Get maximum flavor with minimum mess when you make air fryer carnitas! Flavorful pork is marinated and air fried for tender, juicy pork, perfect for tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican dish.
The meat is juicy inside with nice crispy edges, just like carnitas should be. And with grocery prices rising, I love that carnitas uses pork shoulder, one of the most inexpensive cuts of meat around!
Marinade it the night before, and this air fryer pork carnitas recipe is quick enough to be a weeknight meal. It is also great to serve as easy game day food or a fun dinner for Taco Tuesday.
Find more Mexican-inspired air fryer recipes! Try air fryer churros, air fryer enchiladas, or copycat Taco Bell Mexican pizza.
🌶️Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
Pork – Using a boneless pork butt (also called shoulder) is traditional and the most economical cut of meat. But you can use pork loin or tenderloin if you prefer leaner meat.
Seasoning –Salt, pepper, and taco seasoning mix add flavor to the dish. Use a store-bought taco seasoning mix or make your own blend.
Orange – The juice of an orange adds a bright citrus-infused flavor to the meat.
Jalapeno and cilantro – These are classic flavors in Mexican food!
Toppings – Pick your favorite taco toppings.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Carnitas
1. Marinate
The meat should marinate for at least 6 hours for the best flavor. But it can stay in the fridge overnight, making this is easy to prepare ahead of time.
Boneless pork shoulder can be as large as 5-8 pounds, and this recipe is only for a 2-3 pound roast. So if you have a larger roast, cut it into smaller chunks and freeze the extras for another meal.
Juice the orange and dice the jalapeno and cilantro. Then combine all the spices, orange juice, and veggies in a bowl or a resealable bag and refrigerate it to let it marinate.
2. Air Fry
Make a tray from aluminum foil to catch the marinade and keep juices contained. This will also help the meat steam and stay nice and juicy.
Put the foil tray in the air fryer, making sure it only partially covers the bottom of the basket. Add the meat and pour the marinade over the top.
Air fry at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Then flip the pork over and air fry it for another 15 minutes. Use a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature.
Pork is safe to eat if it has reached 145 degrees F, but it will be easier to shred if it has reached 170 degrees F. Some people prefer to pull it at 190-200 degrees F. The cooking time will depend on how thick the meat is and your preferences.
3. Shred
Let the pork rest for 10-15 minutes before shredding it. This will allow the juices to reabsorb for maximum flavor and makes it easier to handle.
Shred the meat using two forks or meat claws. Add another 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the shredded meat and mix.
🍴Serving Ideas
There are so many ways to serve air fryer carnitas! This delicious pork tastes amazing with tacos, burrito bowls, taquitos, and quesadillas. My favorite is to use the meat in tacos. Add it to warm corn tortillas and top it with diced red onions and pickled jalapenos!
Other tasty toppings for carnitas are sour cream, poblano sauce, guacamole, green onions, taco sauce, hot sauce, or your favorite salsa. If you want to make it a complete meal, add Mexican rice, southwest salad, refried beans, or Chile Relleno casserole as a side.
Of course, you don’t have to serve it in a Mexican dish. It is also as tasty as a pulled pork sandwich or a pulled pork pizza. Make it once and use it for a few different meals!
💭How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It will dry out some in the refrigerator, so toss it with a few tablespoons of olive oil or lime juice before reheating.
To reheat, put it back in the air fryer and cook it at 400 degrees F for 2-3 minutes until you have warm, juicy, and crispy meat.
⭐Tips for Making the Best Pork Carnitas
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Boneless pork shoulder can be as large as 5-8 pounds, and this recipe is only for a 2-3 pound roast. So cut the meat as needed.
- Don’t skip the marinade.
- Use foil to help keep the meat moist and reduce the cleanup time.
- Cook the meat to at least 170 degrees F so it is easy to shred. Keep it under 200 degrees F, or it will not be as juicy.
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Air Fryer Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pound pork boneless shoulder/butt *see notes
- 1 orange
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 1 jalapeño
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For serving
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 12 yellow corn tortillas
- 1 red onion diced
- your favorite toppings
Instructions
- Juice the orange and dice the jalapeno and cilantro.1 orange, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1 jalapeño
- Add the pork, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to a medium bowl or resealable bag.2 pound pork boneless shoulder/butt *see notes, 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- Add the oil, juice from the orange, jalapeño, and cilantro to the mixing bowl. Mix and put the meat in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight.3 tablespoons oil
- Make a tray from foil to hold the meat in the air fryer basket. Put the pork on the tray and pour the marinade from the bowl over the top. Air fry at 350°f for 45 minutes, turning the pork over after 30 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Pork is safe to eat after 145 degrees F, but it will be easier to shred if it reaches at least 170 degrees F.
- Remove the meat and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Then shred the meat. Add the remaining taco seasoning to the shredded meat and mix.2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- Serve on a warm tortilla with added diced red onion and cilantro or your favorite toppings.12 yellow corn tortillas, 1 red onion diced, your favorite toppings
Notes
- Boneless pork shoulder can be as large as 5-8 pounds, and this recipe is only for a 2-3 pound roast. So cut the meat as needed.
- Don’t skip the marinade.
- Use foil to help keep the meat moist and reduce the cleanup time.
- Cook the pork to at least 170 degrees F, so it is easy to shred. Keep it under 200 degrees F, or it will not be as juicy.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
