10+ Filipino Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

Filipino cuisine is known for its bold flavors and diverse ingredients. This article will guide you through some delicious Filipino recipes that you can easily try at home.

Whether you are a novice cook or have some experience, these recipes will offer something unique to your meals.

From savory dishes to sweet treats, Filipino food showcases a variety of cooking techniques and influences.

You’ll find that each recipe tells a story about culture and tradition that you can enjoy with your family and friends.

1) Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo is a flavorful dish from the Philippines. It combines chicken with a mix of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. This creates a savory and slightly tangy taste.

To make it, you’ll marinate the chicken in the sauce. Then, you’ll simmer it until the meat is tender. It’s often served with warm rice, making it a satisfying meal.

You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking by adding more spices or vegetables. Many people enjoy the hint of heat from peppercorns in their adobo.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken (thighs or drumsticks)
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 head garlic (minced)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns.
2. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook until brown, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Pour in the marinade and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender.
7. Adjust salt to taste and serve with warm rice.

2) Pancit Canton

Pancit Canton is a famous Filipino noodle dish that you can easily make at home. It features stir-fried egg noodles mixed with vegetables and proteins like pork, shrimp, and chicken. Each bite is flavorful and satisfying.

Common vegetables used in Pancit Canton include carrots, cabbage, and green beans. You can also add other ingredients like Chinese sausage or squid balls for a unique twist. This dish is perfect for celebrations or just a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (225g) Pancit Canton noodles
• 1 cup sliced pork
• 1 cup shrimp
• 1 cup cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup green beans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat (350°F / 180°C).
2. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add pork and cook until browned.
4. Stir in shrimp and cook until pink.
5. Add carrots, green beans, and cabbage; stir-fry for 3-5 minutes.
6. Pour in soy sauce and oyster sauce; mix well.
7. Add Pancit Canton noodles and stir until heated through.

3) Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is a beloved Filipino dish, often enjoyed during celebrations. These spring rolls are filled with ground pork and vegetables, making them tasty and satisfying.

The outer layer is crispy, creating a delightful texture. You can serve them with a vinegar dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground pork
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 package lumpia wrappers
• Oil for frying
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the ground pork, carrots, onion, garlic, green onions, egg, salt, and pepper.
2. Take a lumpia wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling inside.
3. Roll it tightly and seal the edges with water.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
5. Fry the rolls until golden brown, then drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

4) Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is a beloved Filipino dish known for its rich flavors. This stew features tender oxtail, beef tripe, and an array of vegetables, all swimming in a creamy peanut sauce. It’s the perfect comfort food for any occasion.

Many people enjoy it with shrimp paste for an extra kick. Popular vegetables in this dish include eggplants and long green beans. You’ll find it served at special gatherings and family dinners.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs oxtail
• 1 lb beef tripe
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup long green beans
• 1/2 cup shrimp paste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 6 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, boil the oxtail and tripe in water for about 2 hours until tender.
2. Remove the meat and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté onion until soft.
4. Add the meat back in, along with peanut butter and enough water to make a thick stew.
5. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add vegetables.
6. Season with salt, pepper, and serve with shrimp paste.

5) Sinigang na Baboy

Sinigang na Baboy is a traditional Filipino sour soup made with pork. It features tender pork ribs, fresh vegetables, and a tangy tamarind broth. This dish is perfect for enjoying on a chilly day.

You can customize your sinigang by adding various vegetables like radish, eggplant, and spinach. This soup is known for its refreshing and hearty flavors that will warm you up.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) pork ribs
• 10 cups (2.4 L) water
• 1 cup (150 g) tamarind paste
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 2 tomatoes, quartered
• 1 cup (100 g) radish, sliced
• 1 cup (100 g) eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup (150 g) green beans, trimmed
• 2 cups (60 g) spinach or water spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, boil water and add the pork ribs.
2. Cook for about 30 minutes until the pork is tender.
3. Add onions and tomatoes, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the tamarind paste and mix well.
5. Add radish, eggplant, and green beans. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
6. Finally, add the spinach and season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot with steamed rice.

