Best 4 Hawaiian Kalua Pig Recipes
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Polynesian gastronomy with our exploration of the iconic Hawaiian Kalua Pig. This traditional Hawaiian dish, deeply rooted in the islands' rich cultural heritage, tantalizes taste buds with its smoky, succulent flavors and fall-off-the-bone tenderness. Our comprehensive guide presents two distinct recipes to create this mouthwatering delicacy: an authentic imu method, mirroring the traditional earth oven cooking technique, and a convenient oven-baked variation, catering to modern kitchens.
Immerse yourself in the sensory experience of Kalua Pig, characterized by its incredibly juicy meat, infused with the smoky essence of kiawe wood. Discover the secrets to selecting the perfect cut of pork, preparing the flavorful rub, and achieving the ideal cooking time to yield tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Our imu method offers an immersive cultural experience, guiding you through the process of building an underground oven, layering banana leaves and ti leaves, and creating the perfect environment for slow-cooking the pig. Alternatively, our oven-baked recipe provides a practical alternative, utilizing a Dutch oven to replicate the traditional cooking process within the confines of a modern kitchen.
Accompany your Kalua Pig with an array of traditional Hawaiian sides, such as poi, haupia, and lomi lomi salmon, to complete an authentic Hawaiian feast. Explore the versatility of Kalua Pig, extending its culinary reach beyond the traditional luau setting. Discover creative ways to incorporate this delectable meat into tacos, sliders, sandwiches, and more, transforming it into a versatile culinary masterpiece.
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
INSTANT POT® KALUA PIG (QUICK HAWAIIAN PULLED PORK)
I wondered if kalua pig could be done in a fraction of the time using the Instant Pot® instead of a slow cooker, and what do you know? It yields succulent, fall-apart, flavorful meat every single time, with almost zero effort. Even with a drier cut like pork loin, which my family prefers as a lower-fat option, it comes out great. This is maybe the simplest recipe I've ever made, and the family raves continuously. Thanks again to Kikukat for the basic idea. Serve with traditional Hawaiian sides or your favorite barbecue sauce.
Provided by Joseph M. De Vries
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pork Pulled Pork
Time 2h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Set roast in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Rub liberally with Hawaiian sea salt and pierce the meat all over with a large fork or narrow knife. Drizzle with liquid smoke. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 120 minutes. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Transfer roast to a plate.
- Separate the fat off the meat (if you like) and shred the meat lightly into a serving bowl with 2 forks.
- Remove the fat from the cooking liquid with a fat separator and drizzle the strained liquid over the meat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 168.7 calories, Cholesterol 66.1 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Protein 21.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 901.2 mg
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
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 ^_^
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork. Traditionally, kalua pig is made with a whole pig, but you can also use a pork shoulder or butt roast. If you're using a whole pig, make sure it weighs between 40 and 60 pounds. If you're using a pork shoulder or butt roast, aim for a piece that weighs between 8 and 10 pounds.
- Prepare the imu. The imu is a traditional Hawaiian underground oven. If you don't have access to an imu, you can use a large roasting pan or Dutch oven. To prepare the imu, dig a hole in the ground that is about 3 feet deep and 4 feet wide. Line the hole with banana leaves or ti leaves.
- Season the pork. Sprinkle the pork with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings, such as paprika, cumin, or chili powder.
- Wrap the pork in ti leaves. If you have access to ti leaves, wrap the pork in them. Ti leaves will help to keep the pork moist and flavorful. If you don't have access to ti leaves, you can wrap the pork in aluminum foil.
- Cook the pork. Place the pork in the imu or roasting pan. Cover the pork with banana leaves or ti leaves. If you're using a roasting pan, cover it with a lid. Cook the pork for 8 to 10 hours, or until it is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Serve the pork. Once the pork is cooked, remove it from the imu or roasting pan. Let it cool for a few minutes before shredding it with two forks. Serve the pork with rice, poi, and other traditional Hawaiian dishes.
Conclusion:
Kalua pig is a delicious and traditional Hawaiian dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can make kalua pig at home. Just follow these tips and you'll be sure to impress your friends and family with this amazing dish.
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