41 Best Hawaiian Recipes (Easy to Cook)
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Whether you’re looking for traditional Hawaiian food or just popular recipes to incorporate into your menu, these Hawaiian recipes are easy to make. We’re sharing easy main dishes and side dishes.
Hawaiian cuisine is one of the most diverse on Earth! We’re talking Polynesian, Japanese, Puerto Rican, North American, Chinese, and Filipino.
Notice something? Each one of these cuisines is known for its soulful flavors, bold spices, and stunning regional ingredients. When blended, that makes for some truly unique food.
And now it’s your turn to try out some of these Hawaiian favorites for yourself! Jump into this list and discover the tasty and refreshing flavors Hawaiian cuisine has to offer.
Table of Contents
1. Grilled Huli Huli Chicken
Source: budgetdelicious.com
The secret to this incredible chicken lies in the marinade. Not only does it imbue the chicken with flavor, but the pineapple juice also tenderizes the chicken, so it’s ultra-tender.
Whip up the marinade at least the night before, then leave the chicken to get tender.
2. Ohana Noodles
Source: savoringthegood.com
This fusion take on a traditional Japanese yakisoba is guaranteed to be a family favorite.
The Hawaiian element in this fusion dish? Pineapple juice! I recommend unsweetened canned pineapple juice so the sauce doesn’t become too sweet, but any you can find will work just fine.
3. Hawaiian Buns
Source: mycookingjourney.com
This tasty take on the traditional dinner rolls are quick and easy to make, and so good!
By adding pineapple to the enriched dough, you’ll create a feathery texture.
The original recipe makes these as a pull-apart, but you can make individual buns too.
You can also have these buns with pork chops!
4. Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Source: savoringthegood.com
This pasta salad uses ham and pineapple to create a salty-sweet contrast.
Making it the day before means your salad has a chance to sit in the fridge and marinate in its own juices.
This will definitely be one of your favorite Hawaiian recipes that shows the beauty of authentic Hawaiian cuisine.
5. Sweet Hawaiian Chicken with Teriyaki Glaze
Source: savvymamalifestyle.com
This is a traditional teriyaki chicken with a Hawaiian twist.
A tender piece of chicken coated in a crunchy, salty batter that’s fried to perfection. Smother the whole dish in a tangy, sweet, salty glaze.
This pineapple teriyaki glaze can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
6. Hawaiian Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
Instant Pot pulled pork is easy to do, but the results are so tasty.
Our sauce is made up of spiced pineapple chunks, delicious aromatics, and a base of Japanese condiments. The result is a fragrant and flaky pulled pork that you can use in any way you like.
7. Loco Moco
Source: tarasmulticulturaltable.com
Loco Moco – also known as Hawaiian beef and egg on rice – is an incredibly homey and classic Hawaiian dish. It features a half-inch thick patty, gravy, and egg atop a plateful of fluffy rice.
Not to mention, it’s incredibly easy to make with just a few main ingredients.
8. Instant Pot Hawaiian Boiled Peanuts
Source: marginmakingmom.com
Never had Hawaiian boiled peanuts before? These are tasty treats perfect for making in bulk and storing in your pantry.
The best part of this recipe – apart from the taste – is how easy it is to make. Just set and forget all the ingredients in your Instant Pot, then come back to great flavor.
9. Mochiko Fried Chicken
Source: tarasmulticulturaltable.com
The chicken sits in a delicious marinade overnight to let the flavors soak right into the flesh. Then when you’re ready to eat, just bread and fry.
It’s so quick and easy to prepare, but the result feels like it must have taken hours on your part.
10. Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Source: recipesfromapantry.com
This is a one-pot wonder that’s best made the day before, so it’s perfect for when you’re having guests over. It’s also great as a meal prep recipe. Just anchor it with a protein, and you’re away!
This could also be a great side dish for steak.
11. Air Fryer Huli Huli Sweet and Sour Chicken
Source: airfryerfamilymeals.com
Huli Huli chicken gets its name from the rotisserie-style the chicken is typically cooked in.
Rotating over a flame, the chicken gets a lovely char to it that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet glaze.
For this recipe, your air fryer will do.
Serve it up on rice or on a sandwich.
12. Hawaiian Potato Salad
Source: burrataandbubbles.com
This potato salad is creamy, comforting, and perfectly served on a hot day.
Sprinkle fresh vegetables throughout to give the salad a lovely and refreshing bite.
If you’re looking for a healthier take, replace half of the mayonnaise with some Greek yogurt!
13. Air Fryer Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wings
Source: hawaiitravelwithkids.com
These bites of heaven are charred, smoky, and sticky.