6) Lechon Kawali

Lechon Kawali is a beloved Filipino dish featuring crispy deep-fried pork belly. The dish offers a perfect crunch on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. It’s often served with a savory sauce that adds extra flavor.

To prepare Lechon Kawali, start by boiling pork belly with spices until tender. After that, you’ll deep-fry it until the skin turns golden brown and crispy. This dish is perfect for special occasions or family gatherings.

Enjoy your Lechon Kawali with a side of steamed rice and dipping sauce for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900 grams) pork belly
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
• Salt, to taste
• Mang Tomas sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil pork belly in water with bay leaves, garlic, black pepper, and salt until tender (about 45 minutes).
2. Let pork cool and dry completely.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (180°C).
4. Carefully fry the pork until the skin is crispy, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove and drain on paper towels before slicing.

7) Bistek Tagalog

Bistek Tagalog is a classic Filipino dish that combines beef and savory flavors. This dish features tender slices of beef marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi juice, giving it a tangy taste. Cooking includes searing the meat, which helps lock in the flavor.

Onions are a key part of Bistek Tagalog, often served on top of the beef. The dish is perfect to pair with steamed rice, making it a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef sirloin or beef tenderloin, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 8 tablespoons kalamansi juice (or lemon juice)
• 1/2 cup dark soy sauce
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the beef slices in kalamansi juice and soy sauce for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Sear the marinated beef until browned.
4. Remove the beef and sauté sliced onions until soft.
5. Return the beef to the pan with the onions.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot over steamed rice.

8) Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo is a comforting Filipino rice porridge. It’s perfect for cool days or when you’re feeling under the weather. This dish features tender chicken, flavorful broth, and soft rice.

To make Arroz Caldo, you’ll need ingredients like garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. These give it a unique taste that fills you up and warms your soul. Topping your Arroz Caldo with boiled eggs, scallions, and fried garlic adds extra flavor and texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup glutinous rice
• 1 lb chicken (bone-in recommended)
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch ginger, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Scallions, for garnish
• Boiled eggs, for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté garlic, onion, and ginger until fragrant.
2. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
3. Stir in rice and fish sauce.
4. Pour in chicken stock, bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot, garnished with scallions and boiled eggs.

9) Pinakbet

Pinakbet is a delicious Filipino vegetable stew that features a mix of flavors. It includes a variety of vegetables like squash, eggplant, and bitter melon. You can also add pork for extra taste.

To make Pinakbet, start by sautéing garlic and onions. Then, add the pork and let it cook until tender. Once the pork is ready, mix in the vegetables and some shrimp paste for that distinct flavor.

This dish is not only tasty but also packed with nutrients. It’s perfect served with rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork belly, cut into cubes
• 1 medium squash, diced
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup okra, chopped
• 1 cup yard-long beans, cut into sections
• 1 medium bitter melon, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water as needed

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
2. Add the pork and cook until browned.
3. Stir in the tomatoes and shrimp paste.
4. Add water and simmer until pork is tender.
5. Mix in the squash, eggplant, okra, beans, and bitter melon.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until vegetables are tender.

10) Tocino

Tocino is a popular Filipino dish known for its sweet flavor. It is often made with pork, marinated in a mix of ingredients for a delicious taste. This dish is commonly served for breakfast, paired with garlic fried rice and a sunny-side-up egg.

To make tocino, you’ll need pork belly or pork shoulder. The marinade usually includes sugar, garlic, soy sauce, and sometimes pineapple juice for extra sweetness. It’s the perfect way to start your day!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork belly or pork shoulder
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the pork into thin slices.
2. Combine sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and pineapple juice in a bowl.
3. Marinate the pork in the mixture for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Heat a pan over medium heat and add the marinated pork.
5. Cook until caramelized and cooked through. This takes about 10–15 minutes.
6. Serve with rice and eggs. Enjoy!