This Loco Moco layers fluffy white rice, a juicy seasoned hamburger patty, and rich mushroom gravy all topped with a sunny side up egg. It is a classic Hawaiian comfort food dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes for just $3.04 a serving.
When we visited Hawaii my husband ordered Loco Moco every single chance he got — breakfast, lunch, dinner, it did not matter. I knew the moment we got home I had to figure out how to make it myself and this recipe has been on his most requested list ever since.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- Just $3.04 per serving — $12.16 total for 4 servings
- Ready in about 30 minutes on the stovetop
- Classic Hawaiian comfort food made with simple pantry ingredients
- The homemade mushroom gravy makes all the difference — rich savory and completely from scratch
- Hearty and filling enough to satisfy even the biggest appetites
- Completely customizable — swap the protein, add your own toppings, or use leftover fried rice
If you love hearty comfort food dinners like this one you will also love our Crockpot Salisbury Steak, Hamburger Hash or Poor Man’s Steak. They are all budget-friendly, made with simple ingredients, and the kind of dinners that fill everyone up without a lot of fuss.
What is Loco Moco?
Loco Moco originated in Hawaii in the 1940s as an affordable filling meal for hungry teenagers who needed something more substantial than a sandwich.
The classic version layers white rice, a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg. Simple ingredients that combine into one of the most satisfying comfort food dishes you can make at home. Every family adds their own twist and this version uses a rich homemade mushroom gravy that takes it to the next level.
Ingredients
- Ground beef — 80/20 gives the juiciest most flavorful patties. Lean ground beef works but the patties will be slightly less rich
- Eggs — fried sunny side up so the yolk runs into the gravy and rice when you break it — this is the signature element of the dish
- White rice — the base of the bowl. Cook ahead of time to make this recipe even faster on a busy night
- Butter — used for sautéing the mushrooms and onions and building the gravy roux
- Yellow onion — sliced and caramelized in the same pan as the patties for deep savory flavor
- Mushrooms — adds earthy richness to the gravy. Omit if your family does not love mushrooms
- Beef broth — the base of the gravy. Use low-sodium to control the saltiness. Beef stock can also be used
- Worcestershire sauce — adds depth and umami to the gravy
- Ketchup — a small amount rounds out the gravy flavor and adds a subtle sweetness
- All purpose flour — whisked into the butter to create the roux that thickens the gravy. Cornstarch works as a substitute
- Olive oil — for searing the patties
- Salt, garlic powder, and black pepper — simple seasoning that goes a long way
- Green onions — optional topping that adds fresh color and flavor right before serving
How to Make Loco Moco
Step 1 – Divide ground beef into 4 patties that are approximately 1 inch thick. Season the patties with salt , pepper and garlic powder.
Step 2 – Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties to the skillet and fry them on each side for 4-6 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Step 3 – Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the frying pan and melt it over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and onions to the skillet and sauté until tender and caramelized (2-3 minutes)
Step 4 – In a small bowl stir together the broth, worcestershire, ketchup and salt.
Step 5 – Heat the butter in the skillet over medium heat until melted on the stovetop. Whisk in the flour and cook for approximately 2 minutes until browned slightly. Whisk in the broth liquid. Then Return the patties, mushrooms and onions back to the pan while you prepare the eggs.
Step 6 – Melt the remaining butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet making sure that they do not overlap. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat until egg whites are fully set.
Step 7 – Scoop a serving of rice onto a plate.
Step 8 – Top the rice with a burger patties and pour the gravy, onions and mushroom mixture on top.
Step 9 – Top with the fried sunny side eggs and sliced green onions.
Step 10 – Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Do not overmix the patties. Handle the ground beef as little as possible — overmixing makes the patties dense and tough instead of juicy and tender
- Keep the brown bits. Do not wipe the skillet between cooking the patties and making the gravy — those browned bits are packed with flavor and make the gravy significantly richer
- Cook eggs in batches if needed. Do not overlap the eggs in the pan — cook in two batches if your skillet is not large enough to fit all four without crowding
- Make the rice ahead. Cook the rice earlier in the day or the night before so this dinner comes together even faster on a busy weeknight
- Serve immediately. Loco Moco is best eaten right away while the egg yolk is still runny and the gravy is hot — it does not wait well
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the protein — use a slice of Spam for a true island-style version or ground turkey for a lighter option
- Use leftover fried rice — substitute cooked white rice with leftover fried rice for extra flavor in the base
- Add extra toppings — sliced avocado, sriracha, or pickled vegetables all work beautifully on top
- Make the gravy richer — add a tablespoon of soy sauce to the broth mixture for a deeper more complex flavor
- Skip the mushrooms — the gravy is just as delicious without them if your family is not a fan
Serving Recommendations
Pair this Loco Moco dish with one of the sides for a complete meal idea.
Storage and Freezer Instructions
Refrigerator
- Store the rice, patties, and gravy separately in airtight containers for up to 4-5 days. Make the eggs fresh when ready to serve
Freezer
- Freeze the cooked patties and gravy together in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
Reheating
- Reheat rice, patties, and gravy in the microwave or on the stovetop. Always make the egg fresh right before serving for the best result
Frequently Asked Questions
Cook rice and patties ahead of time and store them separately. Then when ready reheat the rice and patties while making fresh gravy and eggs for best texture.
Yes! Spam is the most traditional Hawaiian substitution and gives it an authentic island flavor. Ground turkey or a store-bought beef patty also work well if that is what you have on hand.
Lumpy gravy usually means the flour was not fully cooked into the butter before adding the liquid, or the liquid was added too fast. Whisk the flour into the melted butter for a full 2 minutes before adding the broth and pour the broth in slowly while whisking constantly for a smooth lump-free gravy.
More Easy Rice Recipes
The homemade mushroom gravy is what makes this version stand out — rich savory and built right in the same skillet as the patties so every bit of flavor stays in the dish.
If you make it leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing whether your family went back for seconds and whether you tried the Spam variation!
Loco Moco
Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 4 cups rice cooked
- 2 tbsp butter divided
- ½ yellow onion sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms sliced
- 1 bunch green onion sliced for garnish
For the Patties:
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 ½ lbs Ground Beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Gravy:
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp All Purpose flour
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
For the Patties:
- Divide 1½ lbs ground beef into 4 patties that are approximately 1 inch thick.
- Season both sides of the patties with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the patties to the skillet and cook for 4–6 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked patties to a plate and set aside.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet, leaving the browned bits in the pan.
- Add 1 Tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt over medium-high heat.
- Add ½ sliced yellow onion and 8 oz sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Transfer the mushrooms and onions to the plate with the patties.
For the Gravy:
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1½ cups beef broth, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp ketchup, and 1 tsp salt.
- Add 1 Tablespoon butter to the skillet and melt over medium-high heat.
- Whisk in 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for approximately 2 minutes until lightly browned.
- Slowly whisk in the prepared broth mixture.
- Continue whisking until the gravy comes to a simmer and thickens.
- Return the patties, mushrooms, and onions to the skillet and keep warm while preparing the eggs.
For the Eggs:
- Melt the remaining 1 Tablespoon butter in a separate skillet over medium-high heat.
- Crack 4 eggs into the skillet, making sure they do not overlap. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 3–4 minutes until the egg whites are fully set and the yolks remain slightly runny.
To Assemble:
- Divide 4 cups cooked rice evenly among 4 serving plates.
- Place 1 hamburger patty on top of each serving of rice.
- Spoon the gravy, mushrooms, and onions over each patty.
- Top each serving with 1 fried egg.
- Garnish with 1 bunch sliced green onions.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
My entire family loved this recipe! We will definitely be making it again.