Loco Moco Recipe

This Loco Moco is a hearty Hawaiian comfort food made with steamed white rice, juicy hamburger steak, rich brown gravy, and a perfectly fried egg. Easy to make and incredibly satisfying, this classic island-inspired meal is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or whenever you want a filling plate of comfort food.

Loco Moco Recipe – Hawaiian-Style Rice with Hamburger Steak and Gravy

Make this easy Loco Moco recipe with steamed rice, juicy hamburger steak, rich brown gravy, and a fried egg. A hearty Hawaiian-inspired comfort food perfect for any meal.

Why You'll Love This Loco Moco

• Hearty and satisfying: Rice, hamburger steak, gravy, and egg make this a filling complete meal.
• Classic Hawaiian comfort food: Loco Moco is a familiar local favorite served throughout Hawaiʻi.
• Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward cooking make this recipe perfect for home cooks.
• Rich and flavorful: Savory brown gravy brings all the components together.
• Juicy hamburger steak: The seasoned beef patty adds plenty of savory flavor and protein.
• Perfect egg topping: A sunny-side-up or over-easy egg adds richness and a delicious runny yolk.
• Budget-friendly: Ground beef, rice, eggs, and gravy are affordable everyday ingredients.
• Great for any meal: Enjoy it for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.
• Family-friendly: The familiar combination of beef, rice, gravy, and egg is comforting and satisfying.
• Customizable: Add mushrooms, onions, green onions, or your favorite Hawaiian-inspired toppings.
• Restaurant-style at home: Build a generous plate of rice, hamburger steak, gravy, and egg right in your own kitchen.

What Is Loco Moco?

Loco Moco is a popular Hawaiian comfort-food dish made with rice topped with a hamburger steak, brown gravy, and a fried egg. Hawaiʻi's official tourism site describes it as a hamburger steak and egg served over rice and covered with gravy. It is served throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

The exact preparation varies from restaurant to restaurant. Some versions use steamed white rice, while others use fried rice, and toppings or gravy styles can differ. Foodland's recipe, for example, uses 80/20 ground beef, steamed Calrose rice, brown gravy, and a sunny-side-up egg.

The name is commonly associated with Café 100 in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island, which Hawaiʻi's official tourism site says is said to have originated the name.

Ingredients

For the Hamburger Steaks

• 1 pound ground beef, preferably 80/20
• ¼ cup finely diced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil

For the Gravy

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Salt, to taste

For Serving

• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter or cooking oil
• Sliced green onions, optional

How to Make Loco Moco

1. Prepare the Hamburger Steaks

Add the ground beef, diced onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to a bowl.

Mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the patties dense.

Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each into a thick oval or round patty.

2. Cook the Hamburger Patties

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the patties and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.

Transfer the hamburger steaks to a plate and keep warm.

3. Make the Brown Gravy

Reduce the heat to medium.

Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Gradually whisk in the beef broth to prevent lumps.

Add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Simmer for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

4. Fry the Eggs

Heat a clean skillet over medium-low heat and add the butter or oil.

Crack the eggs into the skillet.

Cook until the whites are set and the yolks are still slightly runny, or cook them to your preferred doneness.

Sunny-side-up or over-easy eggs work especially well for Loco Moco.

5. Assemble the Loco Moco

Divide the hot steamed rice among four plates or bowls.

Place one hamburger steak over each serving of rice.

Generously spoon the warm brown gravy over the hamburger steak and rice.

Top each serving with a fried egg.

Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Serve immediately while everything is hot.

Pro Tips for the Best Loco Moco

• Use 80/20 ground beef: The extra fat helps create juicy, flavorful hamburger steaks.
• Don't overmix the beef: Mix only until the ingredients are combined.
• Make thick patties: Slightly thicker patties stay juicy while cooking.
• Brown the patties well: A good sear adds savory flavor to both the beef and the pan gravy.
• Use the same skillet for gravy: The browned bits left from the beef add extra flavor.
• Whisk the flour thoroughly: This helps create a smooth gravy without lumps.
• Add broth gradually: Pour it in slowly while whisking continuously.
• Adjust the gravy consistency: Add a little more broth if it becomes too thick.
• Cook eggs to preference: Sunny-side-up gives you a rich yolk that mixes beautifully with the gravy.
• Use freshly cooked rice: Hot, fluffy rice provides the best texture.
• Serve immediately: Loco Moco is best when the rice, gravy, hamburger steak, and egg are hot.
• Don't drown everything in gravy: Use enough to coat the rice and beef while preserving the texture of each component.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Loco Moco with:

• Hawaiian macaroni salad
• Steamed white rice
• Fried rice
• Hawaiian-style coleslaw
• Pickled vegetables
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Grilled pineapple
• Fresh cucumber salad
• Steamed vegetables
• Fresh fruit
• Green onions

For a generous Hawaiian-inspired plate, serve Loco Moco with steamed rice, macaroni salad, and a small side of grilled or fresh pineapple.

