Let me first start by fully admitting this recipe is not authentic. Traditional Kalua pork is cooked long and slow in an underground pit. As much as I would like to honor the ancient Polynesian tradition, it is not possible in the suburbs where I live. This Instant Pot version is pretty dang good. With a few simple steps you can get the most tender, juicy, smoky, and flavorful pork that is very similar to traditional Kalua pork.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork is the Multitasker of Recipes
You can eat this “as is” with a side of rice or steamed cabbage or turn it into a fantastic taco with pico de gallo sauce.
My favorite way to eat my version of “Kalua” pork is with BBQ sauce, Furikake Rice, and Kimchi aka Umami BBQ Pork with Furikake Rice.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork is great for meal prep. Make it once and eat it all week.
Ingredients
Bacon: I got this idea from Nom Nom Paleo. I used her recipes a lot during my short time on the paleo diet. A lot of recipes will call for liquid smoke but I like the delicate natural flavors of the bacon more.
Pork Butt: Bone in or boneless. Most pork butts come in 4 1/2 -5 lb packages. You cut in half and reduce cooking to 60 minutes.
Salt: Hawaiian salt if you can find it or any coarse salt will do. I don’t use table salt in my cooking because it tends to be too salty.
Garlic: About 3 peeled garlics and cut into thin pieces. You can also leave the garlic out entirely.
Instructions
Trim the fat off of the pork. You can cut the pork into smaller pieces to get it to fit into the Instant Pot. Take a small knife and cut some slits into the meat and place the sliced garlic cloves into the slits. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the meat. Set the meat aside.
Turn on the Instant Pot to Saute until the display says “hot”. Place the slices of bacon inside the pot in one layer and wait for it to start sizzling and start browning. Once it starts to brown flip the bacon to cook on second side.
Once the bacon has browned slightly on both sides and rendered some of its fat you can turn off the Instant Pot by hitting the cancel button. Place the pork butt inside the pot with the bacon.
Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot. Hit Manual. Set to 90 minutes on High Pressure.
Once timer is done it will automatically switch to keep warm and natural pressure release. After 15-20 minutes you should be able to open the pot. If the top doesn’t release on its own then you can switch to vent to let it vent manually. You could also just leave it all day until you’re ready to eat.
When the meat has cooled down enough to handle then you can take it out and shred the meat with a fork. It should fall apart very easily.
I like to shred my pork and then crisp up in a hot pan.
Now the fun part is figuring out how many ways you can use up all the leftovers.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 Bacon Slices
- 4 1/2 to 5 lb Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder
- 3 Peeled Garlic Sliced
- 1 tbsp Coarse Salt
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Trim the extra fat off of the pork shoulder roast. Cut some small slits into the meat and place garlic cloves into those slits.
- Sprinkle the salt evenly over the pork meat.
- Turn on the Saute mode on the Instant Pot until the screen display says hot. Place the bacon slices in a single layer. When it starts to brown then flip over and cook for one more minute. Turn off the Instant Pot but hitting cancel.
- Place the pork meat in the Instant Pot right on top of the Bacon. Pour in 1 cup of water. Close Lid and turn the knob to the seal position.
- Hit Manual. Set to 90 minutes on High Pressure.
- Once timer is done it will automatically switch to "keep warm" and natural pressure release. After 15-20 minutes you should be able to open the lid. If the lid does not release on its own then you can switch to vent manually.
- Once the meat has cooled off enough to handle, take meat out it a large tray or bowl. Shred the meat using two forks or kitchen tongs. The meat should be very tender and easily shred.
- Serve "as is" or cook in a hot pan for a few minutes to crisp up the skin.
Notes
Ways to serve
Serve with stewed cabbage.- You will notice there is a lot of liquid left in the Instant Pot once the pork is done cooking.
- You can take a head of cabbage and cut into wedges. Place the cabbage right into the same pot with the cooking liquid. Manual pressure cook on high for 2-3 minutes. Serve this right along side the shredded pork.
[…] recipe first starts with Kalua Pork that I make in the Instant Pot, then you add your favorite BBQ sauce, Kimchee, a side of Rice […]