10+ Ulam Recipes Perfect for Any Meal

Ulam recipes are an essential part of Filipino cuisine, offering a wide variety of hearty and delicious dishes to enjoy. These recipes are perfect for satisfying your hunger and bringing a taste of home to your table. Whether you are cooking for family or friends, you can find something that everyone will love.

Exploring different ulam recipes allows you to discover new flavors and ingredients. From classic favorites to modern twists, there’s always something exciting to try in the world of Filipino cooking. Each recipe is an opportunity to create memorable meals that can be shared with loved ones.

1) Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo is a popular Filipino dish known for its savory and tangy flavors. It combines chicken pieces with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. The result is tender chicken with a delicious glaze.

You can customize the dish by adding ingredients like potatoes or hard-boiled eggs. Serve it with rice to soak up the rich sauce. It’s perfect for family meals or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (3-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, quartered and sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 1 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
3. Place chicken in the pot and brown on all sides.
4. Pour in soy sauce, vinegar, and water.
5. Add peppercorns and bay leaves. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
7. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
8. Serve warm with rice.

2) Pork Sinigang

Pork Sinigang is a classic Filipino soup known for its sour flavor. It is made with tender pork and a variety of vegetables. The broth typically gets its tangy taste from tamarind.

You can use pork belly, ribs, or shoulder. The soup often includes ingredients like string beans, tomatoes, and spinach. This dish is especially comforting on a cold day.

Cooking Pork Sinigang is simple and rewarding. You can serve it with steamed rice for a filling meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork (belly, ribs, or shoulder), cut into chunks
• 8 cups water
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 cup tamarind paste or fresh tamarind
• 2 cups string beans
• 1 cup spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large pot, boil water and add pork.
2. Cook until the pork is tender.
3. Add onions and tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in tamarind paste and adjust sourness.
5. Add string beans and cook for 5 minutes.
6. Finally, add spinach and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

3) Beef Bistek Tagalog

Beef Bistek Tagalog is a classic Filipino dish that features tender beef marinated in a mix of soy sauce and calamansi juice. This flavorful recipe is perfect to enjoy with a side of steamed rice.

Start by thinly slicing beef sirloin. Marinate it with soy sauce, calamansi juice, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes. This helps to enhance the beef’s flavor.

Next, sauté onions in oil until they are soft. Add the marinated beef and cook until it’s browned and fully cooked. Don’t forget to pour the marinade back into the pan for extra taste!

Enjoy this savory dish with rice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 pieces calamansi or 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate beef in soy sauce, calamansi juice, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until soft.
3. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute.
4. Add marinated beef and cook until browned.
5. Pour marinade into the pan and simmer until the beef is fully cooked.

4) Laing with Coconut Milk

Laing is a delicious Filipino dish made with dried taro leaves cooked in coconut milk. This recipe is not only tasty but also easy to prepare.

To make Laing, you will combine coconut milk, pork or shrimp paste, ginger, onion, and garlic. Cook these ingredients together until they blend well.

You should add chilis for a spicy kick. Let it simmer until the taro leaves are soft and flavorful. Enjoy this dish with rice for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried taro leaves
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 pound pork (optional)
• 1 tablespoon shrimp paste
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 chili peppers

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, combine coconut milk, pork (if using), shrimp paste, ginger, onion, and garlic.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add dried taro leaves and chilis.
4. Simmer until the leaves are tender, about 20-30 minutes.
5. Serve hot with rice.

5) Chicken Afritada

Chicken Afritada is a delicious Filipino dish. You will love the tender chicken cooked in a rich tomato sauce. It also includes vegetables like carrots and potatoes, making it a hearty meal.

To prepare this dish, you’ll need basic ingredients. The chicken simmers in the sauce until it’s fully cooked, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully. You can serve it hot over steamed rice for a complete meal.

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 carrots, sliced
• 2 potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and add tomato paste.
5. Stir in carrots and potatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes until the chicken is tender.

6) Ginisang Ampalaya with Egg

Ginisang Ampalaya with Egg is a flavorful dish that features bitter melon, also known as ampalaya. This recipe combines the unique taste of ampalaya with eggs, making it a nutritious option for your meals.

