Native Hawaiian Kalua Pig
Slow-roasted pork with earthy smoke and salt, cooked traditionally in an underground imu for authentic Hawaiian flavor. This Hawaiian-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 510 minutes, pairs Pork shoulder (bone-in), Sea salt, Water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs Pork shoulder (bone-in)
- 1/4 cup Sea salt
- 2 cups Water
- 4 large Banana leaves
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Instructions
- Step 1: Rub 5 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 1/4 cup sea salt. Place in a roasting pan and pour 2 cups water around it to create steam.
- Step 2: Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and roast at 275°F (135°C) for 8 hours, or until pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
- Step 3: Remove pork from oven and let rest 30 minutes. Wrap in 4 large banana leaves to keep warm while resting.
- Step 4: Shred pork with forks, discarding excess fat. Serve with steamed rice and lūʻau (taro leaves) for an authentic experience.





