Sesame Free Hawaiian Kalua Pulled Pork

Smoky, tender, and deeply savory, this slow-cooked pulled pork draws on traditional Hawaiian imu-style cooking to deliver fall-apart meat with incredible depth of flavor. The pork shoulder is rubbed with sea salt, turmeric, and ginger, then wrapped in banana leaves and left to braise low and slow until it practically melts off the bone. Coconut aminos stand in beautifully for soy-based sauces, keeping the umami richness intact without any sesame-derived ingredients sneaking in — a real win when so many Asian-inspired marinades and condiments are off the table. The banana leaves do more than just look impressive; they trap steam and infuse the meat with a subtle, earthy fragrance that makes the whole dish feel genuinely special. After eight hours in the slow cooker, shredding is almost effortless, and tossing the pork back into its own juices means every bite is perfectly seasoned and impossibly moist. Serve it piled over rice, tucked into rolls, or straight from the pot — this is the kind of recipe that disappears fast no matter how you plate it.

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