One of my favorite Pork recipes to make is Instant Pot Kalua Pork. This Hawaiian dish traditionally cooks in an underground oven, or imu, for hours until the meat becomes tender with a smoky flavor.
With pressure cooking power, this Instant Pot Kalua Pig dish can be made in a fraction of the time without sacrificing any of its delicious taste. A perfect dish to serve with Red Cabbage Coleslaw.
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💖 Why This Recipe Works
You'll love this Kalua Pork recipe because it's incredibly easy to make and packed with smoky, tender flavor. Whether you're cooking for your family or hosting friends, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that takes minimal effort. It's perfect for busy days when you want a hearty, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it pairs well with all your favorite sides like rice, veggies, or even in tacos!
⭐ Star Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this Kalua Pork recipe.
- Olive Oil: Infuses richness and a smooth texture to the pork, contributing to the overall succulence.
- Pork Butt (Whole roast, bone out): A choice cut, boneless for convenient preparation, ensuring tenderness and ease of shredding.
- Liquid Smoke: Imparts the quintessential smoky flavor reminiscent of traditional imu-roasted pork.
- Salt (Coarse kosher or Alaea sea salt): Enhances the natural flavors of the pork and adds a perfect touch of seasoning.
- Water: Facilitates the cooking process, ensuring the pork is tender and juicy in the Instant Pot.
So few ingredients but a delicious recipe cooked in no time. You don't even need chicken broth!
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Bacon Instead Of Liquid Smoke: You can certainly use bacon to add smoky flavor, however the taste of your butt roast will not be quite the same as a traditional Kalua pig.
- Alea Salt Substitute: If you can't get any Hawaiian salt, try using coarse kosher salt instead.
- Kalua Pig Sauce: While some enjoy the smoky, salty flavors of Kalua pork on their own, others like to add a sauce for added flavor. Traditional Hawaiian sauces that pair well with Kalua pig include teriyaki or sweet chili sauce. For a more unique twist, try adding barbecue or Korean gochujang sauce. Enjoy experimenting with different sauces to find your favorite combination!
🔪 How To Make Kalua Pork In The Instant Pot
- Step 1: Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil. Once the Instant Pot gets hot, place the pork whole into the Instant Pot. Sear all sides of the pork for 3-5 minutes each side. Once seared, remove the pork and set aside. Using a wooden spatula and a little liquid, scrape the pot to prevent a burn notice.
- Step 2: Add the liquid smoke and return the pork to the Instant Pot. Salt the top of the pork. Seal the lid and pressure valve. Set the Instant Pot to 90 minutes on high pressure.
- Step 3: Once finished, let the Instant Pot have a natural release pressure for 15 minutes, then manually release.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the Instant Pot onto a cutting board. Using some forks, shred the pork. Add the shredded pork to a plate for serving. Serve pork with steamed rice and peppers, and pineapple.
Enjoy your tasty Instant Pot Kalua pork! With this easy cooking method, it's now easier than ever to enjoy this traditional Hawaiian dish in the comfort of your own home. It's absolutely delicious and you won't be disappointed!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Note: If you want the true traditional Kalua pork experience, try cooking Kalua Pork with banana leaves. You can wrap and cook the pork in the leaves.
- Feel free to add diced onions as well as liquid smoke for added flavor before cooking.
Don't forget to serve this with a tasty dessert. You'll love our Hawaiian Pumpkin Crunch Cake. It's the bomb!
💭 FAQs
Also known as Hawaiian Pork or Kalua Pig, traditional Kalua pork is a delicious dish made by cooking a pork shoulder. The Kalua pig meat is usually rubbed with Alea sea salt before being cooked for several hours until it becomes tender and infused with smoky flavors.
Kalua pork is incredibly tender and has a smoky, salty flavor. It pairs well with Hawaiian sides such as lomi tomato, poi, and macaroni salad. Kalua pork is similar to pulled pork and can be used in a variety of dishes such as tacos, sandwiches, salads, or even pizza toppings.
