Kalua Pork Recipe
+3 photos

Kalua Pork Recipe

16 servings
Kalua Pork is a Hawaiian dish often served at luaus. This version is made in the slow cooker and tastes just like authentic shredded Kalua Pig.

Ingredients

  • pork roast

    3-4 pound

    1
  • kosher salt
    1 tbsp
  • liquid smoke
    ⅓ c
  • water
    1 c
  • cabbage
    ½ head

Directions

  1. 1

    Rub pork generously with salt.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    Place the pork in a slow cooker. Pour on liquid smoke. Add water. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

    Step 2
  3. 3

    An hour before serving, carefully lift the pork out of the slow cooker. Do not drain out juices. Place cabbage in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place pork on top of the cabbage, place the lid back on and cook for another hour. Shred pork and serve.

    Step 3
Kalua Pork Recipe
+3

Kalua Pork Recipe

490 min16 servings173 cal

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About this Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Kalua Pork: Your Luau at Home!

Dreaming of a Hawaiian luau but don't have an imu (underground oven)? No problem! Our Slow Cooker Kalua Pork brings the authentic taste of this beloved Hawaiian dish right to your kitchen with minimal effort. This incredible Crock Pot pork roast recipe delivers tender, smoky, shredded pork that tastes just like traditional Kalua Pig, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a taste of the islands any night of the week.

What makes this Kalua Pork recipe so special is its simplicity combined with deeply satisfying results. Using just a few key ingredients – a succulent pork roast, kosher salt, and the essential liquid smoke – your Crock Pot does all the hard work. The long, slow cooking process breaks down the pork, transforming it into incredibly juicy, fall-apart shredded meat that's infused with that distinctive smoky flavor. It's truly a set-it-and-forget-it meal that yields spectacular rewards.

Tips for Perfect Kalua Pork

  • Choose Your Pork: While any pork roast works, a boneless pork shoulder or Boston butt is ideal. Its fat content keeps the meat moist and flavorful during the long cooking time.
  • Don't Skip the Liquid Smoke: This is the secret ingredient that replicates the smoky flavor of an underground imu. It's crucial for achieving that authentic Kalua Pork taste.
  • Optional Cabbage: Adding coarsely chopped cabbage during the last hour or so of cooking is a traditional touch that perfectly complements the rich pork.

Serve your delicious shredded Kalua Pork with steamed rice, creamy macaroni salad, or even piled high on Hawaiian sweet rolls for an incredible sandwich. This versatile dish is sure to become a family favorite!

Frequently Asked Questions