These crispy delicious pork carnitas are made in the Ninja Foodi in less than 1 hour. Pressure cook them to tender and crisp them up all in one device.
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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 recently became the owner of a Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker with Air Crisper. What’s that you ask? It’s a magical device that Ninja has bestowed upon us. It’s a pressure cooker. It’s an air fryer. It’s a pressure cooker and an air fryer all combined in one device.
I’ll be doing a full and thorough review on the Ninja Foodie soon. Until then, I’ve been testing it out on different recipes to see if it really works as expected.
- Chicken Wings from frozen
- Chicken pot pie
- A whole roasted chicken (twice)
- And this pork carnita recipe
All of these have turned out wonderful. I wanted to go ahead and post this pork carnita recipe as it was one of my main determining factors of making the purchase.
I was in the market for a second pressure cooker and this one caught my eye. I love cooking meats in my pressure cooker but sometimes I want that extra crisp. I could always use my pressure cooker and then place my meat in the air fryer or oven...but if I can get it all done in one place, then why not.
Will the Ninja Foodi replace my Instant Pot and Air Fryer?
For me personally, it won't...but it's staying for sure. I'm not in love with the Air Fryer basket on the Ninja Foodi as there is no long handle.
I wanted two pressure cookers anyway and my Instant Pot does a mighty good job on pressure cooking, so I'll keep it too.
Ninja Foodi Pork Carnita Recipe
Of all the recipes I’ve made thus far, this is already one of my favorites. I love making shredded pork for multiple uses...tacos, burritos, rice bowl, sandwiches, etc.
I usually make it in a slow cooker or my pressure cooker but I always have to transfer the pork to the oven to really get it crisp. That’s an entire day of cooking...which I don’t have much time for.
This Ninja Foodi method allowed me to get it all done in less than an hour.
Here’s the video of me making this recipe in full. I’ll be making some more Ninja Foodi recipes to share as well. As always, Enjoy 🙂
Looking for more Ninja Foodi Recipes? Try these out:
Looking for more Air Fryer Pork Recipes? Try these out:
Air Fryer Mustard Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Air Fried Japanese Tonkatsu (Air Fried Boneless Pork Chops)
These Carnitas are great with this Homemade Salsa Recipe.
Pin Ninja Foodi Recipe: Pork Carnitas for Later
Ninja Foodi Recipe: Crispy Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork butt chopped into 2 inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 orange cut in half
- 1 yellow onion peeled and cut in half
- 6 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Place pork, salt, oregano, and cumin in Ninja Foodi pressure cook insert. Combine making sure the seasonings are covering the pork.
- Take the orange and squeeze the juices over the pork. Put the squeezed orange in the insert, along with the onion, garlic cloves, and ½ cup chicken broth.
- Cover the Ninja Foodi with the pressure cooker cover, ensuring the valve is set to seal. Set the Ninja Foodi to High Pressure and cook for 20 minutes.
- Once the 20 minute timer is complete, do a quick release by switching the valve to vent. Once all the pressure is released, open the lid and remove the orange, onion, and garlic cloves.
- Set the Ninja Foodi to satué and select md:hi. The liquid will begin to simmer. Allow the liquid to cook until it reduces, about 10-15 minutes.
- Once the majority of the liquid has reduced, press stop on the Ninja Foodi and then close the Ninja Foodi Air Crisp lid.
- Select Broil and adjust the time to 8 minutes.
- Once complete, use the crispy delicious meat in tacos, bowls, sandwiches, wraps, etc. Top with cilantro or any of your favorite toppings.
Lara Moreno says
Perfectly done, I used pre cubed pork which wasn’t fatty enough next time shoulder or butt. Thank you!
Mireille says
I don't comment much online regarding recipes, but I had to on this one. This is incredible. We've had this so many times and it's very easy for me Let's go together and my partner is in love with this dish.
I usually do a 4 pound boneless pork butt, cut in 2 inch cubes,
Double the spices to accommodate double the meat (or triple if I do 6 lbs), double or triple the onion and garlic if doing 4 or 6 lbs (I chop the onion and mince the garlic and never remove it), stick to the 1/2 cup chicken broth (I use Better than Boullion) and always just use 1 orange.
This recipe never fails unless I changed the meat to a leaner pork. Some worked OK but when I viewed loin it was just too dry.
Thank you so much for this recipe. I make it every few weeks minimum. Absolutely delicious and this is coming from someeone who typical doesn't like pork!
Tanya says
Thanks so much for the feedback Mireille! So glad you like the recipe 🙂
vickie says
@Mireille, Thank you for this! For 4Lbs does that mean the cook time is doubled as well? TYIA!
