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Keto Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Recipe with Lettuce Wraps

Looking for a quick and easy weekday meal that tastes like it took all day? Our Keto slow cooker kalua pork recipe is what you have been looking for! Flavorful, juicy and no underground oven required.

And don’t forget to check out our comprehensive list of Keto crockpot recipes here.

Kalua, Not Just For Kings

Though your first thought may be of beautiful island luaus and tropical feasts, Kalua actually means baked in an earth oven. (1)

Hawaiians used an Imu (underground oven) to slow cook a whole pig, for tasty royal treats. Originally, the kalua pig was saved only for Hawaiian Chiefs (sorry ladies, women, and commoners were forbidden to taste it). King Kamehameha II changed that in 1819 and the luau feast was shared with all. (2)

Fortunately for us, a slow cooker can yield similar deliciousness without needing to dig a large pit!

Liquid Smoke – Is It Keto?

Did you ever wonder what liquid smoke is? How is liquid smoke made? I needed to know these things, so let me share with you what I learned.

Liquid smoke is NOT a chemical, it’s made from actual smoke. It is used in this kalua pork recipe as well as many other recipes to impart the smokiness of a barbecue without having to start up the grill.

Essentially, wood is burned in a controlled manner creating smoke-infusedThe smoke and steam from the burning wood (think smoke infused water) is caught in a condenser and then cooked down to concentrate the flavor. Result = liquid smoke.

Which means that liquid smoke is Keto and Paleo! So add it to your meats for extra flavor. As always, double check the ingredients as there are some brands that add sugar, molasses, and even high fructose corn syrup.

Is Liquid Smoke Safe?

While it’s not definitive, the science doesn’t suggest that it’s unsafe. Plus, if you’re after a smoky flavor, it’s no worse than you actually charring your food.

But if you don’t want to use liquid smoke, then try one of these liquid smoke alternatives:

1. Chipotle Chili Powder
2. Smoked Paprika
3. Smoked Tea (Lapsang Souchong or Russian Caravan)
4. Smoked Salt

How to Eat Keto Kalua Pork

I suggest enjoying this Keto slow cooker kalua pork in lettuce cups, but here are some other ideas:

• add Keto BBQ sauce and have a twist on lettuce wraps
• top eggs with pork and salsa for a southwest breakfast that sticks with you
• use instead of ham for a delicious Keto Cauliflower Fried Rice
• add to a large salad in place of taco beef for a hearty Keto lunch

Keto Slow Cooker Kalua Pork Recipe with Lettuce Wraps

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• Author: Louise Hendon
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Cuisine: American

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Ingredients

For the crockpot pork –

• 4 lb (2 kg) Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) liquid smoke
• 3 Tablespoons sea salt

For the salsa and lettuce wraps –

• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 Tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 head of iceberg lettuce, broken into individual leaves

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Instructions

1. Mix the liquid smoke and sea salt together.
2. Use a fork or knife to make some small holes or slits in the pork – this helps to get the flavor in.
3. Rub the liquid smoke salt mixture into the meat.
4. Place into your slow cooker or crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours until the meat is very tender.
5. Make the salsa by mixing together the tomatoes, bell pepper, olive oil, and vinegar.
6. Shred the pork and enjoy in lettuce wraps with a scoop of the salsa.

Notes

All nutritional data are estimated and based on per serving amounts.

Net Carbs:  1 g

Nutrition

• Calories: 394
• Sugar: 1 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g