Loco Moco Recipe is a simple, memorable dish from the Big Island of Hawaii, made with fluffy steamed rice, a seasoned hamburger patty, a fried egg, and savoury brown gravy. It’s believed the name came from Crazy George, a gym member known for his wild sports play. This hearty dish is a family favourite that can easily feed three grown-ups.
Loco Moco is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s always tasty and comforting with a mushroom sauce or classic gravy. Whether serving it to kids or adults, the sunny-side egg and stacked layers of rice and beef make it fun to eat.
Loco Moco has a fun backstory: the word moco translates to snot in English, which may be the reason behind its name. Despite this, it’s a hearty, satisfying dish, perfect for quick meals and family gatherings. It’s sure to become a favourite, especially for loco moco fans who love a good hamburger patty on top of their rice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make the perfect Loco Moco, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Unsalted butter
- Eggs
- Sweet onion(optional)
- Mushrooms(optional)
- Green onions
- Rice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Shoyu
- Ketchup
- Garlic powder
- Seasoning salt
- Cornstarch(optional)
How to Make a Loco Moco
Beef Preparation
For a great loco moco, start with an 80/20 ground chuck for the perfect lean-to-fat ratio. The lean meat and fat make the patties juicy and flavorful. You can choose grass-fed cow beef for a more natural taste or grain-fed cow if you prefer a sweeter and richer flavour.
Patty Formation and Cooking
Form the patty using your hands, freestyle, or use circular stencils for uniformity. Make the patty larger to prevent shrinkage while fried or grilled. Season with soy, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper, and adjust seasonings after tasting a small portion for taste.
Gravy Creation and Final Touches
Cook the patty in a large frying pan with a small amount of oil for 3-4 minutes until browned. For the gravy, sauté mushrooms, stir in flour to make a roux, and add beef stock. Place the cooked patties into the gravy topped with a fried egg and serve over steamed rice, garnished with scallions.
Why Loco Moco is Perfect for Any Meal
Loco moco isn’t just for dinner; it’s a comforting meal that works for breakfast, brunch, or even as a late-night snack. The combination of steamed rice, a juicy beef patty, and savoury gravy makes it a satisfying and versatile option for any time of the day. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing a quick meal for yourself, loco moco is an easy crowd-pleaser.
Variations on Loco Moco
While the classic loco moco features beef patties, gravy, and a fried egg, feel free to get creative! You can swap the beef for chicken, turkey, or even a vegetarian patty for a different twist. Add toppings like avocado or cheese for extra flavour and richness. Experiment with brown rice for a healthier version, or use a poached egg instead of a fried one if you prefer a softer texture.
Make Ahead and Store for Later
- Make-ahead: Prepare hamburger patties in gravy and keep them on very low simmering heat, keeping warm for up to 2 hours.
- Storage: Store the beef and gravy in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and keep steamed rice You can also freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Add beef and gravy to a saucepan, and heat on low heat until it’s hot. Reheat the steamed rice in the microwave.
- Leftovers: Assembled patties can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours, and leftovers in an airtight container for 4 days.
Wrapping Up
Loco moco is a hearty, versatile dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Whether you’re making it with classic beef patties, a savoury gravy, and a fried egg, or tweaking the recipe to suit your tastes, this meal is sure to satisfy. With its rich flavours and easy-to-follow steps, loco moco is more than just a meal—it’s a comforting tradition that brings everyone together at the table.
People also ask
- What is Loco Moco sauce made of?
Loco Moco sauce is typically made of brown gravy, often with soy sauce, butter, and beef stock. - How to make a moco?
To make a moco, cook a hamburger patty, place it on a bowl of white rice, top with a fried egg, and drizzle with brown gravy. - What does Loco Moco stand for?
Loco Moco is a Hawaiian dish, and the name loosely translates to “crazy mix” or “crazy combo,” reflecting the blend of ingredients. - Why is Loco Moco so good?
Loco Moco is so good because it’s a comforting, hearty meal with a combination of savoury, rich flavours from the beef patty, egg, gravy, and rice.
Loco Moco recipe
Equipment
- Frying Pan for cooking the beef patties and browning the gravy.
- Saucepan for reheating the beef and gravy.
- Spatula for flipping the patties and stirring the gravy.
- Stovetop for cooking the patties, gravy, and eggs.
- Measuring Cups/Spoons for accurate seasoning and liquid measurements.
- Pot for steaming the rice.
- Knife and Cutting Board: for chopping onions, garlic, and other ingredients.
- Whisk for making the roux in the gravy and stirring to prevent lumps.
- Ladle for serving the gravy over rice and patties.
Ingredients
- Eggs
- ½ medium sized sweet onion (optional)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sliced mushroom (optional)
- green onions for garnishing
- cooked rice
Hamburger Patties:
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
Gravy:
- 2 cups beef stock
- 4 tsp shoyu (soy sauce)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 5 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
Hamburger Patties:
- Mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large bowl.
- Start forming it into patties by grabbing a handful of meat and rolling it into a ball. Then press down to flatten it out. Smooth the edges so there isn't any cracks or jagged edges. Patties should come out to at least one inch thick. Try to keep the patties large since it will shrink when fried.
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Fry each side of the patties for about 3-5 minutes or until well done.
- Set each finished patty on a plate lined with paper towel to catch any extra grease.
Gravy:
- Mix the beef stock, shoyu, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch comes off of the bottom.
- Using the same pan, melt one tablespoon of the butter to caramelize the onions for about a minute then fry the mushrooms for another minute or two. (It is optional to add the mushrooms and onions. If not, just skip to the next step.)
- Melt the rest of the butter and add the gravy mix to the pan. Keep stirring the gravy until it begins to thicken and simmer.
Egg:
- Melt a slice of butter and crack an egg on a frying pan.
- Cook a sunny side up egg. (You can switch it up to your preference) Set aside
Plating Loco Moco:
- Scoop a generous serving of hot white rice on a plate. Layer it with one hamburger patty then drizzle on the gravy. Top it with the egg and garnish with green onions.
- Enjoy it fresh and hot!
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