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Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

These Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa are a delicious twist on a famous Hawaiian recipe. They’re made with kalua pork, red cabbage and fresh pineapple salsa!

Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

At the beginning of this week I told you I would share some Hawaiian Recipes from our most recent trip to Maui and Oahu. Well, let the Hawaiian Recipes begin. 🙂  One of the things that Hawaii is known for are their Luau’s. In fact, if you go to Hawaii it is the one thing that people tell you you have to experience. The dancing and flame throwing is pretty fun but the food is awesome!  To signify the start to the Luau they unveil the Kalua Pig that has been roasting in the ground for hours. This pig is usually generously seasoned with Hawaiian Rock Salt, wrapped with banana leaves, put in a hole dug in the ground that they turn into an undersground oven, and then covered again. It is delicious!

When we got back from Hawaii I immediately started searching for Kalua pork recipes and found one at this awesome blog Pineapple & Coconut! {you should check it out, she loves any and all things Hawaiian} I didn’t just want to make pork though, I wanted to amp it up turn it into a taco and add some pineapple salsa! After all, Hawaii is also know for their pineapples right? So, there you have it folks, a Hawaiian Kalua Pork Taco with Pineapple Salsa. You will love it!

How to Make Hawaiian Pork Tacos

To get started, pat dry 4-6lbs of pork shoulder and place in slow cooker.

Image of Pork in a Slow Cooker

Generously poke the pork shoulder with a fork, the more the better. {these holes will let the seasonings flow into the meat}

Image of Poking Pork with a Fork

Next, pour 1 T. of liquid smoke over the pork shoulder.

Image of Liquid Smoke

Then add 1 T. of Red Hawaiian Sea Salt. {you can get this at World Market}

Image of Hawaiian Sea Salt

Rub the sea salt and liquid smoke into the pork shoulder very well to ensure it is completely covered.

Image of Pork

Place lid on to cover and cook for 8-12 hours, checking every hour after 8 hours for doneness {I used 4lb. and it took 8hrs.}

Image of Kalua Pork

When finished, shred pork with two forks. To make the Pineapple salsa, use 1 whole pineapple, slice off the exterior and remove the core.

Image of a Pineapple

Next, chop up your pineapple into small bit size pieces. {almost minced.. i mean tiny people}

Image of Chopped Pineapples

Place pineapple in a large bowl and add 1/4 cup of minced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, 1 minced {very finely chopped} chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle in adobe sauce, juice of half a lime, and salt.

Image of Pineapple Salsa Ingredients

Mix all together.

Image of Pineapple Salsa

Next, thinly slice {should look like shoe strings} half of a red cabbage head, add to a bowl and mix with juice of 1 lime.

Image of Cabbage in a Bowl

Assemble to tacos, put a little of hawaiian kalua pork, pineapple salsa, and red cabbage on a corn tortilla and eat up!

Image of Two Hawaiian Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

If you wanted you could add queso fresco cheese to this or a little BBQ sauce would be good too!

Title Image for Hawaiian Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

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Image of Hawaiian Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 20-25 tacos 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian

Description

These Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa are a delicious twist on a famous Hawaiian recipe. They’re made with kalua pork, red cabbage and fresh pineapple salsa!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 46lbs. Pork Shoulder
  • 1 T. liquid smoke
  • 1 T. red Hawaiian Sea Salt {can be bought at World Market}

For Pineapple Salsa:

  • 1 whole pineapple, chopped into very small pieces {almost minced}
  • 1/4 cup of minced red onion
  • 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
  • 1 minced chipotle pepper, from a can of chipotle pepper in adobe sauce
  • juice from half a lime
  • salt

For Tacos:

  • half of a red cabbage head, thinly sliced
  • juice of 1 lime
  • corn tortillas

Instructions

  1. Pat dry 4-6lbs of pork shoulder and place in slow cooker.
  2. Generously poke the pork shoulder with a fork, the more the better. {these holes will let the seasonings flow into the meat}
  3. Next, pour liquid smoke and Red Hawaiian Sea Salt over the pork shoulder. Rub the sea salt and liquid smoke into the pork shoulder very well to ensure it is completely covered.
  4. Place lid on to cover and cook for 8-12 hours, checking every hour after 8 hours for doneness {I used 4lb. and it took 8hrs.}
  5. When finished, shred pork with two forks.
  6. To make the Pineapple salsa, use 1 whole pineapple, slice off the exterior and remove the core.
  7. Next, chop up your pineapple into small bit size pieces. {almost minced.. i mean tiny people}
  8. Place pineapple in a large bowl and add red onion, fresh cilantro, chipotle pepper from a can of chipotle in adobe sauce, juice of half a lime, and salt.
  9. Mix all together.
  10. Next, thinly slice {should look like shoe strings} half of a red cabbage head, add to a bowl and mix with juice of 1 lime.
  11. Assemble to tacos, put a little of hawaiian kalua pork, pineapple salsa, and red cabbage on a corn tortilla and eat up!
  12. If you wanted you could add queso fresco cheese to this or a little BBQ sauce would be good too!

Notes

Kalua Pork Recipe from Pineapple & Coconut

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36 comments on “Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa”

  1. Avatar photo
    Edwin Mendija

    Went to a party yesterday and the host did a whole pig in the imu…we live here on Molokai. So wife & I decided to try this recipe for dinner…here we go! Mahalo!!!






  2. I don’t know what excites me more about this, the pork or the salsa! 🙂 Delicioso!!! Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! I’ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!

