Kalua Pork
In short: Pork shoulder rubbed with sea salt and smoke, wrapped and roasted until it shreds into tender, savory strands. A Hawaiian luau and plate-lunch favorite. It takes about 5 h 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 5 h 30 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 5 h 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Kalua pork is the centerpiece of a Hawaiian luau, traditionally cooked in an underground oven called an imu, and a favorite on plate lunches across the islands. Home cooks get close with a simple method: a pork shoulder rubbed with coarse salt and a little liquid smoke, wrapped in banana leaves or foil and roasted slowly until it falls apart. The seasoning is minimal, so the quality of the pork matters. Serve it with rice and macaroni salad.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Pierce the pork all over with the tip of a knife.
- Rub the salt and liquid smoke all over the meat, working them into the cuts.
- If using banana leaves, soften them by dipping in hot water for 30 seconds or passing them over a flame. Lay them in a crisscross over a large sheet of foil, set the pork on top and fold the leaves around it. Wrap the whole bundle tightly in foil.
- Set the bundle in a roasting pan, pour the water into the pan (not over the pork) and cover the pan tightly with more foil.
- Roast for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and reads about 93°C (200°F) inside.
- Rest for 15 minutes, then unwrap. Shred the pork with two forks, discarding large pieces of fat, and toss it with the juices from the bundle. Add more salt if needed.
Tips
- Banana leaves are sold frozen in Asian and Latin markets and add a gentle, sweet aroma. If you cannot find them, wrap the pork in two layers of foil.
- A slow cooker also works: set the rubbed pork in with the water and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours. In a pressure cooker, cook it for 90 minutes at high pressure.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between kalua pork and pulled pork?
Kalua pork is seasoned with only salt and smoke and tastes purely of pork. Pulled pork on the mainland is usually rubbed with sugar and spices and served with a sweet or vinegary sauce.
Can I freeze kalua pork?
Yes. Freeze the shredded pork with some of its juices for up to 3 months and reheat it gently in a covered pan.
What do you serve with kalua pork?
Steamed white rice and macaroni salad make the classic plate lunch. It is also good in tacos or sliders, or with steamed cabbage.
How long does it take to make Kalua Pork?
About 5 h 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 5 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kalua Pork?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 0 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 1400 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
