Crock Pot Kalua Pork
Transport your taste buds straight to the islands with this easy and flavorful Crock Pot Kalua Pork recipe! This Hawaiian-inspired dish features tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder seasoned with smoky liquid smoke and Hawaiian sea salt for an authentic, earthy flavor. For a true luau touch, wrap the pork in banana leaves before cooking for added aroma and depth. With just 10 minutes of prep time and a long, hands-free cook in your slow cooker, this melt-in-your-mouth dish is as convenient as it is delicious. Perfect for serving over steamed rice, in tacos, or on sliders, Crock Pot Kalua Pork is a versatile centerpiece for any meal that’s sure to impress family and friends.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
- 1 tablespoon Hawaiian sea salt (or kosher salt)
- 1 tablespoon Liquid smoke
- 2 pieces Banana leaves (optional, for authentic flavor)
Instructions
Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, but leave a little for flavor and moisture during cooking.
Using a small knife, make a few shallow cuts into the surface of the pork shoulder on all sides to help the seasoning penetrate.
Rub the Hawaiian sea salt evenly over the entire pork shoulder, making sure to massage it into the cuts.
Place the pork shoulder into the crock pot (slow cooker). If you're using banana leaves, line the crock pot with them first and then place the pork shoulder on top.
Drizzle the liquid smoke over the pork, ensuring it is evenly distributed for that signature smoky flavor.
If you’re using banana leaves, wrap the pork up in the leaves to mimic traditional Kalua pork cooking methods. Otherwise, simply cover the pork with the crock pot lid.
Set the crock pot to LOW heat and cook for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is fall-apart tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Once the cooking is complete, remove the pork from the crock pot. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.
Optional: Skim off any excess fat from the cooking juices in the crock pot. Then, return the shredded pork to the crock pot and mix with the juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
Serve the Kalua pork warm with steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or as a filling for tacos, sandwiches, or sliders. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4536 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 362.9 g | 465% | |
| Saturated Fat | 127.0 g | 635% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1270 mg | 423% | |
| Sodium | 7832 mg | 341% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.0 g | 0% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 308.4 g | 617% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 200 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 4899 mg | 104% | |
*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.
