Slow-Cooked Hawaiian Pork Bowl with Pineapple Rice

There’s nothing quite like the sweet and savory combination of slow-cooked kalua pork, grilled mango, and pineapple rice to transport your taste buds to the tropics. These Hawaiian Pork Bowls bring together fall-apart slow-cooked pork, vibrant fresh toppings, and a touch of spice for a dish that’s both satisfying and bursting with island flavors. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week, making a slow cooker dinner, or hosting a backyard luau, this dish will become your new favorite way to enjoy Hawaiian pork bowls at home.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Kalua Pork. Follow the linked recipe to slow-cook the pork shoulder roast with Hawaiian sea salt and liquid smoke until it is fall-apart tender. Let it rest before shredding using shredding claws.
2. Make pineapple rice. Cook your white rice with canned pineapple bits and pineapple juice.
3. Grill the mango. Slice the fresh mango and grill it on a cast-iron grill or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Sprinkle with chili lime salt and chop into bite-sized pieces.
4. Assemble the Bowls. Scoop pineapple rice into each bowl. Top with freshly shredded kalua pork. Sprinkle with grilled mango, avocado slices, and pineapple bits. Add optional sauces like a spicy pineapple sauce or cilantro avocado cream sauce.

Making Tender Pork

Overcooking or using the wrong cut of meat can lead to dry pork. Stick to pork butt or pork shoulder roast, and cook low and slow to make sure the meats fat pad melts down slowly, basting the meat as it cooks.

Use Hawaiian sea salt and liquid smoke to make sure your pork is full of flavor and has that authentic taste.

Achieving the Right Rice Texture

If your rice is too mushy or undercooked, it can ruin the dish. Cook the rice on medium heat, measure the liquid carefully, and watch it closely. As soon as the liquid is absorbed into the rice, remove it from the heat and allow it to steam with the lid off for five more minutes before fluffing and serving.

Restaurant Version

Many restaurants add a saucy topping. Here are some suggested sauces to try out on the bowl:

• Hawaiian Teriyaki Sauce
• Roasted Pineapple Habanero Sauce
• Spicy Pineapple Sauce
• Cilantro Avocado Cream Sauce

Adjusting the Flavor

If your dish is too sweet or salty, adjust the amount of salt or balance the flavor with lime juice.

Using a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

The oven-roasted kalua pork recipe can be made in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. For a slow cooker, cook on low for 8 hours. For an Instant Pot, cook for 90 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 15 minutes.

Healthy Hawaiian Pork Bowls

This dish is naturally packed with nutrients, including many vitamins and protein. You can swap the white rice for brown rice or cauliflower rice to make it even healthier. And if you want leaner meat, you can swap the pork out for teriyaki chicken.

Hawaiian Pork Bowl for All Seasons

Combining sweet and savory pork with rice is a staple in island cuisine. This tropical pork bowl is an excellent option if you love refreshing, vibrant flavors! Hawaiian pork bowls are incredibly versatile and fit well into various seasonal trends. A summer BBQ pork bowl is a fantastic way to enjoy the warm weather and grilling season. This recipe becomes the perfect comfort food for fall and winter as the weather cools down.

Bonus: If you want to meal-prep Hawaiian pork bowls, this dish is perfect for a ready-to-go lunch.

Serving Suggestions and Bowl Variations

• Base Options- You can swap the pineapple rice out for creamy coconut rice, depending on your preferred flavor
• Other Toppings- Add chopped green onions or shredded coconut for more flavor and texture.
• Side Dishes- Pair with grilled pineapple slices or fresh mango salsa.

Easy Hawaiian Pork Bowl

I first fell in love with Hawaiian flavors during a trip to Maui, where I discovered the magic of kalua pork. Slow-roasted underground in banana leaves and seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt, it had a melt-in-your-mouth texture that I knew I had to recreate at home. This Hawaiian pork bowl combines those tropical flavors with the convenience of a slow oven roast (pressure cooker or slow cooker if you prefer), making it an easy and delicious meal you can enjoy anytime.

This Hawaiian pork bowl recipe brings the taste of chef-quality meals to your kitchen. It’s a perfect mix of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, making it a must-try for any food lover. The slow-cooked pork melts in your mouth while the grilled mango and pineapple rice add a tropical twist that’s both refreshing and satisfying.

Whether you’re making this for meal prep, a casual dinner, or even a summer BBQ, this dish is as versatile as it is delicious. If you love bold flavors, adding a spicy pineapple sauce or Hawaiian teriyaki sauce can take it to the next level. Plus, it’s an easy make-ahead option and a great dish to prepare in advance for busy days.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different toppings and side dishes to make it your own. The balance of fall-apart tender pork, sweet fruit, and savory seasonings makes every bite an explosion of flavor. It’s a dish that brings a little Aloha spirit to your table, no matter where you are. Try it and let me know how it turns out in the comments below!