The Hawaiian kalua pig is a traditional dish originating from the islands of Hawai'i. It has been a staple at luaus and special occasions for centuries. This succulent pork dish is prepared using an ancient cooking method called "imu", which involves wrapping the pork in banana leaves and cooking it in an underground oven. The result is a moist and flavorful pork dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This versatile dish can be served with a variety of sides, such as poi, lomi lomi salmon, and haupia. If you're looking for a unique and delicious dish to try, then Hawaiian kalua pig is an excellent choice.
Let's cook with our recipes!
INSTANT POT® KALUA PIG (QUICK HAWAIIAN PULLED PORK)
I wondered if kalua pig could be done in a fraction of the time using the Instant Pot® instead of a slow cooker, and what do you know? It yields succulent, fall-apart, flavorful meat every single time, with almost zero effort. Even with a drier cut like pork loin, which my family prefers as a lower-fat option, it comes out great. This is maybe the simplest recipe I've ever made, and the family raves continuously. Thanks again to Kikukat for the basic idea. Serve with traditional Hawaiian sides or your favorite barbecue sauce.
Provided by Joseph M. De Vries
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pork Pulled Pork
Time 2h45m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Set roast in a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®). Rub liberally with Hawaiian sea salt and pierce the meat all over with a large fork or narrow knife. Drizzle with liquid smoke. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 120 minutes. Allow 15 to 30 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 15 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Transfer roast to a plate.
- Separate the fat off the meat (if you like) and shred the meat lightly into a serving bowl with 2 forks.
- Remove the fat from the cooking liquid with a fat separator and drizzle the strained liquid over the meat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 168.7 calories, Cholesterol 66.1 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Protein 21.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 901.2 mg
KALUA PIG IN A SLOW COOKER
This is a simple way of making traditional Hawaiian kalua pig without having to dig a hole in your back yard.
Provided by KIKUKAT
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork
Time 20h10m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pierce pork all over with a carving fork. Rub salt then liquid smoke over meat. Place roast in a slow cooker.
- Cover, and cook on Low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.
- Remove meat from slow cooker, and shred, adding drippings as needed to moisten.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.2 calories, Cholesterol 82.4 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Protein 25.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 714.6 mg
KALUA PORK
Planning a luau-themed party? This Kalua pork is the perfect main dish for your get-together. It's a no-fuss crowd-pleaser meal and it's easy to clean up! A Hawaiian friend shared this recipe with me while I was stationed in Pearl Harbor several years ago. -Becky Friedman, Hammond, Louisiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 8h10m
Yield 18 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pierce pork with a fork; rub with liquid smoke and salt. Place pork in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until pork is tender, 8-10 hours. , Remove roast; shred with 2 forks. Strain cooking juices; skim fat. Return pork to slow cooker. Stir in enough cooking juices to moisten; heat through. If desired, serve with rice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture and juices in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth if necessary.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 504mg sodium, Carbohydrate 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
3-INGREDIENT KALUA PORK (INSTANT POT OR OVEN)
Kalua pork (also called kalua pig) is a popular Hawaiian dish you can easily make at home in the oven or with an Instant Pot (or any pressure cooker). 3 ingredients, super easy! Cook, shred, and eat with rice ^_^
Provided by Kathy YL Chan
Categories Hawaii Recipes
Time 1h40m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut the pork butt into 3 pieces:
- Press the "saute" button on the Instant Pot. When the pot is hot, add a little oil and brown the pork pieces on all sides. Remove pork onto a plate and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the water to the Instant Pot. Stir to scrape up all the brown bits (that's the good stuff!) on the bottom of the pot.
- Add the liquid smoke and sea salt, and stir to mix.
- Place the pork pieces back into the Instant Pot. Cover and select the 'High-Pressure." Cook for 90 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. This is what the Kalua Pork looks like right after it's finished cooking:
- Remove the pork to a bowl. Pour the remaining pork drippings/juice into another bowl.
- Shred the pork, and add back as much juice as you'd like to keep it moist and tender. Traditional way is to shred the Kalua Pork super find, but people like to keep chunkier pieces of pork. Either way is delicious.
