Our trip to Maui for our anniversary gave me ideas for this tasty BBQ Kalua Pork Hawaiian Pizza. It was love at first bite! We can make this grain-free pizza paleo or keto/low carb if you choose the right crust and dress it up the right way. Topped with tender, smoky shredded kalua pork, flavorful BBQ sauce and the red onions, it’s a perfect combo.
Hawaii is known for a lot more than just kalua pork and Hawaiian pizza. There is also a lot of beautiful tropical fruit, like mangoes, pineapples, lychee, shaved ice, acai bowls, coconuts, and poi. But you guys know that I will always be a savory girl. Savory food is my true north, this is what I want when I visit a new place. I live for the savory.
Our time on Maui was one I will never forget. The landscape was stunning, with stunning black sand beaches, swirling black lava rocks with the brightest colors I have ever seen, tropical plants and flowers, and fruit that smelled great. As far as the eye could see, it was all pure beauty. It was unlike any place I have ever been, too. Every bit of Maui was magical and the vibe was truly energetic.
And the food…. oh the food was downright delicious. We ate both traditional Hawaiian food and a lot of fusion food that took modern twists on old favorites. But one of my favorite meals was at Maui Brick Oven. Many people don’t know that this humble restaurant has a 100% gluten-free kitchen and dining area, which is something that I was looking for. I like these kinds of meals because not only is the menu and food made with a lot of love, care, and compassion, but there is usually someone behind the counter, in the kitchen, or serving who has the vision to make it happen. We met one of the owners and the passion just shined right out of him.
Being an allergen-friendly restaurant takes a lot of work, and I admire people who put in so much effort to make sure their customers are safe. You truly can feel that when you walk through the front door at Maui Brick Oven.
There was traditional Hawaiian food on the menu, as well as pizzas, appetizers, salads, and main courses. I loved looking through the long list of options, because any of them could be mine. But since it’s hard to find a good gluten-free pizza (yes, there are GF pizzas everywhere now, but most of them are terrible), I’d rather not have any pizza at all than a bad one. But I’m always looking for a gluten-free pizza that doesn’t stink. Well done Maui Brick Oven, you nailed it.
Even though I don’t like Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple (two foods I don’t care about at all), when in Rome So, we ordered a big pizza. One side was their Hawaiian-style pizza with bacon, pineapple, and marinara sauce, which was even better than I thought it could be. The other side was a tasty BBQ Kalua Pig Pizza. It was love at first bite with that kalua pig pizza. WOW. It had a base of BBQ sauce, soft, slow-cooked smoky kalua pork, shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses, and very thinly sliced red onions. It had everything!
I try to stay away from grains, even gluten-free ones, and cow’s milk dairy. I couldn’t wait to get home and make this BBQ Kalua Pork Hawaiian Pizza again with a grain-free crust, my favorite raw milk goat cheese (I like what I like), and my own sugar-free BBQ sauce. First we made our kalua pork taste even better at home. Then we made this pizza, which is a great way to use up leftovers.
Kalua pork is a traditional Hawaiian dish made by slow cooking seasoned pork until it’s incredibly tender and full of flavor This iconic island meal is a staple at luaus and special gatherings But is this delicious pork dish actually gluten-free?
In this article we’ll take a close look at the key facts on kalua pork and gluten.
What is Kalua Pork?
Kalua pork starts with a whole pig or pork shoulder that gets rubbed with Hawaiian sea salt. Traditionally the pork would be cooked in an underground oven known as an imu for 8 hours or more. This long, slow cooking resulted in pork that was juicy super tender and infused with a smoky, earthy flavor.
While imu cooking may not be practical for home cooks, similar results can be achieved by slow roasting or slow cooking a pork shoulder seasoned with sea salt and liquid smoke. The shredded or pulled kalua pork is then used to make various Hawaiian dishes.
Popular ways to serve kalua pork include:
- Kalua Pork and Cabbage
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Kalua Pork Tacos
- Kalua Pork Nachos
- Kalua Pork Pizza
- Kalua Pork Omelette
Kalua pork is considered a Hawaiian delicacy and luau staple.
Is Kalua Pork Gluten-Free?
The good news is that traditional kalua pork is gluten-free! The main ingredients are simply pork, sea salt and smoke flavoring.
