I recently reinvented a wonderful Hawaiian Food classic that unites tender ground beef, fluffy white rice, and a golden over-easy egg. I love how butter, Worcestershire sauce, and rich beef broth turn each bite into a perfectly balanced plate lunch designed for any time of day. It is simply irresistible.
I’ve been playing around with different dishes lately and The Ultimate Hawaiian Loco Moco really stole the show for me. I’ve always been drawn to Hawaiian Plate Lunch style meals and this one is no exception.
Imagine a perfectly cooked hamburger patty sitting atop 2 cups of freshly cooked white rice and dripping in a rich brown gravy. I season my 1 lb ground beef with just the right amounts of salt and black pepper, then start my gravy by melting 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a pan and stirring in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until it’s lightly browned.
Next, I slowly mix in 2 cups beef broth and a splash of Worcestershire sauce, letting it all meld together beautifully. And to top it off, I fry up 4 large eggs in a bit of vegetable oil until they’re just right.
This dish mixes classic diner comfort with a true taste of Hawaii that you wont be able to get enough of.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s super simple to make and still feels fancy when it’s on my plate. I like how the savory beef, rich gravy, and perfectly runny egg mix together to create a burst of flavor every time I take a bite. The comforting, home-cooked vibe of the dish makes me feel really cozy, and it always hits the spot whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner. I also really enjoy the contrast between the soft, warm rice and the crispy edges of the patty and fried egg which makes it all fun to chew.
Ingredients
- This fluffy white rice provides essential carbohydrates and energy even though it has little fiber.
- Ground beef is a protein powerhouse, delivering rich flavor and juicy texture to each bite.
- Butter lends a smooth, creamy taste to the dish, but use it sparingly for balance.
- Beef broth infuses the kinda umami kick, making the gravy rich and deeply savory.
- Eggs crown the loco moco bringing creamy textures and extra protein for indulgence.
- A dash of Worcestershire sauce adds a tangy, complex flavor profile enhancing the dish.
- All-purpose flour thickens the gravy perfectly, ensuring every mouthful remains luxuriously satisfying.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 large eggs
- Vegetable oil, for frying eggs
How to Make this
1. First, have 2 cups of cooked white rice ready and set aside while you season 1 lb of ground beef with salt and black pepper then shape it into patties.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until they are browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side then remove them from the pan.
3. Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once the butter is melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and let it cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light brown color.
4. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of beef broth. Keep stirring to avoid lumps and let the mixture thicken up.
5. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce then taste and add a bit more salt and pepper if needed.
6. In another pan, heat a little vegetable oil over medium heat. Crack 4 large eggs into the pan and fry them over easy until the whites are just set but the yolks remain runny.
7. Place your cooked white rice on each plate as the base of the dish.
8. Top the rice with a hamburger patty, then pour the rich brown gravy all over it.
9. Gently lay a fried egg on top of each serving.
10. Serve your loco moco immediately and enjoy this hearty comfort food for any meal of the day, its perfect for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.
Equipment Needed
1. A bowl to hold the 2 cups of cooked white rice while you prep the other ingredients.
2. Measuring cups to accurately portion rice, beef broth (2 cups), butter (2 tablespoons), and flour (2 tablespoons).
3. A mixing bowl or clean countertop space to season the 1 lb ground beef with salt and pepper and shape it into patties.
4. A large skillet to cook the beef patties and later make the brown gravy – this helps keep all the flavors from the beef.
5. A spatula or tongs to flip and remove the patties from the skillet after cooking.
6. A whisk to stir the melted butter and all-purpose flour together and to smoothly incorporate the beef broth without lumps.
7. A separate pan to fry the 4 large eggs in vegetable oil so the runny yolks remain intact.
8. Plates for assembling and serving the loco moco with the rice, beef, gravy, and fried egg.
FAQ
The Ultimate Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Cooked white rice – try using jasmine or brown rice as a healthier or more flavorful option
- Ground beef – you can swap it with ground turkey or ground chicken if you’re looking for a leaner choice
- Unsalted butter – olive oil or even coconut oil works well if you want a non-dairy alternative
- Beef broth – chicken broth or vegetable broth can be used as a substitute when you dont have beef broth on hand
- Worcestershire sauce – a mix of soy sauce with a pinch of garlic and lemon juice can mimic its tangy flavor
Pro Tips
1. When you form your patties, try not to make them too thick so they cook evenly and get that good brown crust without staying raw inside
2. For the gravy, keep stirring constantly as you add the broth slowly so you dont end up with lumps in your sauce
3. When frying the eggs, it helps to lower the heat a little bit and cover the pan for a minute so that the whites cook evenly while the yolks stay runny
4. If your rice is cold, warming it up in the microwave for a few seconds really makes a difference and keeps your loco moco tasting hot all over
5. Taste your gravy as you go and adjust salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce as needed since every ingredient can vary in flavor from batch to batch
The Ultimate Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe
My favorite The Ultimate Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. A bowl to hold the 2 cups of cooked white rice while you prep the other ingredients.
2. Measuring cups to accurately portion rice, beef broth (2 cups), butter (2 tablespoons), and flour (2 tablespoons).
3. A mixing bowl or clean countertop space to season the 1 lb ground beef with salt and pepper and shape it into patties.
4. A large skillet to cook the beef patties and later make the brown gravy – this helps keep all the flavors from the beef.
5. A spatula or tongs to flip and remove the patties from the skillet after cooking.
6. A whisk to stir the melted butter and all-purpose flour together and to smoothly incorporate the beef broth without lumps.
7. A separate pan to fry the 4 large eggs in vegetable oil so the runny yolks remain intact.
8. Plates for assembling and serving the loco moco with the rice, beef, gravy, and fried egg.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 large eggs
- Vegetable oil, for frying eggs
Instructions:
1. First, have 2 cups of cooked white rice ready and set aside while you season 1 lb of ground beef with salt and black pepper then shape it into patties.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until they are browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side then remove them from the pan.
3. Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once the butter is melted, stir in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and let it cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light brown color.
4. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of beef broth. Keep stirring to avoid lumps and let the mixture thicken up.
5. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce then taste and add a bit more salt and pepper if needed.
6. In another pan, heat a little vegetable oil over medium heat. Crack 4 large eggs into the pan and fry them over easy until the whites are just set but the yolks remain runny.
7. Place your cooked white rice on each plate as the base of the dish.
8. Top the rice with a hamburger patty, then pour the rich brown gravy all over it.
9. Gently lay a fried egg on top of each serving.
10. Serve your loco moco immediately and enjoy this hearty comfort food for any meal of the day, its perfect for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner.