, crackling bits that are honestly hard to stop eating. A spoonful of the reserved braising liquid tossed back in at the end ties everything together beautifully. Tree nut concerns are completely off the table here — every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify, so you can focus on the cooking rather than the label-reading. Pile it into tacos, spoon it over rice, or just eat it straight off the baking sheet with a squeeze of lime and a handful of fresh cilantro.
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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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