Kalua Pork

Kalua Pork – the famous luau style pork made easy in the slow cooker. It’s unbelievably tender, and deliciously flavorful!



 Kalua Pork

  • Servings: 12
  • Prep Time 3 minutes
  • Cook Time 14 hours
  • Total Time 14 hours 3 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 lbs. bone-in pork shoulder (aka pork butt or Boston butt)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp natural liquid smoke flavor (mesquite or hickory)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Hawaiian salt, Himalayan salt, or sea salt, then more if desired
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil (optional)

Instructions

  1. If time allows, heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Dab roast dry with paper towels then sear in pot for about 3 minutes per side to brown (you can skip this step but it will add a bit of extra flavor, if skipping omit vegetable oil).
  2. Place pork in 6 or 7 quart slow cooker. Drizzle liquid smoke over both sides.
  3. Season both sides with salt.
  4. Cover and cook on low heat 14 - 16 hours until incredibly tender.
  5. Transfer to a cutting board (reserve liquid in slow cooker), shred pork with two forks while removing bone and excess fat.
  6. If desired toss pork with about 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid (rendered broth and fat from pork).
  7. Serve right away, or refrigerate in reserved liquid for a few days or freeze in reserved liquid for a few months. Thaw overnight and reheat over low heat in a pot on stovetop, tossing gently just occasionally, until heated through.

Recipe Notes

  • Roast doesn't need to be exactly 6 lbs. Just about any size will do but decrease or increase cook time slightly based on size and adjust seasonings accordingly.
  • See notes in script up above for Instant Pot and oven cooking instructions.
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