Mastering the Art of Cooking Ono Ono Kalua Brand Pork

For those craving a taste of Hawaii, look no further than Ono Ono Kalua brand pork Kalua pork is a traditional Hawaiian specialty, made by cooking pork shoulder or butt in an underground oven known as an imu While imu-cooking may not be feasible for most home chefs, the good news is you can easily recreate delicious kalua pork right in your own oven with Ono Ono Kalua brand pork.

With its tender pull-apart texture and irresistible smoky flavor Ono Ono Kalua pork captures the spirit of Hawaii in each bite. Though the cooking method may seem intimidating at first, it’s actually quite simple with the right techniques.

In this complete guide, learn how to cook Ono Ono Kalua pork to juicy, flavorful perfection using your standard kitchen appliances. With authentic Hawaiian salt and liquid smoke, you’ll be enjoying island-style kalua pork in no time.

Overview of Ono Ono Kalua Pork

Ono Ono Kalua pork starts with pork butt or shoulder, which is rubbed with Hawaiian salt before being slow cooked to perfection. Here’s a quick rundown of this Hawaiian specialty:

• Features savory, salty, smoky flavors reminiscent of imu oven cooking
• Uses pork butt/shoulder for ideal fat content and flavor
• Rubbed with Hawaiian salt to season meat and draw out moisture
• Slow cooked for fall-apart texture
• Finished with liquid smoke for authentic smoky aroma and taste

With just a few basic ingredients and simple cooking methods, Ono Ono Kalua pork delivers an authentic luau feast flavor right to your dinner table.

Benefits of Cooking Ono Ono Kalua Pork

Cooking Ono Ono Kalua pork at home offers several advantages:

• Big luau flavor – Achieve true Hawaiian kalua pork flavor with minimal effort.

• Juicy and tender – Long slow cooking produces incredibly moist, fork-tender meat.

• Fuss-free prep – Simple salt rub and untimed slow cooking means easy prep.

• Family-friendly – Kids and adults alike will love this flavorful Hawaiian specialty.

• Savory and satisfying – The combination of salty, sweet, and smoky hits all the right notes.

With Ono Ono Kalua pork, even novice cooks can create an amazing Hawaiian dish full of flavor, just like the imu oven original.

Ingredients Needed

Cooking up a batch of Ono Ono Kalua pork is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 3-5 lb pork butt or shoulder
• Hawaiian salt
• Liquid smoke
• Water or chicken broth

That’s it! No need for messy wet rubs or complicated marinades. The salt and liquid smoke are all you need to infuse this pork with authentic Hawaiian flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Follow these simple steps for fork-tender, flavorful Ono Ono Kalua pork every time:

1. Pat pork dry and rub generously with Hawaiian salt, coating all sides.

2. Place salted pork in a roasting pan and add 2 cups water or broth.

3. Add 1⁄2 tablespoon liquid smoke to the water.

4. Cover pan tightly with foil and roast at 325°F for 4-6 hours until fork tender.

5. Remove pork from oven, drain and shred meat using two forks.

6. Mix in pan juices and serve! Delicious over rice with mac salad.

The slow roasting tenderizes the meat while keeping it wonderfully moist and infused with that signature smoky kalua flavor.

Cooking Tips

• Add cabbage or greens to the pan in the last 30 minutes of cooking for a more complete meal.

• Flip the pork halfway through for even cooking.

• Add more liquid if pan starts drying out.

• Pork is done when it shreds easily and reaches 190°F internally.

• Let pork rest 10 minutes before shredding for best moisture retention.

Serving Suggestions

Part of the fun of Ono Ono Kalua pork is all the tasty ways you can serve it:

• Pile high on Hawaiian rolls for perfect sliders or sandwiches.

• Stuff into hollowed-out pineapples or scooped-out sweet potatoes.

• Mix with barbecue sauce for pulled pork sandwiches.

• Top nachos, baked potatoes, omelets or pizza.

• Fold into omelets, quesadillas or tacos.

However you choose to serve it, Ono Ono Kalua pork is sure to be a new family favorite!

Storing and Freezing Leftovers

Ono Ono Kalua pork freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, so make a big batch!

• Let cool completely before freezing in an airtight container.

• Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stovetop.

• Add pan juices or broth when reheating to prevent drying out.

With leftover kalua pork on hand, quick weeknight meals are a breeze.

FAQs

What’s the best cut for kalua pork?

Pork butt or shoulder works best. Opt for a 3-5lb piece with good marbling.

Do I need banana leaves?

No. While banana leaves add flavor when imu cooking, foil wrapping gives great results indoors.

Can I use regular salt?

Hawaiian salt is recommended for authentic flavor, but regular salt works too. Just adjust to taste.

Do I need a slow cooker or instant pot?

No, oven roasting gives fantastic low-fuss results. Use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.

The Takeaway

With its ridiculously easy prep and hands-off cooking, Ono Ono Kalua pork delivers tender, flavorful Hawaiian pork right from your home oven. A simple salt rub and liquid smoke are all you need to infuse the meat with that signature smoky, luau-worthy flavor.

Serve this savory and succulent pork every way imaginable, from sliders to tacos and more. Ono Ono Kalua pork truly brings Hawaii to the dinner table with minimal effort. The only thing left is to invite your friends and family, break out the Hawaiian shirts, and get ready for a festive Hawaiian feast. Aloha!