A plate of Hawaiian local beef tomato served over white rice with tender beef slices, juicy tomato wedges, sautéed onions, and bell peppers in a savory stir-fry sauce.

Hawaiian local beef tomato

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Introduction

Hawaiian Local Beef Tomato is one of those dishes that instantly brings comfort and nostalgia to the dinner table. Often served in plate lunch spots or made at home in island kitchens, this savory stir-fry features tender beef slices simmered with sweet, juicy tomatoes and onions in a shoyu-based sauce. It’s a simple meal, yet full of flavor—a reflection of Hawaii’s diverse food culture and love for hearty, homemade dishes.

This dish is considered local-style cooking at its best. It’s influenced by both Chinese stir-fries and classic island-style comfort food, making it a staple across many Hawaiian households. The combination of soy sauce (shoyu), oyster sauce, and beefsteak tomatoes creates a rich, tangy-sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

Whether you grew up in Hawaii or just love learning about local recipes, this beef tomato stir-fry is worth adding to your rotation. It’s quick to prepare, uses everyday ingredients, and delivers big on flavor. With just a few fresh vegetables and thinly sliced beef, you can make a dish that tastes like something straight from a local lunch counter in Honolulu.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to prepare Hawaiian Local Beef Tomato from scratch using easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps. You’ll also get tips for customizing the recipe, ideas for serving it, and answers to common questions about beef tomatoes and how to cook them.

Key Benefits

1. Quick and Easy to Make

This recipe uses basic pantry staples and fresh produce. With simple slicing and fast stir-frying, you can have dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. There’s no need for advanced cooking skills—just follow a few easy steps for delicious results.

2. Loaded with Local Flavor

The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and ripe tomatoes creates a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that captures the taste of local Hawaiian kitchens. It’s one of those local recipes that balances umami and freshness in every bite.

3. A True Comfort Food Favorite

If you grew up eating plate lunches or home-style dishes in Hawaii, this one hits all the right notes. It’s warm, hearty, and familiar—just the kind of simple comfort food that brings people together.

4. Versatile and Customizable

You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Swap flank steak for another tender cut, use green or red bell peppers, or even add celery for a little crunch. Want more heat? Add a dash of chili flakes or Hawaiian chili pepper water.

5. Budget-Friendly and Family Approved

This homemade meal is affordable to prepare and feeds the whole family. The ingredients are accessible at most grocery stores, and you won’t need any fancy tools. It’s an easy recipe that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for a weekend gathering.

6. Perfect for Meal Prep or Leftovers

The sauce thickens and deepens in flavor as it sits, making leftovers even more flavorful the next day. Serve it over rice, noodles, or pack it into lunch containers for a no-fuss homemade meal later in the week.

Ingredients

Flat lay of ingredients for Hawaiian local beef tomato, including sliced beef, beefsteak tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, shoyu, and cornstarch.

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 lb flank steak (or thinly sliced beef of your choice)
    Tender and flavorful, flank steak works great for stir-fry dishes.
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (shoyu)
    Adds saltiness and umami depth to the beef.
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    Helps tenderize the beef and slightly thickens the sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    For searing and stir-frying.
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
    Adds sweetness and texture to the dish.
  • 2–3 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
    For crunch and a fresh, earthy flavor.
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced
    Classic in local-style stir-fry; adds sweetness and color.
  • 4–6 ripe beefsteak tomatoes (or 8 roma tomatoes), cut into wedges
    Use fresh tomatoes for a juicy, saucy base—avoid overripe or underripe ones.
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
    Adds depth, sweetness, and umami richness to the sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (shoyu)
    Additional seasoning for the sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    Boosts tomato flavor and gives body to the sauce.
  • ½ cup beef broth (or water)
    Helps create a light gravy that coats the meat and veggies.
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
    Balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for final thickening)
    Use this if you want a slightly thicker sauce at the end.
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

  • Red bell peppers for more color
  • Fresh ginger or garlic for added aroma
  • A dash of chili flakes if you like heat
  • A splash of Hawaiian chili pepper water for authentic local spice

Instructions

Stir-frying beef, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers in a wok for Hawaiian local beef tomato, with steam rising and glossy sauce coating the ingredients.

Step 1: Marinate the Beef

  1. Slice the beef thinly against the grain (about ¼ inch thick).
  2. In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with:
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (shoyu)
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
      Mix well to coat. Set aside to marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep the vegetables.

Step 2: Prep the Vegetables

  • Slice the onion, celery, and green bell pepper.
  • Cut the beefsteak tomatoes into wedges. If using roma tomatoes, quarter them.
  • Set aside in separate bowls so everything is ready to go.

Step 3: Sear the Beef

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the marinated beef in a single layer. Let it sear undisturbed for about 1 minute, then stir-fry for another 1–2 minutes until browned but not fully cooked through.
  3. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside. (It will finish cooking later.)

