5+ Methods to Air-Fry Pork Shoulder Without Drying Out – Mytour

Forget about frying meat with harmful oil or charcoal that's bad for your health. Below are 5+ ways to air-fry pork shoulder using an oil-less air fryer ensuring three no's: no dryness, no burning, and no harm to your health. Especially for busy homemakers or those looking to save time. Let's get cooking with 5 delicious pork shoulder recipes right away!

1. Air-Frying Pork Shoulder with Mok Mat Leaves Using Oil-Less Air Fryer

Grilled pork shoulder with mok mat leaves is a favorite and appealing dish for many, especially children. However, making traditional charcoal-grilled meat requires a lot of effort and time. Therefore, to have delicious and healthy grilled pork shoulder, check out how to air-fry pork shoulder using an oil-less air fryer right below:

Photo Credit: @thuuyen

Ingredients for Grilled Pork Skewers with Mok Mat Leaves

• 1kg pork shoulder meat
• 100 grams mok mat leaves
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 4 bulbs minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Common spices: sugar, pepper, MSG

Instructions for Preparing and Grilling the Meat

• Step 1: Pick mok mat leaves and wash them thoroughly.
• Step 2: Clean the meat and remove any unpleasant smell by rubbing with salt. Then, cut it into small bite-sized pieces. Note: To remove the pork smell, you can blanch the meat in boiling water for about 3 minutes with 1 smashed shallot. Or use white wine to rub on each piece of meat.
• Step 3: Marinate the meat with minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, ½ teaspoon of MSG, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of ground pepper. Mix the spices well and marinate for about 30 minutes.
• Step 4: Use skewers to skewer the meat with mok mat leaves. Skewer the meat alternately with the leaves to allow the flavor and aroma of the leaves to infuse.
• Step 5: Set the temperature of the air fryer to 200 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes to preheat. Then, arrange the meat in the air fryer and set to 160 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Flip the meat and set for another 5 minutes. Finally, set to 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes to slightly char the meat.

Photo Credit: @thuuyen

Note: The power and temperature of each air fryer may vary. Therefore, to avoid burning too quickly or leaving the meat undercooked, you can set the temperature lower and monitor regularly.

Final Product Requirements

With this air fryer method for grilling pork shoulder, your skewered meat with mok mat leaves will turn out perfectly. The meat won't dry out, and it will have a nice golden color. Marinated with five-spice powder, the aroma and flavor will be just like those from a restaurant.

Explore more recipes: 

• 3 ways to air fryer-grill pork chops

2. Air fryer-grilled pork shoulder with five-spice

With just one packet of five-spice seasoning, a plate of fragrant grilled pork is ready for the family meal. Not only that, this air fryer method for grilling pork shoulder with five-spice seasoning ensures super labor and time savings.

Ingredients for five-spice grilled pork

• 500 grams pork shoulder
• 1 packet five-spice seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons Coca-Cola
• 1 teaspoon oil
• Common spices: salt, ground pepper, sugar, cooking oil

Preparation and grilling instructions

• Step 1: Wash the meat thoroughly to remove any odor and let it dry. Use salt or blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes to completely remove any unpleasant odor from the meat.
• Step 2: Marinate the meat with ½ teaspoon five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon sugar/honey, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon ground pepper, 2 tablespoons Coca-Cola, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix well by hand and wrap tightly, then refrigerate for about 2 hours for the spices to infuse.
• Step 3: Use aluminum foil to wrap the meat and then grill for 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
• Step 4: Remove the aluminum foil, reduce the temperature to 160 degrees Celsius, grill the other side for 5 minutes. Brush the meat with a layer of honey coffee to enhance the beautiful color.

Image: collected

Finished product requirements

The aroma of five-spice powder makes the meat more attractive. Even when cooked using this air fryer method for grilling pork shoulder, the meat still retains just the right amount of juiciness. Five-spice grilled pork should be served with hot rice, guaranteed not to disappoint you.

Image: collected

3. How to Make Skewered Grilled Meat Using an Air Fryer

Skewered grilled meat is delicious and incredibly enticing without the need for an outdoor grill. The method of grilling pork shoulder using an air fryer ensures defeating the grilled meat that you crave on the street corner.

