Hawaii is one of the smallest states in the USA and is the only island. Because it’s so far removed from the States and is also pretty far from other countries, Hawaii has developed its own unique cuisine that is a treat for the tastebuds.
Traditional favorites, often known as the authentic flavors of Hawaii, continue to have a strong following even though the population of the islands of Hawaii now includes people of many different races and cultures, each of which contributes its unique flavors.
As Hawaii is an island, a large part of the local’s diet revolves around seafood. While these make for very delicious meals, if you’re vegan then you’ll need to look further for some suitable options.
A lot of the typical Hawaiian meals and flavors can very easily be recreated in your own home, and because of this, you’re able to change the ingredients to suit your dietary needs and preferences.
If you want to explore the foods of Hawaii, then you’re in the right place! Here, we’ve rounded up the top 9 very best vegan Hawaiian recipes (see also: 16 Amazing Vegan Parsnip Recipes)for you to try.
Enjoy spicing up your next meal or dinner party by whipping up these delectable desserts, main courses, and sides.
Squash is an excellent low-amine vegetable since it is very filling, low in fat, and high in fiber. It works very well as a main course low in amine, a side dish low, or a soup.
Because of its many uses, particularly in baking, squash, particularly Kabocha squash, is very popular in Hawaiian cooking.
The preparation of low-amine squash can be done in many different ways, but this particular procedure makes a dish far tastier than any other cooking method.
This specific variety of squash has a texture that is quite similar to that of cream cheese and it cooks extremely rapidly, which makes it very simple to work with.
At get-togethers, this vegan Hawaiian teriyaki chicken will very quickly become one of the most popular dishes. It has a sweet and tasty teriyaki that is soaked in soy curls and cooked to perfection.
This “chicken” made with Hawaiian teriyaki sauce and vegan ingredients are really convincing, so much so that your guests might think it contains real chicken!
If you’ve never tried a soy curl before, you’re missing out, they are quite delicious! But what exactly is a soy curl? They are simply soy that has been dehydrated. They take on the flavor of whatever you cook with them and are a fantastic substitute for real meat.
Since Hawaiian Teriyaki sauce is noticeably sweeter than the majority of other teriyaki, this recipe does contain quite a lot of sugar. Be sure that you’re using “vegan” sugar (i.e, sugar that hasn’t been processed through bone char).
Mixed plates from Hawaii are known for their incredible deliciousness. These kinds of plates have a lot on them, but the most popular dish is typically some form of salad, usually mac salad.
The creamy mac salad, when combined with the sticky white rice and teriyaki vegan chicken, creates a whirlwind of flavors in your mouth.
This is a super simple salad to whip up on a warm spring day when you don’t want to spend ages cooking in a hot kitchen. Light, airy, and very filling, this makes a wonderful side dish or can be eaten on its own.
Move over potatoes, yuca is here! If you’ve never had yuca before, you’re in for a treat since the flavor and crunch are out of this world.
Yuccas are incredibly adaptable vegetables and can be cooked in any number of ways. As well as being able to be boiled, fried, roasted, and mashed, yuccas can also be grilled.
Think of this dish as the Hawaiian version of french fries. They’re most often sued as a side dish to a main protein in a dinner.
In this recipe, the yuccas are coated with a spicy garlic mojo sauce before they’re grilled to reach the perfect level of crispiness.
The remaining mojo is used as a dipping sauce for the meat, though in this case, you’d substitute this for something vegan.
Mojo sauce is a straightforward dipping sauce that might be compared to chimichurri. It’s loaded with a variety of herbs, garlic, and onions. If you want to give this dish an extra kick of flavor and spice, add some hot sauce to it.
Salad is a very popular food in Hawaii as they’re able to easily get a lot of the fresh ingredients needed for this type of meal.
This recipe is still for a salad, but with a slight twist in that some components are grilled.
There is no other food that can compare to the sweet and luscious flavor of grilled melon. This light and refreshing side dish is served in three distinct varieties.
In this straightforward recipe, you can substitute the white balsamic vinegar with either white wine vinegar or even apple cider vinegar if you want. However, a classic combination with fresh melons is white balsamic vinegar.
One of the simplest Hawaiian desserts that you could make is grilled pineapple with cinnamon coconut cream. Not only that but it might also be one of the tastiest desserts you’ve ever tried!
This mouthwatering recipe for a vegan (see also: 20 Amazing Vegan Trader Joe’s Recipes)dessert requires only three components and three simple steps to make, so light up the barbecue and get ready to dig in (because yes, like a lot of Hawaiian food, even their desserts can be barbequed!).
Grilling pineapple may sound a bit odd, but doing this completely changes the flavor of the fruit, possibly for the better!
When you grill pineapple, the fruit’s natural sugars are released, resulting in a flavor that is sweet and caramelized, as well as a sticky texture that keeps the whole meal together.
The mix of flavors and textures becomes wonderful when it is finished off with airy, whipped coconut cream that’s light and fluffy, and a sprinkle of cinnamon over the top.
This is a vegan interpretation of a “Local” plate lunch served in the Hawaiian way. It includes kalua jackfruit, tofu musubi, and of course, a delightfully creamy mac salad.
One of the most well-liked dishes in Hawaii is called kalua, which is both a cooking method and a type of pork. Here though, the pork has been replaced with jackfruit.
This recipe includes three components for a classic Hawaiian plate lunch for vegans, including tofu musubi, and macaroni salad.
One of the biggest issues people have with making vegan food, or with following a plant-based diet in general, is that they say that making meals takes too long, is too expensive, or doesn’t taste as good as the meat alternatives.
This recipe proves that none of these rumors are true, and just one bite will prove it.
A combination of protein, vegetables, and carbs that are both sweet and delicious is added to this recipe, making it incredible in its flavor while also being remarkably simple to prepare.
For a quick, lightweight, salad that’s perfect for any vegan looking to get a boost in vitamins and minerals, this is the perfect recipe for you!
These delectable vegan cauliflower bites are the perfect option for an appetizer or side dish thanks to the crispy baked cauliflower that has been doused in a sweet Hawaiian Huli Huli sauce.
Huli Huli sauce is a staple in Hawaiian cooking and is most frequently added to chicken-based dishes; however, it works just as well with plant-based foods and is quickly becoming more popular in the States because of this.
The flavor of Huli Huli is similar to that of a pineapple teriyaki sauce in that it’s sweet and sour at the same time. You have the option of purchasing Huli Huli sauce or making it yourself by following this recipe.
To add even more flavor and a bit of color to this dish, sprinkle some chopped cilantro and pineapple chunks on top.
This vegan version of the typical chicken dish is much healthier and nutritious for you, as well as being pretty low in carbs. These are a delectable way to add a portion of veggies into your diet, even if you’re not strictly vegan.
This recipe can very easily be made gluten-free as well. To make gluten-free cauliflower bites, simply replace whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour mix in the recipe.
Summary
Many wonderful dishes have come from Hawaii, though a lot of it is based around seafood and meats so aren’t suitable for a vegan diet.
Luckily though, the island is also known for its many delicious fruits, vegetables, and sauces, so there are plenty of vegan ingredients to choose from.
The next time you’re craving a touch of the tropical at dinner time, try one of the vegan Hawaiian recipes above!
Hi, my name is Hazel Reed, and I’m the creator of Vegan Purist. I have been a vegan purist for nearly 5 years now, but have been a vegan for over 10 years.
Now, my mission is to make sure veganism is accessible to as many people as possible. I created veganpurist.com to help you find recipes and information that can ensure you too can live an ethical, vegan lifestyle!
