Ninja Foodi Recipe: Crispy Pork Carnitas (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook pork in a ninja? ›

How long to cook pork chops in Ninja Foodi will vary depending on the size of the pork chops you choose. Boneless chops that are an inch thick take 8-10 minutes, while thicker pork chops need slightly more time. Flip the pork chops halfway through cooking time and always use a meat thermometer.

Carnitas — which means "little meats" in Spanish — is a Mexican pork dish. An inexpensive, heavily marbled cut of pork, such as boneless Boston butt, pork shoulder or picnic ham, is braised or simmered for several hours with seasonings and lard until it is so tender that is can be shredded.

Simply spread the carnitas out on a large sheet pan and cover with aluminum foil. Place in the oven at about 350 degrees to warm back up. You can also broil again. It will be just as delicious as the first time!

Using oil in an air fryer is perfectly fine and helps the meat to remain moist and come out looking golden brown. However, a little oil in an air fryer does go a long way. With most cuts of pork, simply rubbing some oil into the meat will be all you need. You can use either regular olive oil or a spray oil.

Unlike the more lean tenderloin and chops, pork shoulder is an incredibly forgiving cut of meat. It becomes more tender as it cooks and benefits from a lengthy cook time, so even if it stays on the heat a few minutes too long, you won't suddenly end up with something dry or rubbery.

Pork Carnitas Seasoning

Pork shoulder is extra flavorful thanks to kosher salt, a chopped onion, fresh garlic, lime juice, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground cumin.

For a saucy version, instead of broiling the pork, drain off excess juices then add: ½ cup enchilada sauce, ¼ cup salsa, 4 oz. green chilies, and brown sugar and hot sauce to taste. Add toppings. Pork carnitas can be piled high with any number of toppings.

Carnitas is made with pork that has been braised or slow-cooked until it's fork-tender. Carne asada is made with beef that has been grilled to perfection. Al pastor is made with pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit. All three of these dishes are delicious when topped with your favorite toppings.

Step One: The trick to getting the most flavorful carnitas, is to sear the pork before allowing it to braise for hours. First, season the pork with a liberal sprinkle of salt and then sear the pork pieces on both sides until golden brown in avocado oil. Browning the meat helps to develop a rich deep flavor.

Carnitas doneness temps

The connective tissue needs to be heated to at least 170°F (77°C) to start to dissolve properly. If pulled at 145°F (63°C), pork shoulder will be inedibly tough. Most smoked pork shoulders are pulled in the temperature range of 195-205°F (91-96°C), and the same temperature will apply here.

What to add to dry carnitas? ›

Seasoning- Salt, Mexican oregano, cumin, & black pepper. Orange- use both the juice & peels! Aromatics- garlic, onion, bay leaves, and cloves. I've seen a lot of carnitas recipes that also add cinnamon.

Is it Safe to Cook Meat in the Air Fryer? Cooking meat in the air fryer is perfectly safe when following proper food handling procedures.

The amount of time your pork will need to cook, depends on how many pounds you purchase. The general rule of thumb is 20 minutes per pound. So, if you have 3 pounds of meat, you will cook for 60 minutes.

If you are cooking one-inch thick pork chops, I recommend grilling them on high. If you have thicker pork chops, set the temperature to medium. How long does it take to cook a one-inch thick pork chop? It will take 12-15 minutes to cook one-inch thick pork chops on a Ninja Woodfire Grill with the grill setting on high.