17 Authentic Filipino Recipes

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Filipino foods are just loaded with umami rich flavor and savory spices. These 17 authentic Filipino recipes are sure to please.

Pair any one of these authentic Filipino dishes for a well-balanced meal or serve them individually. The choice is yours.

Each of these dishes are easy enough that you can try in your kitchen at home, but do not worry, they are still loaded with taste.

Contents

17 Authentic Filipino Recipes

1. Lumpia

If you are looking for a delicious fried food, then lumpia is for you. Fried to a crispy perfection outside it has a moist filling.

I like to use pork when making Lumpia. Any cut of pork will work fine. You can also use other meats as well, such as beef.

Lumpia Shanghai Recipe 

2. Sinigang

This recipe is chalked full of vegetables and so it is healthy as well as tasty. The sourness of the tamarind brings out the sweet flavor of the pork.

When making this recipe you can make it using fresh tamarind, or you can use powered tamarind mix or tamarind paste in a jar.

Sinigang na Baboy (Pork Sinigang) | Foxy Folksy

3. Arroz Caldo

Arroz Caldo is the Filipino version of chicken and rice. Loaded with flavor this dish can be served as a soup or a porridge.

You can make this dish a bit healthier by using brown rice instead of white rice. The taste will not be a whole lot different.

Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken Porridge) | Pickled Plum | Easy Asian Recipes

4. Pako Salad

Pako Salad is good to eat and is a great way to get in your calcium for the day. This tasty Pako (fiddlehead fern) absorbs the flavor of other ingredients.

Be sure to blanch the Pako in icy water instead of hot water to retain the crunchiness of the Pako. Top with egg, tomato and onion.

Pako Salad Recipe (carminalifestyle.com)

5. Filipino-Style Chicken Curry

Filipino-style chicken curry is one of my favorite dishes because of the mild taste of the coconut sauce. This creamy chicken is also easy to make.

I believe that the thickness of the sauce is important. To get a thicker sauce cook uncovered for an extra few minutes before serving.

Filipino-Style Chicken Curry – Lola Kusinera

6. Beef Mechado

If you are looking for a comforting Filipino beef stew to warm you up, then serve up a bowl of beef Mechado.

For even cooking, cut beef up into the same size portions. Also, remember to pan-fry carrots and potatoes until brown before adding them into the pot to avoid them breaking apart.

Traditional Beef Mechado (Mitsado) – Kawaling Pinoy

7. Pancit Palabok

If you are looking to serve noodles for your Filipino dish, then be sure to try Pancit Palabok. The creamy sauce goes well with just about any meat you top it with.

Be sure to not overcook your rice noodles. Overcooked noodles will become mushy. Noodles should still be slightly firm when fully cooked.

Your Favorite Pancit Palabok Made Easy | Foxy Folksy

8. Kare Kare

This oxtail soup comes with a rich and delicious peanut sauce that is sure to keep your family coming back for more.

You can substitute beef for pork. Also, remember to cook the beef and the vegetables separately to prevent the veggies from being overcooked.

BEEF KARE-KARE (cookingwithpeachy.com)

9. Filipino-Style Chicken Adobo

The garlic flavor in this recipe sends your taste buds on a flavor-packed journey. Then juicy chicken legs fall off the bone tender.

Usually, this dish is made with coconut, palm, or cane vinegar. If these vinegar are not available, rice vinegar can be used instead.

Chicken Adobo Filipino-Style – A Simple Tweak

10. Beef Pares

Beef pares is a winning combination of flavor and texture. The hot broth mixes with the rice and beef well.

Traditionally beef brisket is used, however, any stewing beef can be used such as short ribs, or shanks. The slow cooking will tenderize any meat.

Beef Pares with Garlic Fried Rice – Kawaling Pinoy

11. Filipino Spaghetti

Because of the sliced hotdogs and banana sauce, Filipino spaghetti is slightly sweeter than traditional spaghetti.

Remember to cook the hotdogs separately until slightly brown and then add them in once the spaghetti has finished cooking.

Filipino Spaghetti – Salu Salo Recipes (salu-salo.com)

12. Leche Flan

This rich and creamy custard is popular at parties and on holidays, but you can also serve it as a delicious weeknight dessert.

The ingredients used are simple. Just mix some sugar, eggs, condensed milk, evaporated milk, water, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.

Leche Flan (Caramel Custard) – Salu Salo Recipes (salu-salo.com)

13. Pan De Sal

Pan de sal is a soft and flavorful Filipino dinner roll that is usually served at breakfast but can be eaten any time of the day.

For a softer texture and a richer flavor, you can use milk instead of water and add in a couple of eggs. Also, the type of flour used will determine how much water to use. More protein/gluten equals more water.

Pandesal Recipe – Soft and Buttery | Foxy Folksy

14. Tortang Talong

Tortang Talong is another word for eggplant salad. The bland taste of the eggplant absorbs the taste of the egg well.

Choosing the right eggplant is important. The plant should be free from bruises, discolorations or wrinkles.

Tortang Talong (Filipino-style Omelet) – Kawaling Pinoy

15. Buchi

Buchi is a delicious treat that can be served as an appetizer or a snack. Its crunchy on the outside and has a sweet filling.

Traditionally buchi is made with a lotus paste but that can be a little hard to come by and so a sweet black or red bean paste is usually used.

Buchi | Chibogan Na

16. Pichi Pichi

This gelatin-like dessert is a great way to fill you up without being too heavy on the wallet. The crunchy coconut is the perfect compliment to the soft gelatin.

Pichi Pich is easy to make and does not require a lot of ingredients. Sugar, water, lye water, boku-pandan essence and coconut is all you need.

Pichi Pichi Recipe (panlasangpinoy.com)

17. Lechon Manok

Lechon Manok is a Filipino roasted chicken that is bursting with flavor and tenderness. The lemongrass, shallots, and garlic give this chicken its authentic taste.

This chicken works best if you marinade the chicken for two days prior to cooking. Also, pineapple juice can be added.

Juicy Lechon Manok-Filipino Roasted Chicken – Riverten Kitchen

Wrap Up

So, if you are looking to serve up some Filipino food for dinner, do not forget to try one of these authentic Filipino recipe ideas.

If you enjoy reading about these delicious authentic Filipino recipes and would like to add a suggestion, leave a comment below.

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