Wow. Bite for bite, I honestly don’t think I can come up with an easier recipe than Slow Cooker Kalua Pig. All you need is a big pork roast, a few slices of bacon, Hawaiian Sea Salt, and PATIENCE!
Slow cooker Kalua Pork for the win!
Remember—quality matters when you’re using just 3 ingredients. (If you don’t have 16 hours to spare, check out my Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Kalua Pig recipe! This faster method is my go-to recipe these days!)
Ingredients
- Bacon
- Boston butt roast or pork shoulder roast: bone-in or out—it doesn’t matter!
- Alaea Red Hawaiian Coarse Sea Salt
- Garlic cloves (optional)
How to make slow cooker Kalua Pork
Line a slow cooker with 3 slices of bacon…
…and use a knife to remove the skin from the roast. (You don’t have to do this, though. Feel free to leave the skin on if you’re in a lazy state of mind. I won’t tell.)
Next, weigh the pork to estimate how much salt to use.
Normally, I liberally salt my roasts like it’s raining cats and dogs. But in this case, I want to be more judicious in my seasoning ’cause the long cooking time will concentrate the salt. I follow Judy Rodger’s rule of thumb: use ¾ teaspoon of medium-coarse salt for every 1 pound of meat. (Using fine salt? Use about half that amount.)
Then, cut some slits into the meat and tuck in the garlic cloves…
…and salt the pork all over.
Then, place the roast on top of the bacon in the slow cooker, skin-side up.
Plop on the lid and cook the roast on low for about 16 hours. (Note: newer slow cookers are hotter and may only require 9-12 hours on the low setting.) Don’t add any liquid!
When the pork finishes cooking, remove the meat and shred it with two forks.
Check the pork for seasoning and adjust it with the cooking liquid from the bottom of the pot. Don’t just shred the meat in the cooking liquid—it’ll be too salty!
Pow!
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2022).
PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD
Slow Cooker Kalua Pig
Ingredients
- 3 bacon slices
- 5 pounds Pork shoulder roast bone-in or bone-out
- 1½ tablespoons Alaea Red Hawaiian Coarse Sea Salt or ~1 tablespoon Alaea Red Hawaiian Fine Sea Salt
- 5 peeled garlic cloves optional
Instructions
- Line a slow cooker with 3 slices of bacon. If desired, use a knife to remove the skin from the roast.
- If you aren't using a 5-pound pork roast, weigh the pork so you can estimate how much salt to use. Follow Chef Judy Rodger's rule: use ~¾ teaspoon of medium-coarse salt for every 1 pound of meat. (Using fine salt? Use about half that amount.)
- Then, cut some slits into the meat and tucked in the garlic cloves. Salt the pork all over, and then place the roast on top of the bacon in the slow cooker, skin-side up.
- Cover with the lid and cook the roast on low for about 16 hours. (Note: newer slow cookers are hotter and may only require 9-12 hours on the low setting.) Don’t add any liquid!
- When the pork is finished cooking, remove the meat and shred it with two forks. Check the pork for seasoning and adjust with the cooking liquid that remains at the bottom of the pot. Don’t just shred the meat in the cooking liquid—it’ll be too salty.
- Serve!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
HI. Can I make this with 2.5 lb pork butt? and if yes, how do I adapt the recipe? Mahalo
It’ll probably be shreddable after cooking for 8 to 9 hours on low!
Wondering if I can double the recipe and put in electric roaster for a party?? Should I put bacon on bottom still? Thoughts on temp and timing if I used two 5lb roasts?
I haven’t used an electric roaster before!
We love this recipe, but still aren’t sure what sides to serve with it. Any suggestions?
Any vegetable side dish! Cauliflower rice, big salad, roasted vegetables, etc.
Hi, If I have the time does the slow cooker offer anything extra in taste over the instant pot pressure cooker?
They both taste great, but my preference is the pressure cooker because how quick it cooks.
This is my go-to pulled pork recipe since Jan 2014, published in Costco magazine I believe. Thank you for the tip about new slow cookers cooking hotter. I recently replaced mine and have to adjust all my recipes :>(. I checked the pork at 10 hours and it is perfect.
Uh oh I have this in the crockpot now so it might be too late, but can I cook it on high for less time? I got a late start this morning :-/
Sorry for the late reply. How did it turn out?
I have made this recipe several times. It is a staple in our home. We are having a family over that doesn’t eat pork. Could we do the same to a beef brisket or a beef roast?
I haven’t tried it but chuck roast or boneless short ribs should work.