Sesame Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder doesn't get much more satisfying than this — tender, juicy meat that falls apart after hours in the crockpot, then gets finished under the broiler for those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges. The spice rub of turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme gives the pork a warmly complex flavor that goes way beyond your average taco night. Bone broth, fresh lime juice, and apple cider vinegar keep everything bright and savory as it braises low and slow, and that reserved liquid gets spooned right back over the crisped pork at the end for maximum flavor payoff. Sesame can sneak into a surprising number of spice blends, marinades, and store-bought taco seasonings, but every single ingredient here is straightforward and easy to verify — no hidden oils or ambiguous additives to worry about. Coconut oil does the heavy lifting in the broiling step, giving the shredded pork a gorgeous sear without any cross-contact concerns. Pile it into tortillas, spoon it over rice, or just eat it straight off the baking sheet with a squeeze of lime and a handful of fresh cilantro — honestly, no one would blame you.
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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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