One of the BEST Instant Pot recipes I’ve ever eaten is Instant Pot Kalua Pork (some call it Kalua Pig). It’s a simple recipe with a big payoff, both in the flavor, and the quantity! If you have ever eaten pork at a luau, you know what I’m talking about. With just a few ingredients, you can make this pressure cooker Kalua Pork and get that luau flavor at home!
Instant Pot Kalua Pork / Kalua Pig
The second recipe I made in my Instant Pot® was Kalua Pork (the first was Country Style Ribs). I’d had it on vacation, and really wanted to capture that taste of the Hawaiian Islands! Instant Pot Kalua Pork is special, and it tastes just like I remember. Maybe even better!
What makes Instant Pot Kalua Pork taste so special is the Hawaiian Red Alaea Sea Salt, which has a subtle earthy flavor. According to Wikipedia: “Alaea salt, sometimes referred to as Hawaiian salt, is an unrefined sea salt that has been mixed with a red alae volcanic clay. It get its pink and brownish color from the particles of volcanic red clay. It is part of Native Hawaiian cuisine.”
You don’t have to be on vacation, or wait for a special occasion to enjoy Instant Pot Kalua Pork. It is a delicious and easy meal to make any time!
Serve this fall apart tender Kalua Pig (another name for this recipe) in tortillas, over rice or mashed potatoes, or on a roll as a pulled pork sandwich. I love to eat it all by itself as well!
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Sweet & Sour Country Ribs
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Mississippi Pork
Instant Pot Kalua Pork tastes like you are eating at a luau! The pork is seasoned with red Hawaiian sea salt, garlic, and smoky bacon or liquid smoke. This pressure cooker Kalua Pork is fall apart tender, and has the unique flavor of the Islands! Aloha!
- 5-7 lbs Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt)
- 7 Garlic Cloves, peeled and cut in thick slivers
- 1-2 Tablespoons Hawaiian Red Alaea Sea Salt (or coarse sea salt) As much as needed to coat meat
- 2-3 slices Smoky Bacon, thick cut (or 2 tsp liquid smoke)
- ¾ cup Water
- 1 med Head Green Cabbage, cut in 4-6 wedges
- 1 lb Baby Carrots, (optional) cut in half
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Cut the pork shoulder into 3 equal pieces.
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Cut slits in the pork meat and stuff with the garlic slivers.
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Sprinkle the red sea salt all over each piece of the pork.
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Wrap the bacon around each piece of pork (if using liquid smoke instead, add it with the water).
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Add the water to the inner liner of the pressure cooker (and liquid smoke, if using).
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Place the pork pieces in the pot.
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Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button and then the + or - button or dial to select 90 minutes.
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When the cook cycle is finished, let the pot naturally release the pressure (this could take 20 minutes or so. If you don't want to wait that long, let it naturally release for at least 10 minutes. Then manually release the remaining pressure.
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After the pin in the lid drops down, open it and remove the pork with tongs to a large bowl.
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Defat the liquid/drippings (if desired) and add the cabbage wedges (and carrots, if using) to the liquid in the pot. Close the lid and set to Sealing. Use the + or - button or dial to choose 3 minutes.
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Meanwhile, use two forks to shred the pork. Then cover and wait for the cabbage to finish.
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When the veggies are done cooking, do a Quick Release of the pressure/steam. Then open the lid once the pin has dropped down.
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Remove the veggies to a serving bowl, and place the shredded pork on top of it. Taste the liquid in the pot and adjust salt if needed. Then ladle some over the meat and cabbage to flavor it and keep it moist.
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Serve and enjoy! This makes a lot, so it is great for parties, meal planning, etc.
Resources to Make Instant Pot Kalua Pig Recipe and More
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Ben Kenobi
Great recipe, thanks! I live on the US East coast and have nowhere socially acceptable to dig an imu oven, much less no kiawe wood, but this is the next best thing and is delicious!
I use mesquite liquid smoke, as it’s the closest flavor to the kiawe wood used in Hawaii. Almost any brand with real smoke works; I used Colgin but others are good too. Used Alaea brand Hawaiian red salt; world market usually has it for a fair price if there’s one near you, and some Asian groceries carry it as well (online it can get expensive!).
I used 2.5lbs pork and 50 mins in the instant pot, came out tender, juicy, and delicious!
Winnie
Do I reduce everything by half if I want to cook only 2.5-3 pounds of pork?
Sandy
I would reduce everything but the water.
Mary
What would be the cooking time for a 3 lb pork shoulder
Sandy
About 60 minutes. Cut the pork into 1-pound chunks before preparing.
Angela
I’d give it 10 stars if I could! Made it numerous times, never any left. I like it with jasmine rice or basmati rice. I also like using coconut water in the IP and when I make my rice. Fabulous recipe, thanks for sharing!
Sharon
How long would you cook this in a slow cooker
Sandy
On low for 8-10 hours, or high 4 to 6 hours.
Melody
Just made this for dinner and we rate it…. FIVE STARS! I was BLOWN away by how tender it was after I opened up the instant pot! Blown. Away.! The bacon disintegrated as did the garlic. Amazing!! So tender and juicy! Printed this recipe to put in the monthly rotation … at least.
We only had sea salt on hand so I used that. Still delish! Ordered the hawaiian so we can try it next time with that flavor to compare.
Thank you
Sandy
That’s great, Melody! If you liked that the bacon melted into the liquid, that’s good, however you can use thick cut with less fat if you want it to stay more intact. I like it either way! Thank you for your review!
Lindsey
Hi! I made this before and it was awesome! I am wanting to make it in the slow cooker this time– do you think I should still add water to it? Thanks for the recipe!
Sandy
Hi Lindsey, I would add some water, about half of what the recipe calls for.
Jackie
What kind of liquid smoke do you use?
Sandy
Wright’s brand