This air-fried Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe has amazing flavor and can be made right in your air fryer. It's a great way to travel to the Caribbean in your very own home.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
I think I’ve gone a little air fryer crazy lately. I have posted a lot of air fryer recipes. Some examples include Perfect Air Fryer Steak, Crispy Air Fryer Fish, and Korean Air Fried Chicken Wings.
I even added this Air Fryer Category to my Recipes page since I have so many now.
I tried to mix it up this week by posting a recipe that was not related to the air fryer, but this recipe for air fryer jerk pork had to get on the blog ASAP. It's too delicious to keep to myself.
My Love for Jamaican Jerk Pork
It truly came about the last time I visited Jamaica in 2016. My entire family headed down, and it was my husband's first time on the island. It was such a great experience, but one of my favorite memories was stopping by a restaurant that sold jerk pork. The pork was grilled and covered in an amazing sauce. We visited that restaurant an additional two times during our one-week stay.
I was determined to recreate that delicious taste at home, but I had one problem: I don't grill. We have a grill, but I see our grill, but I ignore it. So, for the longest time, I just lived on the memory of Jamaican jerk pork. And then, one day, out of the blue, I decided the Air Fryer would solve my problem.
Why Make this Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe in the Air Fryer?
I recall reading on the internet (I don't recall what webpage) about making Jamaican Jerk Pork. The site stated that it should only be prepared on a grill. The fact is, almost anything that can be grilled can be air-fried without getting dried out. The air fryer not only creates high heat, but the heat rapidly moves around the food, causing direct contact with all areas of the food.
How to make Air Fried Jamaican Jerk Pork
Making this pork in the air fryer is easy. Cut the pork into large pieces, cover with a nice Jamaican jerk wet rub, and let marinate for 4-24 hours. Then, cook in a 390-degree air fryer for 20 minutes, flipping once. Easy peasy dinner.
You can make the jerk marinade from scratch or use store-bought. If going with store-bought, I highly recommend Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning Rub.
Here's to another air fryer recipe. Enjoy 🙂
Pin this Air Fried Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe for Later
Air Fried Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork butt chopped into large 3 inch pieces
- ¼ cup jerk marinade
- oil for spraying basket
Instructions
- Rub pork pieces with jerk marinade and allow it to marinate pork for 4-24 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the better.
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the bottom of the basket to ensure they dont stick.
- Remove pork from the fridge and allow to rest at room temp for 20 minutes. Place in air fryer ensuring they are spaced apart. Set time for 20 minutes, flip halfway.
- Remove from air fryer and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting.
- Enjoy.
Notes
Suggested Ingredients for Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe
Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning RubSuggested Tools
Air Fryer Spray bottleNutrition
Step by Step Photos of Air Fried Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe
This post was originally published on July 17, 2018. It has been updated with additional information.
Farid Ansari says
Hi Ms Tanya
This is a 70+ oldie, "frightened to cook" kind of guy, but tempted and encouraged by so many YT videos and our own Madam Chef [dear wife! ;-)]. We recently acquired a small (3.5 quart) air fryer and we are excitedly finding out recipes to try "as is" or modify slightly to match our tastes, style, and available ingredients (living in Pakistan). One question: what meat and cut can be substituted for pork butt in this meal? Please advice on alternative in beef/mutton (and the desired cut) as we do NOT consume pork.
(and, how to make Jerk paste at home, as we don't get the bottled stuff here)
An emailed reply will be very much appreciated- for both the alternate to pork, and the jerk paste recipe.
Thanks and fondest regards.
Farid Ansari
Karachi, Pakistan
Tanya says
Hi Farid, you could try this on beef brisket or chicken, although it would taste a little different. I have a jerk chicken recipe that you may like. https://www.myforkinglife.com/jamaican-jerk-chicken/ For the marinade, this is the homemade version I recommend from a fellow Jamaican food blogger. https://jessicainthekitchen.com/jamaica-jerk-sauce-homemade-and-easy/
Richard C says
Walkerswood is THE best jerk marinade.
Turned out fantastic - I've now got a half-dozen pre-portioned pork "chunks" in the freezer anytime I want.
Tanya says
Nice! I agree, it's why I use it so much. It's time for me to make another batch of this pork to freeze too 🙂
Katy says
I bought the ingredients to make this but now I’m having some questions. Is t pork butt supposed to be cooked low & slow?
You probably won’t see this before I attempt to make…
Tanya says
Usually...yes. But I've made this exactly as written and it's been tender and delicious every time.
Mickey says
You are the bomb wow thank you I am going to try your recipes
Robin Mizuki says
Hi Tanya,
Would Country Style Ribs be ok to use with this recipe instead of Butt Roast?
Tanya says
I haven't made it with Country Style Ribs. Here's a recipe for Country Style Ribs in the air fryer.
Charlene says
I was skeptical but this recipe is a winner
Mo says
Your choice in jerk rub is how I know I am going to LOVE your recipes! Can't wait to try this on chicken🤗
Tanya says
thanks Mo! I love that stuff.
T. Henderson says
I tried it, loved it, and so did everyone who had a plate! I cook many Caribbean dishes due to my upbringing and this one was solid.
Tanya says
Thanks so much! So glad you liked it 🙂
Darlene Flavelle says
Disappointed that the recipe didn't include a homemade jerk paste, instead of store bought
Richard C says
@Darlene Flavelle, doesn't matter - Walkerswood is THE best jerk marinade.
Allan Trevor-Warren says
My lady just bought an Insta pot air fryer. She's out of control trying everything. During supper, crab cakes, the conversation drifted into scotch bonnet and jerk. Haven't decided between pork or wings, or both.
Dorothy Black says
Couldn't be easier...or better. I used Walkerwood mild and was delighted. I slathered the pork with it and let it rest for > 12 hours. Next time, I am going to try a dry rub from Jamaica by adding some to the Walkerwood. I didn't make rice and peas but I did serve it with Zatarain's Caribbean rice mix. Nice, but next time I won't be so lazy and will go for the rice and peas.You are a genius, Tanya. You are also tempting me to invest in an Insta-Pot. Thank you for all your hard work so that I don't have to do it! Kind regards.
Tanya says
So glad you liked it Dorothy. That Walkerswood is some really good stuff, lol. I like your idea of adding a dry rub too.
Tracey puttnam?? says
Just got my today. Can’t wait to make all The delicious recipes
Katie says
This was wonderful. Used pork that was already cut for carnitas and reduced time to 15 minutes. Reminded us of the jerk shack in Jamaica. Thanks for the recipe !!!
Carolyn says
I can't wait to try making this!
Crystal Faulkner says
This looks just stunning. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
Tanya says
Thank you 🙂