Slow Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork

Name: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients: 6 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt); 2 tbsp Hawaiian red alaea salt (or coarse kosher salt); 2 tbsp liquid smoke (hickory or mesquite); 6 garlic cloves, smashed; 2-3 pieces banana leaves (optional, for flavor; available frozen at Asian/Latin markets), thawed, wiped clean

Tender, smoky pulled pork made with just three ingredients, inspired by the traditional Hawaiian imu pit-roasted pig. Plan ahead: allow 8-10 hours of slow cooker time.

40 minEasyServes 8390 cal/serving

HawaiianDinnerSlow CookerPaleoHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

6 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt)
2 tbsp Hawaiian red alaea salt (or coarse kosher salt)
2 tbsp liquid smoke (hickory or mesquite)
6 garlic cloves, smashed
2-3 pieces banana leaves (optional, for flavor; available frozen at Asian/Latin markets), thawed, wiped clean

Instructions

1

Pierce 6 lbs bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt) all over with a fork or knife. Rub 2 tbsp Hawaiian red alaea salt (or coarse kosher salt) evenly all over the surface, then drizzle 2 tbsp liquid smoke (hickory or mesquite) over the top and rub it in.
2

If using 2-3 pieces banana leaves (optional, for flavor; available frozen at Asian/Latin markets), line the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with them. Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker. Scatter 6 smashed garlic cloves around the pork.
3

Cook on low for 8-10 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 195-205°F (90-96°C) for easy shredding.
4

Transfer pork to a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat or bone. Skim excess fat from the cooking juices.
5

Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss with the reserved cooking juices. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve over rice or with cabbage.

Questions

How long does Slow Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. It also freezes well for up to three months.

Can I halve or double Slow Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Keep the slow cooker between half and two-thirds full; the cook time stays roughly the same.

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