An Air Fryer can produce incredibly tasty BBQ chicken wings with very little effort.
It relies on the flavorful sauce to make the chicken tasty, not cooking it in a whole bunch of oil!
14. Crock Pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Source: dinedreamdiscover.com
The sauce on this chicken has a deep and sweet flavor. When you serve it up on a sandwich, contrast that taste with some pickled onions or gherkins. They’ll balance out the richness.
If you like a crunchy element to your sandwiches, crispy onions would be perfect with this!
15. Hawaiian Beef Stew
Source: hawaiitravelwithkids.com
This Hawaiian version of beef stew uses two ingredients local Hawaiians know to cherish: fresh tomatoes and bay leaves.
These two ingredients form the base of a lovely and aromatic stew.
16. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Source: jonesinfortaste.com
The key to this Hawaiian classic lies in cooking the pasta al dente.
This salad is unique because it uses shredded carrot where others might use chopped or diced vegetables.
If you’re looking for a healthier version of this dish you can substitute mayo for a light Greek yoghurt.
17. Spicy Ahi Poke
Source: keepingitrelle.com
This poke heroes spicy ahi (tuna). It’s flavorful yet refreshing, incorporating all the best ingredients from Hawaiian regional cuisine.
This recipe only tackles making the ahi cubes, so from there, it’s up to you. Serve it up in a poke bowl, enjoy solo, or even try making sushi with this tasty treat.
18. Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Source: jonesinfortaste.com
This recipe’s secret is liquid smoke. It highlights the pork’s natural flavor without overpowering it. Along with cabbage, it builds a deep flavor.
No need for an underground oven. Simply assemble all your ingredients in your slow cooker, set, and forget. When you come back you’ll have flaky, tasty pork ready to eat.
19. Instant Pot Luau Stew
Source: keepingitrelle.com
Tender beef chunks and delicious luau (taro) leaves come together to form this hearty stew.
If you’ve made or eaten this stew before, then you know the traditional method takes hours and hours to make. But not anymore! Now you can have it in 45 minutes.
20. Hawaiian Chicken
Source: veronikaskitchen.com
Hawaiian chicken promises light, summery flavors with a BBQ twist, all made in thirty minutes or less!
This is a vegetable and chicken stir fry, so you can add any vegetables you like to it.
21. Hawaiian Mac Salad
Source: ashcroftfamilytable.com
Here’s another take on a Hawaiian mac salad. You use shredded carrot and onion to create depth of flavor without additional chunks.
The unique part of this recipe is the dressing. Instead of using just mayonnaise, you blend the dressing using vinegar, milk, and mayo! This makes it ultra-creamy.
22. Sweet Hawaiian Crock Pot Chicken
Source: cookathomemom.com
Using only three ingredients, you can create an insanely tasty chicken dish.
Sweet canned pineapple and BBQ sauce combine to imbue the chicken with sweet, smoky flavor notes. The pineapple also tenderizes the meat.
So, it’s tasty, tender, and requires almost no hands-on effort.
23. Hawaiian Oxtail Soup
Source: greedygourmet.com
Oxtail soup is hearty, it’s healthy and so easy to make!
You don’t have to use oxtail in this recipe. Most grocery stores or butcheries will offer beef tail in its place, which is perfect for this soup.
The soup features ingredients like oranges, star anise, peanuts, and mushrooms.
24. Whole30 Aloha Burger with Teriyaki
Source: cookathomemom.com
This Aloha burger with teriyaki sauce is to die for, whether you’re doing Whole30 or not.
The best part of this burger is how well it combines sweet and savory notes. The perfectly-balanced patty contrasts with the charred pineapple.
This combination works beautifully, whether it’s on a bun or on some leafy greens.
25. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Ribs
Source: acedarspoon.com
These pork ribs combine the sweet and spicy flavor profiles of several cuisines, including Polynesian and Japanese notes.
The pineapple goes to work on the pork meat as it cooks, tenderizing it until it falls off the bone. Combined with the sticky soy-based sauce, these ribs absolutely sing with rich flavor.
26. Grilled Hawaiian Steak Kabobs
Source: acedarspoon.com
To make sure these kabobs hit the spot, pick a well-marbled cut of meat. As the fat melts on the grill, it will spread through the meat and vegetables to create a well-rounded flavor.
But the real secret of this dish is the marinade.
27. Hawaiian Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Source: themagicalslowcooker.com
These beans take a few hours in the slow cooker, but your involvement ends after about ten minutes. Just slap all the ingredients together in the cooker and let it go.
