Easy Filipino Food Recipes You Can Make at Home

Filipino Food is Easier Than You Think

Filipino cuisine, a vibrant tapestry of flavors influenced by Malay, Spanish, Chinese, and American culinary traditions, is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Many might assume that recreating these dishes at home requires years of experience and a pantry full of exotic ingredients. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Authentic and delicious Filipino food is surprisingly easy to cook, even for beginners. This article aims to demystify Filipino cooking and introduce you to a selection of easy to cook Filipino food recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your friends and family. We’ll explore why Filipino cuisine is more approachable than you think and provide step-by-step guides to some of the most beloved dishes.

One of the primary reasons people shy away from Filipino cooking is the perceived complexity of the recipes. However, a closer look reveals that many Filipino dishes rely on a foundation of simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques. You’ll find that the core building blocks of most Filipino food are readily available in your local grocery store.

The heart of Filipino flavor lies in a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and savory notes. This complexity is often achieved with a limited range of ingredients. Garlic, onions, soy sauce, vinegar (usually white vinegar or cane vinegar), and black pepper form the cornerstone of countless dishes. These ingredients are pantry staples that most home cooks already have on hand. Unlike some other cuisines that require specialized equipment or lengthy preparation processes, Filipino food often relies on basic cooking methods like sautéing, boiling, and braising.

Myths surrounding complex preparation techniques are easily dispelled. While some traditional recipes may call for specific processes passed down through generations, there are plenty of modernized and simplified versions that capture the authentic flavor without the overwhelming effort. The emphasis is on achieving the characteristic Filipino taste through the careful balance of key ingredients.

Must-Try Easy Filipino Food Recipes

Let’s dive into some specific recipes that demonstrate how easy it is to cook Filipino food at home. These dishes represent some of the most popular and approachable options for beginner Filipino cooks.

Adobo: The Soul of Filipino Cooking

Adobo is arguably the most iconic Filipino dish, and for good reason. Its versatility and ease of preparation make it a staple in Filipino households. The beauty of adobo lies in its simplicity: meat (usually chicken or pork) is marinated and braised in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns.

Ingredients: Chicken or pork (cubed), soy sauce, white vinegar, garlic (minced), bay leaves, black peppercorns, cooking oil.
Instructions: Sauté garlic in cooking oil. Add chicken or pork and brown. Pour in soy sauce and vinegar. Add bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened. Serve with rice.
Tips: For a richer flavor, brown the meat thoroughly before adding the liquids. Adjust the ratio of soy sauce and vinegar to your preference. Some variations include adding sugar for a sweeter taste.

Sinigang: A Symphony of Sourness

Sinigang is a beloved Filipino soup characterized by its distinct sourness. This sourness typically comes from tamarind, but other souring agents like guava, tomatoes, or even unripe mangoes can be used. The soup usually contains meat (pork, beef, or seafood), vegetables like water spinach (kangkong), eggplant, and long beans.

Ingredients: Pork (cubed), water, tamarind soup base (available in packets), onions (quartered), tomatoes (quartered), water spinach (kangkong), long beans (cut), eggplant (cubed), fish sauce (optional).
Instructions: Boil pork in water until tender. Add onions and tomatoes and simmer until softened. Stir in tamarind soup base. Add eggplant and long beans and cook until tender. Add water spinach and fish sauce (if using) and cook until wilted. Serve hot with rice.
Tips: The sourness level is easily adjusted by adding more or less tamarind soup base. Feel free to substitute vegetables based on your availability and preference.

Pancit Bihon: A Noodle Dish for Every Occasion

Pancit Bihon is a popular Filipino noodle dish made with thin rice noodles (bihon), vegetables, and meat (usually chicken or pork). It’s often served at celebrations and gatherings.

Ingredients: Bihon noodles, chicken or pork (sliced), onions (sliced), garlic (minced), carrots (julienned), cabbage (shredded), soy sauce, fish sauce, cooking oil.
Instructions: Soak bihon noodles in water until softened. Sauté garlic and onions in cooking oil. Add chicken or pork and cook until browned. Add carrots and cabbage and sauté until slightly softened. Add soy sauce and fish sauce. Add softened bihon noodles and toss until evenly coated. Cook until noodles are tender. Serve hot.
Tips: Don’t overcook the noodles, as they will become mushy. Add shrimp or other seafood for a more flavorful pancit.

Lumpia Shanghai: Crispy and Addictive Spring Rolls

Lumpia Shanghai are Filipino-style spring rolls filled with a mixture of ground pork, vegetables, and seasonings. They are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy.

Ingredients: Ground pork, carrots (minced), onions (minced), garlic (minced), egg, spring roll wrappers, soy sauce, salt, pepper, cooking oil.
Instructions: Combine ground pork, carrots, onions, garlic, egg, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well. Place a spoonful of the mixture onto a spring roll wrapper. Roll tightly and seal with water. Heat cooking oil in a deep fryer or pot. Fry lumpia until golden brown and crispy. Serve with sweet chili sauce or other dipping sauce.
Tips: Make sure the spring roll wrappers are properly sealed to prevent the filling from spilling out during frying. Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature.

