Print

Crispy Ninja Foodi Pork Carnitas Recipe Easy Juicy Pulled Pork Guide

Ninja Foodi pork carnitas recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for tender, juicy pulled pork with crispy edges made using the Ninja Foodi pressure cooker and air fryer combo. Perfect for flavorful comfort food without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup orange juice (240 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt (kosher salt preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • ½ cup water (120 ml)

Instructions

  1. Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim excess fat if desired. In a large bowl, combine ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub spice mix evenly over pork. Let sit 10-15 minutes.
  2. Set Ninja Foodi to sauté or sear setting and heat olive oil until shimmering. Brown pork on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side, using tongs to turn. Do not crowd the pot.
  3. Remove pork briefly. Add sliced onion and minced garlic to pot and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in orange juice, lime juice, and water. Add bay leaves. Nestle pork back into liquid, fat side up.
  4. Secure pressure lid and set Ninja Foodi to high pressure for 60 minutes. After cooking, perform a quick release to release steam.
  5. Remove pork to a plate or cutting board and let rest 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Use two forks to shred pork into tender pieces.
  6. Return shredded pork to Ninja Foodi pot. Spread evenly. Close crisping lid and select air crisp function at 400°F (205°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through for even crispiness.
  7. Serve carnitas warm in tortillas or bowls with desired toppings such as fresh cilantro, diced onions, avocado, or salsa.

Notes

Do not skip the searing step to develop flavor and crispy edges. Use fresh orange and lime juice for best flavor and tenderizing effect. Adjust pressure cooking time based on pork size (50-55 minutes for smaller cuts). Let pork rest before shredding to retain moisture. Spread pork in a thin layer during air crisping for even crispiness. Leftovers can be reheated under broiler or air fryer to regain crisp texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork carnitas, Ninja Foodi, pulled pork, crispy pork, pressure cooker, air fryer, easy recipe, Mexican cuisine, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/crispy-ninja-foodi-pork-carnitas-recipe-easy-juicy-pulled-pork-guide/