Everyday Southwest

Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa Recipe

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Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Tacos Recipe mixes healthy, fresh ingredients with a no-fuss slow cooker recipe to bring a delicious “taste of the islands” to your dinner table or party. These tacos are part of our  Clean Eating Challenge . Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos —A Slow Cooker Recipe!!

I’m so excited to be back home from my trip to Hawaii so that I can share some of the amazing recipes and recipe ideas I learned during my trip. The islands are packed with fresh flavors and fresh ingredients that are the perfect fit for some of my favorite Southwest recipes.

Inspiration was everywhere! From the luau to the beach and the cultural centers to room service every meal had me taking notes on how to create “Southwest Meets the Islands” recipes.

One day on the island was spent in an Asian cooking class. My husband was a really good sport and spent 6 hours cooking steamed buns, liliquoi bbq ribs and Asian desserts with me in a private cooking class on Maui. I will share the recipes inspired by this cooking class soon!

 

 

First Hawaiian Inspired Recipe

Hawaii gave me so many recipe ideas to share over the next few months but, for now, I am excited to start my “Southwest Girl Goes to Hawaii” recipe collection with this super easy Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Taco with Pinapple Salas and Fresh Cabbage Slaw Recipe. This recipe brings a little bit of the islands to your dinner table so make an extra big batch for to make sure you have leftovers for Kalua Pork Burritos or Kalua Pork Tortas.

Don’t worry! You won’t need to dig a giant pit in your backyard, just pull out your slow cooker for a fast and easy version of Hawaii’s famous pit-roasted whole pig that you can make in your own kitchen.

These Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Tacos are so easy, just through cubes of pork (thankfully not a whole pig) in the slow cooker and season with a few ingredients to get that “smokey” flavor and dinner will be on the table in no time.

Kalua Pork Tacos are also terrific for an outdoor party or food for “game day,” or any time you want a fast, easy main dish that will leave your free so that you can join the fun.

Stay in touch through social media for more great recipes!

If you are on Facebook or Instagram, be sure to follow me.  I will try to post photos of Hawaii inspired recipes there so you can stay up to date on what is happening in my kitchen.

I do have an Instagram account but, I have to be honest, I am just learning how to use it.only used it. Don’t be surprised that the picture are not that great… YET, I promise that the pictures will get better when I figure out how to use it.  If you have never tried Instagram, sign up!  We can learn together!

Clean Eating Kalua Pork Tacos

These Kalua Pork Tacos Recipe are part of this year’s Clean Eating Challenge because they are THAT healthy and delicious!

Check out the other blogs in the Clean Eating Challenge and look for the ebook we are putting together which will include all of the recipes!

Kalua Pork Tacos are part of our Clean Eating Challenge 2014

Watermelon Juice – Rick•a•bam•boo

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burger – Clarks Condensed

Raw Almond & Arugula Pesto – Project Domestication

Roasted Broccoli and Red Peppers – Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Healthy Peanut Butter-Stuffed Chocolate Date Balls (Vegan; GF and Raw Option) – Wallflour Girl

Baked Sweet Potato Chips – Keep It Simple Sweetie

Lemon Cookies – Cooking with Curls

Rosemary Citrus Water – Delightful E Made

One Pot Pasta – Bite of Delight

Kalua Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa – Everyday Southwest (that’s us!)

Miso Soup – Je suis alimentageuse

 

I hope you love the recipes in this challenge.   Be sure to stop by the other blogs and let them know I sent you.

 

See you soon! — Sandy

 

Hawaiian Kalua Pork Tacos

Hawaiiian Kalua Pork Tacos

Kalua Pork Tacos are made right in your slow cooker! Top the with delicious Pineapple Salsa and Fresh Cabbage Slaw for a taste of the islands.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Hawaiian, Southwest
Servings 10 10 to 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds pork shoulder boneless
  • 1½ tablespoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1½ tablespoon liquid smoke
  • 1 fresh pineapple small dice (1/4 inch)
  • 1 red bell pepper fine dice (1/8 inch)
  • 1 jalapeno fine dice (1/8 inch)
  • ¼ small red onion fine dice (1/8 inch)
  • 1 handful cilantro leaves minced
  • 12 ounces pineapple chunks
  • 1 each habanero chile seeded and chopped
  • 2 dozen corn tortillas

Garnishes-

  • Cabbage Slaw with very little dressing
  • lime wedges
  • slices of jalapeño or serrano chile
  • 1 to 2 cups bbq sauce, optional your favorite brand

Instructions
 

Cut excess fat from pork, rub with salt and place in a slow-cooker. Pierce with a carving fork. Pour liquid smoke over pork and pat into the pork.

  • Cover the slow-cooker and cook pork on low for 6 to 8 hours or until pork shreds apart with a fork.
  • Prepare the salsa by tossing the pineapple, red bell pepper, jalapeño, red onion and cilantro together. Add a pinch of salt. Refrigerate until serving.
  • Combine bbq sauce, reserved pineapple juice and habanero together in a food processor or blender. Pulse until well blended and smooth. Heat in a small sauce pan and set aside.
  • To serve, warm the tortillas. Place a layer of coleslaw in the middle of the tortilla. Add Kalua pork then drizzle with bbq sauce. Top with pineapple salsa.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Allison @ Lighten Up!

    This recipe looks amazing! I’m always looking for great crockpot recipes and I can’t wait to try this one! Hope you enjoy Hawaii — my husband and I went for our honeymoon and can’t wait to go back! Found you on Blog It Forward, it’s great to meet you!

    Reply

  14. Todd

    5 stars
    These were amazing. The pineapple salsa is ridiculous. I could eat that all by itself. And the BBQ sauce really brought everything together. This will definitely be a regular on our menu.

    One thing I did different was I roasted the pork in a 450 degree oven until the edges got crisp. Adds a great texture to the meat. Also, I strained the liquid from the slow-cooker into a large frying pan, and reduced by over half to make a thick glaze/sauce. I laid the pork in a single layer onto a baking sheet, spooned the reduced sauce over it and roasted for about 30 min.

    I also made a Jicama Cabbage Slaw recipe I found from Bobby Flay…

    ¼ cup fresh lime juice
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 tablespoon sugar
    ½ small jicama, peeled and finely julienned
    ½ head Napa cabbage, finely shredded
    2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped

    Reply

  16. Cerys

    5 stars
    Was searching Pinterest for recipes for pork in the slow cooker and came upon this. My husband loves tacos so this was sure to be a hit with him. The salsa was amazing as well and we can’t wait to have friends over to wow them with this easy recipe.

    Reply

  21. Vicki Finn

    5 stars
    Oh wow…this is a recipe I never would have thought to make before but it sounds absolutely delicious. I love using sweet fruit with my food and cilantro is my favorite. This is going to be a treat next week when I add it to our meal plan!

    Reply

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