What is kalua pork?

Kalua pork is a smoked shredded meat. It is the main dish and most common food served at traditional Hawaiian luaus and feasts. It is a centuries old tradition that uses a rather laborsome process of cooking a whole pig underground (this recipe uses just a cut of pork and a simplified cooking method to make it more realistically doable for everyone).

How is it traditionally made?

In Hawaii kalua pork is cooked in an underground pit called an imu. The world "kalua" actually translates "to cook in an underground oven" in the Hawaiian language.

To make the oven and cook the pig:

• A large pit is dug into the ground about 3 - 5 feet deep.
• Koa or Kiawe wood is placed at the bottom of the pit and topped with large rocks.
• The kindling is lit and it's allowed to heat for several hours.
• After that the pit is lined with vegetation (usually ti leaves or banana leaves).
• A whole pig is then salted, stuffed with some of the hot rocks, sometimes topped with vegetables, and wrapped or covered in more damp leaves.
• Then it is placed in the prepared underground oven and covered with a layer of soil.
• From here it is left to cook underground for about 6 to 7 hours.
• Finally it is removed and the meat is shredded to make pulled pork.

As you can see it is quite the process but a neat tradition. It is the tastiest, most authentic method but definitely not something all of us are able to do.

Easy Kalua Pork Recipe

This version of kalua pork couldn't be easier to make! 3 ingredients added to a slow cooker - and let the crockpot do the rest!

Since most of us don't all have a underground oven dug out to cook this the traditional way I think this is the next best option, still cooking it low and slow.

It is amazing what a lengthy cook time can do for a cut of meat like a pork shoulder. You'll really will be impressed at the tender end result.

It's perfect for backyard parties, summer get togethers, and really just a simple dinner you can serve any day of the year.

And then with leftovers freeze them for a second meal—just store in an airtight container in the freezer. It makes plenty!

To keep it super simple just pair it with rice and a steamed veggie for a no-stress, almost entirely hands-off dinner with incredible taste. Bonus points for the traditional Hawaiian mac salad for a plate lunch. (I also love to sprinkle these on nachos or make pork tacos or burritos!)

Baste over grilled chicken and pair with easiest coleslaw and grilled corn on the cob to complete the meal!

Easy BBQ Sauce

Here you blend pantry staples with those refrigerator door condiments to create an incredibly flavorful and crave-able barbecue sauce everyone will request again and again!

BBQ sauce is a classic summertime staple and when you top your next grilled dinner with a this easy homemade bbq sauce you may just never look back to store-bought.

It's likely to take over you're new favorite spot beating out those famous grocery store brands like Sweet Baby Rays, Stubbs and Bull's Eye.

All it takes is a bit of measuring and simmering on the stove and you’ve got the perfect DIY sauce. Then from there you've got endless possibilities of ways to use it up (scroll down for some ideas).