25 Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Recipes

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For some, they’re just another meal, but for me? They’re my absolute favorite collection of recipes, and I’m obsessed with them. Every time I whip up these dishes, I’m instantly transported back to my epic travels in Hawaii. Girl, let me tell you, I enjoyed every single moment there!

You know what they say, no one’s an island of knowledge. During my Hawaiian adventures, I lucked out big time. This super cool native took me under their wing and taught me the art of making these insane recipes. Talk about the ultimate souvenir!

Now, I’m passing on the love. I’ll walk you through these recipes step by step, and I want you to join me on this flavor journey. Once you’ve given them a try, don’t be shy, drop your thoughts in the comment box below. I’m dying to hear how your Hawaiian cooking sesh turned out!

1. Kalua Pork

So tender it melts in your mouth with a smoky, salty flavor that’s literally to die for

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder ($12-15),
• Hawaiian sea salt ($3),
• liquid smoke ($2)

Instructions;

• Prep the pork by making small cuts all over
• Rub salt and liquid smoke all over that bad boy
• Wrap it up tight in foil like you’re tucking it in for bed
• Slow cook for 8-10 hours (I know, forever right?)
• Shred it up and serve with some sticky rice

Cook time: 8-10 hours

2. Loco Moco

It’s like comfort food on steroids savory, rich, and indulgent

Ingredients:

• Ground beef ($5),
• rice ($2),
• eggs ($3),
• gravy mix ($1)

Instructions;

• Cook up that rice, make it nice and fluffy
• Shape the beef into patties and fry ’em up
• Fry the eggs sunny side up, yolk needs to be runny AF
• Make the gravy according to the mix instructions
• Stack it all up: rice, patty, egg, then drown it in gravy

Cook time: 30 minutes

3. Huli Huli Chicken

Sweet, tangy, and a little bit spicy

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs ($8),
• soy sauce ($3),
• brown sugar ($2),
• ginger ($1),
• garlic ($1),
• pineapple juice ($3)

Instructions;

• Mix up all those tasty ingredients for the marinade
• Let the chicken soak up those flavors for at least an hour
• Fire up the grill and get it nice and hot
• Grill the chicken, turning often (that’s what “huli huli” means!)
• Brush with extra marinade as you go for maximum flavor

Cook time: 1 hour marinating + 30 minutes grilling

4. Poke Bowl

Fresh, light, and oh-so-satisfying with a perfect balance of textures

Ingredients:

• Ahi tuna ($15),
• soy sauce ($3),
• sesame oil ($4),
• green onions ($1),
• rice ($2),
• avocado ($2)

Instructions;

• Cube that tuna like a boss
• Mix it up with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped green onions
• Let it chill in the fridge for a bit
• Cook up some rice and let it cool slightly
• Assemble your bowl: rice, tuna mix, sliced avocado
• Add some furikake or sesame seeds if you’re feeling extra

Cook time: 20 minutes (plus chilling time)

5. Spam Musubi

Salty, sweet, and addictive. Don’t knock it, till you’ve tried it

Ingredients:

• Spam ($3),
• sushi rice ($3),
• nori sheets ($4),
• soy sauce ($3),
• sugar ($1)

Instructions;

• Slice that Spam and fry it up
• Mix soy sauce and sugar for a glaze, then coat the Spam
• Press your sushi rice into a mold
• Layer Spam on top of the rice
• Wrap it all up in nori like a little present to yourself

Cook time: 30 minutes

6. Hawaiian Plate Lunch

A little bit of everything, the taste is so good that you’ll seek for more.

Ingredients:

• Various meats ($10),
• macaroni salad ($3),
• rice ($2)

Instructions;

• Cook up your choice of meats (like teriyaki chicken or kalua pork)
• Make a big batch of sticky white rice
• Whip up some creamy mac salad
• Pile it all onto a plate, there’s no need to be fancy. It’s just Hawaiian

Cook Time: Varies, but usually about 45 minutes

7. Shoyu Chicken

 Savory, slightly sweet, and totally irresistible

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs ($8)
• Soy sauce ($3)
• Brown sugar ($2)
• Ginger ($1)
• Garlic ($1)

Instructions;

• Mix up your shoyu sauce with all those yummy ingredients
• Marinate the chicken for a few hours or overnight if you’re patient
• Throw it all in a pot and let it simmer away
• Flip the chicken occasionally until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender

Cook time: 3 hours (including marinating)

8. Hawaiian Pizza

Sweet and salty with a hint of smokiness, it’s controversial but so good

Ingredients:

• Pizza dough ($3)
• tomato sauce ($2)
• mozzarella ($4)
• ham ($3)
• pineapple ($3).

