Kalua pork, is delicious, falling apart, mouthwatering kalua pig. It has long-standing traditions in Hawaii, and if you ever go there, it is a must-eat! The word kālua means to cook in an underground oven, which is something that we are assuming you are not in possession of.
Never fear; your slow cooker is here to save the day. It's the closest we can get to baking dinner inside the Earth! While it is quite the experience to delve into the real luau dinner, for the time being, we've brought a taste of laid-back and carefree Hawaii to your kitchen.
If you happen to have some red Hawaiian sea salt, go ahead and rub that on the pork shoulder in lieu of Himalayan salt - you'll end up with a more authentic final presentation, at least in terms of origin. Bottom line: utilize your creative freedom and use what you have in your kitchen; no one will taste the salt difference.
Prepare for a feast, and you will end up with leftovers. So, if your roast is a bit larger, just add a little more cooking time and know that the shredded pork can be used in many ways - a tasty addition to tacos or salads...
Serve the kalua pork alongside some braised cabbage, or toss in half a head of green cabbage, roughly chopped at the beginning of slow cooking for an all-in-one meal.
Slow-Cooked Hawaiian-Style Kalua Pork Recipe
Serves: 4 Prep: 10 min Cook: 8 h
Ingredients
- 1 pork shoulder roast, about 4-5 lbs.
- 1 ½ tbsp. Himalayan pink salt
- ½ tbsp. smoked salt, or to taste (optional)
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 4 to 5 bacon slices
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves
Preparation
- Make 5 to 6 incisions into the pork roast and fill each incision with a garlic clove.
- Lay the bacon slices flat on the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Place the pork on top of the bacon slices.
- Season the pork with salt and paprika. If not including the smoked salt, use 2 tablespoons of the Himalayan pink salt.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pork falls apart easily with a fork.
- Remove the garlic cloves, shred the pork with 2 forks, and mix the bacon and juices together.
📖 Recipe
Slow-Cooked Hawaiian-Style Kalua Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pork shoulder roast about 4-5 lbs.
- 1 ½ tbsp. Himalayan pink salt
- ½ tbsp. smoked salt or to taste (optional)
- 1 tbsp. smoked paprika
- 4 to 5 bacon slices
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves
Instructions
- Make 5 to 6 incisions into the pork roast and fill each incision with a garlic clove.1 pork shoulder roast, 5 to 6 garlic cloves
- Lay the bacon slices flat on the bottom of a slow cooker.4 to 5 bacon slices
- Place the pork on top of the bacon slices.
- Season the pork with salt and paprika. If not including the smoked salt, use 2 tablespoons of the Himalayan pink salt.1 ½ tbsp. Himalayan pink salt, 1 tbsp. smoked paprika, ½ tbsp. smoked salt
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pork falls apart easily with a fork.
- Remove the garlic cloves, shred the pork with 2 forks, and mix the bacon and juices together.
Moki says
I just use Hawaiian salt and liquid smoke. That's it. Sometimes I add garlic and shred it with the pork and sometimes roast it covered with foil and several cups of water or broth in the oven for 3 hours 375 degrees or instant pot for 60 to 90 minutes.
Julian Cavaco says
Good recipe.. Do mine very by similar...Like the bacon under the Pork...ALOHA...
Souza says
Yea…I make mine with Hawaiian salt, liquid smoke and some minced garlic. That’s it..Fat side of a pork butt down, cook low in a crockpot about 8 hours. Shred and enjoy with some rice…
Paleo Leaper says
Thanks for the insights Souza!
Karen says
I use black Hawaiian lava salt, smoked paprika and smoked salt. I usually cut the garlic cloves in half and insert them into more places on the roast. I just shred them along with everything else. Everyone loves this pork!! I’ve used leftovers for tacos, cubanos, etc. It’s perfect “as-is”.