Instant Pot Kalua Pork
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
6 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 14 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
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Servings
4 -6
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Calories
273 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
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Cuisine
Hawaiian
Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Description
The Instant Pot Kalua Pork recipe calls for pork shoulder cut into medium-sized cubes and marinated with Hawaiian sea salt and liquid smoke. Cooking the pork under high pressure with water and banana leaves creates a moist environment that tenderizes the meat, resulting in a juicy and shreddable texture. The banana leaves add a subtle smoky note and aroma resembling the traditional imu cooking method. If banana leaves are not available, the pork can still be cooked in the Instant Pot without them.
Once cooked, the pork is shredded with forks to reveal tender strands that soak up the seasoning. The final seasoning may be adjusted with additional salt to taste. This preparation provides a convenient and flavorful Kalua pork dish that can be served in various Hawaiian-style meals or as an ingredient in other dishes.
To enhance the recipe, it is important to select pork shoulder with good marbling and fat content. Banana leaves can be sourced from Asian or Latin markets, and alaea red Hawaiian sea salt is a specialty item. The pork should be marinated for at least 30 minutes to allow the salt and liquid smoke to penetrate deeply. The recipe includes detailed cooking times and natural pressure release steps to ensure the pork reaches the right tenderness.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds (1614g) pork shoulder cut into 2 - 2¼ inches cubes, aka pork butt meat
- 1 cup (250ml) water cold
- 1 tablespoon (17g) alaea red Hawaiian sea salt coarse
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) liquid smoke
- 2 pieces (90g) banana leaves 12x20 inches
Instructions
- Cut & Marinate Pork Shoulder: Cut pork into 2 – 2¼ inches cubes, then place them in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tbsp (17g) coarse alaea Hawaiian sea salt & 1 tbsp (15ml) liquid smoke. Mix very well, then marinate for 30 minutes.
- Pressure Cook Kalua Pork: Pour 1 cup (250ml) cold water in Instant Pot. Layer a banana leaf at the bottom, then add in cubed pork. Try fitting the pork in a singer layer so they are partially submerged in the water. Then, layer another banana leaf on top of the pork. Pressure Cook at High Pressure fori) With Banana Leaves: 45 mins, then 15 mins Natural Releaseii) Without Banana Leaves: 40 mins, then 15 mins Natural Release*Pro Tip: banana leaves are optional, but they’ll impart more flavor & aroma to the Kalua Pig.
- Shred & Season Instant Pot Kalua Pork: Discard the top banana leaf and check if the pork is tenderized. If the pork is still tough, pressure cook for another 10 minutes. Shred Kalua pork with 2 forks. Taste and season with more alaea Hawaiian sea salt if necessary. Serve & enjoy~ Aloha! :)
Notes
- Choose pork shoulder with good marbling and fat for best flavor and tenderness.
- Banana leaves add traditional aroma and can be found in Asian and Latin markets; they are optional but recommended.
- Use coarse alaea red Hawaiian sea salt for authentic seasoning; it’s available in specialty stores or online.
- Marinate the pork with salt and liquid smoke for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- The pork can be shredded with forks after cooking; adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4-6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 273 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 273kcal | 14% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 123mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1310mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 629mg | 13% |
| Vitamin A | 10IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1.5mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 26mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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