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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Susan
Do you think this would work with a pork loin instead of shoulder or butt?
Sandy
Hi Susan, yes, though it will be a bit “drier” than a pork butt as the loin is leaner (the bacon might help that!).
Jenny
Hello! I want to make this tomorrow:) I don’t have the inner lining instant pot, would I use the metal trivet instead? So that it’s not sitting in the water? Thanks!
Sandy
Hi Jenny, the inner liner is just the removable stainless pot that you cook in. You will not use the trivet for this recipe, you want the meat to braise in that liquid. Enjoy!
Russell Baldwin
Ok, have the ip-lux 60 model, and if I understand correctly, remove meat after pressure is down. Then veggies in, make sure vent back to steam. Turn unit back on to manual for 3 minutes. (High pressure). Etc. Still learning the lingo. I have seen where someone says turn to high pressure x minutes… And they mean use the ‘manual’ setting. I presume all the PC’S on the market now have similarities with the labeling, etc. .the texture and flavor seem spot on, just used to having it with there ‘tariaki’ sauce, with rice or noodles. Love it!
Russell Baldwin
Trying this for a first time. Am learning what I can make in the IP. Have a friend whose family restaurant makes Kailua pork… Will be fun to see how it compares
Sandy
Hi Russell, I would love to know how it compares! I made it for our New Year’s Eve party last night and we ate it in flour tortillas! So good. That alaea sea salt is the magic ingredient!
Russell
I used kosher since I had that in hand. My pot does not have a ‘sealing’ setting… Do you mean steam?
Sandy
If you have the Ultra model, it seals automatically. If you have any other model you need to seal the steam vent by turning the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
Russell
If I understand correctly, reset the relief valve back to center. (My unit is the ip lux 60), close lid and turn back on to manual for 3 minutes to finish cooking veggies while you still have hot juice to use in the pot. The flavor is great! Just used to having this with teriyaki sauce with rice or noodles. I have saved a link! Thanks
Sandy
Yes, back to the sealing position.
Freya
I made this for our party and it was a hit! Will make this again soon.
Sandy
Nice! Thank you!
Laura A.
Hello! I just want to make sure. A 5-7 pond roast will fit in the 6 Qt. model? Even cut in 3 pieces, it looks huge!
Sandy
Yes, that’s what I use. It makes a lot!
Jerry
This is by far the most delicious thing I have ever made in my Instant Pot! Amazing flavor! I made it exactly as you wrote it.
Sandy
Hi Jerry! I’m happy to know that you like this Kalua Pork so much! We really love it, too! Thank you for your review!