Aloha Kalua Pig Feast
Aloha Kalua Pig Feast: A Legendary Hawaiian Feast, Made Easy This recipe is a tribute to the traditional Hawaiian kalua pig feast, a celebration of community and indulgence. While the traditional method involves cooking a whole pig in an underground oven, this recipe brings the flavors of the feast to your kitchen with a boneless pork shoulder and a slow cooker. The result is fall-off-the-bone tender pork, infused with the sweet and savory flavors of coconut milk, soy sauce, and spices. Serve the pulled pork over rice or with a side of haupia pudding for a truly authentic Hawaiian experience. This recipe is perfect for a special occasion or a weekend gathering. It's a dish that will impress your guests and leave them asking for seconds.
The kalua pig feast is a centuries-old tradition in Hawaii, a celebration of community and indulgence. The pig is traditionally cooked in an underground oven called an imu, lined with hot rocks and covered with banana leaves. The pig is then slow-cooked for many hours, until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender and infused with the smoky flavors of the imu. This recipe brings the flavors of the kalua pig feast to your kitchen with a boneless pork shoulder and a slow cooker. The pork is rubbed with a flavorful blend of spices and coconut milk, then slow-cooked until tender. The result is a dish that is every bit as delicious as the traditional kalua pig, but much easier to prepare. I first tasted kalua pig at a luau on the island of Oahu. I was immediately hooked on the sweet and savory flavors of the pork, and I knew I had to recreate it at home. After some experimentation, I came up with this recipe, which is a close approximation of the traditional dish. This recipe is perfect for a special occasion or a weekend gathering. It's a dish that will impress your guests and leave them asking for seconds.
Aloha Kalua Pig Feast Aloha Kalua Pig Feast Aloha Kalua Pig Feast Aloha Kalua Pig Feast
Prep time: 20 | Cook time: 540 | Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
  1. In a large slow cooker, combine the pork shoulder, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, cumin, and coriander.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is fall-off-the-bone tender.
  3. Shred the pork and return it to the slow cooker to keep warm.
  4. Meanwhile, make the haupia pudding by combining the coconut milk, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan.
  5. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the pudding has thickened.
  7. Pour the pudding into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  8. To serve, spoon the pulled pork into bowls and top with the haupia pudding.
Why It Works
  • The slow cooker is the perfect way to mimic the underground cooking environment of an imu. The pork is cooked at a low temperature for many hours, which allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become fall-off-the-bone tender.
  • The combination of coconut milk, soy sauce, and spices gives the pork a complex and flavorful taste.
  • The haupia pudding is a traditional Hawaiian dessert that is a perfect complement to the pulled pork.