10+ Filipino Recipes to Savor and Share

Filipino cuisine has rich flavors and diverse dishes influenced by many cultures. Exploring Filipino recipes lets you discover a variety of meals that reflect the warmth and hospitality of the Philippines.

From hearty stews to delightful desserts, each dish tells a story and connects you to the vibrant traditions of the country.

As you venture into cooking these recipes, you’ll find a blend of ingredients that make each meal unique. Whether you are a seasoned chef or just starting out, you can enjoy creating delicious dishes that will impress your family and friends.

1) Pork Adobo

Pork Adobo is a classic Filipino dish you can easily make at home. It features tender pork cooked in a savory mix of soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. The balance of flavors makes it a favorite among many.

To start, you should choose cuts like pork shoulder or pork belly. These cuts become extra juicy when cooked. Serve it with steamed rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ pounds pork shoulder or pork belly
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup + 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 10 peppercorns
• 5 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 bay leaves
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Sear the pork in a pot until brown on all sides.
2. Add garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and peppercorns.
3. Simmer for about 30 minutes.
4. Add bay leaves and continue cooking until pork is tender.
5. Adjust seasoning with salt as needed.

2) Chicken Afritada

Chicken Afritada is a delicious Filipino stew that you can easily make at home. This dish features tender chicken cooked in a savory tomato-based sauce. It’s comforting and perfect to enjoy with rice.

You will also find potatoes and bell peppers in this recipe, which add even more flavor. The sauce is rich and thick, making every bite satisfying. Cooking on low heat allows the flavors to blend beautifully.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides.
4. Pour in chicken broth and tomato paste.
5. Stir in potatoes and bell pepper.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

3) Sinigang na Baboy

Sinigang na Baboy is a beloved Filipino soup known for its sour flavor. It features tender pork, often ribs, cooked with a variety of vegetables in a tangy broth. The sourness typically comes from tamarind.

To make this dish, you need ingredients such as water spinach, radish, and eggplant. It’s a comforting meal, especially on chilly days.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork ribs
• 8 cups water
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 2 tomatoes, halved
• 1 radish, sliced
• 1 eggplant, chopped
• 1 cup water spinach (kangkong)
• 1 cup tamarind paste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, combine water, pork ribs, onion, and tomatoes.
2. Boil for about 45 minutes until pork is tender.
3. Add radish and eggplant. Cook for 5-7 minutes.
4. Mix in the tamarind paste, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
5. Finally, add water spinach and cook for another 2 minutes. Serve hot.

4) Beef Caldereta

Beef Caldereta is a popular Filipino dish known for its rich flavors and comforting texture. This hearty stew is made with tender beef, cooked slowly in a savory tomato sauce.

You can customize this dish by adding root vegetables, bell peppers, and olives. It pairs well with warm rice, making it a favorite for family gatherings and special occasions.

Cooking Beef Caldereta is simple and rewarding. You’ll enjoy the wonderful aroma as it simmers, filling your kitchen with delicious scents.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef (brisket or chuck), cut into cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup potatoes, diced
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup green olives
• 1 tablespoon liver spread (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add beef cubes and sear until browned.
3. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth, stirring to combine.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
5. Add potatoes, carrots, and bell pepper. Cook until vegetables are soft.
6. Stir in liver spread, olives, salt, and pepper. Serve hot over rice.

5) Pancit Bihon

Pancit Bihon is a popular Filipino noodle dish that is both flavorful and easy to make. This dish features thin rice noodles stir-fried with a mix of vegetables and proteins like chicken and pork.

You can prepare Pancit Bihon quickly, usually within 25 to 30 minutes. With ingredients that are easy to find, you’ll enjoy a tasty meal in no time.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (227 grams) Bihon rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup sliced pork
• 1 cup sliced chicken
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the Bihon noodles in warm water for about 10 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and onion; sauté until soft.
4. Add pork and chicken; cook until browned.
5. Stir in the carrots and cabbage; cook for 2 minutes.
6. Pour in chicken broth and soy sauce; bring to a boil.
7. Add the noodles; cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

6) Lumpiang Shanghai

Lumpiang Shanghai is a popular Filipino spring roll. You can enjoy these crispy rolls as a snack or a delicious appetizer. The filling usually includes ground pork, veggies, and seasonings.

