Walnut Free Crockpot Pork Carnitas with Lime
Slow-cooked pork shoulder gets an incredible transformation here — braised low and slow until it practically falls apart, then finished under the broiler for those irresistible crispy, caramelized edges that make carnitas so craveable. The spice rub of turmeric, ginger, Ceylon cinnamon, oregano, and thyme builds a warm, layered flavor that goes way beyond the usual taco-night routine. Bright lime juice and apple cider vinegar cut through the richness of the pork, keeping every bite balanced and lively. The whole process is hands-off in the best way — the slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you go about your day, and the broiler step at the end takes just minutes but makes a huge difference in texture. Every single ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from tree nuts, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress involved — just straightforward, satisfying cooking. Pile it into warm tortillas, spoon it over rice, or eat it straight off the baking sheet with a squeeze of lime and a handful of fresh cilantro. This is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in the 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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