Crock Pot Laulau

Introduction

Crock Pot Laulau is your answer to experiencing the deep, savory flavors of traditional Hawaiian cuisine with modern convenience. Laulau typically involves slow-cooked, tender chunks of pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a subtle earthiness that’s simply unforgettable. With this crock pot method, you’ll recreate the spirit of an authentic luau feast without the fuss—perfect for family dinners and casual gatherings where you want maximal flavor with minimal effort.

Why Crock Pot Laulau is a Must-Try

This recipe marries cultural authenticity and pure comfort food. The slow cooking transforms fibrous greens into silky wraps, and the pork becomes fork-tender and juicy. No underground imu oven? No problem. The crock pot preserves those signature flavors, making laulau accessible for any home cook. Serve it over steamed rice with a side of lomi salmon for a taste transport to the islands.

Choosing and Prepping Your Ingredients

Classic laulau is made with pork butt, salted butterfish, and taro leaves. If taro leaves aren’t available, spinach or collard greens are effective substitutes. For efficiently prepping your greens, a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can make quick work of chopping and prepping.

Be sure to rinse your greens and pat them dry. Cube the pork and fish into uniform pieces for even cooking, using a sturdy Bamboo Cutting Board to avoid cross-contamination and ensure safety in your food prep.

Wrapping and Layering Techniques

Lay out several large taro or substitute leaves, layer in your proteins, and roll tightly to ensure the filling stays secure. If you love meal prep, consider portioning out several laulau packets at once, using a KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears to trim tough stems.

Place each wrapped laulau into the crock pot seam side down so they retain their shape. Lining the bottom of your slow cooker with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easy.

Tips for Perfect Crock Pot Laulau

– Use pork butt for ideal marbling and flavor.
– Layer laulau snugly to retain moisture but don’t overcrowd.
– Cook on low for 8–10 hours; the long, slow, covered heat is key to breaking down fibers and melding rich flavors.
– To check doneness, insert a probe from a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer (ideal reporting 195–205°F for ultra-tender pork).

Serving Suggestions

Serve Crock Pot Laulau hot, unwrapping the leaves right before serving. Pair with sticky rice and a light salad stored in a Bentgo Salad Container for easy prep and fresh enjoyment. Garnish with fresh pineapple salsa or lomi salmon for a complete Hawaiian experience.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 6 individual laulau packets, each serving approximately 350–400 calories, depending on the cut of pork and fish used. Laulau is high in protein and fiber (thanks to the leafy greens).

Crock Pot Laulau (Recap)

This Crock Pot Laulau delivers all the smokey, savory depth of an island luau with the effortless convenience of slow cooking. With simple swaps and clever tools, you can enjoy an authentic Hawaiian staple from your own kitchen—no buried imu required.

Instructions

1. Set up your Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1 Vegetable Chopper and Bamboo Cutting Board to chop pork and fish into 2-inch pieces.
2. Lay out 4–5 taro leaves per laulau. Place a portion of pork and fish in the center. Sprinkle with a pinch of Hawaiian salt.
3. Wrap the leaves tightly to enclose the filling. Optional: wrap each laulau in banana leaf for added flavor.
4. Line your crock pot with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper. Layer each laulau seam-side down inside the crock pot.
5. Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, or until pork is meltingly tender. Use your ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer to ensure pork is fully cooked.
6. Serve hot, unwrapped, with steamed rice and lomi salmon. Store leftovers in air-tight containers.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 8–10 hours (low setting)

Total Time: 8½–10½ hours

Enjoy a legendary taste of Hawaii any day of the week—delicious, no-stress Crock Pot Laulau will have you and your guests coming back for seconds!