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.

hawaiian recipes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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