    1. I know right! I can’t make up my mind either, I just eat it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Anoynita and for all the ‘share love’. 🙂

  3. Just wanted you to know that your recipe is being featured on foodie friday today. Stop by and get your featured button. I will be tweeting and pining your recipe all this coming week.

  4. Avatar photo
    Meghan @ The Tasty Fork

    I went to Hawaii 1.5 years ago and I’m STILL talking about it! It’s so beautiful there and they truly do have the best pineapple in the world! These pork tacos are a must make! I’ll be pinning!

    1. I would be too! It is beautiful! You and your hubbie need to plan a trip. Tell him its for recipe research for your blog, hehe. They totally do have the best pineapple ever, you can definitely tell the difference.

  5. Thanks for linking up for our first Super Summer Saturday party. Just pinned to our boards to share with our followers. Come back next Saturday to join the fun again!

    Julie
    http://www.thechirpingmoms.com

    1. Absolutely, had a blast. You had a fun little party over there. 🙂 Thanks for the “pin love”, hope you have a great weekend!

  6. O.M.G. – I am drooling over here, this sounds SO good. I worked at a grocery store as a teenager many moons ago and always loved the ease of their pineapple slicer. No excuse for not eating or cooking with tons of pineapple when you have one of those babies in your arsenal. 😀

    Thanks for linking up to our Super Sunday Linky Party and be sure to visit again!

    SherryO @ WhoNeedsACape.com

    1. haha.. I know! My mother in law just got me this awesome little gadget and I LOVE it! So much easier to cut/slice/chop the pineapple with that baby! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Sherry!

  7. Yes! Just tried my 1st pork taco yesterday (don’t know what took so long). I’m adding this recipe to the menu right away.

    1. haha… hey, I’m right there with you! I think pork has a bad rap.. but its making a come back. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Camille!

  8. My brother in law is from Hawaii and is living in England. I’ll send him this recipe to remind him of home. Thanks for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

    1. Awesome!! I bet he misses home, England is nothing like Hawaii, I hope the recipe cheers him up and brings back memories! 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a great party Diane.

  9. I’ve never made pineapple salsa before, I will have to try this! Thank you for sharing at our Super Sunday linky party!

    1. I haven’t either, ate plenty, but this one is a winner. Thanks for hosting a great party for me to share at. 🙂

  10. Avatar photo
    Becca from ItsYummi.com

    OMGosh Krista… I’m drooling all over myself! I’m such a fan of pork and that pineapple salsa looks AMAZING and so refreshing!
    I’m trying to eat lower carb, so I’ll probably pick up some whole wheat tortillas, but I’m DEFINITELY making this recipe soon!

    1. hahaha… Becca you crack me up! The pineapple salsa is definitely the part that brings this whole taco together. It is so yummy! I hope you enjoy it and thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  11. Avatar photo
    Christie - Food Done Light

    Delicious recipe. I especially love the chipotle in the pineapple salsa and the liquid smoke in the pork is a genius idea. Saw this recipe on Six Sisters. I co-host Thursdays Treasures link party which will go live Wednesday night. Would love for you to share a recipe with us.

    1. Awesome! I would absolutely love to stop by. Thanks for the invite and stopping by! 🙂 Love meeting new foodie peeps.

  12. Avatar photo
    Six Sisters/My Recipe Magic

    Oh YUM! This looks delicious! So excited for the pineapple salsa! 🙂
    -The Six Sisters
    http://myrecipemagic.com/home/recipes

    1. Thanks girls! It is super yummy, especially with the hint of chipotle. I could probably just eat it with a spoon, no judges! 🙂

  13. Avatar photo
    Julie @ This Gal Cooks

    Oh wow, Krista. These look so SO good! I am not even a really big fan of pork and I rarely eat it but I would gobble these up! Pinned and sharing on Facebook tomorrow. 🙂

    Did you bring the pineapple back with you? I’ve had pineapple right from Hawaii before. One of my previous co-worker’s mom went to Hawaii and sent some back. Oh my it was so delicious. I love pineapple anyways but it was exceptional!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    1. I am so with you on the pork, there is always an exception though and this is one of them. 🙂 Unfortunately, the pineapple is not from Hawaii, I wish it was. I totally didn’t know you could ship them, next time for sure! 🙂 How fun that your previous co-workers mom did that. So sweet! Hope you have a great weekend!

  14. Avatar photo
    Happy Valley Chow

    Wow great job Krista, those look and sound absolutely incredible! I want to pick up one of those pineapple slicers, they look like so much fun to use haha. Thanks for sharing!

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow

  15. Avatar photo
    lisa@cookingwithcurls

    I want that pineapple cutting thing, that is so cool! I don’t have a world market, but I will find that salt somewhere. I have to make this, it looks absolutely delicious 🙂

    1. If you have a speciality grocery store around I’m sure they have it! 🙂 The pineapple slicer is aa—mazing! I have used it twice already since I got it, which has only been a week. Makes life lots easier.

  16. This looks awesome! Would love to have you link this up at our summer-themed, Ladies Only Blog Share!

    http://mommifried.com/ladies-only-blog-share-link-party-funtastical-summer/

  17. HOLY SMACKERS!!! Yum- I have got to make this. I have this strange obsession with shredded meat- any kind. For some reason it tastes a million times better this way.

    1. I know right?!? Everything is better when it’s shredded. By the way, I literally laughed out loud at your comment, thanks for making my day! 🙂