Instant Pot Kalua Pork with Cabbage Recipe

December 29, 2019Van

Blog post

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 6-8

When it gets cold and rainy I always think back to my beautiful memories of Maui. My husband and I spent every waking moment swimming in the warm water and then hunting for unique eats. The food in Maui was marvelous. I found everything I wanted, from fresh fish, amazing sushi, delectable spicy garlic shrimp and plate lunches with Kalua Pig (aka kalua pork)! Kalua pig is traditionally it’s made an imu (an underground oven/pit) and it’s smoked for long hours – even on the island, it’s pretty hard to find it made this way. You’ll typically find an oven roasted version served at restaurants or take outs – which is still delicious. So when I got back I was determined to craft the perfect Kalua Pig that could be made at home. Mission Accomplished – I’ve now converted my oven recipe for the Instant Pot to save hours of cooking time. That tender pork with a nice finish of alea salt.

Instant Pot Kalua Pork with Cabbage Recipe

Alea Salt (purchase here) is the main seasoning for Kalua Pork
Instant Pot Kalua Pork with Cabbage Recipe

Instant Pot Kalua Pork Recipe (kalua pig)

Instant Pot Kalua Pork Recipe (kalua pig)

Be sure to click on the accessories list below to get the most out of your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Kalua Pork with Cabbage Recipe

December 29, 2019 Van

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes

Serves: 6-8

www.foodisafourletterword.com

Ingredients

3 Pounds Pork Shoulder Roast, cut into 4-5 inch blocks
2½ Teaspoons Alea Salt / Hawaiian Red Salt
1 Tablespoon + ½ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
2 Teaspoons Soy Sauce
1½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Head of Cabbage, cut into large wedges

Method

1)
Use a large bowl or baking dish, mix 1 Tablespoon of Liquid Smoke with 2 Teaspoons of Soy Sauce and coat each piece of pork roast. Sprinkle on the Alea Salt and Garlic Powder, rub it to get an even coating. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2)
Pour 1 Cup of Water into the Instant Pot, place the pieces of pork into the pot along with any marinade, seal the Instant Pot lid and set for High Pressure / Manual for 50 Minutes. When the timer is up wait 15 Minutes then switch the knob to venting, when the pin drops open the lid. Place the pork into a large bowl and wrap with foil to keep warm. Remove ½ Cup of the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot and set aside. Place the Cabbage wedges into the Instant Pot and set for 3 Minutes on High Pressure, as soon as the timer is up, switch the knob to venting and when the pin drops open the lid.
3)
Add ¼ Cup of the cooking liquid and ½ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke into a bowl and stir well, add the pork roast, shred with 2 forks. Taste and add more of the cooking liquid if needed or season with more salt. Serve with rice, Hawaiian Mac Salad (recipe here), and Cabbage ~ Enjoy!

↓ Supplies to make this recipe ↓

2 Comments

Amanda

August 30, 2021 at 4:21 pm

Hello! I love your recipes! Im going to try this one soon! What can I sub for the red salt?

Reply
1. Van
  
  August 30, 2021 at 4:50 pm
  
  Hi Amanda, just use coarse salt – like coarse kosher salt instead. I hope you enjoy it! Mac Salad is also a must with this 🙂
  
  Reply

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