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Hamburger Watercress Recipe

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Hamburger watercress: savory bits of ground beef sauteed in an umami packed sauce tossed with vibrant green watercress and refreshing tofu. One of Hawai’i’s favorite comfort foods.

hamburger watercress

Hamburger watercress is a classic Hawaiian comfort food here in the islands. It was very common during the plantation days. Many people of different nationalities immigrated to Hawai’i to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations.

Along with their travel they brought along their yummy foods. This shaped the mixed plate of foods here in Hawai’i.

hamburger watercress

Hamburger watercress is a classic of these plantation style meals. Local beef was ground up and tossed with Asian ingredients to create an amazing and simple dinner.

Some other island favorite dishes to try: mochiko chicken, shoyu pork, pastele stew, shoyu chicken, chicken long rice, luau stew, or kalua pig.

Or if you’ve got a sweet tooth try haupia, malasadas, kulolo, or mochi.

Ingredients for hamburger watercress

  • Cooking oil of choice. I like to use avocado oil https://amzn.to/2UATlid
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ground beef
  • Shoyu
  • Patis
  • Watercress
  • Tofu
hamburger watercress

What is shoyu?

Shoyu is a popular condiment here in Hawai’i. It is a Japanese style soy sauce made of soybeans and wheat. If you have a gluten intolerance you can always swap it out for tamari which is a gluten free soy sauce alternative.

What is watercress?

Watercress is an edible aquatic plant that is 95% water and rich in vitamin K as well as vitamins A, C, and B6 as well as riboflavin, calcium, and manganese.

Where can I find watercress?

Watercress can be found in most grocery stores or farmers markets.

hamburger watercress

What can I serve with hamburger watercress?

Of course here in Hawai’i the favorite is sticky white rice. You can also serve it with pohole salad, macaroni salad, potato macaroni salad, tossed green salad, mashed potatoes, or any other plate lunch sides.

How to store hamburger watercress?

Once cooled place in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can you freeze hamburger watercress?

You can, however freezing tofu often changes the consistency and usually not recommended. You can leave the tofu out and add it to the dish once it has defrosted if you wish.

How to make hamburger watercress?

In a large pan over medium high heat add the cooking oil of your choice and begin to heat. Add onions and saute until just translucent.

Then add garlic and ground beef. Once beef just starts to brown pour out excess oil.

Next add shoyu and patis. Continue to cook until completely browned all the way through.

Then add watercress and stir to combine. Cook until the watercress begins to wilt.

Add tofu and continue to cook just until tofu is heated through.

ENJOY!

hamburger watercress

Hamburger Watercress

Relle Lum
Hamburger watercress: savory bits of ground beef sauteed in an umami packed sauce tossed with vibrant green watercress and refreshing tofu. One of Hawai’i’s favorite comfort foods.
4.67 from 27 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Beef
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 443 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cooking oil of choice
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic finely diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/4 cup shoyu
  • 2 teaspoons patis
  • 3 cups watercress roughly chopped
  • 1 block tofu cubed

Instructions
 

  • In a large pan over medium high heat add the cooking oil of your choice and begin to heat. Add onions and saute until just translucent.
  • Then add garlic and ground beef. Once beef just starts to brown pour out excess oil.
  • Next add shoyu and patis. Continue to cook until completely browned all the way through.
  • Then add watercress and stir to combine. Cook until the watercress begins to wilt.
  • Add tofu and continue to cook just until tofu is heated through.
  • ENJOY!

Notes

*Make this recipe gluten free by swapping out the shoyu for tamari (https://amzn.to/2UkCwJr)
*Make this recipe soy free by omitting shoyu and tofu.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 443kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 43gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 119mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g
Keyword dinner, dinner recipes, easy recipes, hamburger watercress, Hawaii food, hawaii recipes, Hawaiian food, hawaiian recipes, keeping it relle
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hamburger watercress

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By on March 26th, 2020

About Relle

Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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7 thoughts on “Hamburger Watercress Recipe”

  1. Hi, unfortunately I’m not a huge fan of watercress 🙁 do you have any suggestions for a substitute veggie that might go well with the hamburger and tofu? Love your website! I’m always looking for quick easy meals. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    This was the recipe I didn’t know I needed until I found it! I’m a huge tofu & watercress fan and this was so ono. It’s so simple, you have to try it!

    Reply

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