Are you looking for some easy Filipino recipes? I have you covered with authentic dishes ranging from savory entrees to sweet desserts.
These 30 traditional meals feature hearty proteins and intense flavors that will make your stomach happy. You might find fatty meats and umami rich broths in this cooking style.
It is time to shake up your weekly routine with something exciting. Let’s dive into these memorable eats.
1. Pork Chicharon
Pork chicharon is a classic snack made by deep frying pork rinds until they are perfectly crisp. These cracklings are fatty and crunchy and seriously addictive.
You simply cannot stop eating them after just one bite. They are irresistible on their own but taste even better when you dip them in vinegar.
I consider this one of the tastiest snacks in the entire world.
2. Sizzling Sisig
A drinking session in the Philippines is just not complete without a hot platter of sizzling sisig. This delicacy features chopped up pork parts flavored with onions and chili peppers.
You fry it until it is sizzling hot. The dish highlights the ingenuity of locals who wanted to avoid wasting food.
It uses parts like grilled pig face and ears and brains to create a mind blowingly delicious meal.
3. Leche Flan
Leche flan is the most ubiquitous dessert you will find in the Philippines. This treat is the Filipino version of crème caramel.
The custard is smooth and velvety with a luscious caramel glaze on top. You can eat it on its own or pair it with other sweets like ube jam.
It is easy to make since you only need milk and sugar and eggs plus a steamer.
4. Filipino Spaghetti
Filipino spaghetti is much sweeter and meatier than the classic version you might know. It is also significantly cheesier.
Italians might raise an eyebrow at this recipe but you really must try it. You cook ground beef or pork in a sweet tomato based sauce before loading it with cheddar cheese.
The sauce is ridiculously rich. Some people even add cut up hot dogs to make kids love it even more.
5. Filipino-Style Chicken Adobo Recipe
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for over three centuries so many dishes have Spanish influences. Adobo comes from the word adobar which means to marinade.
This Filipino adobo features browned chicken cooked in vinegar and soy sauce. You season it with garlic and peppercorns for a savory flavor with a hint of acidity.
The sauce thickens into a golden glaze that tastes perfect with steamed rice.
6. Buko Pie
Buko Pie is the ultimate tropical pie experience. It features tender young coconut meat and a sweet filling inside a flaky crust.
Buko is abundant in the Philippines so locals use it widely in recipes. This pie is one of the best ways to highlight that sweet coconut flavor.
You will love the buttery crust.
7. Pineapple Coleslaw
Filipinos enjoy having some sweetness in their savory dishes. This coleslaw is no exception.
It features pineapple tidbits and raisins coated in mayonnaise. This version is much sweeter than what you are likely used to eating.
The dressing does have some vinegar in it to balance the flavors perfectly. You might just switch to this style for good.
8. Beef Mechado
Beef mechado is a super saucy stew that is loaded with carrots and potatoes. The sauce combines canned tomato sauce with soy sauce and garlic and onions.
You also use bay leaves and pepper for seasoning. It takes a while to prepare this dish because the beef needs time to soften.
You will be rewarded with fork tender meat swimming in a rich stew.
9. Sago at Gulaman
Sago at gulaman is a sweet and refreshing beverage sold on the streets. It feels like summer almost all year round in the Philippines so cold drinks are a must.
This sugary beverage is loaded with tapioca pearls and cubes of gelatin. It is the perfect thirst quencher for beating the heat.
10. Eggplant Omelet
Have you ever thought about combining eggs and eggplant into one dish? This is a common weeknight side dish in the Philippines called Tortang Talong.
You make this savory meal by frying an egg battered eggplant. You grill the eggplant first to give it a smoky flavor before coating it in the egg mixture.
I like serving it alongside rice and a meat dish.
11. Lumpiang Shanghai
Lumpiang Shanghai is a local favorite inspired by Chinese cuisine. You mix ground meat with onions and carrots before stuffing the mixture into egg roll wrappers.
You deep fry them until they are golden brown. These rolls are insanely addictive.
It is a real challenge to limit yourself to just three pieces. They make the ultimate party finger food when dipped in ketchup.
12. Sinangag (Filipino Garlic Fried Rice)
Sinangag is the ultimate breakfast side dish. You make this garlic fried rice with day old rice fried in oil and garlic.
It offers the best aroma to wake up to in the morning. The basic formula is simple but Filipinos often add extra ingredients to flesh it out.
You might find peas and carrots and bits of ham in your bowl. It is usually served with a fried egg and traditional meat.
13. Taisan (Filipino Chiffon Cake)
Taisan is an incredibly soft and fluffy chiffon cake. You smear it with butter and top it with grated cheese and sugar.
