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Kailua Pork Instapot

A Hawaiian-style shredded pork cooked in an Instant Pot.

porkhawaiianpressure cookerinstapot
Illustration of Kailua Pork Instapot
Illustration

Ingredients

  • 4 lb pork shoulder/butt roast, cut into two pieces
  • 1 to 2 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp coarse Kosher salt or coarse Hawaiian salt
  • 1/2 tsp minced onion flakes
  • banana leaves, about 2 foot long strips
  • 1 tbsp MESQUITE liquid smoke, not HICKORY
  • queso
  • onions, chopped
  • tomatoes
  • chips
  • cilantro

Steps

1Preheat and brown the pork

  1. Select Sear/Saute to preheat the pot.
  2. Add 1 to 2 tbsp oil to the pot.
  3. Add 4 lb pork shoulder/butt roast, cut into two pieces, to the pot.
  4. Brown each half of the pork on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
  5. Remove the pork and set aside on a platter.

2Add aromatics and pressure cook

  1. Add 1/2 cup water to the pot.
  2. Add 1 tbsp MESQUITE liquid smoke to the pot.
  3. Stir to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  4. Return the browned pork to the pot.
  5. Add 2 tsp coarse Kosher salt or coarse Hawaiian salt over the pork.
  6. Add 1/2 tsp minced onion flakes over the pork.
  7. Cover the pork with banana leaves.
  8. Lock the lid, select HIGH pressure, and set the cook time to 2 hours.
  9. When the timer ends, allow a natural pressure release for about 20 minutes.
  10. Open the lid, remove any bones, and discard the banana leaves.
  11. Ladle out excess juice and set it aside.
  12. Shred the pork.
  13. Stir in some of the reserved juice to moisten the meat.
  14. Select LOW pressure and cook for an additional 1 hour.
  15. When the cooking finishes, allow a natural pressure release.
  16. Open the lid and, if desired, add more reserved juice.

3Serve

  1. Add queso.
  2. Add chopped onions.
  3. Add tomatoes.
  4. Add chips.
  5. Garnish with cilantro.