Planning a luau party? Then check out these luau party food recipes. There’s appetizers and entrees, sides, mains and of course, dessert!
A luau is a Hawaiian feast steeped in tradition (source).
There’s traditional games, festive dances, and delicious food that unite hosts and guests in the spirit of ‘ohana (family).
No wonder the traditional luau has made its way to the backyard for a more casual celebration, while keeping the spirit of fun, friends and family intact.
If you’re hosting a luau party, you’ll be wanting to create a menu that has everyone coming back for more.
Luckily, you’ll find that here.
From savory appetizers and succulent entrées to tropical desserts, these 35 luau recipes will transport you and your guests to the sandy shores of Hawaii.
Immerse yourself in the flavors of the islands with these luau party food recipes.
Luau party food
Appetizers and entrees
There's no better appetizer to transport you to the islands than this recipe for ahi tuna poke nachos. Fresh crispy won ton chips covered in spicy poke plus avocado and more makes for an amazing combo.
If you love Hawaiian poke, but don’t want to fly halfway around the world to get it, this ahi poke recipe is the answer. The key is in the amazing poke sauce recipe, which is tangy, spicy and rich with umami flavors.
This classic Hawaiian style ahi poke recipe combines sushi-grade tuna with traditional Asian flavored ingredients for an amazing and fresh appetizer.
Hawaiian chicken kabobs are an easy dinner idea you can make on the grill or in the oven. Think simple ingredients, easy to make and delicious.
Hawaiian poke is a simple yet stunning and impressive dish. Cubes of raw sashimi-grade ahi tuna are marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, sweet onions, and scallions. It's fresh, healthy, and even better yet - no cooking is required.
Relive those Island memories at home with these buttery, velvety shrimp-truck style Kahuku garlic shrimp.
Ham, cheese, and pineapple are layered on a sweet Hawaiian rolls and baked ’til warm and melty. These easy and cheesy Hawaiian sliders are always a crowd pleaser.
Golden and bubbly, you’re certain to love the tastes of pizza sauce combined with tasty pineapple chunks. One scoop isn’t going to be enough.
Sides
Step into a Hawaiian flavor paradise with this authentic Hawaiian macaroni salad. Enjoy the creamy, tangy, and savory goodness - it's the perfect side dish for your next BBQ or picnic, and it's a breeze to make.
Our Hawaii coleslaw recipe is sweet with pineapple and crunchy with both green and red cabbage. Authentic Hawaiian flavors you’ll love. An easy side dish that is great for brunch or at a barbecue.
Get ready for your summer BBQ with this traditional Hawaiian mac salad. This creamy macaroni salad is a great recipe and the perfect side dish for cookouts.
This Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, comforting, authentic side dish from the islands that's perfect for summer cookouts, barbecues, and luaus (obviously). We're talking local Hawaiian plate-lunch style classic macaroni salad here, and it's delicious.
Hawaiian potato mac salad is a crowd-pleasing side dish that is the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and seafood at picnics, potlucks, and barbecues. This beloved island favorite combines potatoes and macaroni with a creamy dressing that isn't just meant to be served at luaus.
Lomi salmon, better known as lomi-lomi, is a popular Hawaiian side dish. Always served cold, this simple 4-ingredient recipe is made from fresh salmon, tomatoes, onions, and scallions.
Main dishes
This blackened mahi mahi is incredibly juicy, flaky and flavorful! An easy homemade Cajun seasoning takes this fish from good to exceptional. This mahi mahi recipe is super quick and easy but feels fancy and sophisticated.
An easy set-it-and-forget-it crock pot recipe that your family will love even more than takeout. Imagine juicy chicken cooked in a sticky sweet sauce with pineapple and peppers.
Teriyaki chicken is a classic meal, packed with salty and sweet goodness. This grilled Hawaiian chicken teriyaki gets a fruity twist, with the tropical goodness of pineapple.
These grilled steak tacos are hugely flavorful and a hit at every cookout. The marinated steak is tender and succulent. Pineapple salsa lends a sweet, refreshing vibe.
Make (hands down) the best the Hawaiian garlic shrimp with this easy recipe. It's made with simple ingredients that create insane umami flavor - and don't worry, it's beginner-friendly.
This tender and juicy Hawaiian mochiko chicken will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the Hawaiian Islands. Succulent chicken thighs are marinated with and dredged in Mochiko flour then fried to golden perfection.
Grilled huli huli chicken with pineapple and rice makes a delicious and simple summer meal. The easy marinade has sweet and savory flavors thanks to brown sugar, pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, and using chicken thighs means the meat is extra flavorful and moist!
Huli huli ribs are a Hawaiian-style barbecue recipe where the meat is marinated, brushed with a tangy sauce and grilled until fall-off-the-bone tender.
This ridiculously easy, smoky and salty Kalua Pork (aka Kalua Pig) is made with only 3-ingredients in the slow cooker or instant pot. The mouth-watering meat is tender, juicy, and delicious all on its own, but it can also be used for burritos, salads, tacos, and more.
This mahi recipe with coconut sauce is inspired by the Roy's macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi and Mama's Fish House mahi mahi recipe. This version of macadamia crusted mahi is topped with a warm Asian inspired coconut sauce.
Pulehu chicken is a classic Hawaiian dish that’s savory and deliciously smoky. Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a tangy blend of soyu, ginger and lemon, then quickly grilled in only 10 minutes. It’s an easy recipe to make – and great to prep ahead.
Crisp rice, salty soy sauce, zesty garlic and the surprise sweetness or pineapple make this fried rice absolutely perfect.
Slow cooker kalua pork is an easy three-ingredient crock pot dinner recipe. This quick recipe takes less than 5 minutes of prep to make.
A delicious and tropical twist on chicken! This Hawaiian chicken is always a hit.
The Hawaiian teriyaki chicken pineapple bowl is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken marinated in a tangy teriyaki sauce with succulent chunks of pineapple. Served in a pineapple shell, it's a taste of the tropics in every bite.
Desserts
Black sesame mochi is an arranged version of a Hawaiian dessert, the butter mochi cake. It is like a cross between Japanese mochi and cake with a bouncy, chewy, and squishy texture.
Delicious guri guri is a Hawaiian island favorite cold treat. It's super easy to make and only takes 3 ingredients.
Sweet, delicious, colorful and refreshing Hawaiian shave ice is great for summer and party gatherings.
This mango snack cake with toasted coconut crumb recipe is whole grain, gluten-free, vegan, and top eight allergy-free. The fun tropical flavors of mango and coconut result in a delicious baked tropical treat.
Decadent, chewy, and beautiful to look at ube butter mochi.
Ube butter mochi is a delicious rice cake that is easy to make.
Hawaii's popular chocolate haupia pie gets a dairy-free makeover in this recipe! Flaky pie crust is topped with layers of chocolate and coconut haupia pudding. Haupia pie is a delightful, no-bake dessert.
Enjoy these 35 luau party food recipes for a feast as joyful and welcoming as the islands themselves.