Easy Jason Momoa fed us Hawaiian Comfort food
Make authentic Hawaiian comfort food at home with this easy kalua pork recipe featuring tender meat, savory gravy, and wholesome brown rice.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, low-sodium
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 1 cup water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water for slurry
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 4 scallions, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork shoulder chunks dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning, about 1 minute.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 2 minutes.
- 3
Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, brown the pork pieces on all sides until deeply caramelized, about 10-12 minutes total, then transfer to a clean plate.
- 4
Sauté the diced yellow onion in the same pot until softened and translucent, roughly 5 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- 5
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until fragrant and golden, about 90 seconds.
- 6
Pour in the low-sodium soy sauce and let it coat the aromatics for 30 seconds to deepen the flavors.
- 7
Return all browned pork to the pot along with the chicken broth, water, bay leaves, sea salt, and black pepper.
- 8
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer until the pork is extremely tender and shreds easily with a fork, about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- 9
Whisk together cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a slurry, stirring until completely smooth.
- 10
Slowly drizzle the cornstarch slurry into the simmering pork while stirring gently to thicken the gravy, cooking for another 2 minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- 11
Taste the dish and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- 12
Divide the cooked brown rice among serving bowls and top generously with the shredded pork and rich gravy.
- 13
Garnish each portion with sliced scallions, a drizzle of sesame oil, and fresh cilantro before serving while hot.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| pork shoulder | chicken thighs | Lighter protein option while maintaining tenderness and rich flavor from dark meat |
| white rice | brown rice | Whole grain option provides significantly more fiber and nutrients for sustained energy |
| regular soy sauce | low-sodium or coconut aminos | Reduces sodium intake while maintaining umami depth and authentic flavor profile |
| chicken broth | bone broth | Provides additional collagen and amino acids that support gut health and joint function |
| cornstarch slurry | arrowroot powder | Cleaner thickening agent that's easier to digest and doesn't spike blood sugar as dramatically |
| regular salt | himalayan pink salt | Contains trace minerals that support electrolyte balance and mineral absorption |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 575 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Cholesterol | 165mg |
| Sodium | 380mg |
| Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 60g |
Nutrition Comparison
| Classic | Metabolic Health | restaurant | Healthier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 575 | 420 | 685 | 385 |
| Protein | 60g | 48g | 52g | 48g |
| Carbs | 48g | 12g | 48g | 22g |
| Fat | 18g | 20g | 28g | 12g |
| Fiber | 5g | 4.5g | 2g | 4g |
| Sugar | 2g | - | - | - |
| Health Scores | ||||
| Gut Health | 8/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Anti-Inflammatory | 8/10 | 9/10 | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Blood Sugar | 7/10 | 9/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
