Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
33 Comments
Updated Dec 07, 2021
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Slow cooker kalua pork is reminiscent of kalua pig served at Hawaiian luaus. It’s deliciously smoky, salty, tender and only takes three ingredients.
Brrr, it’s cold and drizzly outside. I’m about 99% done with this stubborn cold (hooray) but can’t help my brain from drifting off to warm and tropical locations as I’m bundled up in 3 layers of clothes, socks plus slippers and a beanie. Yes, I might be a little dramatic for this “inclement” SoCal weather, but my body craves perpetual warmth (along with sunlight and vitamin D) and I firmly believe it boosts my immune system.
So perhaps I should jump on a plane to Hawaii? I mean, it’s only a couple of hours away (I say, convincingly to myself).
Unfortunately, I’ve got a lot on my plate for the next few weeks and don’t think I’ll be able to sneak away. But in honor of those warm, tropical islands I’ve decided to whip up a Hawaiian-inspired recipe – kalua pork.
So what it kalua pork? Well, if you’ve ever visited Hawaii odds are you’ve had it at a luau. The term kalua actually refers to the cooking method, where the pig is roasted in an underground oven (called an imu), wrapped in ti leaves or banana leaves for several hours. And when it’s uncovered, the tender pork pulls apart with a deliciously smoky and salty flavor.
For those who were thinking it had something to do with kalua alcohol (which I also love), nope, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
But trust me, you sure won’t be disappointed with this slow cooker kalua pork recipe. In fact, you’re gonna be thrilled because it’s super easy – just three ingredients. And maybe five minutes of work involved. For something ohhhh, so good.
Here’s what you do. Place a 3-4 pound pork shoulder (also called a pork butt) into your slow cooker or crock pot. Pierce it all over the top with a sharp knife or fork and then rub it with some pink Hawaiian Alaea sea salt. You can use either fine or coarse grain Alaea sea salt, though if you use coarse grain, you may need a little more than the 1 tbsp listed in the ingredients.
Next, drizzle the top of the pork with a tablespoon of liquid smoke to impart that traditional kalua smoky flavor and set your slow cooker on low for 10-14 hours. Tip: read the ingredients on your liquid smoke and grab a one with no added nasties.
The cooking time will depend on the size of your pork shoulder, but consider it done when you barely touch it with a fork and it pulls apart easily.
Once the pork shoulder is fully cooked, remove it to a plate and use two forks the pull the meat apart. You can also drizzle a little of the juices on the pulled pork to keep the meat moist, but just remember that these juices will be quite salty, so don’t go overboard.
And that’s it. Slow cooker kalua pork that’s easy, tasty and reminiscent of warm, tropical islands. Serve the kalua pork straight up with a side of cabbage and white rice (or cauliflower rice) for a traditional meal. Or use it in tacos with cabbage and pineapple, wrapped up in cassava flour tortillas. Winter….pshaw.
Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Description
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt)
- 1 tbsp Hawaiian Alaea sea salt
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in your slow cooker and pierce the top several times with a knife or fork.
- Rub the pork with the sea salt. Then, pour the liquid smoke on top.
- Program your slow cooker for 10 hours on the low setting. You may need a few more hours if your pork shoulder is larger.
- Once the pork shoulder is fully cooked, remove it to a plate and use two forks to shred it. You can also drizzle some of the remaining liquid from the slow cooker on top, to keep the meat moist, then serve immediately.
Nutrition
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Hi Lisa
Can you add cabbage to this recipe and if so when can you add it to the pork during cooking time?
Hi Renee – Yes, you can add cabbage if you’d like. I would add it halfway at 5 hours or so, that way the cabbage won’t get too soft.
Hi Lisa, can you use pork chops instead ?
Hi Therese – no, you need a pork shoulder for this recipe.
I can already smell it. We are getting ready to make this Sunday. I was able to find the liquid smoke in our grocery store. So looking forward to having this!
Hope you and your family enjoy this one :)
Liquid Smoke is such a great ingredient!! Thanks for sharing this great pork recipe!
It sure is a key ingredient for flavoring!
How incredible! The pork looks so tender! I love how it only requires a few ingredients, which is such a win for everyone home cook :D
Hi Jeannette- Definitely a delicious and easy way to cook pork :)
This recipe looks incredibly mouthwatering! I love pulled pork and need to try this out. I bet it is so good in tacos.
This sure will taste great packed in tacos :)
This pork sounds amazing and oh so good! I love that it needs just three ingredients.
Can I by chance speed up the cooking time? Also my pork is 6 pounds. Would you go up 1 hour per Lund?
Yes, you can cook the pork on high and reduce the time. I just prefer to cook it slower, as I feel the meat turns out more tender.
I don’t see a broth/liquid in this recipe so assuming I just cook the pork in my slow cooker dry? sorry.. new to to cooking and need some extra help.
Hi Joshua – Yep! You won’t need any liquid as the pork will naturally seep out juice as it cooks.
The liquid smoke is the liquid. Plus there will be drippings made as the meat cooks in the slow cooker.
I’m having trouble finding Hawaiian Alaea sea salt. Would Himalayan Seat Salt due for a substitute?
Yes, no problem. :)
This looks pretty darn good but I don’t eat pork. I’m sure chicken would be a great substitute for me.
Yes, that liquid smoke flavor is delicious on chicken as well!
Another great meal. Keep feeling better and good luck with the busyness!
Thanks Liz! I love being busy when it’s due to my brain bursting with recipes ideas. That’s the kind of busy I welcome! :) x
Liquid smoke is… everything. I love the flavours it adds to any meal, and this pulled pork looks absolutely mouth watering. You could actually do so much with it after your initial meal… nachos anyone?
Absolutely! And yes, I love love pulled pork nachos. Might have to add that to the to-do list tomorrow. :)
Love any excuse to cook pork shoulder. This looks so good and easy to make. Hawaiian food definitely seems like the perfect way to bring a little imaginary sunshine into these cold winter days! ;)
For sure! I’ll gladly take imaginary sunshine when I can’t get the real deal. ;) x
This looks great! I think my husband will totally go for this dish! And if it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s even better!
Exactly. He’ll love it and you’ll love how easy it is to make! Win win. :)
At first glance I thought maybe this pork was made with the coffee liqueur! This recipe looks so easy, and makes me feel like I’m in the tropics!
Goal achieved! And unfortunately no (in regards to the liqueur)….but you’re welcome to drink a glass while you eat the pork. ;)