To start, you will need fresh ampalaya that you will slice thinly. The bitterness of the vegetable is balanced with the savory flavor of scrambled eggs. You might also add garlic for an extra kick.

This dish is simple to prepare and cooks quickly. Serve it warm as a side or a main dish with rice. Enjoy your healthy, delicious meal!

Ingredients

• 2 medium ampalaya, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 eggs
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced ampalaya and cook for a few minutes.
4. Beat the eggs in a bowl and pour them over the cooked ampalaya.
5. Stir gently until the eggs are cooked.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

7) Kare-Kare with Oxtail

Kare-Kare is a popular Filipino dish that features oxtail in a creamy peanut sauce. It’s savory, hearty, and wonderfully comforting. This dish is often served with vegetables and shrimp paste on the side.

To make this recipe, you’ll need oxtail, which becomes tender when cooked slowly. The rich peanut sauce is made from ground peanuts or peanut butter, giving it a unique flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ lbs. oxtail
• 1 Knorr Pork Cube
• 2 bunches baby bok choy or pechay
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced
• 10 pieces snake beans
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 6 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, boil the oxtail in 6 cups of water for about 2-3 hours until tender.
2. Add the Knorr Pork Cube, salt, and pepper halfway through.
3. Once tender, mix in peanut butter and stir well.
4. Add the eggplant, snake beans, and bok choy. Cook until vegetables are tender.
5. Serve hot with shrimp paste on the side.

8) Pork Lechon Kawali

Pork Lechon Kawali is a delicious Filipino dish that features crispy fried pork belly. The crispy skin and tender meat make it a favorite for many.

To start, you will need some pork belly. The key is to boil it first to make sure it’s tender and flavorful. Once boiled, you can let it cool and dry out before frying.

When you’re ready, heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (180°C). Fry the pork belly until it’s golden brown and really crispy. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

Serve it with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce and vinegar. Enjoy this tasty dish with rice or as part of a main meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork belly
• Water
• Salt
• Oil for frying
• Dipping sauce (soy sauce and vinegar)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil the pork belly in salted water until tender.
2. Let it cool and dry.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (180°C).
4. Fry the pork belly until golden brown.
5. Serve with dipping sauce.

9) Sizzling Sisig

Sizzling Sisig is a beloved Filipino dish that brings together flavorful ingredients for a tasty experience. It’s commonly made with pork, but you can also find versions with seafood or chicken.

To make this dish, you’ll start by preparing the meat. You can use pork belly, which gives it a rich flavor. Combine it with vinegar and soy sauce for extra taste.

After cooking, it’s served on a hot plate, often topped with onions and chili peppers for a bit of heat. This dish is great as an appetizer or as part of your main meal.

Ingredients

• 500 grams pork belly
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 green chili peppers, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot and add the pork belly. Boil until the pork is tender.
2. Drain the pork and chop it into small pieces.
3. In a pan, mix vinegar and soy sauce. Then, add the chopped pork.
4. Cook the pork until it turns slightly crispy and golden.
5. Serve the pork on a sizzling plate with onions and chili. Enjoy!

10) Pinakbet with Shrimp

Pinakbet with shrimp is a delightful Filipino dish. It combines various vegetables with the sweetness of shrimp and a savory flavor from shrimp paste. This dish is both nutritious and tasty.

Start by sautéing garlic, onion, and ginger in oil until fragrant. Then, add your favorite vegetables, like squash and okra. Don’t forget the shrimp, which adds a lovely taste.

Simmer everything together until the vegetables are tender. Adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can enjoy Pinakbet with rice or as a main dish.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces of minced garlic
• 1 medium sliced onion
• 1 small piece of ginger, sliced
• 200 grams of shrimp
• 2 cups of sliced vegetables (like squash and okra)
• 2 tablespoons of shrimp paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil over medium heat (around 350°F or 180°C).

2. Sauté garlic, onion, and ginger until they smell good.

3. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink.

4. Stir in the vegetables and shrimp paste.

5. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender.

6. Season with salt and pepper as desired.