Legume Free Maple Garlic Pulled Pork

Total time4 hr 20 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time4 hr

4.5

(25)

Slow-braised pork shoulder doesn't need a single bean, lentil, or legume to deliver deep, crowd-pleasing flavor — and this Dutch oven braise is proof. The meat gets rubbed with a warming blend of turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon before being seared in coconut oil until it's deeply caramelized on every side, building a flavor base that carries through the entire dish. Coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce without any of the soy concerns, and pure maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness that plays beautifully against the apple cider vinegar's tang. After nearly four hours in a low oven, the pork shoulder becomes so tender it practically falls apart at the touch of a fork, and the braising liquid reduces into a glossy, savory-sweet sauce worth every minute of the wait. Shredded and tossed back into that sauce, this pulled pork is the kind of thing that disappears fast at the table. It's genuinely satisfying comfort food that happens to sidestep the ingredients that so many sauces and spice blends quietly sneak in.

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Ingredients

6 servings

For the pork

3 lb bone-in pork shoulder (boston butt)
1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ceylon cinnamon
2 tbsp coconut oil

For the sauce

6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
⅓ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup coconut aminos
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup bone broth (homemade or aip-compliant brand)
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

For serving

2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). In a small bowl, combine the salt, turmeric, ginger, and Ceylon cinnamon. Pat the pork shoulder completely dry with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture all over the surface.
2
Heat the coconut oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the pork shoulder and sear, turning every 2–3 minutes, until deeply browned on all sides, about 10–12 minutes total. Transfer the pork to a plate.

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