The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, and our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana (family) has embraced it with open arms. This year, we held a recipe contest, and the results were so delicious, we had to share these award-winning Hawaiian-style Instant Pot recipes with you. Get ready to bring the taste of the islands to your kitchen!
Above: The Instant Pot electric pressure cooker has been around since 2010 but began to gain popularity a few years ago.
‘Onolicious Beef Stew
This hearty beef stew is a local favorite, packed with flavor and perfect for a comforting meal. The slight spice from the Hawaiian chili peppers adds a unique kick.
Ingredients:
- 2lbs of beef stew meat (cut into 1.5” cubes)
- 2 medium onions (peeled and quartered)
- 4 small/medium yukon gold potatoes (quartered)
The creator of this recipe loves how easy it is to prepare and pack for layovers. Served with rice and a side of poi, this stew is nothing short of ‘onolicious!
Local-Style Macaroni Salad
No Hawaiian plate lunch is complete without a scoop of macaroni salad. This Instant Pot recipe makes it easier than ever to enjoy this classic side dish. The hint of vinegar adds a delightful tang.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large elbow macaroni
- ½ cup rice vinegar
- 2-1/2 cups water (approximately)
- 1 tablespoon oil
The recipe developer was surprised at how easy it is to make pasta dishes in the Instant Pot. This is a convenient dish to bring to potlucks, too.
Kalua Pig
Experience the authentic taste of Kalua Pig, a traditional Hawaiian dish, made easy in your Instant Pot. This recipe requires only a few ingredients and delivers tender, juicy pork every time.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon Hawaiian salt
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
The best part? It takes half the amount of time compared to traditional stove top methods.
Beef Curry Stew
This flavorful Beef Curry Stew is a savory delight that’s sure to please. It’s a great way to sneak in extra vegetables and create a satisfying, family-friendly meal.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chuck steak (1.5 inch thickness)
- 6 medium garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 box japanese curry roux cubes
- 1 tablespoon shoyu
By tweaking the original recipe and adding vegetables, the creator ended up with a dish that tastes delicious and helps to stretch the meal to cover even more meals.
Local-Style Beef Stew
This comforting Local-Style Beef Stew is perfect for a cozy night in. The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process, making it even easier to enjoy this family favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 pounds beef (chuck roast), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups or 2 (14.5 ounce) cans beef broth
Adapted from a Honolulu Star-Advertiser cookbook recipe, the Instant Pot has simplified it even more with its built in timers and handy alarms.
Oxtail Stew
This Oxtail Stew is a “comfort food” dish that is made even easier thanks to the Instant Pot. It transforms a meal that would normally take too long to cook into a quick and easy dish.
Ingredients:
Meat
-
- 5-3 Lbs Oxtail + Beef Shank (~50%/50%) with shank cut into large 2″ chunks
Seasoning Bag
- 2 Tbsp ground black pepper
If you don’t have oxtail, you can just use stew meat for this recipe and make beef stew.
Chocolate Haupia Cheesecake with Macadamia Nut Crust
Indulge in this decadent Chocolate Haupia Cheesecake with Macadamia Nut Crust. This layered dessert combines salty, buttery crust with the chocolate ganache and haupia, creating a wonderful medley of flavors.
Ingredients:
Crust
- 1½ cups crushed graham crackers
- ¾ cups medium chopped macadamia nuts
- 7 tbs melted salted butter
The haupia layer is a family recipe and the cheesecake filling was created while the recipe creator was searching for a traditional tart and dense New York-style cheesecake.
From savory stews to sweet treats, the Instant Pot makes it easy to bring the flavors of Hawaii into your home. Try these recipes from our Hawaiian Airlines ‘ohana and experience the magic of island cooking! Plan your next trip with Hawaiian Airlines today!
