Ever dream of bringing a taste of the islands to your table? I’ve rounded up 21 Hawaiian dishes—some traditional, some Hawaiian-inspired—that are perfect for your next luau, cookout, or weeknight dinner. From pineapple rice to poke bowls (and yes, even Spam), these recipes reflect the bold, diverse flavors of Hawaii’s rich cultural roots. Grab that fresh pineapple or fire up the grill—there’s something here that’ll make your meal feel like a mini vacation.
Bring island vibes to your snack table with this tropical-inspired dip! Made with cream cheese, crushed pineapple, ham, bacon, and cheddar, it’s creamy, savory, and just the right amount of sweet. Perfect with crackers or crisp veggies!
Hawaiian luau food brings together a flavorful mix of proteins, veggies, salads, breads, and sweet treats. This tropical coleslaw fits right in—made with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro, all tossed in a zesty ginger-soy lime vinaigrette. It’s bright, crunchy, and perfect for a island-inspired spread!
Want a little more pasta in your Hawaiian tropical dishes? This one features macaroni, mayonnaise, milk, apple cider vinegar, onion, and carrots, although the mix-in options are plentiful, ranging from pineapple chunks to diced celery or even crab.
Best chilled overnight!
If you are wondering what goes with Hawaiian chicken, the answer could be Hawaiian pineapple fried rice!
This recipe has eggs, Spam, pineapple, carrots, corn, green beans with rice, and soy sauce.
This luau rice is one of the best side dishes for Hawaiian chicken. It is somewhat different from the one above since it has onion, ginger, garlic, ham, coconut, chicken powder, white pepper, pineapple, macadamia nuts, and green onions!
This recipe is one of those “inspired” Hawaiian vegetable side dishes that are tropical, refreshing, and addicting!
This salad is tangy, tasty, and terrific with corn, avocados, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and a lime and olive oil-based dressing!
If you have folks over often, it is a great idea to have some shelf-stable food options in your pantry.
Hawaiian food ideas can be as simple as mixing some fruits, mini marshmallows, sour cream, and orange gelatin for a salad that can make you feel like you are taking a mini-vacation!
While not truly Hawaiian, this mango black bean salad has tropical notes of Hawaiian vegetable side dishes with no cooking required! The mango mirrors pineapple, and the lime pulls the whole salad together!
SO refreshingly tangy!
10. Pineapple Rice
Pineapple rice is an excellent answer to what goes with Hawaiian chicken! The focus of this dish is the rice!
This tropical dish of Hawaiian meatballs prepared in a slow cooker is Hawaiian flavor inspired. The sauce is phenomenal with BBQ sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, grated ginger, and garlic!
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Roasted vegetables make the perfect side dishes for Hawaiian chicken.
These vibrant roasted veggies are a perfect match for Hawaiian chicken—or any tropical-inspired meal. Start with a colorful mix of your favorite vegetables, then toss them in a flavorful Hawaiian-style sauce that brings it all together. Simple, beautiful, and bursting with island flavor!
Hawaiian-style salads are always a hit, and this one brings serious flavor! Crisp romaine, cucumbers, celery, scallions, and juicy chicken bites are topped with a tangy tropical dressing—and don’t miss the crispy homemade wonton chips for the perfect crunch.
In Hawaiian luau food, you will often come across Huli Huli sauce. This recipe adds it to the cauliflower and even provides a recipe to make your own. Excellent instructions as well as substitutions and variations provided!
Take the freshest of shrimp, toss it in a flour and paprika mix, add a garlic butter sauce, and you have just created one of the most amazing Hawaiian side dishes, or entree for that matter!
There are fantastic pictures that show the step-by-step process too!
Serving this salsa INSIDE a hollowed-out half of pineapple is ridiculously adorable and most definitely a creative conversation piece! Instructions included!
As with many Hawaiian food ideas, there are two parts to this recipe!
A blended part and a chopped add-ins part! It is beautiful and delicious!
Looking for the perfect side to go with Hawaiian chicken? These stuffed sweet potatoes are it! Baked, scooped, and mashed with pineapple, brown sugar, and cinnamon—then loaded back into the skins and topped with melty cheese and Canadian bacon. Sweet, savory, and totally irresistible!
If you want spicier side dishes for Hawaiian chicken, this is your recipe!
You’ll cook the rice with the sauce, which allows the flavors to fully incorporate into the rice differently than just a mix-in after cooking. The jalapeno and red chili flakes are hard at work here, so go easy or fully enjoy, whatever your preference!
Hawaiian luau food often includes some form of poke, diced raw fish, typically salmon or ahi (yellowfin tuna). It originated as a practical way to prepare raw fish before refrigeration and is still very popular today!
This recipe is from Roy’s Restaurant on the island of Maui! That’s pretty authentic if you ask me!
20. Coconut Rice
Rice is a staple in many tropical and Hawaiian-inspired meals, and this one really stands out. I love the combo of creamy coconut milk, toasted almonds, fresh lime juice and zest, scallions, and cilantro. It’s light, fragrant, and the perfect side for island-style dishes!
Everyone loves a great grilled burger. Add Hawaiian-inspired flavors, and it becomes an unforgettable experience!
Our world is much more flavorful with Hawaiian food ideas like this recipe which includes a homemade teriyaki sauce mixed right into the patties and topped with grilled pineapple and red onions upon serving!
Aloha!
The bottom line
Whether you are fresh off a trip from Hawaii or simply preparing a Hawaiian menu for fun, Hawaiian side dishes are an outstanding way to follow through with theming or recreating beautiful memories!
Mahalo!
What To Serve With Hawaiian Meals: 21 BEST Sides
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Ingredients
- Delicious Hawaiian Dip
- Hawaiian Coleslaw Recipe
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Hawaiian Pineapple Fried Rice
- Hawaiian Luau Rice
- Grilled Corn Avocado Salad
- Pineapple Coleslaw
- Hawaiian Fruit Salad
- Easy Mango Black Bean Salad
- Pineapple Rice
- CrockPot Hawaiian Meatballs
- Hawaiian Roasted Vegetables
- Yummy Hawaiian Chicken Salad
- Vegan Huli Huli Cauliflower Bites
- Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp
- Hawaiian Salsa
- Hawaiian Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Jalapeno Pineapple Rice
- How to Make Poke at Home in Just 5 Minutes!
- Coconut Rice
- Teriyaki Burgers with Grilled Pineapple
Instructions
- Choose one or more options from our list of recipes for Hawaiian side dishes here.
- Create your new favorite dish.
- Pat yourself on the back for making food at home!
- Share and comment! Did you make any tweaks so it’s all your own?
