Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Hawaiian cuisine with Kalua Pork, a delectable dish steeped in tradition and tantalizing flavors. This slow-cooked pork shoulder, infused with aromatic spices and the essence of banana leaves, offers a symphony of taste that will captivate your palate. Our comprehensive guide presents a collection of Kalua Pork recipes, each offering unique variations to suit every taste and dietary preference. From classic methods using an imu, a traditional underground oven, to convenient adaptations for modern kitchens, we've got you covered. Discover the secrets to achieving fall-off-the-bone tenderness, smoky richness, and an explosion of flavors that will leave you craving more. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a culinary novice, our step-by-step instructions and expert tips will guide you towards Kalua Pork perfection. Prepare to indulge in this Hawaiian delicacy, perfect for backyard luaus, potlucks, or simply a delightful family meal.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
3-INGREDIENT KALUA PORK (INSTANT POT OR OVEN)
Kalua pork (also called kalua pig) is a popular Hawaiian dish you can easily make at home in the oven or with an Instant Pot (or any pressure cooker). 3 ingredients, super easy! Cook, shred, and eat with rice ^_^
Provided by Kathy YL Chan
Categories Hawaii Recipes
Time 1h40m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut the pork butt into 3 pieces:
- Press the "saute" button on the Instant Pot. When the pot is hot, add a little oil and brown the pork pieces on all sides. Remove pork onto a plate and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the water to the Instant Pot. Stir to scrape up all the brown bits (that's the good stuff!) on the bottom of the pot.
- Add the liquid smoke and sea salt, and stir to mix.
- Place the pork pieces back into the Instant Pot. Cover and select the 'High-Pressure." Cook for 90 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. This is what the Kalua Pork looks like right after it's finished cooking:
- Remove the pork to a bowl. Pour the remaining pork drippings/juice into another bowl.
- Shred the pork, and add back as much juice as you'd like to keep it moist and tender. Traditional way is to shred the Kalua Pork super find, but people like to keep chunkier pieces of pork. Either way is delicious.
- Serve hot! With a bowl of rice ^_^
KALUA PORK
Savory pork butt with a smokey flavor. Any coarse salt can be used in place of the Hawaiian sea salt.
Provided by Linda Rogers
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 3h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place pork fat-side up in a roasting pan or deep casserole dish. Combine water and liquid smoke; pour over meat. Sprinkle with salt. Cover and roast in a preheated oven for three hours. Remove from pan and shred.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263.7 calories, Cholesterol 94.3 mg, Fat 17.2 g, Protein 25.4 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 4959.7 mg
KALUA PORK
Planning a luau-themed party? This Kalua pork is the perfect main dish for your get-together. It's a no-fuss crowd-pleaser meal and it's easy to clean up! A Hawaiian friend shared this recipe with me while I was stationed in Pearl Harbor several years ago. -Becky Friedman, Hammond, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 8h10m
Yield 18 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pierce pork with a fork; rub with liquid smoke and salt. Place pork in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until pork is tender, 8-10 hours. , Remove roast; shred with 2 forks. Strain cooking juices; skim fat. Return pork to slow cooker. Stir in enough cooking juices to moisten; heat through. If desired, serve with rice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture and juices in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 504mg sodium, Carbohydrate 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
KALUA PIG IN A SLOW COOKER
This is a simple way of making traditional Hawaiian kalua pig without having to dig a hole in your back yard.
Provided by KIKUKAT
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 20h10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pierce pork all over with a carving fork. Rub salt then liquid smoke over meat. Place roast in a slow cooker.
- Cover, and cook on Low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.
- Remove meat from slow cooker, and shred, adding drippings as needed to moisten.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.2 calories, Cholesterol 82.4 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Protein 25.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 714.6 mg
SLOW-COOKER KALUA PORK & CABBAGE
My slow-cooker pork has four ingredients and less than 10 minutes of prep. The result tastes just like the kalua pork slow-roasted all day in an underground oven. -Rholinelle DeTorres, San Jose, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 9h10m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Line bottom of a 6-qt. slow cooker with 4 bacon strips. Sprinkle all sides of roast with salt; place in slow cooker. Arrange remaining bacon over top of roast., Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours or until pork is tender. Add cabbage, spreading cabbage around roast. Cook, covered, 1 to 1-1/4 hours longer or until cabbage is tender. , Remove pork to a serving bowl; shred pork with 2 forks. Using a slotted spoon, add cabbage to pork and toss to combine. If desired, skim fat from some of the cooking juices; stir juices into pork mixture or serve on the side.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 72mg cholesterol, Sodium 622mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 22g protein.
KALUA PORK
Our pastor's wife, while we were stationed in Hawaii, gave me this recipe. It taste just like the imu pit roast pork, like they serve at luaus. It's really easy to prepare too. I get tons of compliments and requests for the recipe every time I make it. It is really suppose to say 1 handful of rock salt, but the system won't take that as a measurement. I usually halve the recipe, so I'm not real sure how many servings this makes. I know it makes LOTS. Also - not sure what the size of the bottle is for liquid smoke, but it's small and I believe it is the only size you can buy at a regular grocery store. This can be frozen and tastes just as good, even a month later!
Provided by Color Guard Mom
Categories Pork
Time 10h25m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut deep slices in pork, make criss cross pattern.
- take handful hawaiian rock salt and rub it into the meat, making sure to get into the slices.
- drizzle one bottle of liquid smoke over pork, making sure it gets into cracks.
- sprinkle garlic and pepper over top of pork.
- lay onion rings on top.
- slice bananas into halves or thirds and lay on top of pork and in cracks.
- put a little water on bottom of pan.
- cover tightly with foil and slow bake over night at 250 to 300 degrees.
- when done, remove onions and bananas and shred meat.
OVEN KALUA PORK
Fire up the tiki torches -- it's time for a luau! This delicious slow-roasted pork is rubbed with sea salt and liquid smoke to recall the glorious flavors of pig cooked in a traditional Hawaiian imu. Once cooked and cooled, it can be shredded and served with poi, yams or even on a bun. You may use ordinary sea salt for this recipe if the Hawaiian variety is unavailable.
Provided by Ben S.
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 5h30m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Rub liquid smoke and 1 1/2 tablespoons of the salt into the skin of the pork. Wrap well in foil, and seal completely. Place in a roasting pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) is reached, about 5 hours. Remove from oven and let cool before shredding. Sprinkle the shredded meat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 251.4 calories, Cholesterol 74.4 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Protein 19.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 1494.8 mg
Tips:
- Choose a pork shoulder or butt roast with a good amount of marbling for the most flavorful results.
- If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can use a slow cooker instead. Just cook the pork on low for 8-10 hours.
- Be sure to cover the pork completely with liquid. If you don't, the pork will dry out.
- Let the pork cool slightly before shredding it. This will make it easier to handle.
- Serve the kalua pork with your favorite sides, such as rice, cabbage, or macaroni salad.
Conclusion:
Kalua pork is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're making it for a party or just for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new pork recipe to try, give kalua pork a try. You won't be disappointed!
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