Variations

Mushroom Loco Moco

Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions and add them to the brown gravy for extra savory flavor.

Onion Loco Moco

Cook thinly sliced onions until caramelized and serve them over the hamburger steak before adding the gravy.

Spam Loco Moco

Replace part of the hamburger steak with browned slices of Spam for a different Hawaiian-inspired variation.

Chicken Loco Moco

Use seasoned ground chicken instead of beef for a lighter alternative.

Vegetarian Loco Moco

Use a plant-based burger patty and mushroom or vegetable gravy instead of beef gravy.

Fried Rice Loco Moco

Use fried rice as the base instead of steamed white rice. Foodland also lists fried rice as an alternative to steamed Calrose rice in its Loco Moco recipe.

Storage

Store leftover hamburger steak, gravy, rice, and eggs separately in airtight containers.

• Hamburger steak: Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
• Brown gravy: Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
• Cooked rice: Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days when cooled and stored properly.
• Fried eggs: Best eaten fresh, as their texture can change during storage.

For the best results, prepare a fresh egg when reheating leftover Loco Moco.

How to Reheat Loco Moco

Reheat the hamburger steak and rice separately.

Warm the hamburger steak in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave until heated through.

Reheat the gravy gently in a saucepan, adding a splash of beef broth or water if it has thickened too much.

Warm the rice with a small splash of water and cover it while reheating.

Prepare a fresh fried egg and assemble just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Loco Moco?

Loco Moco is a Hawaiian comfort-food dish consisting of rice topped with a hamburger steak, brown gravy, and a fried egg.

Is Loco Moco Hawaiian?

Yes. Loco Moco is associated with Hawaiʻi's local food culture and is served throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

Where did Loco Moco originate?

Hawaiʻi's official tourism site says Café 100 in Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island is said to have originated the name Loco Moco.

What kind of rice is used for Loco Moco?

Steamed white rice, including Calrose rice, is commonly used. Fried rice can also be used in some versions.

What kind of gravy is used for Loco Moco?

A savory brown beef gravy is commonly used. Worcestershire sauce and beef broth add extra depth of flavor.

What kind of egg is best for Loco Moco?

Sunny-side-up or over-easy eggs are excellent choices because the yolk can mix with the gravy and rice.

Can I make Loco Moco ahead of time?

Yes. The hamburger steaks, rice, and gravy can be prepared ahead of time. For the best texture, cook the eggs just before serving.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes. Ground turkey can replace beef, although the flavor and texture will be lighter.

What should I serve with Loco Moco?

Hawaiian macaroni salad, pickled vegetables, grilled pineapple, fresh fruit, or a simple salad make excellent accompaniments.

Can I make Loco Moco with fried rice?

Yes. Fried rice can be used instead of steamed white rice for a flavorful variation.

Nutrition Facts

Approximate nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 720 kcal
• Protein: 36 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Total Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Cholesterol: 255 mg
• Sodium: 1,050 mg
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 3 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the ground beef, gravy, rice, egg size, broth, sauces, and amount of cooking oil used.

Similar Recipes

• Huli Huli Chicken
• Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
• Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken
• Spam Musubi
• Hawaiian Chicken
• Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
• Hawaiian Poke Bowl
• Hawaiian Plate Lunch
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Chicken Katsu

Final Thoughts

Loco Moco is a hearty Hawaiian comfort food featuring fluffy white rice topped with a juicy hamburger steak, rich brown gravy, and a perfectly fried egg. The combination of savory beef, flavorful gravy, creamy egg yolk, and warm rice makes every bite incredibly satisfying.

Serve it hot with Hawaiian macaroni salad, pickled vegetables, grilled pineapple, or fresh fruit for a generous island-inspired meal. It is a filling choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Try this easy Loco Moco recipe at home and enjoy juicy hamburger steak, rich brown gravy, fluffy rice, and a delicious fried egg in every bite!