Instant Pot Kalua Pork
This Instant Pot Kalua Pork recipe has only three ingredients and is ready in 90 minutes! There is no shredding needed since this pork literally falls apart while cooking and is ready to serve out of the pot. You have to make this ASAP!
This recipe is for Kalua Pork in your Instant Pot. No, not the espresso rum Kahlúa you might be thinking of. Kalua literally means “cooked in an underground oven” and is a traditional Hawaiian dish that takes many hours to make. It’s delicious and you should definitely try the real thing when you are in Hawaii. However, there is an easy shortcut to make a copycat version in your Instant Pot in a lot less time! You can also make this in your slow cooker, it just takes a little longer.
This is the perfect recipe to feed a crowd or for a simple weeknight meal. There are only 3 ingredients and so many ways to enjoy it. I have some ideas at the end of the recipe.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Equipment
- Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lb pork shoulder or butt with bone-in (can make without bone too!)
- 2-3 tbsp liquid smoke
- 2-3 tbsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Cut pork into pieces, this doesn't have to be exact or even but I find in the Instant Pot it cooks better this way. You will have to cut around the bone so just be creative. I cut mine into 6 pieces. If you are making this in the slow cooker, just leave the pork in one piece.
- Add the pork to the Instant Pot and pour both the liquid smoke and salt on top. This is to taste and you can add more of both at the end but you can't take it away! Lock the lid into place on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam valve is closed.
- Set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook on High for 90 minutes. In the slow cooker, allow the pork to cook for at least 8 hours on low. After pressure cooking, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release the steam. Yes, this adds time, but I swear it makes a difference. 😬
- Once the pressure is released (or the slow cooker has finished) your house should smell amazing and the pork will just shred on it's own and the bone will come out clean. Just give it a stir with some tongs to break up the pieces. My picture below is just from using tongs…WOW!
Notes
- Always read the instruction manual that came with your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker and follow all safety guidelines.
Serving ideas for Kalua Pork:
- Kalua Pork in a homemade pita (recipe HERE)
- Kalua Pork with rice and soy sauce
- Kalua Pork on Hawaiian bread rolls
- Kalua Pork tacos, burritos or nachos
- Kalua Pork on a hamburger bun with BBQ sauce
When you make this recipe tag me on Instagram and show me your awesome Kalua Pork at @emilyfabulous_blog! And, don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list so you can get even more easy and delicious recipes in your inbox.