Tanya says
Cook time would remain the same in the pressure cooker.
Mireille says
@Tanya,
Hello. I'm still making this recipe often....and began experimenting with McCormick Grill Mates Mojito Lime Seasoning. Try it! Its delicious. Adds a little "zing"
ELK says
I made this tonight on a bit of a whim and it was DELICIOUS! I’m relatively new to the Foodi but this was so easy. Cooked up a batch of Spanish rice in the foodi before cooking this and that combined with the meat impressed my Mexican boyfriend (who’s also a chef)! He loved it, I loved it, and we have leftovers for the rest of the week! Thank you for the great recipe!
Barbra says
I found your recipe and video instruction last year over the Fourth of July weekend! It was so easy to make and a hit with everyone that tried it. I’ve made this meal, following your recipe, on several occasions since and currently making a huge portion to enjoy throughout this years 4th of July weekend celebration! I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for sharing 🙏 Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
Judi says
As a newbie to the ninja foodie can I just say how much I appreciate all the details you gave. Excellent video/recipe and great tasting food. Thanks a bunch.
Tanya says
Thank you 🙂
Steve M says
I have a Ninja and love carnitas and want to try this. Can you tell me what on earth a “pressure cook insert” is? I have a bowl, air basket and broiling racks.
Tanya says
Hi Steve M. This recipe is made in the Ninja Foodi, which is a pressure cooker and air fryer combined. If your Ninja is another kind, you wouldn't have the pressure cooker function. You could also make the recipe in a separate pressure cooker, stovetop, or oven before crisping the meat up.
M says
@Steve M
She's referring to the lid. This ninja comes with 2 lids. (1) always attached air fryer lid (2) pressure lid, only added when needed.
Meg says
I have made this recipe MANY times and LOVE it. Definitely our favorite Foodi recipe. I’ve made it exactly as stated many times (a rarity for me), with great results. I have lately been liking a suggestion in the comments, and replace the chicken broth with pineapple juice and add chunks of pineapple before cooking. I also generally leave the onion and garlic in (laziness, lol). The only major difference I’ve developed: I tend to pressure cook for twice as long, or even more. My meat tends to be fatty, so maybe that’s why, but I feel like I get a more tender, easy to shred product. Doesn’t seem to be an issue for others, though. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Tanya says
Thanks so much for the feedback Meg! That pineapple suggestion is genius too.
Dawn Dickinson says
How long should I pressure cook for 4 lbs pork? And do I double the amount of liquid?
Tanya says
Hi Dawn, don't double the liquid. I'd keep the cook time around the same with 4lbs so long as you chop it into large chunks like I did.
Alexandra Van Nuys says
Hi Tanya,
I haven't made your carnitas recipe yet, but I want to. However, I am confused about one of the ingredients. The recipe doesn't indicate whether the 1/2 tsp of oregano is ground oregano or whole leaves, and I don't see it addressed in the comments either. Please clarify. Thank you.
Tanya says
Hi Alexandra, it's ground oregano.
MB says
How long would you cook a 3lb pork shoulder?
vic says
Can this be done in air fryer only.
Tanya says
Hi Vic, I haven't tested it that way so I'm not sure how it would turn out. My guess is that wrapping it in foil, cooking it lower temp and longer could get that fall apart and juicy pork.
Jenny says
I made your Halal cart chicken last night and it was unbelievably good. Hard to find a meal both the husband and 3 little girls all love and that one is a winner! Anyway, so excited to try these carnitas, but wondering what the procedure would be for crisping them up in the oven since all I have is a pressure cooker. Thank you!
Tanya says
Thanks Jenny! For this recipe, I'd follow the instructions and when you're ready to broil, place the carnitas on a sheet pan (with a slotted spoon) and place under the broiler for a few minutes until crisp. I'd start checking around the 3-minute mark to make sure it doesn't overcook.
Jenny says
@Tanya, thanks!
Brandon says
Add original cane sugar coca cola
Erika says
Oh wow! 5 stars all the way! I really wasn’t sure that it would have enough flavor because it had so little salt, cumin, and oregano. But the punch that the onion, garlic, and orange juice and rinds gave it was outstanding! This will definitely be on a quick rotation in my house. Thanks for sharing
Erika says
Oh wow! 5 stars all the way! I really wasn’t sure that it would have enough flavor because it had so little salt, cumin, and oregano. But the punch that the onion, garlic, and orange juice and rinds gave it was outstanding! This will definitely be on a quick rotation in my house. Thanks for sharing!