Tulo

Loco Moco Recipe

A white plate of loco moco showing a scoop of white rice topped with a seared hamburger patty, a fried egg with a runny yolk, and brown gravy pooling around the edges.
Photo by chickenbunny on Pexels

Building the gravy in the same skillet used to sear the patties pulls up all the browned bits left behind, so the sauce carries real beef flavor instead of tasting like plain brown gravy poured from a packet.

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Servings
4

Ingredients

Servings4
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped, divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 4 large eggs
  • 4 cups cooked white rice
  • 2 stalks green onion, sliced, for garnish

Nutrition per serving

Calories
1416
Protein
47g
Carbs
109g
Fat
88g

Based on the recipe as written, one serving. Recalculates if you swap an ingredient above. An estimate only, exact values depend on the specific ingredients used.

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Instructions

  1. 1In a bowl, mix the ground beef with half the chopped onion, the garlic, salt, and pepper. Divide into 4 portions and shape into patties about 4 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick, pressing a shallow dimple into the center of each with your thumb.
  2. 2Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook 3-4 minutes per side for medium, until well browned. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  3. 3Lower the heat to medium and melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in the same skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom. Add the remaining chopped onion and cook 3-4 minutes, until softened.
  4. 4Sprinkle the flour over the onions and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.
  5. 5Slowly whisk in the beef broth, soy sauce, and ketchup, breaking up any lumps. Simmer 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until the gravy thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Return the patties and any accumulated juices to the skillet to warm through.
  6. 6Meanwhile, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crack in the eggs and fry sunny-side up, 2-3 minutes, until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny.
  7. 7Divide the rice among 4 bowls, top each with a patty and gravy, then a fried egg. Garnish with sliced green onion and serve immediately.

Tips & variations

  • Use 80/20 ground beef rather than a leaner blend; the extra fat renders into the pan and gives the gravy more depth.
  • Swap the beef broth for a mix of half beef broth and half mushroom broth for a deeper, umami-heavy gravy.
  • For a Spam loco moco variation, pan-fry slices of Spam alongside or instead of the beef patties.
  • Short on time, use leftover cooked rice; day-old rice actually holds its texture better under the gravy than fresh rice.

Storage & reheating

Store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days: rice, patties with gravy, and fried eggs (though eggs are best made fresh). Reheat the rice and patty with gravy together in a covered skillet or microwave until hot, and fry a fresh egg to serve on top.

Tips from the Tulo kitchen

  • Warm the bowls before plating; loco moco cools fast once the rice, gravy, and egg are all stacked together.
  • If the gravy over-thickens while the patties rest, thin it with a splash of hot broth or water before serving.

FAQ

What is loco moco traditionally made of?

A base of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg. It originated in Hilo, Hawaii, in the late 1940s as a fast, filling plate lunch.

Can I use a store-bought gravy packet instead of homemade?

Yes, a packet or jarred brown gravy works in a pinch, but simmering it briefly in the same skillet used for the patties still picks up much more flavor than gravy made with plain water alone.

How do I keep the fried egg yolk runny?

Cook it over medium heat rather than high, and pull it from the pan as soon as the white is fully set but still looks slightly glossy around the yolk, residual heat finishes it on the plate.

Can I make loco moco with a different meat?

Yes, thin-pounded chicken thighs, Portuguese sausage, or Spam slices are common substitutes for the beef patty in Hawaii.