Spoon Simple
Air Fryer Pork Carnitas Tacos
Achieve tender, juicy pork carnitas with crispy edges right in your air fryer, perfect for assembling quick and delicious tacos.
Prep 15 min
Cook 40 min
Total 55 min
Serves 6
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Carnitas
- 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Step 2 — For Serving
- 8-12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Optional toppings: chopped onion, cilantro, salsa, avocado, lime wedges
Instructions
- 1
Sear Pork
In an oven-safe skillet or pot, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chunks on all sides until browned. Remove pork and set aside.
- 2
Braise Pork
Add the chicken broth, orange juice, smashed garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Return the pork to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, then cover tightly and transfer to a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 2 hours, or until pork is very tender.
- 3
Shred Pork
Remove the pork from the braising liquid. Shred it using two forks. Discard excess fat, reserving about 1/4 cup of the braising liquid.
- 4
Crisp Carnitas in Air Fryer
Place the shredded pork in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved braising liquid. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until the edges are crispy.
- 5
Assemble Tacos
Warm the tortillas. Fill with the crispy carnitas and serve with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition per serving: 400 cal · 35g protein · 15g carbs · 22g fat
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