Instructions;

• Stretch out that dough like you’re giving it a spa day
• Spread on the sauce, don’t be shy
• Sprinkle on the cheese, then add ham and pineapple
• Bake it until it’s golden and bubbly

Cook time: 20 minutes

9. Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa

Light, flaky fish with a burst of tropical freshness

Ingredients:

• Mahi Mahi fillets ($12)
• pineapple ($3)
• red onion ($1)
• cilantro ($1)
• lime ($1)

Instructions;

• Season the fish with salt and pepper
• Grill or pan-sear the Mahi Mahi until it flakes easily
• Chop up pineapple, red onion, and cilantro for the salsa
• Mix it all together with lime juice
• Top the fish with your fresh salsa Cook time: 25 minutes

10. Teriyaki Beef Skewers

Sweet, sticky, and totally crave-worthy

Ingredients:

• Beef sirloin ($12)
• soy sauce ($3)
• mirin ($4)
• sugar ($1)
• ginger ($1)

Instructions;

• Cut the beef into cubes and thread onto skewers
• Mix up your teriyaki sauce
• Marinate the beef for at least an hour
• Grill the skewers, basting with sauce as you go
• Sprinkle with some sesame seeds to feel fancy

Cook time: 1 hour marinating + 15 minutes grilling

11. Hawaiian-style Macaroni Salad

Creamy, tangy, and weirdly addictive

Ingredients:

• Macaroni ($2)
• mayonnaise ($3)
• milk ($1)
• apple cider vinegar ($2)
• carrots ($1)

Instructions;

• Cook the mac until it’s super soft (trust me on this)
• Mix mayo, milk, and vinegar for the dressing
• Toss it all together with some grated carrots
• Let it chill in the fridge to get all the flavors mingling

Cook time: 20 minutes + chilling time

12. Coconut Shrimp

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with a tropical twist

Ingredients:

• Large shrimp ($12)
• coconut flakes ($3)
• panko breadcrumbs ($2)
• eggs ($3)
• flour ($1)

Instructions;

• Set up your breading station: flour, beaten eggs, coconut-panko mix
• Dredge each shrimp through the stations
• Fry ’em up until they’re golden brown and delicious
• Serve with a sweet chili sauce for dipping Cook time: 30 minutes

13. Hawaiian Barbecue Ribs

Sticky, sweet, and fall-off-the-bone tender. It’s a messy love affair.

Ingredients:

• Pork ribs ($15)
• pineapple juice ($3)
• ketchup ($2)
• soy sauce ($3)
• brown sugar ($2)
• garlic ($1)

Instructions;

• Mix up that sauce with all the ingredients
• Slather it all over the ribs like you’re painting a masterpiece
• Wrap ’em in foil and bake low and slow for 2 hours
• Unwrap and brush with more sauce
• Broil for a few minutes to get that caramelized goodness

Cook time: 2 hours 30 minutes

14. Pineapple Fried Rice

A perfect blend of sweet and savory with a tropical twist

Ingredients:

• Day-old rice ($2)
• pineapple ($3)
• ham ($3)
• eggs ($3)
• peas ($1)
• soy sauce ($3)

• Heat up that wok or large skillet
• Scramble the eggs and set aside
• Stir-fry ham, pineapple, and peas
• Toss in the rice and soy sauce, get it all mixed up
• Fold in those scrambled eggs and you’re golden Cook time: 25 minutes

15. Furikake Salmon

Umami-packed with a satisfying crunch

Ingredients:

• Salmon fillets ($12)
• mayonnaise ($3)
• furikake seasoning ($4)

Instructions;

• Spread a thin layer of mayo on those salmon fillets
• Sprinkle furikake like you’re making it rain
• Bake until the fish flakes easily
• Broil for a minute to get that furikake nice and toasty

Cook time: 20 minutes

16. Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp

Garlicky, buttery, and so good you’ll want to lick your fingers

Ingredients:

• Large shrimp ($12)
• garlic ($2)
• butter ($3)
• lemon ($1)
• paprika ($2)

• Melt that butter and throw in tons of minced garlic
• Toss in the shrimp and sprinkle with paprika
• Cook until the shrimp are pink and curled
• Squeeze some lemon juice over the top
• Serve with rice to soak up all that garlic butter goodness Cook time: 15 minutes

