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Even before our family visited Hawaii, we were obsessed with Hawaiian food! Since we don’t get to go there often, we like to whip up some classics like this Kalua pork recipe at home!
In Hawaii, a popular main dish at luaus and family gatherings is to roast a whole pig in a pit in the ground, or Imu. Of course, you probably aren’t going to dig an underground oven in your backyard to roast a Kalua pig. Our slow cooker version (that we got from a family friend from Hawaii) is much easier, but packs in the tropical flavor for tastes of Hawaii right at home!
Create your own “two-scoop lunch plate” with side dishes of Crock Pot White Rice, Macaroni Salad, and of course, pineapple!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Ideal for gatherings. From a family dinner to a backyard BBQ, this easy dinner idea is a crowd-pleaser and can be easily scaled up to feed a larger group.
- So easy! Create a mouthwatering, easy slow cooker recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
- Freezer-friendly. Easily make this ahead of time or freeze the leftovers to be used in other recipes and for busy weeknights!
Kalua Pork Ingredients
- 7 pound bone-in pork butt – Choose a pork butt roast with lots of marbling such as pork shoulder aka Boston butt or pork butt. We used bone-in, but boneless will work too.
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke – for flavor variations, use hickory or mesquite liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon sea salt – or kosher salt or Hawaiian sea salt
How to Make Kalua Pork
- SEASON. Place the 7-pound pork roast fat side up in your slow cooker. Sprinkle with liquid smoke and sea salt and rub all over.
- COOK. Cook on low for 9-10 hours (we let ours cook overnight). Use a meat shredder to shred the meat in the slow cooker and serve hot with a side of rice and Hawaiian mac salad!
Instant Pot Directions
- Allow the pressure to naturally release before removing the lid. This will take about 20 minutes.
- Select sauté on the Instant Pot. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear all sides of the pork roast.
- Turn the pressure cooker off. Remove the pork roast and pour in ½ cup of water and liquid smoke.
- Return the roast to the pot and add salt.
- Cover with the lid and select “manual”. Set the timer for 90 minutes.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- We look for a lot of marbling on the pork; the more marbling the pork has, the more tender and flavorful the shredded pork will become.
- Low and slow is the way to go. For fall-apart fork-tender pork, use the LOW setting for at least 10 hours.
- Authentic kalua pork is cooked in an underground oven. To help mimic the flavor, we like to add liquid smoke to the crock pot.
- We use leftovers inside Yeast Dinner Rolls to make pork sandwiches. You could also use it in Chicken Tacos, Loaded Nachos, Cheese Quesadillas, or put it on top of a salad or inside sliders.
Kalua Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 pound bone in pork butt, or shoulder
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon sea salt, or kosher salt
Instructions
- Place pork roast fat side up in your slow cooker. Rub all over with Liquid Smoke and salt.
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours (We like to let ours cook overnight or start it early in the morning).
- Shred meat in the slow cooker and serve hot.
Video
Notes
- The more marbling the pork butt has, the more tender and flavorful the shredded pork will become.
- Low and slow is the way to go. For fall-apart fork-tender pork, use the LOW setting for at least 10 hours.
- Authentic kaula pork is cooked in an underground oven. To help mimic the flavor, we like to add kiawe, mesquite, or hickory flavored liquid smoke to the crock pot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Cut the cabbage into large chunks and add it to a saucepan.
Pour 1-2 cups of the crock pot drippings into the pan.
Add a lid and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the cabbage until it is soft.
Place pork and some juice from the crock pot in an airtight container or, if applicable, a freezer-safe container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge before heating up.
Complete The Meal
Sides
Macaroni Salad With Ham
20 mins
How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
2 hrs 5 mins
Easy Coleslaw
10 mins
Pineapple Casserole
35 mins
More Meats
Pulled Pork Recipe
8 hrs 5 mins
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
6 hrs 5 mins
Easy Teriyaki Chicken
30 mins
Huli Huli Chicken
1 d 21 mins
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This recipe was originally published May 2016.
2-14-24
I made this recipe this past weekend, it was so disappointing for me. I followed your simple instructions, it cooked in my slow-cooker Crock Pot overnight more 16 Hours! The pork was a ropey-texture and little taste. I served on Hawaiian buns. What could I have done differently. When I was in Hawaii I got hooked on this. I served it with stir-fry veggies (added sweet sour sauce to those) & rice. Topped with fresh green onion.
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.
How long would you suggest if my pork is boneless?
It’ll be about the same amount of time (unless your roast is a lot smaller than the size in the recipe). However, boneless pork roasts do typically cook a bit faster than bone-in. So I’d saw start on low for 8 hours and go from there. It should be fall of the bone tender…. then you’ll know it is done!
This is by far the best Kalua Pork I’ve tried since leaving Hawaii!!
Nicely done!
This will be my go to recipe this summer!
It’s not authentic without the cabbage.
You can certainly add cabbage to the recipe if you like.
How long would you cook a 14.5 lb pork butt in a slow cooker? 16-20 hours on low?