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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.
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.
Recipe Notes
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.
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 and Cabbage?
According to my calculations based on the nutritional information provided for the recipe, each serving has 227 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
5 SmartPoints (Green plan)
5 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
5 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 PointsPlus (Old plan)
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
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 and Cabbage Recipe
Equipment
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 1-1/4 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.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 5 SmartPoints (Green plan) 5 SmartPoints (Blue plan) 5 SmartPoints (Purple plan) 6 PointsPlus (Old plan) I have 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: Taste of Home (affiliate link) Magazine, September/October 2015
This AllRecipes video shows how to make another version of Slow Cooker Kalua Pork:
More Weight Watchers Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes for Pork
- Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas (SkinnyTaste)
- Slow Cooker Apple Bacon BBQ Pulled Pork (EmilyBites)
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Cranberries and Leeks (Cookin’Canuck)
- Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Roast (SkinnyTaste)
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 3-1/2-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker if you’re cooking for one or two.
Hi! Can I cook it on high in the slow cooker? If so, about 4-5 hours?
Hi Sandy, I’ve only ever cooked this on low. I think high for 4-5 hours should work.
What would the point value be on the new green plan?
Hi Emily, the Points are 5 on green, blue, and purple. I’ve updated the recipe! ~Martha
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.
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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!!!!
How much liquid smoke would you use instead of the bacon?
This is totally yummy and easy! LOVE IT ..will use again and again!
Thanks Kelly. Glad you liked it as much as we do!!
How would you use the smoke. I’ve never used before
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.