How To Make Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe

Get a taste of traditional Hawaiian food and learn how to Make Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe!

This comfort dish is made with love starting with a bed of sticky rice topped with a hamburger, topped with gravy and a runny egg.

If you like this recipe, you will love Spam Loco Moco!

THE HISTORY OF LOCO MOCO

Created in the 1940's, this local dish was said to have started from diners who requested a dish they could afford. Either at Cafe 100 or the Lincoln Grill in Hilo, Hawaii, is where the first dish was created and prepared.

To learn more about Loco Moco and its history, click here!

WHAT DOES LOCO MOCO TASTE LIKE?

The thick juicy beef burger patty is the star of this show. In a lot of traditional dishes, steak and gravy is served so expect flavors similar to that if you have had that combination.

There are some additional flavors added to this recipe such as soy sauce and browning seasoning sauce to really make the dish quite rich.

The addition of the runny egg sets this dish a part and allows for a massive flavor train of hearty beefy goodness.

WHAT RICE PAIRS BEST WITH THIS DISH?

Traditionally, sticky white rice is prepared with this dish. In this recipe, short grain rice is used and prepared in a method where the water cooks out, forming a sticky consistency. The rice is then the perfect consistency to hold with the rich onion, mushroom and beef gravy.

If you have short or medium grain rice, that will work best but any rice of your choice is fine too!

INGREDIENTS FOR RECIPE

As mentioned, this recipe rings true to traditional style foods. With that said, you will need simple, staple household ingredients. Here is what you will need:

For the Burger Patty

1. Ground Beef
2. Garlic Powder
3. Onion Powder
4. Salt
5. Pepper
6. Egg
7. Liquid Smoke
8. Breadcrumbs
9. Oil

INGREDIENTS FOR LOCO MOCO GRAVY

Ultimately, the gravy could undoubtedly be the star of this recipe. Nothing tops a homemade from scratch recipe such as traditional brown gravy. Perhaps this recipe needs its own blog post.

If you are substituting anything in this recipe, do not omit preparing the gravy as listed in this post. Here is what you will need:

1. Garlic
2. Onion 
3. Mushrooms
4. Flour
5. Salted Butter 
6. Water 
7. Soy Sauce
8. Beef Bouillon
9. Browning Seasoning Sauce
10. Salt 
11. Pepper 

Additional Ingredients

1. Short Grain Rice
2. Sunny Side Up Eggs
3. Rice Seasoning/Furikake
4. Green Onions

HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO BURGER PATTIES

First, prepare the burger patties as this will be the most time-consuming portion of the recipe. It is important to note, you should also begin preparing rice as a first step so the ingredients will be ready simultaneously.

In a large mixing bowl, add burger patty ingredients beginning with ground beef and ending with breadcrumbs. Then, mix thoroughly until ingredients are combined. Now, separate ground beef into four even sections.

Carefully roll burger mixture into balls and set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet (preferably a cast iron skillet), add oil and turn the heat to medium/high.

How to Cook Burger Patties

At this instant, add the burger balls to the pan and lightly smash burgers into patties. It is important to note, the heat should be fairly high, and the burgers should sizzle and release smoke.

Allow the patties to cook for five minutes on one side being careful not to disturb the patties. Flip patties and sear an additional four minutes being careful not to disturb the patties.

Finally, remove the patties from the heat (will not be cooked through) and set aside until further use.

HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO VIDEO

HOW TO MAKE LOCO MOCO GRAVY

As mentioned, the gravy is top tier and possibly the star of this recipe. It is rich in beef flavor and pairs well with the sticky rice, beef patty and sunny side up egg.

In the same skillet used to cook hamburger patties, add garlic, onion, mushrooms and sauté. If needed, add a small amount of oil (one tsp) so the veggies will not stick to the pan.

Next, sauté vegetable and garlic mixture until soft and translucent. Next, carefully sprinkle in the flour and whisk for about one minute. It is important to note that it is helpful to actually time this portion of the recipe!

How to Prepare the Roux for Loco Moco Gravy

Now, add butter and continue to whisk, stirring constantly for about two minutes or until flour cooks out. Then, slowly pour in water and whisk simultaneously.

Quickly pour in soy sauce, bouillon and browning seasoning sauce. Continue to whisk and allow gravy to reduce and thicken. (About five minutes) Adjust flavor to your taste adding salt and pepper if needed.

Now, add par cooked burger patties back into the gravy, cover and let simmer on low for ten to fifteen minutes until burger patties are cooked through to your desired temperature.

If you like this recipe, you will love Spam Loco Moco!