Air-Fried Pork Shoulder – Juicy & Flavorful Korean-Style BBQ

Air frying is a quick and easy way to make delicious, juicy pork shoulder with minimal oil while keeping that smoky, grilled flavor. This recipe uses a Korean-style marinade, packed with umami from soy sauce, sesame oil, and plum extract, creating a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors.

Serve it with lettuce, perilla leaves, and ssamjang (쌈장) for an authentic Korean ssam (lettuce wrap) experience!

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Bowl (Glass or Stainless)
• Kitchen scissors
• Basting brush

Ingredients

• For cooking
  • 400g pork shoulder or pork belly for a fattier cut
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp plum extract (or honey)
  • ½ tbsp sesame oil
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
• For Serving
  • Lettuce & perilla leaves (for wrapping)
  • Ssamjang (쌈장)–Korean seasoned soybean paste

Instructions

1. Slice the green onion into thin pieces.
   
2. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, water, sugar, plum extract, sesame oil, ground pepper, and sliced green onion to create a flavorful marinade.
   
   
   
   
3. Place the pork shoulder in a large bowl or a ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring it’s fully coated.
   
   
   
   
4. Cover and let it marinate for at least 3 hours (overnight is best for deeper flavor).
   
5. Lightly grease the air fryer grill or tray with oil to prevent sticking.
   
6. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3-5 minutes. This helps seal in the juices when cooking.
   
7. Place the marinated pork shoulder in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap. Cook at 190°C (375°F) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway at the 10-minute mark for even cooking. While cooking, brush the leftover marinade over the pork 2-3 times with a basting brush to create a caramelized, flavorful glaze. If you want a more crispy, charred surface, increase the temperature to 200°C (400°F) for the last 3 minutes.
   
   
   
   
8. Slice the air-fried pork into bite-sized pieces with kitchen scissors If it was not precut. Serve with lettuce, perilla leaves, and ssamjang for a delicious Korean-style ssam.
   
   
   
   

Tips

• For a spicy kick: Add 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) to the marinade.
• For extra tenderness: Use pork belly instead of shoulder or let it marinate overnight.
• For a smoky flavor: Add ½ tsp smoked paprika or grill for 1-2 minutes after air frying.