Marcos Gonzales • updated: Dec 19 2024
Loco Moco Recipe - Fast and Easy
Learn how to make the ultimate Hawaiian comfort food - Loco Moco - right in your own kitchen. This quick and delicious version features all the classic elements: a perfectly seasoned hamburger patty, rich brown gravy, and a sunny-side-up egg, all served over a bed of steaming white rice. This is going to be a simplified version and not take away any great taste were going to use brown gravy mix.
What is Loco Moco?
The teenagers named the dish Loco Moco after one of their members, George Okimoto, whose nickname was "Crazy” because of his crazy antics. George Takahashi, who was studying Spanish at Hilo High School, suggested using Loco, which is Spanish for crazy. They tacked on "moco" which "rhymed with loco and sounded good".
- Historical background and cultural significance: Loco Moco was created in 1949 in Hilo Hawaii By Richard Inouye and Nancy by request of some customer wanting something other than a sandwich. They came up with some rice served with a ground beef patty and gravy. the fried egg came by later.
- Traditional components of the dish:
- rice
- ground beef patty
- brown gravy
- fried egg
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This dish has bold flavor, is easy to make, and doesn't break the bank. Talk about a win win win. Were going to simplify the recipe without losing any flavor by using gravy packets and speed up the cooking time in the process.
If you want to make the gravy yourself you can do so. 'll list the ingredients below:
How to make the gravy
- 1/2 onion yellow preferred
- 1cup Mushrooms (if you like them)
- 2c Beef Broth/ Beef Stock
- 2T Worcestershire Sauce
- 2T Soy Sauce
- 2T Ketchup
- 2T Butter
- 2T flour (can use cornstarch if preferred)
Add flour and butter to pan on low/medium heat and whisk for 2 minutes until you have a roux. Once your roux has changed color from white to a light blond, it's ready and we can add the beef broth, worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and ketchup. Turn off heat and continue stirring until all if mixed well. Give it a taste. Add salt if needed.
Ingredients Needed
For the burger:
- 1 Pound ground beef 80/20 preferred
- 1tsp soy sauce
- 1tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/2tsp salt
- 1/2tsp black pepper
- 1tsp onion powder
- 1sp garlic powder
- 1 brown gravy packet
- eggs: I like using 2 eggs per patty
- white rice
- green onion (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Wash and cook rice: Rinse and wash the rice. I like to wash it 3 times and then cook according the package directions.
- Prepare burger patties: Mix together soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder with the ground beef. Form 4 beef patties. Fry burgers in a skillet 3 minutes on each side. For well done burgers, cook until internal temperature has reached 165F. For juicy burgers take out ground beef once it hits 145-150F (medium). And for a medium-rare burger (really red) take out once the internal temperature has reached 135-140. Note:(You really don't need oil here, especially if you are using 80/20 ground beef as it's quite fatty already)
- Gravy: Go ahead and make the gravy according to the package directions. Once the water starts boiling the gravy with thicken.
- Eggs: Cook the eggs in the skillet where you cook the ground beef to soak up all that flavor. is the traditional method for Loco Moco. Cook them 1 minute per side on medium heat.
- Plate and Serve: Add about 2/3 Cups of rice to plate. Place the burger on top the of the rice. Then place the egg/s on top the burger, followed by drizzling gravy over everything. Enjoy!!
Storage and Reheating
Make-Ahead Tips
You can make the gravy, prepare the patties, and rice the night before. That way, the next day when you're ready to cook, all you need to do is cook the ground beef and eggs. And warm the gravy and rice.
Serving Suggestions
I like to use 2/3 cup rice, 1 burger patty, 2 eggs, and 1/4 cup of gravy. Garnish with green onion.
Side Dishes
Typically this is served with a side of macaroni pasta which consists of mayo, milk, carrots, and apple cider vinegar. For other quick sides, try these air fryer potato cubes or air fryer sweet potato cubes
- 1 pound macaroni
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1/4 cup shredded onion (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- kosher salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
FAQS
What is the loco moco gravy made of?
See the 'How to make the gravy' section above for the complete homemade gravy recipe and instructions. While this recipe offers a quick version using gravy packets, making your own gravy from scratch allows you to customize the flavors and create an even more authentic experience.
What does loco moco mean in Hawaii?
Loco means crazy in Spanish, moco means bugger in spanish, but the teenagers that named this dish just wanted something to rhyme with loco and ended up using moco but it sounded good.
What is a loco moco meat?
It's a juicy patty seasoned to perfection served on top of some rice with over easy eggs, bathed in gravy. Its effortless to put together and tastes so dang good no wonder everyone is talking about it!
Loco Moco Spam Recipe
Follow the cooking steps above but replace the hamburger patties with span! Fry the span in a little bit of oil until they are charred and crispy. Then serve it with Rice, Spam, egg, gravy, and green onion for a twist! So good and easy try it out be amazed. For other protein options, try serving it with air fryer fish tacos
Bring the taste of Hawaii home with this easy Loco Moco recipe. Perfect for any meal, its rich gravy and runny egg yolk make it irresistible. Share this comforting dish with your family and watch it become a favorite!
Remember when cooking to not be afraid to try new things and make the dish your own. Experiment with new cooking methods, different seasonings, and just try and have fun. Remember the most important ingredients:
- Have fun
- Stay creative
- Make each recipe yours