Because the recipe combines traditional baked beans with pineapple and BBQ sauce, the end result is a rich and sweet taste.
28. Hawaiian Burger with Brown Gravy
Source: drivemehungry.com
We have another Loco Moco dish, but this time it features a smooth gravy.
While this dish is traditionally served over rice, this would also make a fantastic burger recipe for game day. Whip out some brioche buns, top with the patty and egg, and drizzle with gravy.
29. Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Source: spendwithpennies.com
This take on Hawaiian chicken kabobs cleverly uses pineapple along with the other vegetables.
Pineapple juice is sweet and acidic! The acidic enzymes break down the meat on the kabob, making it super tender and juicy.
The sweetness caramelizes the meat into sticky, well-charred chunks of deliciousness
30. Pineapple Salsa
Source: ifoodreal.com
A good salsa often makes a dish.
You only need five ingredients to bring this salsa together. Sweet, spicy, and refreshing, this is the ultimate compliment to any meal.
The sugar preserves the salsa, so it will keep for quite a while in the fridge.
31. Hawaiian Keto Pizza Bowl
Source: wholesomeyum.com
Hawaiian pizza might divide people, but this keto-friendly bowl version will definitely unite them. With cauliflower as a base, this is a healthy yet tasty option that’s perfect for weeknights.
From start to finish, this recipe only takes twenty minutes!
32. Hawaiian Haystacks
Source: pitchforkfoodie.com
This dish heroes the tasty tropical fruit Hawaii is known for. Mandarins, pineapples, almonds, and cranberries all combine to create a sweet and tart stack atop your rice.
Peppers add a tasty savory element that makes the dish feel like a whole and hearty dinner.
33. Keto Ahi Poke Bowl
Source: wholesomeyum.com
This ahi poke bowl is absolutely packed with creamy Japanese flavors.
You’ll be pairing your delicious marinated tuna with a spicy mayonnaise and some vegetables. The radish and cucumber add a wonderful crunch. Then the avocado is the final creamy element.
34. Hawaiian Potato Salad
Source: cookingwithcurls.com
This is another take on a Hawaiian potato salad that uses a secret ingredient: peas.
You can easily whip this up the day before and leave it sitting in the fridge overnight. All the flavors will soak together to form a delicious, creamy texture.
35. Hawaiian Shrimp Street Tacos
Source: sumptuousspoonfuls.com
These Hawaiian shrimp street tacos combine juicy shrimp with a wonderful mix of vegetables.
The real ringer is that tropical pineapple mango coleslaw. The sweet and tangy flavors play against the shrimp’s flesh, creating an incredible symphony of tropical tastes.
Finally, you top the whole thing off with a spicy sriracha.
36. Hawaiian Turkey Burgers
Source: herbsandflour.com
This tasty patty combines with sweet pineapple to create a perfect sweet and savory blend.
You can make a whole bunch of patties ahead of time, freeze them, and grill as needed. The glaze can be made beforehand too!
Add a tropical salsa and a spicy sauce to the line-up for a truly Hawaiian grill.
37. Hawaiian Garlic Chicken
Source: organicallyaddison.com
The fusion of flavors hiding beneath that breading relies on some key Japanese condiments like soy sauce. So, this is a quick and easy fried chicken recipe that delivers heavily on flavor.
Finally, the sauce that comes with this chicken only needs three ingredients to come together.
38. Pineapple Fried Rice
Source: plattertalk.com
Pineapple fried rice is the perfect blend of savory ingredients and sweet pineapple.
The key to making a perfect fried rice is using day-old white rice. Using fresh rice means the end result will be crumbly and too soft.
It comes together in a single pan, so there are virtually no dishes.
39. Hawaiian Meatballs
Source: theforkedspoon.com
Thanks to Hawaiian’s blended regional cuisine, this meatball recipe has roots in Japanese food. But with a tropical twist.
Coated in a pineapple and teriyaki sauce, the sweet and salty flavor profile of these meatballs is scrumptious. Serve over white rice, in a poke bowl, or even in a sandwich!
40. Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin
Source: xoxobella.com
In Hawaiian dishes, pork is one of the primary proteins in use.
Tenderloin can be tricky to get right because of how gently it needs to be treated. But thanks to the Instant Pot, you can have a delicious tenderloin ready to eat with minimal hassle.
41. Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
Source: foodfolksandfun.net
In this recipe, you’ll be cooking the shrimp a little differently: you’ll leave the shells on.
Local Hawaiians leave the shell on the shrimp to deepen the flavor. It cuts down on both cost and time spent cooking.
Serve with white rice and lemon to let the shrimp shine!