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Mains · Hawaiian

Kalua Pork

Three-ingredient Hawaiian-style smoky, salty shredded pork — impossibly simple, deeply good.

Serves
8
Prep
5 min
Cook
10–12 hr
Storage
Freeze & reheat
Freezer
up to 3 months

The easiest shredded pork there is — three ingredients and a long, slow cook produce smoky, salty, melt-apart meat. Perfect for freezing and vacuum-sealing.

Ingredients

  • 4 lb pork shoulder
  • 1½ tbsp coarse sea salt (Hawaiian if you have it)
  • 1 tbsp liquid smoke
  • 4 strips bacon (optional, to line the cooker)

Instructions

  1. Pierce the pork all over with a knife. Rub it with the salt and liquid smoke.
  2. If using, lay the bacon in the bottom of the slow cooker and set the pork on top.
  3. Cook on low 10–12 hours until it falls apart.
  4. Shred and toss with the cooking juices.

Make-Ahead & Storage

Freeze shredded in its juices up to 3 months; vacuum-seals exceptionally well for reheating from the bag.

Notes

Serve with rice and a simple cabbage slaw, or pile onto sliders. The bacon adds fat and a little extra smoke but isn't essential.

Equipment
slow cooker
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