Slow-Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pork & Steamed Cabbage

Ingredients

• 4.5 to 5 lbs pasture-raised bone-in pork shoulder roast (Boston butt)
• 4 slices pasture-raised thick-cut smoked bacon (no added sugar/nitrates)
• 1.5 tbsp coarse red Hawaiian Alaea sea salt (or coarse Celtic sea salt)
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 medium head organic green cabbage, cored and sliced into 1.5-inch wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Slow Cooker: Lay 3 slices of the thick-cut bacon flat along the bottom of the slow cooker insert. This acts as a protective shield and infuses natural wood smoke without liquid additives.
2. Season the Pork: Use a paring knife to pierce 6 small slits around the pork shoulder. Insert a whole peeled garlic clove deeply into each slit. Rub the entire surface of the pork roast generously with the coarse red Hawaiian Alaea sea salt.
3. Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned pork shoulder directly on top of the bacon in the slow cooker. Lay the remaining 1 slice of bacon over the top of the roast. (Do NOT add any water or liquid; the pork releases generous natural braising juices).
4. Slow Cook to Fall-Apart Tenderness: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 10 to 12 hours (or HIGH for 6 hours) until the pork is extraordinarily tender and the bone pulls cleanly out with zero resistance.
5. Shred the Meat: Transfer the pork to a large carving board. Discard the bone and excess surface fat. Shred the meat into coarse, juicy strands using two forks. Stir the shredded pork back into the rich braising juices in the slow cooker.
6. Steam the Cabbage: Add the cabbage wedges directly into the slow cooker over the warm shredded pork. Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the cabbage is tender and has absorbed the savory pork juices.
7. Serve: Spoon generous mounds of shredded Kalua pork and tender cabbage onto plates. Serve with cauliflower rice or roasted sweet potatoes.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

Chef's Paleo Nutritional Science

Red Hawaiian Alaea sea salt is infused with volcanic red clay, delivering over 80 natural trace minerals including bioavailable iron oxide, magnesium, and potassium. Slow-braising pork shoulder hydrolyzes dense connective collagen into gelatin and glycine, supporting intestinal mucosal integrity and joint tissue repair.

Frequently Asked Questions