Kalua Pork is one of the most beloved dishes in Hawaiian cooking, known for its smoky flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Traditionally cooked underground in an imu (earth oven), our version brings the same flavors to your kitchen using a slow cooker.
It’s made with just three ingredients (pork, salt, and Liquid Smoke), yet the flavor is rich, savory, and unforgettable. Serve it with rice, cabbage, or in Hawaiian rolls for the ultimate easy meal.
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 – The best cut for slow cooking; becomes tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Choose a pork butt roast with lots of marbling such as pork shoulder aka Boston butt or pork butt. We prefer bone-in, but boneless will work too.
- Liquid Smoke (1 tablespoon): Adds that signature smoky, roasted flavor without a smoker. For flavor variations, use hickory or mesquite liquid smoke.
- 1 tablespoon sea salt – Seasons the meat and enhances the natural flavors (can also use 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
- Use pork shoulder or pork butt for the most tender and flavorful results. 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.
- Keep the fat cap on while cooking to help the pork stay juicy.
- 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
Video
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.
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
Easy 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?
I’m wondering why they call it Kahlua pork, when Kahlua is not a part of the ingredients??
Kalua is an entire pig cooked in the ground. A hole is dug and the pig is rubbed all over with Hawaiian Sea Salt, placed in the hole and covered with leaves or branches, like banana leaves, that are lit on fire and then covered with dirt. The pig cooks in the ground for most of the day – at least 8 hours. So this recipe’s cooking method isn’t digging a hole in the ground 😉 but it results in a similar taste as that pork served at luaus.
This is the easiest thing ever! We serve it with coleslaw on sliders! So yummy.
I love simple and easy recipes! With 5 very active and busy kids-and a hubby with long work hours. Quick crockpot meals are the best! When they taste good, it’s even better.
Super easy and so yummy!
Our favorite recipe to bring us back to our favorite vacation spot! Make this almost weekly! Love a good crockpot recipe and this one doesn’t disappoint!
Delish!
Definitely going to have to give this one a try
This is the easiest recipe and tastes amazing! My family is always so happy when I make it!
such an amazing recipe! Every time I make my boyfriend he asks for this recipe. THANKS A LOT
You are so welcome! I am glad he likes it! Thank you for letting me know!
Hello, do I need to add any liquid besides the liquid smoke? Thank you
Nope 🙂 It creates juices. Enjoy!!
Im a pork roast fan. I love the saltiness. Adding liquid smOke Was really delicious.
So good and I love how easy the slow cooker made it! Will make again.
Yay..I love hearing that! Thank you for letting me know!
Love the slider idea for our next game day. I know they’ll be a hit!
Delish!
I love how simple this is to make! It sounds good. i haven’t been to hawaii but my mom has and i think this is one of the things she ate that she mentioned to me she really enjoyed.
This dinner brought me right back to our trip to hawaii. SO DELICIOUS. thank you.
So good and I love how easy the slow cooker made it! Will make again.
I love how simple and easy this is! Just a few ingredients but lots of flavor!
Super easy & super tasty!! We love this pork in so many recipes! It is usually gone so fast!
No liquid required? How many normal sized portions does this make? I have hawaiian salts so should i use the red salt?
The faStest meal ever! You will enjoy the ease And tAste of this meal!
I’m cooking this as we speak. My brother-in-law is hawaiian and he once made this for our family and it was absolutely amazing. i doubt mine will turn out like his, but even if i get halfway there i’ll be thrilled! thanks for the recipe. 🙂
I bet it could 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that!! I am glad you liked it!