loco moco recipe
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Haris Malik

Haris Malik is the creative mind behind The Hungry Vibes. With a genuine love for food, he turns everyday ingredients into fun, mouthwatering recipes. His friendly, engaging style makes cooking accessible to everyone—whether you're just starting out or a seasoned chef. Join him on a delicious adventure in your own kitchen!

Ultimate Loco Moco Recipe: 3-Step Hawaiian Comfort Food Favorite!

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.

Loco moco recipe
Images are for illustrative use; credits belong to the original creators.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Loco Moco Recipe

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.

preparing beef
Images are for illustrative use; credits belong to the original creators.

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.

Patty Formation and Cooking for loco moco
Images are for illustrative use; credits belong to the original creators.

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.

Beef patty browning in a frying pan
Images are for illustrative use; credits belong to the original creators.

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.
hamburger patties in gravy
Images are for illustrative use; credits belong to the original creators.
  • 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

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 19 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Hawaiian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 for the perfect lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 Sweet Onion (optional)
  • 1 cup Mushrooms (optional)
  • 2 Green Onions, chopped
  • 2 cups Rice (steamed)
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
  • 2 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Seasoning Salt
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch (optional for gravy)

Method
 

Beef Preparation:
  1. Use 80/20 ground chuck for juicy and flavorful patties. You can use grass-fed beef for a more natural taste or grain-fed beef for a sweeter flavor.
Patty Formation & Cooking:
  1. Form patties to be larger than usual to prevent shrinkage while frying or grilling. Season with Worcestershire sauce, shoyu, garlic powder, and seasoning salt. Taste a small portion and adjust seasonings. Cook patties in a frying pan with a bit of oil for 3-4 minutes on each side until browned.
Gravy Creation:
  1. In the same pan, sauté mushrooms. Stir in flour to make a roux, and gradually add beef stock. Add cornstarch if you like a thicker gravy. Place cooked patties in the gravy.
Final Touches:
  1. Fry eggs sunny-side up. Place a patty on a serving of steamed rice, top with a fried egg, and pour gravy over it. Garnish with chopped green onions.

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