17. Taro Leaf Stew (Luau)

Creamy, earthy, and totally unique

Ingredients:

• Taro leaves ($5)
• coconut milk ($3)
• onion ($1)
• garlic ($1)
• salt pork ($4)

Instructions;

• Carefully clean and chop those taro leaves
• Sauté onions, garlic, and salt pork
• Add taro leaves and coconut milk
• Simmer until the leaves are tender and the flavors meld
• Serve it up with some sticky rice

Cook time: 1 hour 30 minutes

18. Hawaiian-style Beef Stew

Hearty, comforting, and packed with island flavors

Ingredients:

• Beef chuck ($10)
• potatoes ($2)
• carrots ($2)
• celery ($2)
• tomato sauce ($2)

Instructions;

• Brown that beef like you mean it
• Throw in veggies, tomato sauce, and some water
• Let it all simmer until the beef is tender and the gravy thickens
• Season with some soy sauce for that island twist Cook time: 2 hours 30 minutes

19. Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

Tangy, sweet, and savory. It’s a flavor rollercoaster.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast ($8)
• pineapple ($3)
• bell peppers ($2)
• onion ($1)
• soy sauce ($3)

Instructions;

• Cube up that chicken and pineapple
• Stir-fry the chicken until it’s golden
• Toss in veggies and pineapple
• Add a splash of soy sauce and let it all come together

Cook time: 30 minutes

20. Ahi Tuna Steaks

Melt-in-your-mouth tender with a crispy seared exterior

Ingredients:

• Ahi tuna steaks ($15)
• sesame oil ($4)
• soy sauce ($3)
• sesame seeds ($2)

Instructions;

• Marinate the tuna in soy sauce and sesame oil for a hot minute
• Get that pan smoking hot
• Sear the tuna for like a minute on each side – keep it rare inside
• Slice it up and sprinkle with sesame seeds

Cook time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)

21. Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Juicy, tangy, and totally drool-worthy

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder ($12)
• barbecue sauce ($3)
• pineapple juice ($3)
• Hawaiian rolls ($4)

Instructions;

• Slow cook that pork with BBQ sauce and pineapple juice
• Shred it up when it’s fall-apart tender
• Pile it high on those sweet Hawaiian rolls
• Add some coleslaw if you’re feeling fancy

Cook time: 8 hours (in a slow cooker)

22. Polynesian Meatballs

 Sweet and sour with a tropical kick

Ingredients:

• Ground beef ($5)
• breadcrumbs ($2)
• egg ($1)
• pineapple chunks ($3)
• bell pepper ($2)
• sweet and sour sauce ($3)

Instructions;

• Mix up those meatballs and bake ’em
• Sauté pineapple and peppers
• Toss it all in sweet and sour sauce
• Let it simmer until everything’s nice and glazed

Cook time: 45 minutes

23. Hawaiian Sweet Roll Sliders

Mini bites of heaven with a perfect balance of flavors

Ingredients:

• Hawaiian sweet rolls ($4)
• ham ($3)
• cheese ($3)
• pineapple ($3)
• mustard ($2)
• butter ($2)

Instructions;

• Slice those rolls in half, but keep ’em connected
• Layer on ham, cheese, and pineapple
• Slather the top with a mustard-butter mixture
• Bake until they’re all melty and golden

Cook time: 25 minutes

24. Mochiko Chicken

Crispy, sweet, and totally addictive

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs ($8)
• mochiko flour ($4)
• soy sauce ($3)
• sugar ($1)
• garlic ($1)

Instructions;

• Mix up a batter with mochiko flour, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic
• Marinate the chicken in this goodness overnight
• Fry it up until it’s golden and crispy
• Try not to eat it all before serving

Cook time: 30 minutes (plus overnight marinating)

25. Haupia (Coconut Pudding)

Creamy, coconutty, and straight-up heavenly

Ingredients:

• Coconut milk ($3)
• sugar ($1)
• cornstarch ($2)

Instructions;

• Mix coconut milk, sugar, and cornstarch in a pot
• Cook it up, stirring constantly, until it thickens
• Pour into a pan and let it set in the fridge
• Cut into squares and try not to inhale it all at once

Cook time: 15 minutes (plus cooling time)

Conclusion

A little taste of Hawaiian heaven right in your kitchen!

These recipes aren’t just meals; they’re a trip down memory lane, a celebration of island culture, and a seriously delicious way to spice up your dinner routine.

Even if you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, these dishes are sure to impress.