Spoon Simple
Air Fryer Pork Carnitas with Lime and Cilantro
Get incredibly tender and crispy pork carnitas with minimal effort using your air fryer. Infused with lime and cilantro, these carnitas are perfect for tacos, bowls, or salads.
Prep 15 min
Cook 50 min
Total 1h 5m
Serves 6
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Pork
- 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 orange, halved
- 1 lime, halved
- 1/2 onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
Step 2 — For Serving
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Diced onion
- Salsa
- Avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- 1
Prepare Pork
Pat the pork chunks dry. Season generously with salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin. Place pork in the air fryer basket.
- 2
Add Aromatics
Squeeze the juice from the orange and lime halves over the pork. Add the squeezed halves, quartered onion, and smashed garlic cloves to the basket. Pour in the water or broth.
- 3
Air Fry (Initial Cook)
Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Cook for 40 minutes, shaking the basket every 10 minutes, until the pork is tender.
- 4
Crisp the Carnitas
Remove and discard the squeezed citrus halves, onion, and garlic. Increase air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C). Return the pork to the basket and cook for another 10-15 minutes, shaking occasionally, until the edges are browned and crispy.
- 5
Shred and Serve
Remove the pork from the basket and shred it using two forks. Serve immediately in warm tortillas with your favorite toppings like cilantro, lime, onion, salsa, and avocado.
Nutrition per serving: 480 cal · 35g protein · 15g carbs · 30g fat · 3g fiber
For informational purposes only. Not medical or dietary advice. Verify ingredients for allergens, cooking times, and safe internal temperatures before serving.
