How to Make Hawaiian Kalua Luau Pulled Pork Sandwiches in the Instant Pot!
A Polynesian-Inspired Freezer Meal with Simple Ingredients!
There are some recipes that quietly sneak into your regular rotation because they just work. This pulled pork is one of those.
Hawaiian-style kalua pig is traditionally made by roasting a whole pig in an imu.
An imu is a pit oven dug straight into the ground. The pork comes out smoky, salty, and fall-apart tender, then it gets piled high on platters at luaus with rice, greens, and soft rolls. It’s simple food, but it tastes unforgettable.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t exactly have a pit oven in my backyard! What I do have is an Instant Pot Pro, a bottle of liquid smoke, and a freezer bag.
That’s enough to bring all those smoky island vibes to the table, without special equipment or fancy steps.
This recipe has become one of my favorite ways to stretch a budget-friendly pork shoulder. A cheap cut of meat transforms into something you’d happily serve at a gathering.
It’s freezer meal friendly too, which means you can stash one away for those nights when time and energy are running low.
And just like always, these are my real-life iPhone photos from my own kitchen in military housing. No magazine-style lighting, no designer counters. Just family dinner the way it really looks. Because good food doesn’t need a perfect backdrop, it just needs to taste amazing.
So if you’re looking for a meal that feels special but takes barely any effort, my 5-ingredient Hawaiian pulled pork is about to become your new go-to!
Equipment
- Instant Pot Pro (or another 6–8 quart pressure cooker)
- Freezer bags (sturdy enough to hold liquids and meat up to 90 days)
- Measuring spoons and cups (keep that salt and liquid smoke balanced)
- KitchenAid mixer with paddle attachment (or two sturdy forks for shredding)
- Sharp chef’s knife (for trimming the pork shoulder)
- Mixing bowls (to stir up the smoky paste)
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Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
- 3 lb pork shoulder, most of the thick fat trimmed away
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- ¾ cup water (for cooking)
- ¼ cup teriyaki marinade (for cooking)
Freezer Meal Prep
- Trim the thickest pieces of fat from the pork shoulder.
- Mix the salt and liquid smoke into a paste.
- Rub that paste evenly on both sides of the pork.
- Slide the seasoned pork into a freezer bag. Seal, flatten, and label with cooking directions.
- Freeze flat for up to 90 days.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Place frozen pork shoulder into the Instant Pot, running the freezer bag under cold water if you’re struggling to get it out.
Step 2: Add ¾ cup water and, ¼ cup teriyaki marinade (make sure you’re using the think marinade type and not the thicker sauce type!)
Step 3: Lock lid, set valve to “Sealing,” and cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes per pound (90–100 minutes for a 3 lb roast).
Step 4: Allow a natural release for at least 20 minutes. I like to leave it on Keep Warm for an extra hour or two while I prep my easy homemade brioche buns. The pork gets even more tender this way.
Step 5: Discard the cooking liquid, which is very salty.
Step 6: Remove pork from the pot. Shred using the KitchenAid mixer with paddle attachment (or two forks).
Step 7: Serve the shredded pork piled onto buns, topped with BBQ sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Notes & Troubleshooting
Notes:
- Trimming the fat is key — too much left behind can make the pork greasy.
- Liquid smoke is what gives this recipe its island-style flavor. Don’t skip it.
Troubleshooting:
- Too salty? Trim more fat next time and reduce salt slightly.
- Pork not shredding easily? It probably needs more cook time. Add 10–15 extra minutes and pressure cook again.
- Too dry? Mix in a spoonful of teriyaki marinade or a splash of pineapple juice before serving.
Storage
- Uncooked freezer meal: Up to 90 days, sealed airtight.
- Cooked leftovers: 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Cooked freezer portions: Up to 2 months. Reheat with a splash of water or broth.
Serving Ideas
- Load onto brioche buns with BBQ sauce and a side of coleslaw.
- Wrap in warm tortillas with pineapple salsa.
- Serve over rice with steamed veggies for a simple dinner.
- Make sliders for parties or tailgates with Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Instant Pot Freezer Meal 5 Ingredient Smokey Hawaiian Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Assemble the freezer meal
- 3 lb pork shoulder trim as much fat off as you can
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp liquid salt
Additional ingredients when cooking
- ¾ cup water
- ¼ cup teriyaki marinade make sure it's the thin marinade kind not the thicker sauce!
Instructions
Assemble the freezer meal
- Trim the thickest pieces of fat from the pork shoulder.
- Mix the salt and liquid smoke into a paste and rub it evenly on both sides of the pork.
- Slide the seasoned pork into a freezer bag. Seal, flatten, and label with cooking directions.Freeze flat for up to 90 days.
Cooking from frozen
- Place frozen pork shoulder into the Instant Pot, running the freezer bag under cold water if you're struggling to get it out.
- Add ¾ cup water and, if using, ¼ cup teriyaki marinade.
- Lock lid, set valve to “Sealing,” and cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes per pound (90–100 minutes for a 3 lb roast).
- Allow a natural release for at least 20 minutes. I like to leave it on Keep Warm for an extra hour or two while I prep my easy homemade brioche buns. the pork gets even more tender this way.
- Remove pork from the pot. Discard the cooking liquid, which is very salty. Shred using the KitchenAid mixer with paddle attachment (or two forks).
- Serve the shredded pork piled onto buns, topped with BBQ sauce or teriyaki sauce.
Notes
Storage
- Uncooked freezer meal: Up to 90 days, sealed airtight.
- Cooked leftovers: 3–4 days in the fridge.
- Cooked freezer portions: Up to 2 months. Reheat with a splash of water or broth.
The Takeaway
This Instant Pot Freezer Meal Smokey Hawaiian Pulled Pork is salty, smoky, and tender, all with just a few ingredients.
The Instant Pot makes it weeknight-friendly, and the freezer prep means dinner is ready whenever you need it. It’s budget-savvy, family-approved, and full of luau vibes right in your own kitchen.
What to Try Next?
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Last update on 2025-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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