Ninja Foodi Recipe: Crispy Pork Carnitas (2024)

FAQs

How long does pork take in Ninja? ›

How long should I cook the pork roast in the Ninja Foodi? The cooking time for a pork roast in the Ninja Foodi will vary depending on the size and thickness of the meat. As a general guideline, plan for around 20 minutes of pressure cooking per pound of pork roast.

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.

Carnitas, literally meaning "little meats", is a dish of Mexican cuisine that originated in the state of Michoacán. Carnitas are made by braising or simmering pork in oil or preferably lard until tender.

I've made carnitas many times using a completely different method and it turned out pretty good. But it is important to note that the traditional way to make carnitas is by slow cooking it in lard. I think it also gives it a more authentic taste. Seasoning- Salt, Mexican oregano, cumin, & black pepper.

However, creamy tex-mex sauce is what I love to put on top of my pork carnitas tacos and pork carnitas sliders. It's such a great combination of a little spice with a lot of flavor, and I found it to be really great with the insanely delicious flavors of the tacos.

Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot of the Ninja Foodi. Place the pork roast on the reversible rack in the low position and lower the rack into the inner pot. Put the pressure lid on and turn the valve to seal. Set the pressure on high for 15 minutes and press start.

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.

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.

What is difference between pulled pork and carnitas? Pulled pork is typically made from pork shoulder, slow-cooked until tender and then shredded. Carnitas, on the other hand, is a Mexican dish made from pork shoulder or butt that is braised or simmered until it becomes tender and then shredded or chopped.

Carnitas is associated with festive occasions, and it's usually consumed during weekends, particularly on Sundays, the traditional “mercado”, or marketplace, day in Mexico. Carnitas vendors are a common, some would even say indispensable, sight at any tianguis (another word for marketplace!) in all states.

How do Mexicans eat carnitas? ›

As Nancy said, carnitas can be a dish by itself, or as an ingredient in tamales, tacos (made with two tortillas so they don't tear apart) or tortas. Depending on where you eat them, they can be served with chopped cilantro, diced onion, salsa, guacamole, tortillas, refried beans, lime and/or radishes.

In short, if your goal is to prepare something yourself, carne al pastor is your best bet. It's easier to prepare than carnitas and just as flavorful. If, on the other hand, you are trying to decide what to order at El Pollo Norteno, the choice comes down to your personal preference.

Both are delicious and popular menu items that are flavorful. They're also both very tender, thanks to their long cooking time, which breaks down the collagen in the meat. If you like beef, then barbacoa is the way to go. However, if you prefer pork, then carnitas is the better option.

Try serving your carnitas with roasted or smoked vegetables like sweet potatoes, peppers and onions for something more unexpected. The sweetness of these veggies pairs well with the salty, savory flavor of the pork.