Not only is the Instant Pot a quick and easy cooking method, it also helps to infuse flavor into the meat by trapping in moisture while pressure cooking. The result is a tender and delicious Kalua pork dish that can be made in a fraction of the time compared to traditional Kalua pig cooking methods.
Known as Hawaiian Sea Salt, this salt is made from seawater that is evaporated in the sun and mixed with red volcanic clay known as Alaea. This type of salt gives Kalua pork its distinct reddish color and adds a slightly earthy flavor.
No, you can manually release the pressure immediately after cooking for a quicker meal, however, it is recommended to allow for natural release as it results in more tender meat.
Yes, this Instant Pot Kalua pork recipe is keto-friendly as it is low in carbs and high in protein. Serve with low-carb sides such as cauliflower rice or salad to make a complete keto meal.
Yes, this Instant Pot Kalua pork recipe is gluten-free. For a completely gluten-free meal, serve with rice and veggies instead of bread or buns.
While using a whole roast gives the traditional flavors and texture, feel free to use any cut of pork. For a quicker cooking time, try using boneless pork shoulder roast, cubed pork shoulder, pork loin, pork tenderloin or pork chops. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
If you don't want to use an Instant pot to cook this kalua pork recipe then you might want to try the slow cooker version of kalua pig. To cook slow cooker Kalua Pork , place the pork butt in the slow cooker and mix liquid smoke, sea salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until tender and easily shredded. Serve as desired.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat as desired before serving again. Enjoy!
To freeze Kalua pork, place it into a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw before reheating and serving again.
💖 Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with kalua pork:
- As A Filling: Traditionally, Kalua Pork is served as an entrée with sides to accompany it. However, it can also be added as a protein to a Greek Feta Salad or wraps, served on a bun for sandwiches, or used as a filling for Breakfast Tacos or burritos.
- Hawaiian Rolls: Kalua Pork Shoulder is great on Hawaiian rolls! Get our Instant Pot Hawaiian Rolls recipe here!
- Rice and Pasta: Some sides that pair well with Instant Pot Kalua pork include Steamed White Rice, lomi tomato, poi, and Macaroni Salad. For added flavor and texture, serve the Kalua pig with fresh pineapple or sliced bell peppers.
- Kalua Pig And Cabbage: Another popular dish often served alongside Kalua pork is steamed cabbage, also cooked in the Instant Pot. Simply add cabbage wedges to the pot with the pork during pressure cooking for a tasty and easy side dish. As the cabbage cooks at the same time as the pork butt, it will pick up the smoky flavor of the liquid smoke and create a delicious, tender cabbage dish.
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Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 3 Pounds Pork Butt whole roast, bone out
- 2 Tablespoons Liquid Smoke mesquite, or any flavor
- 1 Teaspoon Salt coarse kosher or Alaea sea salt
- ⅔ Cups Water
Instructions
- Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the oil.
- Once the Instant Pot gets hot, place the pork whole into the instant pot. Sear all the sides of the pork for 3-5 minutes each side.
- Once seared. Remove the pork and set aside. Add the water and cancel the instant pot setting. Using a wooden spatula, scrape any seared meat remnants to prevent a burn notice.
- Add the liquid smoke and return the pork to the instant pot. Salt the top of the pork.
- Seal the lid and pressure valve. Set the instant pot to 90 minutes on high pressure.
- Once finished, let the Instant Pot have a natural release pressure for 15 minutes then manually release.
- Remove the pork from the Instant Pot onto a cutting board. Using some forks shred the pork. Add the shredded pork to a plate for serving.
- Serve pork with steamed rice and peppers and pineapple.
Notes
Nutrition
More Instant Pot Pork Meals
Ready to give this Kalua Pig recipe a try? Check out my favorite Instant Pot Kalua Pork recipe here. You'll also love the following recipes.
- Easy Slow Cooker Keto Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Kielbasa And Cabbage
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Beer
- Instant Pot Pesto Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
- Instant Pot Chicken Barley Soup
So juicy and smoky you'd never guess it came out of a pressure cooker—this one's got backyard luau vibes minus the pit!