35 Healthier Hawaiian Recipes

Here in Los Angeles, it feels like there’s a new poke spot popping up every week.

But poke isn’t the only Hawaiian recipe that’s made it to the mainland.

Spam musubi is starting to become a more popular menu item as has loco moco, a dish that typically features white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and gravy.

Hawaiian recipes are delicious, but they’re not always healthy.

To help you enjoy some of Hawaii’s traditional dishes — as well as some Hawaiian-inspired ones — while sticking with your healthy meal plan, we collaborated with food bloggers to create a collection of 35 Hawaiian recipes we think you’ll love.

35 Healthy Hawaiian Recipes

Lunch and Dinner Recipes

Tuna Poke with Avocado

This Tuna Poke with Avocado recipe is a dish inspired one of Hawaii’s most popular recipes. Start with super fresh fish and you’ll find this quick, no-cook dinner comes together in no time.

Container Equivalents: 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 tsp.

Tropical Salad with Chicken and Mango

This Tropical Salad with Chicken and Mango packs a punch. Chili powder, cumin, and serrano chile play opposite the sweet Hawaiian-inspired flavors in this protein-packed salad.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Purple, 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1½ tsp.

Hawaiian Chicken

Who can resist a recipe as easy as this Hawaiian Chicken sheet pan supper? Toss chicken and veggies in a coconut lime seasoning, set on a single sheet pan, and bake.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1 Purple, 1 Red, ½ Yellow

Shrimp Tacos with Mango Habanero Salsa

Tender and juicy shrimp tacos are dressed in Greek yogurt, tangy lime juice, and topped with a zesty Mango Habanero Salsa for a Hawaiian-inspired meal you won’t soon forget!

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, ½ Red, ½ Yellow, ½ Blue, ½ tsp.

Crunchy Spicy Shredded Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

These savory pork loin tacos begin with a good slow cook in tomatillo salsa and are topped with cubed pineapple, shallots, and fresh lime juice.

Container Equivalents: 1 Purple, 1 Red, 1 Yellow

Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops

Hawaiian Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

For lighter Hawaiian fare, consider this succulent chicken salad made with a pineapple honey marinade and a bright Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Purple, 1 Red, ½ Yellow, 1 Blue, 1½ tsp.

Mint and Honey Grilled Shrimp with Pineapple

A sweet garlic marinade gives these grilled shrimp a flavorful head start. Juicy pineapple and fresh mint seal the deal.

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, 1 Red, ½ tsp.

Grilled Swordfish with Fruit Salsa

Spark up that BBQ, because this tender, flaky swordfish is best served lightly grilled and topped with a citrus peach salsa that’s fit for a luau.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1½ tsp.

Salmon Poke with Macadamia Nuts

Refreshing and bursting with umami goodness, this traditional Hawaiian recipe for Salmon Poke with Macadamia Nuts captures the essence of some of Hawaii’s most popular flavors.

Container Equivalents: 1 Red, ½ Blue, 2 tsp.

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops

These Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops get their rich flavor from a low and slow steep in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce.

Container Equivalents: 1 Purple, 1 Red, 1½ Yellow

Steak Tacos with Mango and Jalapeño Salsa

These Hawaiian-inspired tacos feature tender skirt steak, nestled in soft tortillas and topped with a sweet-and-savory mango salsa.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Red, 1 Yellow, 1 tsp.

Mango Lemon Rice With Seared Ahi Tuna

Fluffy lemon-infused long grain rice, sweet mango, and delicately seared ahi tuna make for one delicious Hawaiian rice bowl recipe.

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, 3 Yellow

Grilled Hawaiian Pork Kabobs

When it comes to island cooking, it’s all about the marinade. These Grilled Hawaiian Pork Kabobs are bathed in an exquisite blend of pineapple, ginger, chili, and soy sauce.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 ½ tsp.

