Laulau
Laulau is a traditional Hawaiian dish featuring tender pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and Ti leaves, offering a smoky, savory flavor perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash Ti leaves and taro tops or fresh spinach.
- Cut fish into cubes and soak for 4 hours.
- Cut pork into chunks, about 1 pound for each laulau.
- Ensure your Ti leaves are large enough.
- For each laulau, fold 2 Ti leaves into a triangle, then place taro tops or spinach on the leaves, about 6 or 8 leaves per bundle.
- Add pork chunks and fish on top of the taro tops, then roll up tightly and tie with string.
- Cook the wrapped laulau in a steamer for 3 hours, covering tightly to prevent steam from escaping.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your laulau, consider marinating the pork in a mix of soy sauce and garlic for a few hours before assembly. If you can't find Ti leaves, banana leaves make a great substitute. For a smoky flavor, try adding a bit of liquid smoke to the fish soak. For a twist, you could also add some diced vegetables like carrots or sweet potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve laulau hot, directly from the steamer, for an authentic experience. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice and a side of Polynesian casserole for a complete meal. You can also serve it alongside a refreshing salad or some pickled vegetables to balance the richness of the pork and fish.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover laulau can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, steam the laulau again for about 30 minutes or until heated through. This method helps preserve the moisture and flavor. You can also use the microwave, but be cautious to avoid drying it out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Laulau contains roughly 911 calories, with 31g protein, 0g carbohydrates, and 86g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (62% of the Daily Value) and calcium (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and iron.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of meat for laulau?
Absolutely! While traditional laulau uses pork, you can experiment with chicken, beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian version. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the meat you choose.
How long does laulau need to cook?
Laulau requires about 3 hours of steaming to ensure the meat is tender and fully cooked. It's important to keep the pot tightly covered to maintain steam and prevent the laulau from drying out.
What can I serve with laulau?
Laulau is delicious on its own, but it pairs well with sides like coconut rice, a fresh green salad, or traditional Hawaiian macaroni salad. For a festive touch, consider serving it with La Cours Punch for a refreshing beverage.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).