While I love all the recipes that we share here on PWWB, there are a handful of recipes that make me giddy with excitement & put butterflies in my stomach just before hitting the “PUBLISH” button. Today’s recipe is one of those recipes. It’s with great excitement that I am finally introducing you to one of my most treasured family recipes: Best-Ever Kālua Pig.
Kalua pig is a traditional Hawaiian pork dish – though, to me, it’s more than a meal…it’s central to some of the best memories of my life. I’ll spare you the nostalgia-filled deets, but know that it’s a really special dish that embodies love, family, togetherness, & the generous Hawaiian spirit of aloha.
Best-Ever Kalua Pork (My Hawaiian Family’s Recipe!)
A treasured family recipe – the Best-Ever Kalua Pig! Succulent, fall-apart tender pulled pork shoulder infused with rich earthy & smoky flavor, kalua pork is pure Hawaiian goodness, perfect for traditional kalua pork & cabbage, pulled pork sandwiches & sliders, tacos, nachos, & more. Oven, slow cooker & electric pressure cooker instructions provided.
Prep: 15min
Total: 3h30min
Yield: 8
Nutrition Facts: servingSize None, calories 246 calories, Sugar 0.8 g, Sodium 1606.5 mg, Fat 13.1 g, Saturated Fat 3.9 g, Trans Fat 0 g, Carbohydrate 2.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 28 g, Cholesterol 92.6 mg
Ingredients:
- 2.5-3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 3-4 large pieces
- 8-10 cloves garlic, sliced in half lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large banana leaf, thawed if frozen & cut into 3 smaller pieces (see Recipe Notes)
- 2 tablespoons Hawaiian sea salt (see Recipe Notes)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons liquid smoke, divided
- 2 cups water or chicken stock
Instruction:
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘to 325 degrees F, ensuring a rack is positioned in the center of the oven.’, ‘name’: ‘Preheat the oven’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-1’}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Using a sharp paring knife, carefully cut a few deep slits into each piece of pork shoulder, then insert sliced garlic into each pocket.’, ‘name’: ‘Stud the pork with garlic:xa0’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-2’, ‘image’: {‘@type’: ‘ImageObject’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kalua-Pork-2-595×397.jpg’, ‘height’: ‘397’, ‘width’: ‘595’}}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add the olive oil to a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid over medium-high heat (I use a 5-qt Dutch oven). Once the oil is hot & shimmering, carefully add in the prepared pork. Work in batches, as necessary, to avoid overcrowding the pot (which prevents browning). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Transfer the browned pork to a plate, remove the pot from the heat & set aside to cool.’, ‘name’: ‘Sear the pork’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-3’, ‘image’: {‘@type’: ‘ImageObject’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kalua-Pork-3-595×397.jpg’, ‘height’: ‘397’, ‘width’: ‘595’}}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Place the seared pork in the center of one of the pieces of banana leaf. Season with the Hawaiian sea salt & 1 tablespoon of the liquid smoke, using your hands to rub the salt & liquid smoke all over the surface of the pork. Arranged the seasoned pork in a small pile at the center of the banana leaf, folding the corners & edges of the banana leaf into the center to encase the pork. Carefully flip & set the wrapped pork seam side down on the second section of banana leaf. Repeat folding with the remaining pieces of banana leaf. Note: The banana leaf may split a little bit as you work, which is okay. Just work quickly & do your best to completely encase the pork in the banana leaf.’, ‘name’: ‘Wrap the pork in banana leaves:xa0’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-4’}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Carefully set the banana leaf-wrapped pork seam side down in the pot used to sear the pork. Pour the water or chicken stock around the sides of the banana leaf-wrapped pork. Cover the pot & transfer the pot to the oven. Cook for 2 1/2 – 3 hours, until the kalua pork is fall-apart tender.’, ‘name’: ‘Braise the kalua pig’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-5’, ‘image’: {‘@type’: ‘ImageObject’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kalua-Pork-10-595×397.jpg’, ‘height’: ‘397’, ‘width’: ‘595’}}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Carefully transfer the pork to a plate or cutting board. Use tongs or 2 forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Once shredded, transfer to a large mixing bowl. Season with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke & a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid in the pot as desired, stirring to combine. At this point, you can enjoy your Hawaiian kalua pulled pork immediately or cool & store for later use (see Recipe Notes for storage & freezing directions).’, ‘name’: ‘Finish the kalua pork’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-6’, ‘image’: {‘@type’: ‘ImageObject’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kalua-Pork-14-e1607207877317-595×397.jpg’, ‘height’: ‘397’, ‘width’: ‘595’}}
