What is kalua pork?

Kalua pork is a smoked shredded meat. It is the main dish and most common food served at traditional Hawaiian luaus and feasts. It is a centuries old tradition that uses a rather laborsome process of cooking a whole pig underground (this recipe uses just a cut of pork and a simplified cooking method to make it more realistically doable for everyone).

How is it traditionally made?

In Hawaii kalua pork is cooked in an underground oven called an imu. The world "kalua" actually translates "to cook in an underground oven" in the Hawaiian language.

To make the oven and cook the pig:

• A large pit is dug into the ground about 3 - 5 feet deep.
• Koa or Kiawe wood is placed at the bottom of the pit and topped with large rocks.
• The kindling is lit and it's allowed to heat for several hours.
• After that the pit is lined with vegetation (usually ti leaves or banana leaves).
• A whole pig is then salted, stuffed with some of the hot rocks, sometimes topped with vegetables, and wrapped or covered in more damp leaves.
• Then it is placed in the prepared underground oven and covered with a layer of soil.
• From here it is left to cook underground for about 6 to 7 hours.
• Finally it is removed and the meat is shredded.

As you can see it is quite the process but a neat tradition. It is the tastiest, most authentic method but definitely not something all of us are able to do.

Easy Kalua Pork

This version of kalua pork couldn't be easier to make! 3 ingredients added to a slow cooker - and let the crockpot do the rest!

Since most of us don't all have a underground oven dug out to cook this the traditional way I think this is the next best option, still cooking it low and slow.

It is amazing what a lengthy cook time can do for a cut of meat like a pork shoulder. You'll really will be impressed at the tender end result.

It's perfect for backyard parties, summer get togethers, and really just a simple dinner you can serve any day of the year.

And then with leftovers freeze them for a second meal, it makes plenty!

To keep it super simple just pair it with rice and a steamed veggie for a no-stress, almost entirely hands-off dinner.

Baste over grilled chicken and pair with easiest coleslaw and grilled corn on the cob to complete the meal!

Easy BBQ Sauce

Here you blend pantry staples with those refrigerator door condiments to create an incredibly flavorful and crave-able barbecue sauce everyone will request again and again!

BBQ sauce is a classic summertime staple and when you top your next grilled dinner with a this easy homemade bbq sauce you may just never look back to store-bought.

It's likely to take over you're new favorite spot beating out those famous grocery store brands like Sweet Baby Rays, Stubbs and Bull's Eye.

All it takes is a bit of measuring and simmering on the stove and you’ve got the perfect DIY sauce. Then from there you've got endless possibilities of ways to use it up (scroll down for some ideas).

Mac and cheese—comfort food at it's finest and with this recipe at it's fastest! I love how simple this recipe is. How could something so easy yield such rich, flavorful results? Who could ever make a box mix again after making it homemade?

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

When creating this recipe I added a few unusual ingredients because I love adding just a bit more excitement to food. The liquid smoke flavor, Dijon mustard, onion powder and garlic powder blend in so well you hardly know they are there. They just enhance the dish, not overpower it. I love the combination of Cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese, they are my two favorite cheeses so of course they had to be the two cheeses I used to make this recipe. They both melt so smoothly to create a perfectly silky, decadent macaroni and cheese. Enjoy!

Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese

There's a reason blue box mac and cheese is such a household staple—it's delicious! It's a quick and easy meal to have on hand, especially for kids. But sometimes you run out and you're still craving your favorite cheesy meal. I also know that many families want or need to avoid the food dyes and other preservatives in processed shelf-stable food.

This recipe is a great alternative. You can adjust the ingredients to meet the dietary needs of your family, or if you like to make it more spicy or tangy or creamy!