This loco moco with gravy recipe is an ode to one of my absolute favorite Hawaiian specialties. A tender hamburger patty is served over fluffy white rice, smothered in brown gravy (with my addition of onions and mushrooms), and then topped with a fried egg (with a runny egg yolk, of course). It's comfort food to the max and oh so easy to make.
I had loco moco for the first time on a trip to Oahu. We went to Koko Head Café in Honolulu, the restaurant from Top Chef Alum Lee Anne Wong. Lee Anne was actually one of my chef professors at culinary school, and I had heard so many wonderful things about her brunch restaurant.
Her version of loco moco, the Koko Moco, has a few twists on the traditional loco moco, including kimchi, and after one bite I was hooked on this local favorite. (It's not uncommon to see other varieties of loco mocos on menus too, from mahi mahi loco moco to loco mocos with a crispy chicken cutlet or pork cutlet.)
For me, I like the original loco moco with beef patties and beef gravy. Now every time we go back to Kauai, loco moco is one of the dishes I can't wait to eat first.
Whether for breakfast at Sueoka's market in Koloa, for brunch at Tip Top in Lihue, or as a plate lunch (served with a scoop of macaroni salad) at Kalaheo Cafe, I will eat this delicious Hawaiian comfort food any time of day. It's also great for dinner--with or without the egg on top. I bet you'll love it too!
Want to see more recipes inspired by my family's trips to Kauai? Be sure to check out my recipe for Teriyaki-Glazed Spam and Egg Musubi. That's another classic Hawaiian dish served for breakfast.
We also love poke. If you do too, then I bet you'll love my Poke Nachos with Ahi Tuna. Finally, for dessert you should try my recipe for Homemade Dole Pineapple Whip. It's a fantastic dairy-free pineapple ice cream treat that's so easy to make.
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Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:
- ground beef
- large egg
- panko breadcrumbs
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- vegetable oil
- butter
- yellow onion
- sliced mushrooms
- cornstarch
- beef broth or beef stock
- low sodium soy sauce
- tomato paste
- fried or over-easy eggs
- hot cooked rice
- sliced green onions for garnish
(See recipe card for quantities.)
Instructions
Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to make the best Loco Moco!
- First, combine the ground beef, egg, panko, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Shape into 4 equal patties.
- Then, cook the patties in hot oil and butter until browned on both sides. Remove from the skillet, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the skillet.
- Next, cook the onions and mushrooms in the drippings in the skillet until browned and tender.
- Finally, add the beef broth mixture to the onions and mushrooms and cook until the gravy is thickened. Return the patties to the skillet and turn to coat. To serve, spoon the patties and gravy over rice and top each serving with a fried egg.
Hint: Want to know how I prevent the hamburgers from shrinking? Be sure to press a small indentation in the centers while shaping; the patties will stay flat and cook evenly during cooking.
Substitutions
Need some substitution ideas? I've got you covered:
- Ground beef - I like to use ground chuck (80/20) for this recipe; I find it has the right amount of fat for flavor, but doesn't create a greasy burger. You can use ground sirloin but just know your burgers may turn out a little on the dry side. Ground turkey is another great substitution option.
- Panko breadcrumbs - Make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. You can also use regular dry breadcrumbs if that's what you've got on hand. I recommend using plain instead of Italian-seasoned.
- Mushrooms - Use your favorite variety of mushroom for this recipe. I used sliced baby bella mushrooms but white button mushrooms are great too. If you're feeling fancy, you can even go for a gourmet mix.
Variations
Check out these recipe variations for even more ideas:
- Spicy - Add some heat to the gravy by stirring in a little cayenne pepper or sriracha hot sauce.
- Hamburger Steaks with Brown Gravy - This recipe can double as an easy weeknight dinner. Feel free to omit the fried eggs and serve it as hamburger steaks with brown gravy over the rice. Simple steamed broccoli or green beans on the side will round out the meal.
- Deluxe - Top with fried onions or onion rings to make this even more delicious.
Equipment
Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:
- measuring spoons
- liquid measuring cup
- large bowl
- large skillet
- whisk
- metal spatula
- wooden spoon
- chef's knife
Storage
Store leftovers in separate air-tight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Fried eggs don't reheat well, so I recommend cooking those just before serving.
It's possible to freeze leftover hamburger patties and gravy. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Tasty tip
To make this meal come together quickly, I first start by cooking the rice in a rice cooker. While that's simmering away, I work on the Loco Moco. Then, at the very end, I'll fry the eggs to keep them as hot and fresh as possible.
Frequently asked questions
The story goes that back in the late 1940s, some broke surfers on the Big Island wanted a hearty dish that wasn't a sandwich and that wouldn't cost too much.
The juicy hamburger steak, Hawaiian brown gravy, and rice dish was dubbed after George Takahashi, one of the guys whose nickname was Moco was added because it rhymed with loco.
Yes, loco moco is traditionally served for breakfast. But, you'll also find it on menus serving Hawaiian plate lunches.
The first place where loco moco was served was at the Lincoln Grill Restaurant in Hilo, Hawaii.
It's considered comfort food. The simple dish is also quick and easy to serve.
