Loco Moco Recipe

A Hawaiian classic, loco moco is a complete meal on one plate: juicy hamburger patties served on a bed of fluffy rice, topped with savory mushroom gravy and a perfectly fried egg. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll love how easily this dish comes together.

A plate of rice topped with a hamburger patty, sautéed onions, mushrooms, brown gravy, and a sunny-side-up egg, garnished with chopped green onions.

Loco moco is a classic Hawaiian comfort food. Today, you can find it in plate lunch spots all over Hawaii, and it’s loved far beyond the islands.

Loco moco is great any time, but it’s especially perfect when the weather is cooler, and you’re craving something warm and hearty. Missing those tropical vacation vibes? Making loco moco at home is an easy way to bring a taste of Hawaii to your kitchen.

If you love Hawaiian flavors, then you will want to try this Rustic Coconut Cake or this Ham & Pineapple Kebabs.

Ingredients

We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For the beef patties:

Ground beef: Choose ground beef with a little fat for extra juicy patties (80/20 is ideal).
Onion, finely chopped: Adds a subtle sweetness and extra flavor to the meat.
Egg: Helps bind the patties together.
Salt and black pepper: Add to taste. These simple seasonings bring out the beef’s natural flavors.

For the base:

Cooked white rice: Steamed rice is the classic base for loco moco, but feel free to use brown rice for a slightly healthier twist.

For the gravy:

Butter: The buttery base makes the gravy rich and luscious.
Sliced mushrooms: Adds depth and umami to the gravy.
Onion, sliced: Balances out the earthy mushrooms and adds sweetness.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the gravy perfectly.
Beef broth: The backbone of a good gravy; beef stock works wonders here.
Soy sauce: For that salty, savory kick.
Salt and pepper: Season to taste.

For the topping:

Eggs: Fried to your preference. Sunny-side-up works beautifully for that golden yolk moment.
Oil (for frying): Prevents sticking and ensures a flawless fried egg every time.

Pro Tip: Don’t skip on the butter and soy sauce in the gravy; they bring out the savory Hawaiian vibes you’re craving.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

A glass bowl with ground beef, chopped onions, an egg, salt, and pepper. Nearby are salt and pepper shakers, a small bowl of sauce, and a dish with a white ingredient.

Step 1: In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, one egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.

Four browned hamburger patties cooking in a white skillet, surrounded by bowls of ingredients including cottage cheese, onions, and seasonings.

Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

A white saucepan filled with mushroom gravy, showing sliced mushrooms in a thick brown sauce, on a white surface.

Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add the mushrooms and sliced onions, cooking until softened. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir and cook. Slowly whisk in beef broth and soy sauce. Simmer until thickened, then season with salt and pepper.

A single sunny-side up egg cooking in a white nonstick frying pan.

Step 4: In a separate pan, heat oil over medium heat. Fry eggs sunny-side up or to your preference. Scoop rice onto each plate. Top with a hamburger patty, spoon over gravy, and finish with a fried egg on top.

Storage

Storage: Store leftover loco moco components (meat patties, rice, and gravy) in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze cooked hamburger patties and gravy in individual portions. Rice doesn’t freeze well, so make fresh rice when needed.
Reheating: Warm the beef patties and gravy in the microwave or skillet over medium heat. Reheat rice separately for the best texture and flavor.

What to Serve With loco moco

Looking for the perfect side dish to complement your meal? Try these ideas:

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans for a simple, savory side.
Pineapple Upside Down Fudge for a sweet and tropical twist.
Samoa Brownies for a decadent dessert that pairs well with the savory flavors of loco moco.
Frozen Pineapple Lemonade with a hint of mint for a zesty, cooling drink.

A hamburger steak topped with a sunny-side-up egg and green onions, served over rice with sliced mushrooms and onions, with egg yolk running down.

Wendys Tips

Don’t overmix the beef when shaping the patties. Overworking the meat can lead to tough patties.
Customize the gravy by adding Worcestershire sauce or garlic powder for an extra layer of flavor.
Cook the eggs to your liking. While sunny-side-up is traditional, over-easy or fried eggs work just as well.
Make it Hawaiian-style by swapping out the beef patty for spam in a pinch!

FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Is ground beef the only option for the patties?

Not at all! You can experiment with ground pork or chicken for a slight change in flavor.

What’s the best way to cook the eggs?

Sunny-side up or over medium works best—runny yolks mix beautifully with the gravy and rice.

A plate of rice topped with sautéed mushrooms, a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a sunny side up egg, garnished with sliced green onions. A fork and knife are beside the plate.

A plate with white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, sautéed mushrooms and onions, a sunny-side-up egg, and chopped green onions.

Loco Moco Recipe

There’s something so satisfying about a dish that brings bold flavors and comfort in every bite. This loco moco recipe is the epitome of easy comfort food that’s guaranteed to please a crowd and cure hunger pangs.

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Course: Breakfast, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Hawaiian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Calories: 1340kcal

Author: Wendy

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
Skillet
whisk
spatula
knife
cutting board
measuring cups and spoons
Separate frying pan

Ingredients

1 pound½ ground beef
½ small onion finely chopped
1 egg for binding the patties
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups cooked white rice
4 large eggs for topping
2 tablespoons oil for frying

For the gravy:

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sliced mushrooms
½ small onion sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion, one egg, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 patties.
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties 4–5 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter. Add the mushrooms and sliced onions, cooking until softened.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables. Stir and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in beef broth and soy sauce. Simmer until thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
In a separate pan, heat oil over medium heat. Fry eggs sunny-side up or to your preference.
Scoop 1/2 cup rice onto each plate. Top with a hamburger patty, spoon over gravy, and finish with a fried egg on top.

Disclaimer:

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.

Nutrition

Loco Moco Recipe