Ingredients for Skewered Grilled Meat

• 500 grams pork shoulder with fat
• 2 stalks lemongrass, minced
• 3 shallots, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1-2 tablespoons condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• Soy sauce/oyster sauce
• Common spices

Image: @thuuyen

Preparation and Skewered Grilled Meat Instructions

• Step 1: Clean the pork, then rub with salt to remove the odor. Rinse and slice thinly.
• Step 2: The marinade includes: 2 tablespoons oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons condensed milk, 1 teaspoon ground pepper, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Mix the spices together.
• Step 3: Pour the marinade over the sliced pork. Mix well to marinate each piece. Marinate for about 1-2 hours.
• Step 4: After marinating, thread the pork onto skewers. Note: Do not make the meat too thin as it will burn easily. Conversely, do not pack the meat too tightly to ensure even cooking inside.
• Step 5: Place the skewered meat in the air fryer and set to 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Once done, flip the meat and cook for another 8 minutes at the same temperature until the meat is evenly golden on both sides, indicating it is cooked through.

Image: @delightfulplate

Finished Product Requirements

Skewered grilled meat made using the air fryer method ensures quick, convenient, and delicious results. With the even temperature set on the air fryer, the meat will be cooked evenly throughout. If you prefer a slightly more golden color, you can adjust the temperature to 190 – 200 degrees Celsius. This skewered meat dish is guaranteed to be a hit with the little ones!

4. Grilling pork shoulder for bun cha using an air fryer

“Meat skewers” – a skill not everyone can master right away from the first try. And if you don't have a grill, how can you make meat skewers? Don't worry, below is how to grill pork shoulder using an air fryer for delicious bun cha just like the ones from restaurants.

Image: @thuuyen

Ingredients for grilled pork for bun cha

• 500 grams of pork belly or pork shoulder for meat slices
• 500 grams of ground pork shoulder for minced meat
• 1 tablespoon of chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce/oyster sauce
• Common spices: salt, seasoning powder, pepper, MSG

Preparation and Grilling Instructions for Meatballs

• Step 1: For the meat slices, wash and slice into bite-sized pieces. Then marinate with the following spices: ½ tablespoon minced garlic, ½ tablespoon seasoning salt, ½ tablespoon MSG, ½ tablespoon ground pepper, ½ tablespoon fish sauce, ½ tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce. Mix thoroughly to let the spices infuse. Marinate for about 30 minutes. Repeat the same process for the ground meat to make meatballs.
• Step 2: For the ground meat, after marinating for about 30 minutes, use your hands to shape into round balls.
• Step 3: Set the temperature to 160 degrees Celsius for 7 minutes for the first round. Flip the meat and continue grilling for about 5 minutes. Grill for another 4 minutes for the third round at 160-180 degrees Celsius.

Note: Brush a little cooking oil when the meat is nearly cooked to achieve a beautiful golden shine.

Requirements for the Finished Product

Arrange the meatballs and grilled meat with vermicelli on a plate. Enjoy with fresh raw vegetables dipped in traditional sweet and sour fish sauce. With just a few simple steps, we can enjoy delicious and enticing Hanoi-style vermicelli with grilled meat, without the hassle of grilling meat outdoors under the scorching sun.

5. Grilling Pork Shoulder for Char Siu Using an Air Fryer

If traditional char siu grilling methods often result in dry, tough, and burnt dishes, then grilling pork shoulder for char siu using an air fryer as described below ensures ease and promising results.

Photo: Collection

Ingredients for Grilled Char Siu Pork

• 500 grams of pork
• 5 cloves of minced garlic
• 6 shallots, minced
• 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons of Mai Que Lo liquor
• ¼ teaspoon of Thai food coloring powder
• ¼ teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch
• Common spices: sugar, MSG, salt, seasoning powder

Instructions for Preparing and Grilling Char Siu Pork

• Step 1: Soak the pork in diluted salt water, then wash it thoroughly and let it dry.
• Step 2: Grind the mixture: garlic, shallots, ½ teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of MSG, 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 2 teaspoons of Mai Que Lo liquor, ¼ teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder, ¼ teaspoon of Thai food coloring powder.
• Step 3: Mix the seasoned mixture evenly with the meat. Marinate for about 2-3 hours.
• Step 4: The method of grilling pork shoulder using an air fryer is as follows: set the temperature to 200 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes for the first round. Reduce to 180 degrees Celsius for the remaining 15 minutes on the other side of the meat.

Note: Try to avoid flipping the meat too much. Doing so can cause the meat to lose moisture, resulting in dryness and toughness.

Image: Collected

Finished Product Requirements

With this method of grilling pork shoulder using an air fryer, the meat remains perfectly moist and tender. On the contrary, it's juicy, flavorful, and aromatic, making it an excellent pairing with hot rice!

Hopefully, with these 5 ways to grill pork shoulder using an air fryer, you've gained some new cooking tips to diversify and enhance your family meals. Don't forget to visit the Mytour Blog regularly to discover more culinary tricks!

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