Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Hawaiian Pulled Pork

This Hawaiian-style pulled pork achieves its signature sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile through a combination of common pantry staples and tropical ingredients. I’ve outlined each ingredient below, detailing its contribution to the dish and suggesting potential substitutions where applicable. Understanding the role of each component helps you customize the recipe to your preferences and dietary needs.

• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: Provides a rich, umami flavor that balances the sweetness of the pineapple and brown sugar. Choosing low-sodium soy sauce is crucial to prevent the sauce from becoming overly salty during the slow cooking process. Too much salt can overpower the other flavors.
• Low Sodium Chicken Stock: Serves as a flavorful cooking liquid, ensuring the pork remains incredibly juicy and tender throughout the extended cooking time. Using low sodium stock gives you greater control over the overall saltiness, especially considering the soy sauce already contributes to the sodium content.
• Pineapple Juice: The undisputed star of the show! It imparts natural sweetness and acidity, actively tenderizing the pork as it slow-cooks. Opt for 100% pineapple juice without any added sugar for the best, most authentic flavor. Avoid juices with artificial sweeteners.
• Ketchup: Adds a sweet, tangy, and tomato-based foundation to the sauce, harmonizing beautifully with the pineapple to create a distinct tropical BBQ flavor. No need for fancy brands – your favorite everyday ketchup will work perfectly well.
• Brown Sugar: Enhances the caramelized flavor of the sauce and contributes to a delectable, sticky-sweet glaze that coats the pulled pork. You can use either light or dark brown sugar, with dark brown sugar offering deeper, more pronounced molasses notes.
• Minced Garlic & Ginger: This dynamic duo infuses the dish with bold flavor and warming spices. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent depth, while fresh ginger adds a subtle spice and brightness that complements the pineapple perfectly. Using fresh versions of both is highly recommended for optimal flavor.
• Boneless Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt): This is unequivocally the best cut of meat for pulled pork. Its abundant marbling of fat ensures the pork remains exceptionally juicy and shreds effortlessly after slow cooking. Trim off any excess fat if necessary, but be careful not to remove it all – fat equals flavor!
• Diced Pineapple: You can utilize either fresh or canned pineapple (packed in juice, not syrup). Fresh pineapple provides a slightly brighter, more vibrant flavor, while canned pineapple offers convenience and consistency.
• Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent to create a luscious, syrupy sauce after the pork has finished cooking. Combining it with water to make a slurry prevents clumping.

For complete ingredient measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this article. The recipe card offers a comprehensive guide to creating perfect Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork.

Calculating How Much Pulled Pork Per Person

The amount of pulled pork you’ll need per person depends on how you plan to serve it and what other dishes will be accompanying it. As a general guideline, aim for approximately ⅓ pound of pulled pork per person. This allows for a satisfying portion without excessive leftovers.

However, if you’re serving heartier side dishes such as mac and cheese or homemade dinner rolls, you can likely reduce the portion size slightly. Guests will fill up on the sides, so less pulled pork will be needed. Adjust the quantity based on your specific menu and the appetites of your guests. Don’t forget to consider whether you want leftovers!

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Hawaiian Pulled Pork in Your Slow Cooker

Creating delicious Hawaiian Pulled Pork in a slow cooker is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for a guaranteed success:

1. Combine Sauce Ingredients: In your slow cooker, whisk together the low sodium soy sauce, low sodium chicken stock, pineapple juice, ketchup, brown sugar, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined for a consistent flavor profile.
2. Prepare and Cook the Pork: Trim most of the visible fat from the boneless pork shoulder, leaving a small amount for added flavor. Place the pork shoulder into the slow cooker, submerging it in the sauce mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5 hours. The pork is ready when it’s fall-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
3. Thicken the Sauce: Carefully transfer approximately half of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Discard the remaining liquid, as it will be overly fatty. Bring the saucepan of liquid to a boil over medium heat. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. This slurry will prevent the cornstarch from clumping when added to the hot liquid. Gradually whisk the cornstarch slurry into the boiling sauce and continue cooking until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, typically around 2 to 3 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Shred the Pork: Transfer the cooked pork shoulder to a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Discard any remaining large pieces of fat. Shredding while the pork is still warm makes the process much easier.
5. Combine and Serve: Transfer the shredded pork to a large bowl and add the diced pineapple. Pour the thickened pineapple soy sauce over the shredded pork and pineapple mixture. Toss everything together until the pork is evenly coated in the sauce. Now it’s ready to serve!

