12 Best Hawaiian Potluck Recipes With Bold, Tropical Flavors!

Make these Hawaiian potluck recipes for your holiday luau or tropical-theme event. Plus, get time-saving ideas for ready-to-eat Hawaiian-style food you can just buy at the store!

Hawaiian potlucks are deeply rooted in the culture of the islands, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped Hawaii’s cuisine over the years. 

Some of these potluck gatherings showcase a blend of local Hawaiian recipes, Asian flavors, Polynesian influences, and mainland American favorites, making for a rich and flavorful spread. These dishes often feature tropical ingredients like pineapples, mangoes, coconut, taro, and fresh seafood such as ahi tuna and mahi-mahi. 

For recipe inspiration for your upcoming Hawaiian potluck, we’ve gathered these classic and modern dishes that are sure to please:

Best Places To Find Hawaiian-Style Ingredients

If you are looking to find Hawaiian ingredients in the U.S, here are some key options to explore:

• Hawaiian stores in big cities and Asian supermarkets everywhere. Some special stores in big cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Seattle offer Hawaiian ingredients. 
• Big grocery stores. Some big food stores have a particular area for food from different countries. Stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have them too.
• Internet stores. You can shop online if you can’t find what you need in a store. Websites like Hawaiian Food Online, Aloha World, and Amazon may have what you need.

Ready-To-Eat Hawaiian Potluck Ideas

Hawaiian potlucks are all about delicious and tropical flavors. Here are 10 ready-to-eat Hawaiian potluck ideas that are sure to be a hit:

• Pineapple spears. Fresh pineapple spears are a classic Hawaiian treat. You can often find pre-cut and ready-to-eat pineapple spears in the produce section.
• SPAM. 7 million cans of it are sold to Hawaiian residents every year. It’s popular. Try a casserole like this one.
• Kalua pork sliders. Look for pre-cooked or shredded kalua pork that you can use to make sliders. 
• Teriyaki chicken skewers. Many stores sell pre-marinated teriyaki chicken skewers that are ready to be grilled or heated. 
• Lomi lomi salmon. This traditional Hawaiian dish consists of diced salmon, tomatoes, onions, and sometimes cucumber. You may find ready-made lomi lomi salmon in the seafood or deli section.
• Macaroni salad. Hawaiian-style macaroni salad is creamy. Some grocery stores offer pre-made versions to serve as a side dish. 
• Pineapple upside-down cake. If you’re looking for a dessert, you can often find pre-made pineapple upside-down cakes in the bakery section.
• Haupia. Haupia is a coconut-based Hawaiian dessert. You might find pre-made haupia squares or pudding cups in the dessert aisle.
• Hawaiian sweet rolls. These sweet and fluffy rolls are readily available in most stores and make a great addition to any Hawaiian-themed potluck.
• Coconut shrimp. Look for pre-breaded and frozen coconut shrimp you can bake or fry before the potluck.
• Hawaiian poke bowls. Some grocery stores have pre-made poke bowls with fresh tuna, salmon, or other seafood options.

Best Hawaiian Potluck Recipes

1. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Bursting with sweet and savory flavor, this dish combines succulent grilled chicken with a luscious pineapple-infused barbecue glaze. Serve with rice, pineapple, and other tropical sides.

Ingredients include: Chicken thighs, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and chicken broth.

2. Lomi Lomi Salmon

This Hawaiian dish highlights cured salmon. The name comes from the Hawaiian word “lomi,” meaning massage. The salmon is rubbed with salt, then diced and mixed with the other ingredients. 

Ingredients include: Salmon, Hawaiian salt, tomatoes, onion, and lemon.

3. Poke Bowls

Poke bowls are a delicious Hawaiian dish that’s made with raw fish, rice, and different toppings. They’re customizable, so you can create your own unique bowl to suit your taste. 

Ingredients include: Sushi, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey.

4. Kalua Pork

This classic Hawaiian dish combines slow-cooked pork shoulder that’s rubbed with salt and liquid smoke. The long cooking time results in fall-apart tender meat that’s full of flavor. 

Ingredients include: Pork butt, liquid smoke, and kosher salt.

5. Huli Huli Chicken Kabobs

These chicken kabobs are marinated in a sweet-savory sauce and then grilled to perfection. They’re then topped with a dollop of the leftover marinade for an extra layer of flavor.

Ingredients include: Tamari, tomato paste, pineapple, pineapple juice, and rice vinegar.

6. Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

This creamy, no-fuss macaroni salad is a total crowd-pleaser. Adding apple cider vinegar and shredded carrots gives the salad a tangy, slightly sweet, and uniquely Hawaiian flavor.

Ingredients include: Elbow macaroni, apple cider vinegar, mayo, milk, and onion.

7. Haupia

Haupia is a traditional Hawaiian dessert that is often described as “coconut pudding.” It calls for four ingredients and features a creamy, firm, and slightly chewy texture with a pure coconut flavor. 

Ingredients include: Coconut milk, cornstarch, sugar, and water.

8. Pineapple Fried Rice

This dish calls for fluffy jasmine rice, succulent shrimp (or your favorite protein), juicy pineapple chunks, and colorful veggies. The recipe, laden with bright tropical flavors, uses leftover cold rice for the best results. 

Ingredients include: Pineapple chunks, jasmine rice, eggs, peas, and carrots.

For more fried rice recipe inspo, here’s Leftover Fried Rice Recipes for you.

9. Hawaiian Salsa

This fresh and colorful Hawaiian Salsa is a tropical twist on the classic recipe. It will add a touch of island flair to your next meal, whether you’re serving it with tortilla chips, grilled chicken, or fish. 

Ingredients include: Mango, pineapple, red pepper, tomato, and cilantro.

10. Hawaiian Butter Mochi

This Hawaiian Butter Mochi provides a rich, creamy flavor and a fluffy texture in every bite. It’s important to use glutinous rice flour, not regular rice flour; otherwise, the mochi will not be as chewy.

Ingredients include: Butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and mochiko flour.

11. Creamy Loco Moco

This recipe features a juicy beef patty nestled on a bed of fluffy rice, crowned with a velvety mushroom gravy, and topped off with a perfectly fried egg. The name “loco moco” means “crazy snot,” but don’t let that name fool you–this dish is anything but crazy.

Ingredients include: Ground beef, onion, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sesame oil, and butter.

12. Hawaiian Fruit Salad

Made with various tropical fruits, marshmallows, and sour cream, this salad will please everyone at your next potluck. The orange gelatin gives the salad a festive touch, and the marshmallows add a sweet note. 

Ingredients include: Canned fruit cocktail, canned pineapple chunks, mandarin orange, mini marshmallows, and sour cream.

The bottom line

Hawaiian potluck food has wonderful flavors and can make any get-together special. From the famous Kalua Pork to the yummy Haupia Pie, each dish brings the spirit of Hawaii to your table. 

If you enjoy trying new foods, these Hawaiian dishes are a great way to learn about the cuisine. Many of these recipes use easy-to-find ingredients, so you can easily recreate them at home.

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