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

  1. In the same pan, add a touch more oil if needed.
  2. Add the onions and celery. Stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until they start to soften.
  3. Add the bell peppers and cook for another minute.
  4. Add the tomatoes and stir gently for 2–3 minutes. You want the tomatoes to soften and release some of their juices but not fall apart completely.

Step 5: Make the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together:

  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup beef broth (or water)
  • ½ teaspoon sugar

Step 6: Combine and Finish Cooking

  1. Add the beef back into the pan. Stir everything together gently to coat with the sauce.
  2. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the beef is cooked through and the tomatoes have softened into the sauce.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Step 7: Serve Hot

Once everything is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove the pan from heat. Serve immediately over freshly steamed white rice, or alongside your favorite local side dishes.

Pro Tips and Variations

Pro Tips for Best Results

Slice the Beef Thinly and Against the Grain

Cutting beef against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, which helps the meat stay tender even with quick cooking. Use a sharp knife and partially freeze the meat for 15–20 minutes for easier slicing.

Don’t Overcook the Tomatoes

Let them soften, but don’t let them disintegrate. You want juicy chunks that blend into the sauce without turning it into a thin soup. Fresh beefsteak tomatoes work best due to their balance of firmness and flavor.

Use High Heat for Stir-Frying

For that signature stir-fry flavor, keep your heat medium-high to high throughout the cooking process. A hot pan helps brown the beef and gives the vegetables a crisp-tender texture without steaming them.

Easy Variations to Try

Different Cuts of Beef

  • Ribeye or sirloin: For an extra tender, juicy version.
  • Leftover steak: Slice it thin and toss it in during the final minute just to heat through.

Extra Vegetables

Add more color and crunch by mixing in:

  • Red or yellow bell peppers
  • Snow peas
  • Zucchini slices
  • Bean sprouts

Spicy Kick

Want some heat? Add:

  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Fresh Hawaiian chili pepper
  • A splash of chili pepper water (for a truly local-style touch)

Thicker Sauce

If you love saucy stir-fries that cling to rice, finish with a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water). Stir it in during the last minute and let it simmer briefly.

Make It Vegetarian

Swap out the beef and use extra-firm tofu, seitan, or even mushrooms. Adjust your sauce with a bit more shoyu and a vegetarian oyster sauce substitute.

Serving Suggestions

Classic Pairings

Steamed White Rice

This is the traditional way to serve local beef tomato. The rice soaks up all the savory, slightly sweet tomato gravy, making every bite hearty and flavorful. For the most authentic experience, use medium- or short-grain white rice.

Brown Rice or Jasmine Rice

For a slightly healthier twist or a different texture, you can swap in brown rice or jasmine rice. These add nutty or floral notes without taking away from the main dish.

Local Style Plate Lunch

Turn your meal into a classic Hawaiian plate lunch by adding:

  • Macaroni salad: Creamy and tangy, this balances the bold beef tomato sauce.
  • Lomi salmon: For a fresh, briny counterpoint.
  • Pickled vegetables: A little acidity adds brightness and contrast.

Conclusion

Hawaiian Local Beef Tomato is more than just a simple stir-fry—it’s a beloved comfort food that brings together the bold flavors of tender beef, sweet-tart tomatoes, and a rich, savory sauce. With roots in local Hawaiian home cooking and influences from Chinese-style stir-fries, this dish has become a favorite across generations for its nostalgic flavor and everyday simplicity.

It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough to serve to friends or family. The ingredients are humble—beef, tomato, onion, and a few pantry staples—but the result is full of flavor and heart. It’s also endlessly adaptable, letting you switch up veggies, sauces, or even protein without losing that local-style charm.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Hawaiian beef tomato or trying it for the first time, this recipe delivers everything you want in a homemade meal: flavor, ease, and a little taste of the islands in every bite.

FAQs

How do you cook beef tomatoes?

Beef tomatoes cook best when they are added toward the middle or end of the cooking process. In stir-fries like this recipe, add sliced tomatoes after the onions and peppers have softened. Cook them gently to release their juices without turning mushy. This keeps the sauce thick and flavorful while preserving some tomato texture.

How do you preserve beef tomatoes?

To preserve beef tomatoes, store them at room temperature if they are not fully ripe. Once ripe, keep them in the refrigerator to extend freshness for a few days. For longer storage, you can blanch and freeze them or make tomato sauce or paste, which freezes well and can be used later in recipes like this Hawaiian beef tomato stir-fry.

What are beefsteak tomatoes best used for?

Beefsteak tomatoes are large, juicy, and flavorful, making them ideal for slicing and using fresh in salads, sandwiches, and burgers. They are also excellent for cooking into sauces, stews, and stir-fries because they hold their shape well and create a rich, hearty tomato base without becoming too watery.

What are beef tomatoes used for?

Beef tomatoes are versatile and used in many dishes—from fresh eating to cooked recipes. Their size and flavor make them perfect for slicing onto sandwiches, dicing into salads, or cooking into sauces and stews. In local Hawaiian cooking, they shine in dishes like beef tomato stir-fry, where their rich flavor and juicy texture balance savory meats and bold sauces.

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