It tastes sweet and buttery and simply divine. This cake does not even need an overly sweet frosting to be delightful.
The combination of simple toppings is enough to make it absolutely amazing.
14. Beef Pochero
Pochero is a dish for special occasions made with tender beef and chorizo. You cook it in a rich tomato based stew with potatoes and carrots and chickpeas.
The addition of saba banana makes this recipe extra special. Saba is a native sweet plantain that is shorter and fatter than a regular banana.
It adds a mild flavor to this hearty stew.
15. Beef Pares
Beef pares features ultra tender beef cooked in a sweet and savory broth. The meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth.
You marinate the brisket in soy sauce and brown sugar to get that wonderful flavor. The broth is absolutely to die for.
Pares means pair in Filipino because the dish is best paired with rice.
16. Tinolang Manok
Tinolang manok is a chicken soup served with rice. You flavor the broth with ginger and garlic and onions.
A salty fish sauce and chili pepper leaves add heat and depth. It is one of the easiest and most affordable dishes to cook.
It is also one of the most flavorful meals you can make.
17. Iskrambol
Iskrambol is a street food also known as ice scramble. It is made from shaved ice and powdered milk and pink food coloring.
Every local kid knows about this sweet and mesmerizing treat. The pink hue catches your attention immediately.
The true origins remain a mystery but this recipe nails the oddly satisfying flavors. I am sure you will fall in love with it.
18. Pan De Sal
Filipinos really love their bread. Pan de sal is one of the most popular rolls in the country.
The name is a Spanish term that means salt bread but it is actually sweet. You can fill it with jam or butter or meat for a hearty breakfast meal.
It is a favorite breakfast side dish right next to fried rice.
19. Cheese Puto
Puto is a small and round rice based cake. You make it with glutinous rice for a sweet and fluffy result.
I love topping it with a few slices of cheddar cheese to add a salty contrast. You can enjoy it as an afternoon snack or eat it as a side dish with dinuguan.
It is simply amazing.
20. Arroz Caldo
Arroz caldo is a savory rice porridge filled with chicken and scallions. You top it with a hard boiled egg and toasted garlic.
Think of this dish as Filipino congee. It is the ultimate comfort food for a cold and rainy day.
The broth is flavored with ginger to make it cozy and comforting.
21. Monggo Guisado
Monggo guisado is a thick bean stew packed with umami. You make it from mung beans that have been soaked in water for several hours.
This process makes them tender and easier to cook. You sauté the beans in garlic and onions before simmering them.
The result is a ridiculously rich dish that melts in your mouth.
22. Adobong Balut
This dish combines two local favorites to make one special meal. Balut is a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell.
Locals will likely offer this delicacy to you immediately. This recipe marinates the balut in vinegar and soy sauce in the adobo style.
You peel the shells off to help the eggs absorb more flavor. It is actually quite tasty if you do not mind the hairy embryo.
23. Filipino Coconut Macaroons
Coconut macaroons are a classic confection. You make them from eggs and desiccated coconut and sweetened condensed milk.
These little mounds of pleasure are delightfully sweet and chewy. The coconut adds a toasted nutty flavor that complements the cake perfectly.
You will love having these around.
24. Banana Fritters
Banana fritters are also known as maruya. This classic snack features mashed saba bananas mixed with a flour batter.
You deep fry them and coat them in sugar. The result is sweet and crunchy.
It makes for the perfect breakfast or afternoon treat.
25. Kare-Kare
Kare-kare is an umami rich stew made of oxtail and tripe. The meat and vegetables swim in a thick peanut sauce.
You pair it with sweet shrimp paste for an explosion of flavors. Tripe has a uniquely soft and chewy consistency that works well with fatty oxtail.
It is one of my favorite banana blossom recipes and is definitely worth the effort.
26. Buko Pandan Ice Cream
Buko pandan is an addictive dessert made by combining young coconut meat with pandan flavored gelatin. This recipe transforms that classic treat into ice cream.
You do not even need a machine to whip this up. It creates a creamy dessert without any churning.
Who does not love ice cream?
27. Ginger Tea (Filipino Salabat)
Salabat is a hot tea made from ginger. You flavor it with a bit of sugar.
The ginger gives the tea a soothing flavor profile. It is widely used for curing sore throats and laryngitis.
It is a simple and comforting drink.
28. Pininyahang Manok
Pininyahang manok is a sweet and savory dish. You marinate chicken in pineapple juice before cooking it in milk.
It is loaded with pineapples and carrots and bell peppers. This is the ultimate comfort food.
The rice soaks up the rich milk based broth beautifully.