- Serve hot! With a bowl of rice ^_^
WHOLE KAHLUA PIG ROASTED IN A SAND ENCLOSED OVEN FOR A LUAU
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 10h30m
Yield 25 to 40 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Dig a pit in the sand 2 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter. Add the river rocks and cover with enough of the wood to get the fire underway to heat the rocks. (You will add the additional wood as needed.) Start the fire (to heat the rocks to 800 degrees F). Add the metal panels on top of the fire to contain heat without smothering the fire.
- Using assistance place the gutted pig in the supine position on the stretcher-like platform and wrap the affixed chicken wire around to mostly secure the pig, but leaving enough room to be able to put the heated lava rocks inside the body cavity.
- Place some banana "stumps" in the body cavity of the pig to serve as a buffer between the hot coals and the pig meat to prevent the flesh from burning.
- Protecting your face, hands, and body with proper gear and using safe equipment, remove enough of the metal panels from the fire to retrieve the heated rocks with fire safe tongs. Someone will use heavy fire mitts to hold the rocks in a pair of tongs, while the other person uses the ti leaves "brush" to dust off the ash. The rocks with the ash removed are then placed one-by-one in the cavity of the pig so it will cook from the inside out with dry heat. Place some additional banana "stumps" in the body cavity of the pig to serve as a buffer between the hot coals and the pig meat to prevent the flesh from burning. The carcass of the pig is then closed with chicken wire and additional metal wire as needed to secure the chicken wire. Remove the attachments that have been holding the chicken wire to the stretcher. Transfer the pig to sit atop the metal panels of the imu, and use the additional ti leaves like aluminum foil, placing them dull side up, shiny side down in a cross configuration to steam the exterior of the pig with the moisture from the ti leaves.
- When the pig is cooked through, approximately eight hours, use assistance to remove it from the fire, let rest for 30 minutes, then carve it down. The cheeks of the pig should be reserved for the most honored guest.
OVEN KALUA PIG
When you want a taste of Hawaii but can't dig an Imu in your yard and there are no KTA's or Star markets around.
Provided by Wenstar
Categories Pork
Time 8h5m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- -------OvenMethod-------------.
- Place Boston Butt in a roasting pan.
- Combine salt and Liquid Smoke and spread all over roast.
- Pour the water in the pan.
- Cover with heavy duty aluminum foil and roast in a 200 degree oven for 8 hours or over night.
- Shred meat and serve.
- ---------CrockpotMethod------------.
- Place roast in crockpot.
- Mix salt and Liquid Smoke and spread over roast.
- Pour in water and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.
- Shredd meat and enjoy.
- Note: Left overs freeze well and are great to have on hand when you want to make kahlua pig and cabbage or potatoes.
KALUA PIG IN A SLOW COOKER
This is a simple way of making traditional Hawaiian kalua pig without having to dig a hole in your back yard.
Provided by Sandi From CA
Categories Pork
Time 20h10m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 3
Steps:
- Pierce pork all over with a carving fork.
- Rub salt then liquid smoke over meat.
- Place roast in a slow cooker.
- Cover, and cook on Low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.
- Remove meat from slow cooker, and shred, adding drippings as needed to moisten.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 503.5, Fat 35.6, SaturatedFat 12.3, Cholesterol 149.7, Sodium 138.3, Protein 42.5
Tips:
- Choose a pork shoulder that is at least 8 pounds for optimal results.
- Ensure the imu is heated to the correct temperature (approximately 350°F) before placing the pig inside.
- Wrap the pig tightly in banana leaves or ti leaves to prevent the meat from drying out during the cooking process.
- Bury the wrapped pig completely in the imu and cover it with dirt, rocks, and banana leaves to create an insulated cooking environment.
- Cook the pig for at least 8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 205°F, to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly.
- Once the pig is cooked, remove it from the imu and let it rest for at least 30 minutes before pulling it apart and serving.
- Serve the kalua pig with traditional Hawaiian sides such as poi, haupia, and lomi lomi salmon.
Conclusion:
Preparing kalua pig using the traditional Hawaiian imu method is an immersive culinary experience that yields tender, succulent, and flavorful meat. By following the detailed steps and incorporating the suggested tips, you can recreate this authentic Hawaiian dish and savor the rich cultural heritage it represents. Whether you're hosting a luau or simply seeking a unique and delicious meal, kalua pig made in an imu is sure to impress and satisfy.
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