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Melt-in-your-mouth tender, smoky, and salty shredded pork, just like from a Hawaiian luau. This slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy to achieve that authentic flavor with just a few ingredients. Perfect for tacos, sliders, or with rice.
Prepare the Pork
Set Up the Slow Cooker
Slow Cook the Pork
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Melt-in-your-mouth tender, smoky, and salty shredded pork, just like from a Hawaiian luau. This slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy to achieve that authentic flavor with just a few ingredients. Perfect for tacos, sliders, or with rice.
This hawaiian recipe takes 495 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 612.55 calories per serving with 41.28g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner.
Shred and Serve
Instant Pot Method: Season pork as directed. Place on the trivet in the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water. Cook on high pressure for 90 minutes, then allow a full natural pressure release (about 20-25 minutes). Shred as directed.
Oven Method: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Season pork and place in a Dutch oven with 1/2 cup of water. Cover tightly and roast for 4-5 hours, or until fork-tender. Shred as directed.
Spicy Kalua Pork: Add 1-2 sliced jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the pork for a spicy kick.
Pork is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue, supporting immune function, and promoting satiety.
This dish provides significant amounts of B vitamins, particularly thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), and B6, which are essential for converting food into energy and maintaining a healthy nervous system.
Pork is a good source of important minerals like zinc, which supports the immune system, and iron, which is vital for creating red blood cells and transporting oxygen throughout the body.
A typical serving of this Kalua Pork (about 135g or 4.75 oz) contains approximately 300-350 calories. The exact number can vary based on the fat content of your specific cut of pork.
Kalua Pork is a great source of protein and essential nutrients like B vitamins. However, it is also high in sodium and saturated fat. It can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. To reduce fat, you can discard more of the rendered fat before shredding.
Pork butt, also known as pork shoulder, is the ideal cut. It has a good balance of fat and connective tissue that breaks down during slow cooking, resulting in tender, juicy meat. Both bone-in and boneless varieties work well.
Yes, you can, but you will miss the characteristic smoky flavor that defines Kalua pork. If you omit it, consider using a smoked sea salt instead of regular sea salt to impart some smokiness.
The banana leaves are optional. They add a subtle, earthy flavor and help keep the pork moist. If you can't find them, the recipe will still be delicious without them. You can also wrap the pork in parchment paper before placing it in the slow cooker to achieve a similar effect.
Store leftover Kalua Pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth, or in the microwave.