WW Recipe of the Day: Slow Cooker Kalua Pork & Cabbage
I spied this recipe for Hawaiian Slow Cooker Kalua Pork in the Sept/Oct issue of Taste of Home (affiliate link) magazine and immediately decided I wanted to give it a try.
It seemed almost too simple - just pork shoulder, bacon, salt and cabbage - slow cooked for hours until fall-apart-tender.
Weight Watchers Friendly Hawaiian Slow Cooker Pork
It's supposed to taste just like the pork slow roasted underground all day in Hawaii. (In Hawaiian, "kalua" means "to cook underground in an oven.") And is so much easier than digging a pit in your backyard!
Have you had real Hawaiian kalua pork?
I've been to Hawaii a few times but have no recollection of kalua pork.
I remember the sunsets, tropical breezes, scent of plumeria, sweet juicy pineapple, but not the pork.
I've even been to a luau or two, so there's really no excuse - except perhaps, one too many mai tais!
So, while I have no idea how kalua pork is supposed to taste, I can vouch that we all thought this slow cooker version was absolutely delicious.
Skinny on 4-Ingredient Hawaiian Slow Cooker Kalua Pork and Cabbage
I've since discovered, thanks to a bit of google research, that many slow cooker kalua pork recipes use liquid smoke (affiliate link) instead of bacon to mimic the smoky taste from the underground cooking. This would decrease the fat and calories a bit, and is something I may try next time.
4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
I served ours on rice with roasted carrots on the side. We thought it was great and Mom gave it an enthusiastic endorsement too.
This Hawaiian Slow Cooker Kalua Pork would be delicious on buns, in tortillas or in lettuce wraps too.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Crock Pot Hawaiian Kalua Pork?
According to my calculations based on the nutritional information provided for the recipe, each serving has 227 calories and
5 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
If you like this easy, Hawaiian slow cooker kalua pork, be sure to check out my other Weight Watchers friendly recipes including: Slow Cooker Peachy Pork, Steph's Happy Kid Slow Cooker Pork Chops, Crock Pot Pork with Apple Butter, Crock Pot Pineapple Pork and Mom's Crock Pot Tomato Soup Pork Chops
Are You Ready To Slow Cook Yourself Slim?
If you've made this Low-Carb Kalua Pork, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Hawaiian Slow Cooker Kalua Pork & Cabbage Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 bacon strips, divided
- 1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (about 3 pounds), well trimmed of all excess fat
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pounds), coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Ideal slow cooker size: 6 Quart.
- Line the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker (affiliate link) with four bacon strips. Sprinkle all side of the well-trimmed pork roast with salt and place it in the slow cooker on top of the bacon. Arrange remaining bacon over top of the roast.
- Cover and cook on cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add the cabbage, spreading it around and on top of the roast. Cook, covered, 1 to 1-¼ hours longer, or until cabbage is tender.
- Remove pork to a serving bowl and shred it with two forks.
- Using a slotted spoon, add cabbage to the pork and toss to combine.
- If desired, skim fat from some of the cooking juices remaining in the slow cooker and stir into pork mixture, or serve on the side.
Equipment
Recipe Notes
Source: Taste of Home (affiliate link) Magazine, September/October 2015
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
This AllRecipes video shows how to make another version of Slow Cooker Kalua Pork:
More Yummy Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Recipes for Pork:
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (SkinnyTaste)
- Slow Cooker Apple Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork (EmilyBites)
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Sugar Pork Tenderloin (SlenderKitchen)
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Cranberries & Leeks (Cookin'Canuck)
- Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast (SkinnyTaste)
Search for More Weight Watchers Friendly Pork Recipes
If you're finding that cooking in the crock pot is becoming your thing, like it is mine, you might want to consider an upgrading your slow cooker to the Hamilton Beach Set 'n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker, which is easy-to-use and super-sized for family-meals or the Cuisinart 3-½-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker if you're cooking for one or two.
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Shari
How would you use the smoke. I've never used before
Martha McKinnon
Hi Shari, it's a liquid that comes in a bottle. You should find it in the spice/seasonings section of the grocery store. Hope this helps.
Kelly Parsley
This is totally yummy and easy! LOVE IT ..will use again and again!
Martha McKinnon
Thanks Kelly. Glad you liked it as much as we do!!
Annemarie
How much liquid smoke would you use instead of the bacon?
Aaron Edrington
Turned out pretty good, but cabbage on bottom was a little more done than the cabbage on top. Still very good on King Hawaiian rolls!!!!
Lisa
When I place this in the recipe builder for WW instead of just using the calculator with the nutrition facts, it comes out to 3 points per serving on Freestyle.
Lindsey
Hi! I have a 1 lb pork loin chop-- would that work? Do I need to adjust the cooking time since it's smaller? Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Lindsey, The recipe calls for a 3 pound roast so yes, if you are only cooking 1 pound the cooking time will be less!
Shirl
This recipe is similar to pork and sauerkraut with the exception of having a lot less sodium, and this recipe also includes bacon. It did not take quite as long for the pork to be done in my slow cooker as the recipe suggests. However, it did take longer for the cabbage to be done. I took the liberty to stir the coarse cabbage a couple of times during the process as well. That way, the cabbage was cooking in the juices at the bottom of the slow cooker.
My husband and I enjoyed the flavor of this dish, and it is definitely a keeper for us!!
Rebecca Simonson
MAKE THIS! THIS IS A KEEPER! So easy & delicious! I used a 2 lb butt roast so I had it on low for 8 hours. I cut the cabbage up & placed it around the roast & bacon for the last 2 hours. I thought it would be plain so I ran out & got our fav bbq sauce & Hawaiian rolls. We never used the bbq sauce. Just sandwiches with the Hawaiian rolls, meat & topped with cabbage & the juice from the crock pot! I'm a hero tonite with my family! I never thought that 4 ingredients could be so wonderful TOGETHER! I served it with oven roasted carrots.
Emily Barker
What would the point value be on the new green plan?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Emily, the Points are 5 on green, blue, and purple. I've updated the recipe! ~Martha
Sandy Ajamian
Hi! Can I cook it on high in the slow cooker? If so, about 4-5 hours?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Sandy, I've only ever cooked this on low. I think high for 4-5 hours should work.
EVA
I've made this several times now, sometimes with pork roast and sometimes with pork loin. I haven't used the bacon, just liquid smoke and it's really tasty. Have also added some red potatoes towards the end for my husband. He claims to not like anything that comes out of a crockpot, but he really likes this! One of the best crockpot recipes ever! Thank you!