Kalua Pig

Transform your home kitchen into a Hawaiian luau with this melt-in-your-mouth Kalua Pig recipe, a dish that captures the essence of island cooking without the need for an underground imu oven. Featuring succulent pork butt or shoulder slow-cooked to tender perfection, this recipe uses just a handful of ingredients—sea salt, smoky liquid essence, and the aromatic touch of banana leaves or foil to lock in moisture and flavor. Whether you opt for the oven or a trusty slow cooker, the magic lies in the low-and-slow cooking process, creating irresistibly flavorful shredded pork ideal for serving over steamed rice, alongside cabbage, or as a filling for sandwiches and tacos. With minimal preparation and maximum flavor payoff, this Kalua Pig is your ticket to a taste of tropical comfort.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:960 mins

Total Time:975 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 6 pounds Pork butt or shoulder
• 1 tablespoon Sea salt
• 1.5 tablespoons Liquid smoke
• 2 pieces Banana leaves or aluminum foil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) if you are using an oven. Alternatively, set up your slow cooker on a low setting.

Step 2

Rinse and pat dry the pork butt or shoulder with paper towels.

Step 3

Rub the sea salt all over the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated.

Step 4

Place the pork in a large oven-safe roasting pan or the insert of the slow cooker.

Step 5

Pour the liquid smoke evenly over the pork, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes.

Step 6

Wrap the pork completely with banana leaves, covering it securely. If banana leaves are unavailable, tightly wrap the pork with aluminum foil. This helps keep moisture and flavor in.

Step 7

For oven cooking: Cover the roasting pan with a lid or additional aluminum foil to seal in moisture, then place it in the preheated oven.

Step 8

For slow cooker: Place the lid tightly on the slow cooker.

Step 9

Cook the pork for at least 8 to 12 hours. The low temperature and slow cooking process allow the pork to break down and become extremely tender.

Step 10

Check the pork periodically and baste with its juices if desired, though it's not strictly necessary.

Step 11

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the wrapping.

Step 12

Using two forks, shred the pork into small pieces, allowing it to mix with any accumulated juices in the pan or pot.

Step 13

Serve the kalua pig with traditional accompaniments such as rice and cabbage, or use it as a filling for sandwiches or tacos.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3234.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6803.9

Total Fat 544.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 190.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1905.1mg	0%
Sodium 8924.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 462.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 272.2mg	0%
Iron 29.9mg	0%
Potassium 7348.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.6%

Protein: 27.4%

Carbs: 0.0%