Creative Serving Suggestions for Hawaiian Pulled Pork

Now that you have perfectly tender and juicy Hawaiian Pulled Pork, the only remaining question is: how will you serve it? Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or simply looking for innovative ways to enjoy leftovers, here are some of my favorite serving suggestions to transform this slow-cooked pulled pork into a complete and satisfying meal:

• Tacos: Elevate your taco night with Hawaiian Pulled Pork Tacos. Load up warm tortillas with the juicy pork, and then get creative with your toppings. Consider adding pineapple salsa for an extra burst of tropical flavor, creamy slaw for a refreshing crunch, avocado slices for richness, and a drizzle of Sriracha mayo for a touch of heat. For a complete meal, serve with a side of tortilla chips and guacamole.
• Pulled Pork Sliders: Create irresistible Pulled Pork Sliders by piling the pork high on soft slider buns or Hawaiian rolls (my personal favorite!). Top with a generous scoop of crunchy slaw to balance the sweetness of the pork with a cool, refreshing element. These sliders are perfect for parties, potlucks, summer barbecues, or any occasion where you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course.
• Rice Bowls: Transform the pulled pork into a flavorful and satisfying rice bowl. Spoon a generous portion of the pork over steamed white or brown rice. Enhance the flavors and textures by adding toppings like fresh pineapple chunks, sliced green onions, shredded carrots, and a drizzle of soy sauce or teriyaki glaze. Think of it as a deconstructed poke bowl, but with the deliciousness of Hawaiian Pulled Pork.
• Quesadillas & Nachos: Add a tropical twist to classic comfort food by incorporating Hawaiian Pulled Pork into cheesy quesadillas or scattering it over tortilla chips with shredded cheese, pickled jalapeños, and fresh cilantro to create the ultimate pulled pork nachos. The combination of sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors is simply addictive.

Freezing Hawaiian Pulled Pork for Later

The answer is a resounding yes! Freezing pulled pork is an excellent way to preserve leftovers and enjoy this delicious dish at a later time. The key to successful freezing is to retain as much moisture as possible, so don’t discard any of that tangy, sticky-sweet sauce. The sauce will help keep the pork moist and prevent it from drying out during the freezing process.

Before freezing, allow the pulled pork to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it along with the sauce to an airtight container or freezer bag. Ensure the container is properly sealed to prevent freezer burn. Properly frozen pulled pork can be stored for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality.

Reheating Frozen Pulled Pork to Perfection

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pulled pork, the reheating process is simple. Transfer the frozen pulled pork to a large skillet or saucepan. Set the skillet over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork begins to thaw.

If the pork appears dry or lacks sufficient moisture, add ¼ cup of your preferred liquid, such as beef stock, chicken stock, water, or even beer. Cover the skillet to trap the steam and allow the pork to heat evenly. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the pork is warmed through. Add more liquid as needed to maintain a juicy consistency. Once heated, the pulled pork is ready to be served and enjoyed!

Perfect Side Dish Pairings for Hawaiian Pulled Pork

This sweet and savory pulled pork is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide variety of side dishes. Here are some of my favorite pairings that transform this main dish into a complete and satisfying feast:

• Classic Macaroni Salad: The creamy, tangy flavors of macaroni salad complement the richness of the pulled pork.
• Easy Corn Fritters: These slightly sweet and savory fritters provide a satisfying crunch and a delicious contrast to the tender pork.
• Creamy Coconut Rice: The tropical flavors of coconut rice enhance the Hawaiian theme and provide a fluffy, fragrant base for the pulled pork.
• Watermelon Feta Salad: The refreshing sweetness of watermelon combined with the salty feta cheese creates a delightful contrast to the savory pulled pork. The balsamic glaze adds a touch of acidity that balances the flavors perfectly.
• Homemade French Fries: Crispy, golden french fries are always a welcome addition to any meal, and they pair surprisingly well with the sweet and savory flavors of the pulled pork.

Pro Tip: If you’re serving this pulled pork buffet-style for a party or gathering, set out slider buns, corn or flour tortillas, coconut rice, and a variety of toppings so that everyone can customize their own sliders, tacos, or bowls. This allows guests to create their perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Explore More Pulled Pork Recipes

If you enjoyed this Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork recipe, be sure to check out these other delicious pulled pork variations:

• Slow Cooker Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork: A tangy and sweet twist on classic pulled pork.
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos: A simple and flavorful recipe for pulled pork tacos.
• Instant Pot Barbecue Pulled Pork: A quick and easy pulled pork recipe using an Instant Pot.
• Instant Pot Carnitas: Crispy and flavorful Mexican-style pulled pork made in an Instant Pot.