To make them, you will need lumpia wrappers. These thin wrappers help create a crunchy outer layer. You can fry them until golden brown for the best flavor.

Lumpiang Shanghai is often served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. This adds a nice touch to the savory filling. They are always a hit at gatherings and special occasions.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) ground pork
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Lumpia wrappers
• Cooking oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix ground pork, carrots, onion, garlic, and soy sauce.
2. Place a spoonful of filling on a lumpia wrapper.
3. Roll tightly and seal the edges with a little water.
4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
5. Fry the rolls until golden brown.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve with dipping sauce.

7) Chicken Inasal

Chicken Inasal is a delicious Filipino barbecue chicken dish that you’ll love to make. This recipe features tender chicken marinated in a mix of flavorful ingredients. The combination of vinegar, lemongrass, and calamansi juice gives it a unique taste.

You will want to prepare the marinade, which includes garlic, ginger, and spices. Letting the chicken soak in the marinade allows the flavors to blend nicely.

Grill the marinated chicken over medium heat, around 350°F (175°C), until it’s cooked through and has a nice char. This dish is perfect served with rice and a dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• Chicken pieces (legs or thighs)
• Vinegar
• Calamansi juice or lime juice
• Lemongrass
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Salt and pepper
• Brown sugar
• Achiote (annatto) oil

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix vinegar, calamansi juice, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken to the marinade and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the grill to medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
4. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
5. Brush with achiote oil while grilling for extra flavor.

8) Kare-Kare

Kare-Kare is a beloved Filipino stew known for its rich peanut sauce. This dish is often made with tender oxtail, tripe, or pork leg, paired with a variety of fresh vegetables.

The unique flavor of Kare-Kare comes from its thick, savory peanut sauce. It’s a comforting meal that many enjoy for family gatherings or special occasions.

To make Kare-Kare, you’ll need to cook the meat slowly. This ensures the meat becomes tender and absorbs all the flavors from the sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds oxtail or tripe
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 1 banana flower, cut into pieces
• 1 cup eggplant, sliced
• 1 cup string beans
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the oxtail or tripe for about 2 hours until tender.
2. In a separate pot, sauté onion in a little oil until translucent.
3. Stir in peanut butter and water until smooth.
4. Add the boiled meat and vegetables.
5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Season with salt and serve hot.

9) Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo is a comforting Filipino chicken rice porridge. It’s perfect for chilly days or when you need a warm meal. This dish combines rice, chicken, and tasty seasonings.

You start by sautéing garlic, onions, and ginger in a pot. Then, add the chicken and cook until browned. Stir in glutinous rice, and let it absorb flavors as you add broth.

Simmer everything until it becomes creamy and comforting. Serve it hot, topped with boiled eggs, scallions, and crispy garlic for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup glutinous rice
• 1 lb chicken (bone-in pieces)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Fish sauce to taste
• Salt and pepper
• Boiled eggs for topping
• Scallions for garnish
• Fried garlic for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté garlic, onions, and ginger.
2. Add chicken and cook until browned.
3. Stir in glutinous rice.
4. Gradually add chicken broth.
5. Simmer until rice is tender.
6. Season with fish sauce, salt, and pepper.
7. Serve hot with toppings.

10) Bistek Tagalog

Bistek Tagalog is a popular Filipino dish made from tender beef marinated in soy sauce and kalamansi juice. The combination creates a rich flavor that’s hard to resist.

It’s also served with plenty of onions, which add sweetness and texture. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

To make it, you’ll need to pan-sear the marinated beef. Then, let it simmer until the flavors blend together beautifully.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the beef, kalamansi juice, and soy sauce in a bowl. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté onions until golden.
3. Remove onions and set aside. Then, in the same pan, cook the marinated beef until browned.
4. Pour the marinade into the pan and simmer until the beef is tender.
5. Add the onions back, season with salt and pepper, and serve with rice.