10+ Filipino Dinner Recipes to Delight Your Family

Filipino dinner recipes can bring a wonderful variety to your meals. This cuisine is known for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients, making it both delicious and satisfying. It offers a range of options that cater to different tastes, ensuring that there’s something for everyone at the table.

Whether you’re new to Filipino food or looking to expand your culinary skills, these recipes offer a great starting point. The unique combination of flavors and textures will surely delight your palate. Get ready to enjoy a taste of the Philippines with these simple and tasty dinner ideas.

1) Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino dish that is both savory and tangy. It’s famous for tender chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful mix of vinegar and soy sauce. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare!

To start, marinate your chicken in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. This helps to infuse all those delicious flavors. Then, you simmer the chicken until it’s juicy and coated in a rich sauce.

Serve your Chicken Adobo with warm rice to soak up all the tasty sauce. It’s a perfect dinner option that brings comfort and a taste of the Philippines right to your table.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken, cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
3. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned.
4. Pour in the marinade and simmer for 30 minutes on low heat.
5. Adjust seasoning and serve with rice.

2) Pork Sinigang

Pork Sinigang is a comforting Filipino soup that features a tangy and flavorful broth. This dish is often made with tender pork, fresh vegetables, and a sour taste from tamarind. It’s perfect for sharing with family or enjoying on a rainy day.

The main ingredients include pork ribs, tomatoes, and various vegetables like string beans and spinach. You can serve this delicious soup over steamed rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork ribs
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1 cup string beans
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup tamarind paste
• 6 cups water
• Fish sauce, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine pork ribs and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes and onion. Continue to cook for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in tamarind paste and fish sauce.
4. Add string beans and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Finally, stir in spinach and cook until just wilted. Enjoy!

3) Beef Caldereta

Beef Caldereta is a popular Filipino dish. It is a hearty stew made with beef, cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Often, it includes potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers.

You can enjoy Beef Caldereta on special occasions or as a comforting family meal. The flavors blend well, creating a delicious dish when served with rice.

This recipe can be made with or without liver spread, depending on your preference. Either way, it is sure to satisfy your hunger.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup green olives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add beef and cook until browned.
4. Stir in tomato sauce and water.
5. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
6. Add potatoes, bell pepper, and olives.
7. Cook until vegetables are soft.
8. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4) Bicol Express

Bicol Express is a flavorful Filipino dish you’ll love. It’s made with pork cooked in creamy coconut milk and spicy chili peppers. This dish has a rich taste that goes perfectly with rice.

To make Bicol Express, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. It combines savory flavors and just the right amount of heat. Cooking it is easy and fun!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) pork shoulder, cut into cubes
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 2-3 chili peppers, sliced (adjust for spice)
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté garlic and onion until soft.
3. Add pork cubes and cook until brown.
4. Pour in coconut milk and stir.
5. Add chili peppers and shrimp paste.
6. Simmer for about 30 minutes until pork is tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5) Chicken Tinola

Chicken Tinola is a comforting Filipino soup that features tender chicken and fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner. The dish is known for its light, savory broth flavored with ginger.

Common ingredients include chayote, spinach, and sometimes papaya. You cook everything together until the chicken is juicy and the veggies are just tender.

This dish pairs nicely with rice, making it a hearty meal. It’s great for any occasion, especially when you need something warm and soothing.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 quart water
• 1 quart rice wash
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
• 1 chayote, sliced
• Fresh ginger, sliced
• 1 cup spinach

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add fish sauce and ginger; sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.
4. Pour in water and rice wash; bring to a boil.
5. Add chayote and simmer until tender.
6. Stir in spinach and cook for another minute.

6) Laing

Laing is a beloved Filipino dish that features dried taro leaves cooked in creamy coconut milk. It often includes spices and can have different variations, such as adding pork or shrimp for extra flavor.

To make Laing, start by gathering your ingredients. The combination of rich coconut milk and tender taro leaves creates a unique taste you won’t forget. It’s perfect as a side dish or even as the main meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried taro leaves
• 1 can (400 ml) coconut milk
• 2-3 green chili peppers
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup pork or shrimp (optional)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the dried taro leaves in water and set aside.
2. In a pot, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add the pork or shrimp (if using) and cook until golden.
4. Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
5. Mix in the taro leaves and chili peppers.
6. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the leaves are tender.
7. Season with salt as needed. Enjoy your Laing!

7) Pork Menudo

Pork Menudo is a popular Filipino stew that’s perfect for dinner. It consists of tender pork cooked with carrots, potatoes, and a rich tomato sauce. This dish is usually served with rice.

To make Pork Menudo, you will need some common ingredients. These include pork shoulder, pork liver, potatoes, carrots, and garbanzo beans. The flavors come together beautifully as they simmer.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. pork shoulder, cubed
• 4 oz. pork liver, cubed
• 1 baking potato, cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 cup garbanzo beans
• 1 piece Knorr Pork Cube
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat oil and sauté onions until soft.
2. Add pork and cook until browned.
3. Pour in tomato sauce and water.
4. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook until tender.
5. Stir in pork liver and garbanzo beans, then simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Season with Knorr Pork Cube, salt, and pepper.
7. Serve hot with rice.

8) Pinakbet

Pinakbet is a delicious Filipino vegetable stew that you will love. It typically features squash, eggplant, okra, yard-long beans, and bitter melon. You can also add pork or shrimp for extra flavor.

This dish is known for its rich umami taste, often enhanced by shrimp paste. The combination of vegetables and protein creates a hearty meal that’s perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup squash, diced
• 1 cup eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup okra, chopped
• 1 cup yard-long beans, cut
• 1 cup bitter melon, sliced
• 1 lb pork belly, diced
• 3 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the pork belly and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
5. Add the vegetables and shrimp paste.
6. Simmer until the veggies are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

9) Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is a beloved Filipino dish known for its creamy peanut sauce. It’s a rich stew that often features oxtail and vegetables. The combination of flavors makes it a favorite comfort food.

You will typically find this dish served with a side of shrimp paste for added taste. The vegetables often included are eggplant, green beans, and banana heart.

Making Kare-Kare might take some time, but the result is worth the effort.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs oxtail
• 1 lb tripe (optional)
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup long green beans
• 1 cup banana heart (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Shrimp paste for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil oxtail and tripe in water for about 2 hours until tender.
2. Then, drain and set them aside.
3. In a pot, combine beef broth and peanut butter. Mix them well.
4. Next, add the oxtail and tripe, and cook for 20 minutes.
5. After that, stir in the vegetables and cook until tender.
6. Serve hot with shrimp paste on the side.

10) Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is a popular Filipino dish that you will love. These delicious spring rolls are typically filled with ground pork and vegetables. They have a crispy outer layer that’s simply irresistible.

To make Lumpiang Shanghai, you will need certain ingredients. Gather ground pork, garlic, onions, carrots, and soy sauce. Be ready to roll them up in thin wrappers and fry until golden brown.

These spring rolls are usually served with a dipping sauce that adds extra flavor. You can enjoy them as an appetizer or as part of your main meal. They are perfect for sharing at family gatherings or parties.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Lumpia wrappers
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix ground pork, garlic, onion, carrot, and soy sauce in a bowl.
2. Take a lumpia wrapper and place a spoonful of the filling inside.
3. Roll the wrapper tightly, sealing the edges.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
5. Fry the spring rolls until golden brown and crispy.