Both thickening agents work well. In this recipe, I opt for cornstarch because all you have to do is whisk it into the beef broth and then heat it up to thicken the gravy. If I were to use flour, I'd sprinkle the flour into the pan drippings after the vegetables were sautéed and then add the liquid to create the gravy.
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🍽Get the recipe
Hawaiian Loco Moco with Brown Gravy
Equipment
- measuring spoons
- liquid measuring cup
- large bowl
- large skillet
- whisk
- metal spatula
- wooden spoon
- chef's knife
Ingredients
For the hamburger patties:
- 1 ¼ pounds ground chuck (80/20)
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoon panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
For the brown gravy:
- 1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 (8-ounce) container sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
For serving:
- Hot cooked rice
- 4 fried eggs (I like mine over-easy)
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Make the patties: Combine the ground beef, egg, panko, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until combined. Shape the mixture into 4 equal patties. Make an indention in the center of each patty to prevent them from shrinking.
- Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter melts. Add the patties and cook until browned on each side, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the patties to a plate. Drain the oil, reserving 1 tablespoon along with the browned bits in the bottom of the pan.
- Start the gravy: Add the onion and mushrooms to the drippings in the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and mushrooms are browned and tender, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Whisk together the beef broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, and tomato paste in a liquid measuring cup. Add the beef broth mixture to the onion and mushrooms in the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the gravy is thickened. Return the patties to the skillet and cover in the gravy.
- To serve, divide the rice evenly between serving bowls or plates. Top each with a hamburger patty and spoon gravy over the top. Top with a fried egg and sprinkle with green onions.
Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:
- Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
- When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
- I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
- When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Finally, don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this recipe.
- Be sure to cook the ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
Jamie says
My family loves hamburger patties so I made this for dinner. We gobbled it up with some fried rice. Thank you!
Jenny says
We loved this Loco Moco. Never had it before and was pleasantly surprised. It was easy, fuss-free, and delicious. It will go into our rotation. Thanks so much for your recipe.
Jacqueline Debono says
I had never heard of loco moco but this recipe really caught my interest. Such a delicious meal, I added the egg too!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks for trying it Jacqueline! Glad you enjoyed it!
vicky says
Oh boy was this recipe delicious! I've never heard the name Loco Moco before, but after reading your description of the name, I knew my family would love it! And it did not disappoint! One son has already requested it again!
AshleyFreeman says
Yes! Essentially hamburger steaks. Comfort food to the max!
Mikayla says
Great recipe, we added sauteed onions in place of the mushrooms and enjoyed every bite at our family brunch gathering.
AshleyFreeman says
Double onions--Love that!
veenaazmanov says
I am just imagining the presentation. The flavorful Brown Gravy of anion, mushrooms and sauces, the delicious Hamburger Patties and the serving of the egg and rice combo to this Bowl . I would love to treat myself to it.
AshleyFreeman says
You should! Hope you love it as much as I do!
Yu says
This is actually my first time making this dish. I love the hearty flavor it turned out to be. This is my new favorite Hawaiian dish now. Thank you for sharing!
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear that!
Marta says
Oooh! I've never had loco moco with mushrooms before but this looks intriguing. I'm going to make it tomorrow night for dinner!
AshleyFreeman says
Great! Yes, I added them for more oomph 🙂
Paula says
Loved this brown gravy over the epic loco moco! My family is obsessed.
AshleyFreeman says
Woohoo! I'm glad it was a hit!
Angela says
Oh my goodness, this recipe is incredible! The flavors of the gravy are so good and the egg on top is just perfection. Definitely adding this to my monthly dinner rotation!
AshleyFreeman says
So glad you liked it!
Lubna says
Absolutely amazing recipe. The gravy and patty recipe is so flavorful.
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks Lubna! Glad you liked it!
chara says
Yummy and sooo delicious, love this recipe. thanks for this!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks so much Chara!
Anjali says
This was such a satisfying and hearty brunch option for our family! We made it over the weekend and everyone loved it!
AshleyFreeman says
Great! So glad it was a hit!
Juyali says
I love that name! (Loco Moco). I saw this dish at restaurant menus when I was in Hawaii but never thought of ordering. So, when I saw your recipe, I said, yay, I get to make it at home instead! This was a total comfort food touchdown! So easy and the savory flavors was delish. It made a very tasty dinner! Thanks!!
AshleyFreeman says
It's the perfect dinner! Glad you liked it!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
We really loved this recipe. So rich and delicious.
AshleyFreeman says
Yay! I'm so glad!
JC says
This was next level delicious and comforting. The brown gravy was divine! Thanks for this fabulous recipe.
AshleyFreeman says
Awesome to hear! Thanks JC!
Claudia says
Looks delicious! I've tried this recipe myself—it's a classic Hawaiian favorite with rich, savory flavors.
AshleyFreeman says
Yes! Thank you!
Adriana says
What a perfect combination of flavors. Most definitely loco moco is pure comfort food. We love it for brunch.
AshleyFreeman says
Yes--the perfect brunch dish!
Oscar says
This loco moco with gravy recipe was a hit! The combination of a juicy hamburger patty, fluffy rice, rich brown gravy with onions and mushrooms, and a perfectly runny egg on top was amazing.
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks so much Oscar! Glad you liked it!