- {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: “KALUA PORK & CABBAGE: My favorite way to enjoy this kalua pig is a pretty classic preparation of Kalua Pork and Cabbage. When I cook kalua pig and cabbage, I mostly eyeball things, but here’s the gist of how it’s done (the below steps yields 1 generous portion, multiply as desired for more servings!)”, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Add a couple of teaspoons of neutral cooking oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot & shimmering, add in roughly 1/2 cup of kalua pulled pork & a couple of handfuls of finely shredded cabbage. Stir to combine.’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-7’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Once the pork is hot & the cabbage begins to wilt, pour in a few teaspoons of shoyu (or soy sauce/tamari/coconut aminos). Stir to combine & continue to cook 1-2 minutes more.’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-8’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Serving: Kalua pig & cabbage begs to be served over a pile of rice! If you want to take your meal to the next level, drizzle with spicy mayo & serve alongside Hawaiian mac salad. Enjoy!’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/kalua-pork-recipe/#instruction-step-9’, ‘image’: {‘@type’: ‘ImageObject’, ‘url’: ‘https://playswellwithbutter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Kalua-Pork-19-595×397.jpg’, ‘height’: ‘397’, ‘width’: ‘595’}}]}
Hawaiian Style Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Hawaiian Style Slow Cooker Kalua Pork. Easy to prepare and no hands on cooking make this pork recipe a breeze to make and turns out perfect every time. Serve with sticky rice and sautéed baby bok choy or cabbage.
Prep: 10min
Total: 760min
Yield: 12
Ingredients:
- 6-8 pounds pork shoulder or Boston butt roast*
- 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke (Hickory or Mesquite flavor)
- 2-3 teaspoons red Hawaiian Sea salt (2-3 Tablespoons for a larger roast- over 6 pounds***see notes)
- Banana leaves – optional
Instruction:
- Rinse and pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towel, do not trim off excess fat and place in the slow cooker.
- Pierce all over with a fork, pour the liquid smoke evenly over the roast and sprinkle liberally with the sea salt.
- Place the lid of the slow cooker on and set the time for eight to twelve hours on LOW.
- Check at about eight hours for doneness. If not done let go the full 12 hours, checking every hour.
- If you have used banana leaves you can remove them before shredding the pork.
- Remove around 2 cups of liquid (500ml) and set aside. This should be most of the cooking liquid removed. Shred the pork with forks and then add some of the liquid back in to keep the pork from drying out. You might not add all the liquid back in, save it for storing the pork if there are leftovers.
- The pork should be kept warm-hot in the liquid before serving. You can place the banana leaves on a platter then serve the pork on top of them or use fresh banana leaves for serving. Do not eat the banana leaves.
- The pork saves well kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer, keep some of the cooking liquid with it. Thaw in refrigerator if frozen. It can be reheated on low in the slow cooker.
How To Make Kalua Pig | Very Easy Recipe
FAQ
Why is it called kalua pork?
“Kalua Pork, or as many Polynesians call it Kalua Pig“, is a delicacy and classic Hawaiian food. Kalua means to cook underground. Therefore, traditional Hawaiian Kalua pig is cooked in an earth oven.
What kind of pork for kalua?
Succulent, fall-apart tender pulled pork shoulder infused with rich earthy & smoky flavor, kalua pork is pure Hawaiian goodness. My family’s recipe makes it easy to prepare this iconic Hawaiian meal at home – even on the mainland!
What is the difference between pork lau lau and kalua pork?
Both dishes feature succulent pork seasoned with Hawaiian salt. Lau lau cocoons chunks of it in softly steamed luau or taro leaves, while kalua pork is roasted in an underground oven and shredded and seasoned while still hot.
What do Hawaiians eat with kalua pork?
As far as what to serve with Kalua Pork, Hawaiian side dishes, such as Hawaiian macaroni salad, Hawaiian rolls, or Hawaiian fried rice, are all great places to start. Otherwise, any of these recipes would taste great with your Slow Cooker Kalua Pork: Easy Frog Eye Salad. Cornbread Muffins.
