Hey folks! Glad to have you here. Today, I’m sharing a fantastic recipe for Loco Moco—a Hawaiian comfort food that’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to make!
What’s Loco Moco? A Golfer’s Go-To for Refueling
My husband, an avid golfer, first discovered Loco Moco while playing rounds at the Pali Golf Course in Kaneohe, HI, during his years living in Hawaii. After a long game, this hearty dish quickly became his go-to for refueling. The combination of a juicy beef patty, rich brown gravy, and a runny egg over warm rice was the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and pure comfort. No wonder it’s a favorite among athletes and locals alike!
Ingredients:
Rice: Long-grain rice, low-sodium chicken broth
Burger: Ground beef (80/20), sweet onion, salt, black pepper, oil
Gravy: Butter, cremini mushrooms, sweet onion, low-sodium beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, cornstarch
Eggs & Garnish: Large eggs, oil, parsley, diced Roma tomato, sliced green onion
How to Make It:
- Cook rice in broth.
- Form burger patties with beef, onions, salt, and pepper.
- Cook patties in a cast-iron pan.
- Make gravy with butter, mushrooms, onions, broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook eggs sunny-side-up.
- Assemble: rice, burger, egg, and gravy.
Loco Moco Tips & Variations:
- Press the Patty:
- Pressing the beef patty while searing helps improve the beef-to-rice-to-gravy ratio and makes the burger easier to eat.
- It also creates flavorful caramelized bits that form the base for the gravy.
- Protein Alternatives:
- While a beef patty is traditional, you can swap in SPAM, roast pork, or seafood for a tasty twist.
- Rice:
- Rice is usually the base, but consider using ramen noodles or fried rice for a unique variation.
- Beef Variations:
- Add steak seasoning or a spoon of mayo to the beef patty for an extra boost of umami.
- Gravy Enhancements:
- Add a clove of minced garlic to elevate the depth of the gravy.
- Serving Styles:
- Serve over ramen (a personal favorite) or healthy veggie fried rice instead of traditional white rice for a fun, flavorful twist.
Helpful Equipment for the Best Loco Moco Results:
- Cast-Iron Skillet: Ideal for cooking the burger patties and ensuring a flavorful sear.
- Rice Cooker: Perfect for steaming rice with minimal effort.
- Non-Stick Pan: Essential for frying eggs to your preferred level of doneness.
Loco Moco is a Hawaiian staple, perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you’re a golfer or just love Hawaiian comfort food, this dish brings the islands to your plate. Try it today!
Leave Room for Dessert
Watch the step-by-step instructions in this video!
Loco Moco – Hawaiian Burger with Brown Gravy
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- For the rice: Wash the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepot over high heat, bring the chicken broth to boil. Add the rice, cover and reduce the heat to low for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes. (Alternatively, add both the rinsed rice and the chicken broth to a rice cooker and turn the machine on – it will keep the rice warm until ready to serve.) Fluff with a fork and cover. Keep warm until ready for use.
- For the burgers: Mix the ground beef, onions and some salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Form 4 medium patties and set aside.
- Set a large cast-iron pan over high heat. Add a drizzle of oil and set the patties in the pan. Cover pan with a lid (or a second pan) to seal in the moisture and ensure juicy patties. Cook until well browned on first side, 2 to 3 minutes. Then remove the lid, flip over, replace the lid and continue cooking to desired doneness, about 1½ to 2 minutes for medium-rare. Remove the burgers and keep warm.
- For the gravy: Add the butter to the pan with the drippings. Saute the mushrooms and onions until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, bring to a boil and reduce down for 2 to 3 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a smooth paste. Slowly add into the gravy, stirring constantly until thickened (about 1 minute). Season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready for use.
- To prepare the eggs, start by heating a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat and adding a small amount of cooking oil. Crack the eggs into the pan, then add a splash of water and cover with a lid. Allow the eggs to cook for about 2 minutes until the whites are set. For sunny-side up eggs, remove the lid and serve. For over-easy eggs, gently flip them and cook for an additional 10 seconds. Once done, remove the eggs from the pan and keep them warm until ready to serve.
- To serve: Place the cooked rice on a plate, place the burgers on top, then the eggs and finally the gravy. Garnish with parsley, green onion and tomato if desired.
Notes
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- Vegetable Loaded Fried Rice Recipe: Quick, Healthy & Delicious
If you enjoyed this recipe and would love to see more, join me on YouTube, X, and Instagram! You can follow James T. on Instagram, @WarpSpeedWags . Please comment, like, and share. It really helps! I would love to hear from you 🙂 And if you made this recipe, how did it go for you?
10 responses to “Loco Moco – Hawaiian Burger with Brown Gravy”
Yes to the loco moco! When I was getting ready to move to Hawaii, I read a couple of guide books to just get a feel for the islands and I saw this dish. It sounded so weird, but intriguing. It was my first meal in the island and it is my favorite. Whenever I go to a new local place it is my go to order.
What a great story! My husband also connects to this dish on an almost visceral level. Being from the southern US, he has a special love for comfort food. And he immediately loved Loco Moco! Thanks for stopping by today, Tracie.
i am crying because this looks so good lol! 😀 Mike
Thank you, Michael.
Minimal carbs! 🙂
This looks so good! I’m thinking about making your Juicy Roast Chicken recipe on Thursday and trying this one over the weekend.
You’ll love how delicious and easy both are to put together, Edward. Happy Cooking!
Thank you, Robin.
Looks delicious
Thank you, Melodie.