The pork itself does not contain gluten. Sea salt is also naturally gluten-free. And most liquid smoke products are also gluten-free, though it’s best to double check the label.
So plain kalua pork made with basic Hawaiian salt and pork is safe for gluten-free diets.
However, some added ingredients may introduce gluten, so it’s important to be aware of what goes into the dish.
Potential Sources of Gluten in Kalua Pork
While kalua pork is usually gluten-free, there are some ingredients that could add hidden gluten:
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Flavored Salts – Some seasoned salts contain anti-caking agents that have gluten. Stick to plain sea salt.
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Liquid Smoke – Check brands to ensure it’s gluten-free. Wheat or barley malt may be present in some.
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Marinades or Sauces – Soy sauce, teriyaki, hoisin and other marinades can contain gluten. Avoid marinated kalua pork.
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Stuffing – If kalua pork is stuffed with bread or rice based stuffing, gluten may be introduced.
When dining out or buying pre-made kalua pork, always check on ingredients and preparation to ensure no gluten sources were used. Ask the restaurant directly if unsure.
Tips for Gluten-Free Kalua Pork at Home
Here are some tips for making safe gluten-free kalua pork at home:
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Check all spices and seasonings for gluten-free labels. Avoid spice blends.
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Use Hawaiian sea salt or other plain salts. Verify liquid smoke is gluten-free.
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Skip marinades and only use gluten-free sauces and ingredients.
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Serve with rice, corn tortillas or naturally gluten-free sides.
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For sandwiches, use gluten-free buns or rolls.
With these precautions, you can enjoy delicious homemade kalua pork on a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-Free Kalua Pork Recipe Ideas
Here are 3 delicious ways to enjoy gluten-free kalua pork at home:
Slow Cooker Kalua Pork – Rub pork shoulder with salt and liquid smoke. Slow cook 8-10 hours until fall-apart tender.
Instant Pot Kalua Pork – Add seasoned pork roast and cook for 90 minutes under pressure. Quick weeknight meal!
Kalua Pork Tacos – Serve shredded kalua pork in corn tortillas with pineapple salsa and cabbage slaw.
Kalua pork is such a simple yet flavorful gluten-free dish. With proper precautions, those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can enjoy this classic Hawaiian specialty without worry. Just stick to whole ingredients and verify all marinades or sauces added are gluten-free. Let’s cook some pork aloha style!
Grain-free Pizza Crust Options (or use whatever crust you’d like):
- ¼ to ½ cup BBQ sauce; the notes say to make your own with little to no sugar.
- I used raw goat milk cheddar cheese, but if you’re following a paleo diet, you can leave this out.
- 1 cup shredded kalua pork
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- Red Hawaiian Alaean Salt
- thinly sliced green onion
Easy 3-Ingredient Gluten Free Slow Cooker Kalua Pig Recipe
FAQ
Does Kalua pork have gluten?
Is smoked pork gluten free?
Does pulled pork have gluten?
What are the ingredients in Mays kalua pork?
Can you cook kalua pork in a crockpot?
The slow cooker kalua pork is also gluten free, low carb, keto friendly, and paleo pulled pork too! While you prep the ingredients, preheat your crockpot on low temperature. Cut each of the garlic cloves into 4 slices each. Lay the uncooked bacon in the bottom of the crockpot. Place the pork roast on top of the bacon slices.
Can kalua pork be frozen?
Easily reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Freezing Instructions: Kalua pulled pork is also incredibly freezer-friendly. To freeze, transfer cooled kalua pork to a freezer container (or divide it up between multiple freezer containers for smaller portions). Freeze for up to 3 months.
What is slow cooker kalua pork?
Slow cooker kalua pork, also known as kalua pig, is a Hawaiian style recipe with only four ingredients: pork shoulder, bacon, garlic, and Hawaiian sea salt (more on that below). There’s minimal hands-on time, and the recipe yields plenty of leftovers, making this perfect for weekend meal prepping.
Can kalua pork be reheated?
If you don’t wish to use Hawaiian sea salt, substitute with coarse rock-style salt. Storage Instructions: Kalua pulled pork stores incredibly well! Transfer cooled kalua pork to an airtight container & store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Easily reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.