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Laulau with smoked meat and coconut milk, served
Hawaiian dish, smoked meat and fish laulau with coconut milk

Hawaiian Laulau (Steamed Pork and Fish in Taro Leaves)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
An iconic festive dish of Hawaii, essential to any 'luau'. The essence of laulau is the 'steam package': meats and fish are wrapped in taro leaves (luau leaf), then the whole thing is hidden in a banana leaf to protect and steam it. The result is an incredibly tender, smoky, earthy dish where the leaves cook down to a creamy spinach-like texture in the meat's juices.
🕒 Prep Time 30 mins
🍳 Cook Time 3 hrs
⌛ Total Time 3 hrs 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 650 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Hawaii

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Steamer pot or bamboo steamer
  • Kitchen twine
  • Large bowl for mixing

Allergen Information

⚠️ Fish

Instructions

1 ✓

Hold banana leaves over an open flame or hot burner for a few seconds until they turn glossy and pliable. This prevents them from cracking.

Tip: Heat relaxes the plant fibers.
2 ✓

Cut smoked meat and fish into large chunks. Toss in a bowl with salt, pepper, grated ginger, and coconut milk.

Tip: Fat from coconut milk keeps the fish moist during the long cook.
3 ✓

Prepare 4 portions: stack 3 taro leaves (or spinach) for each. Pile the meat/fish mix in the center. Fold leaves up to cover filling completely, forming a ball.

Tip: Ensure no holes where juice can escape.
4 ✓

Place the taro ball in the center of a banana leaf. Wrap tightly like a gift and tie with kitchen twine.

Tip: Tight tying keeps steam and flavors inside.
5 ✓

Place packages in a steamer. Bring water to boil and steam, covered, for at least 3 hours. Replenish water as needed!

Tip: Long time is critical for taro leaf safety.
6 ✓

To serve, cut twine, unfold banana leaf (discard it), and eat the tender meat wrapped in the edible taro leaf with rice.

Tip: For real Hawaiian vibes, serve with sweet potato.

Recipe FAQ

I don't have taro leaves, what can I use?
Taro leaves are hard to replace, but large spinach or Swiss chard leaves can work, though the flavor will differ.
Is the banana leaf edible?
No, the banana leaf is just a wrapper; unwrap it when serving. The inner taro leaf is edible and delicious!
Why cook it so long?
Raw taro leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals which irritate the throat. Long cooking breaks these down.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Smoked Pork (Butt or Shoulder)
  • 10 oz White Fish (Cod or Butterfish)
  • 12 pcs Taro Leaves (or large Spinach)
  • 4 pcs Banana Leaves (for wrapping)
  • 0.75 cup Coconut Milk
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 inch Fresh Ginger (grated)
  • 2 cups Water (for steaming)