Arroz Caldo: Comfort in a Bowl

Arroz Caldo is a Filipino rice porridge similar to congee. It’s a comforting and savory dish often eaten for breakfast or as a snack.

Ingredients: Rice, chicken (cooked and shredded), chicken broth, ginger (minced), garlic (minced), onions (minced), fish sauce, scallions (chopped), hard-boiled eggs (optional).
Instructions: Sauté garlic, onions, and ginger in a pot. Add rice and toast for a few minutes. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the rice is cooked and the mixture has thickened. Stir in shredded chicken and fish sauce. Garnish with scallions and hard-boiled eggs (if using). Serve hot.
Tips: Use leftover cooked chicken for convenience. Adjust the amount of chicken broth to achieve your desired consistency.

Ginisang Munggo: A Hearty and Nutritious Stew

Ginisang Munggo is a savory stew made with mung beans, vegetables, and often pork or shrimp. It’s a healthy and filling dish that’s popular in Filipino households.

Ingredients: Mung beans, pork or shrimp (diced), onions (chopped), garlic (minced), spinach or bitter melon leaves, fish sauce, cooking oil.
Instructions: Soak mung beans in water for several hours. Sauté garlic and onions in cooking oil. Add pork or shrimp and cook until browned. Add soaked mung beans and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the mung beans are tender. Add spinach or bitter melon leaves and fish sauce. Cook until wilted. Serve with rice.
Tips: Soaking the mung beans helps them cook faster. Add more water if the stew becomes too thick.

Tortang Talong: Eggplant Omelet Delight

Tortang Talong is a simple yet delicious eggplant omelet. Roasted eggplant is mashed and mixed with eggs, then pan-fried until golden brown.

Ingredients: Eggplant, eggs, salt, pepper, cooking oil.
Instructions: Roast eggplant until the skin is charred. Peel off the skin and mash the eggplant. Mix mashed eggplant with eggs, salt, and pepper. Heat cooking oil in a pan. Pour eggplant mixture into the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve with rice and ketchup.
Tips: Roast the eggplant directly over a gas stove or on a grill for the best flavor.

Chicken Tinola: A Soothing Chicken Soup

Chicken Tinola is a classic Filipino chicken soup with ginger, green papaya, and chili leaves. It’s known for its comforting and soothing qualities.

Ingredients: Chicken (cut into pieces), water, ginger (sliced), onions (quartered), green papaya (cubed), chili leaves (optional), fish sauce, cooking oil.
Instructions: Sauté ginger and onions in cooking oil. Add chicken and cook until browned. Pour in water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is tender. Add green papaya and chili leaves (if using). Cook until the papaya is tender. Season with fish sauce. Serve hot.
Tips: Use bone-in chicken pieces for a richer flavor. Adjust the amount of ginger to your preference.

Essential Filipino Pantry Staples

Having these essential ingredients on hand will make it much easier to prepare easy to cook Filipino food whenever the craving strikes.

Soy Sauce: A fundamental ingredient used for marinating, seasoning, and adding umami to dishes.
Vinegar (White, Cane, or Coconut): Provides the characteristic sourness in many Filipino dishes.
Garlic: Aromatic and essential for flavoring almost every Filipino dish.
Onions: Another essential aromatic base for Filipino cooking.
Fish Sauce (Patís): Adds a salty and savory flavor to soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Black Peppercorns: Used whole or ground to add a subtle spice.
Dried Bay Leaves: Infuse dishes with a subtle herbal aroma.

Tips for Simplifying Filipino Cooking

Even these easy recipes can be further simplified with a few clever tricks.

Time-Saving Shortcuts: Use pre-minced garlic and pre-cut vegetables to save time and effort.
Batch Cooking and Meal Prepping: Prepare ingredients in advance and store them for later use. Cook large batches of dishes and freeze them for quick and easy meals.
Adjusting to Your Tastes:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavors. Adjust the recipes to suit your personal preferences.

Embrace Experimentation: Filipino cuisine is all about balancing flavors, so feel free to try new combinations and see what works best for you.

Conclusion

Filipino food is a delicious and diverse cuisine that is more accessible than many people realize. With a few basic ingredients and simple cooking techniques, you can easily recreate authentic Filipino dishes in your own kitchen. Don’t be intimidated by the perceived complexity of Filipino food. Start with these easy to cook Filipino food recipes, explore the flavors, and discover the joy of Filipino cooking. You’ll be surprised at how rewarding it is to create these flavorful and comforting dishes at home. Mabuhay! (Long live!) Start your Filipino cooking journey today and you might be surprise with how easy it can be! Don’t forget to share your cooking result to your friends and family! This will be a delightful experience for everyone.