Mango Chicken Skewers

These mouthwatering Mango Chicken Skewers give sweet heat a whole new meaning. For a double dose of Hawaiian flavor, they’re steeped in a chili-lime marinade then coated generously with a Honey Garlic glaze right on the grill.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Purple, 1 Red, ½ tsp.

Sides and Dip Recipes

Coconut and Lime Cauliflower Fried Rice

This Coconut and Lime Cauliflower Fried Rice recipe swaps out garden-variety rice for cauliflower and incorporates Hawaiian flavor with a touch of lime and coconut.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Blue, ½ Orange

Hawaiian Coleslaw

This Hawaiian Coleslaw is loaded with fresh veggies and pineapple (of course) in a vibrant sesame-soy dressing.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, ½ Yellow

Quinoa Mango Black Bean Salad

This salad makes for a hearty side. Beautifully balanced with black beans, quinoa, and a savory chipotle lime dressing, this tropical salad is robust enough to serve as a main.

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, 2 Yellow, 1½ Blue, ½ Orange, 2 tsp.

Pineapple Pepper Fried Rice

Fresh garlic and ground ginger give this Pineapple Pepper Fried Rice a wave of flavor.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, 2 Yellow, 1 tsp.

Tropical Chickpea Salad

Tangy citrus, fiery chile, and fragrant cilantro create a flavor trifecta in this Hawaiian-inspired Tropical Chickpea Salad.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Purple, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue, 1 tsp.

Brown Rice Black Bean Salad with Mango and Avocado

This Brown Rice Black Bean Salad with Mango and Avocado is an easy salad you can prep ahead and store in the fridge. Add it whenever you want an extra helping of tropical flavor and fiber!

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, 1½ Yellow, ½ Blue

Garlic Pineapple Sauce

You can use this Garlic Pineapple Sauce with any protein. Place all the ingredients in a blender and you’ll have a sweet, delicious dipping sauce in minutes.

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, 1 Yellow

Crab and Papaya Salad

This Crab and Papaya Salad is served right inside a beautiful, ripe Hawaiian papaya.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1 Purple, ½ Red, ½ tsp.

Pineapple Shrimp Salad

To make this zesty Hawaiian salad, combine avocado, cilantro, and lime with juicy pineapple and succulent shrimp.

Bonus? It’s served right inside the pineapple from which it came — ideal for any backyard cookout.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Purple, 1 Red, 1 Blue

Chunky Rainbow Salsa

Take salmon and chicken breast from average to Hawaiian-inspired with our Chunky Rainbow Salsa recipe. This protein topper includes avocado, mango, cilantro, and lime to brighten up anything you can throw on a grill.

Container Equivalents: ½ Green, ½ Blue

Dessert Recipes

Coconut Whipped Cream

Unlike traditional whipped cream, this tropical whipped “cream” is dairy-free and vegan. It’s easy to whip up and you’ll still get the delicious stiff peaks you’re used to.

Container Equivalents: 1 Blue

Vanilla Shakeology Macadamia Nut Pineapple Balls

Get your Shakeology snack fix with these no-bake Vanilla Shakeology Macadamia Nut Pineapple Balls really hit the spot.

Container Equivalents: ½ Purple, ½ Blue, ½ Orange

Pineapple Ice Cream

This two-ingredient Hawaiian Ice Cream recipe is a healthier version of that amazing pineapple whipped dessert we all love.

Container Equivalents: 1 Purple, ½ Red

Tropical Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt

This kid-friendly Tropical Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt makes a great Hawaiian-inspired breakfast or an easy afternoon snack.

Container Equivalents: 1 Purple

Green Chia Pudding

This vegan Green Chia Pudding looks like it gets its green color from kiwi, but it really comes from a healthy serving of spinach (shhh we’ll never tell).

With a mound of tropical fruit on top, this is one recipe that’s sure to impress at your next luau.

Container Equivalents: 1 Green, 1½ Purple, 1½ Orange, 1 tsp.