Crock Pot Kālua Pig
Traditional imu kālua puaʻa involves a big pit filled with burning kiawe wood, red-hot rocks, wet banana stumps, layers of ti leaves and a whole pig. Yes, the result is indescribably delicious, but it's not the kind of meal people turn to at the end of a long workday.
Crock pot kālua pig approximates the imu kālua flavors but with a fraction of the effort. Start this early in the day and just leave it until dinnertime.
Serves 6-8
- 4-5 lb. pork butt, preferably bone-in
- 1 T. Hawaiian salt
- 1/2 T. liquid smoke
- 3-4 ti leaves
- 1 c. water
The ideal pork butt for this recipe is well-marbled and bone-in for maximum flavor and moisture. Rub the butt with salt, dribble with liquid smoke then wrap it in several layers of ti leaves. Besides helping to steam the meat, ti leaves provide a subtle flavor that shouldn't be skipped. If ti is not available, substitute banana leaves.
Place the wrapped butt in a crock pot and pour the cup of water around it. The water is there primarily to prevent scorching until the meat cooks down enough to render its own juices. Cook on low for at least 5-6 hours but up to all day.
When cooking is complete, remove the butt, reserve juices and discard the leaves. Let the meat rest for a few minutes. When cool enough to handle, shred with two forks. Pour reserved liquid over the shredded meat and serve.
Assuming you have any leftover at the end of the night, kālua pig freezes well.
This post is part of my long-running Hawaiian luau series.
Related:
→ Closer to imu cooking, Pomai makes his kalua pig on the grill.
→ Reid, Kirk and Kristin all provide oven roasted recipes, each slightly different from the others.
→ My kālua pig and cabbage recipe is ideal for any leftovers.
→ Kālua pig is versatile, like in this Kalua Pork Salad with Pineapple Salsa recipe at HawaiiDiner
ooh, this post is making me crave for kalua pork and cabbage!! what a great way to make kalua pig without the imu :)
That sounds absolutely AMAZING.
Kat, as much as I like the idea of digging an imu, this approach is actually feasible.
Topher, my post succeeded in its purpose!
Sweet! I've been lookin' for a crockpot recipe for Kalua pig!
I can testify--this works really well. If you have trouble finding taro leaves, green chard is a good alternative.
Green chard... that's not one I'd heard before. Thanks for the tip!
I am in New Zealand and missing home, can't wait to try this!! Will Banana leaves work? I haven't seen any Ti leaves here,
Mahalo!
sorry, I read the Banana leaf part. I was so excited that I missed it.
Thank you!
Kara, yes as you figured out, banana leaves are a fine substitute. Good luck!