8 Simple Filipino Cooking Recipes Anyone Can Make

Ever find yourself craving something savory, sweet, and totally comforting all at once? Filipino food hits that spot every single time. I’m talking about bold flavors, easy-to-find ingredients, and dishes that make your kitchen smell like a hug. Whether you’re a complete newbie in the kitchen or just looking to spice up your meal rotation, Simple Filipino cooking is way easier than you think. And honestly? It’s about time more people discovered just how awesome these dishes are.

Filipino cuisine doesn’t get the hype it deserves, but it’s packed with flavor bombs that’ll make you wonder why you didn’t try cooking them sooner. From tangy adobo to crispy lumpia, these recipes are straightforward, forgiving, and seriously delicious. Plus, they’re perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. In this post, I’m breaking down eight Filipino recipes that anyone—and I mean anyone—can nail on their first try.

Why Filipino Food Deserves a Spot in Your Kitchen

Filipino cooking is all about balance. You’ve got sour, sweet, salty, and umami all playing together like a perfectly tuned band. The best part? Most recipes don’t require fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. You’re working with pantry staples like soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and rice—things you probably already have hanging around.

What really sets Filipino food apart is its flexibility. Recipes aren’t rigid. You can tweak, substitute, and adjust based on what you’ve got. Out of chicken? Use pork. No tamarind? Lemon works in a pinch. This cooking style is forgiving, which makes it perfect for beginners who might be scared of messing up.
And let’s be real—food is about more than just eating. It’s about connection, culture, and comfort.

Filipino dishes bring people together, whether it’s a Sunday family dinner or a random Tuesday nightwhen you just want something that feels like home.

Adobo – The Ultimate Gateway Dish

If you only learn one Filipino recipe, make it adobo. This dish is the foundation of Simple Filipino cooking, and it’s ridiculously easy. You’re basically simmering meat in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves until everything gets tender and flavorful.
Here’s what you need:

• Chicken thighs or pork belly
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar (white or cane)
• Garlic (lots of it)
• Bay leaves
• Black peppercorns

Throw everything in a pot, bring it to a boil, then let it simmer until the meat is fall-apart tender. The longer it sits, the better it tastes. Some people like their adobo saucy, others prefer it dry and caramelized. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Pro tip: Make a big batch and store it in the fridge. Adobo tastes even better the next day, and it reheats like a dream.

Sinigang – Sour Soup That Hits Different

Sinigang is a sour tamarind soup that’s both light and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of dish you crave when you’re feeling under the weather or just want something that warms you from the inside out.
The base is usually pork, shrimp, or fish, and you load it up with vegetables like radish, eggplant, tomatoes, and leafy greens. The sour punch comes from tamarind paste, which you can find at most Asian grocery stores or even on Amazon.
Here’s the basic rundown:

• Boil your protein in water with onions and tomatoes
• Add tamarind paste to create that signature sour flavor
• Toss in your veggies and simmer until tender
• Season with fish sauce to taste

The beauty of sinigang is you can customize it based on what you like. Want more veggies? Go for it. Prefer shrimp over pork? Do your thing. It’s comfort food that adapts to your mood.

Lumpia – Filipino Spring Rolls You’ll Devour

Lumpia are crispy, savory spring rolls that disappear faster than you can make them. They’re perfect as appetizers, snacks, or even a full meal if you make enough (trust me, you’ll want to).

The filling is usually ground pork or beef mixed with finely chopped veggies like carrots, onions, and cabbage. Season it with soy sauce, garlic, and a little salt and pepper. Then you wrap everything in thin spring roll wrappers and fry them until golden and crispy.
Quick steps:

• Cook your meat and veggie filling in a pan
• Let it cool completely (this is important—hot filling makes soggy wrappers)
• Wrap small portions in spring roll wrappers, sealing the edges with water
• Deep fry until golden brown

Serve with sweet chili sauce or a vinegar dipping sauce, and watch them vanish. IMO, lumpia is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, especially if you’ve got picky eaters around.

Pancit – Noodles That Bring Good Luck

Pancit is a stir-fried noodle dish that’s traditionally served at birthdays and celebrations because it symbolizes long life. But honestly, you don’t need a special occasion to whip up a batch—it’s quick, filling, and uses whatever protein and veggies you have on hand.

There are tons of pancit variations, but pancit Canton (with thick egg noodles) and pancit bihon (with thin rice noodles) are the most popular. You sauté garlic and onions, toss in sliced meat and veggies, then mix in the noodles with soy sauce and a splash of broth.
Key ingredients:

• Noodles (Canton or bihon)
• Soy sauce
• Chicken or pork, sliced thin
• Cabbage, carrots, green beans
• Garlic and onions

The trick is not to overcook the noodles. You want them tender but not mushy. Add a squeeze of calamansi (Filipino lime) or regular lemon juice at the end for a bright, zesty finish.

Tinola – Ginger Chicken Soup for the Soul

Tinola is a light, ginger-infused chicken soup that’s wholesome and healing. It’s packed with vitamins from green papaya or chayote and leafy greens like spinach or moringa (malunggay).
This dish is all about simplicity. You sauté ginger, garlic, and onions, then add chicken pieces and water. Once the chicken is cooked, you toss in your veggies and season with fish sauce. That’s it. No complicated steps, no exotic ingredients.

The ginger gives it a warming kick that’s perfect when you’re feeling run down or just want something nourishing. Plus, it’s super budget-friendly—you can make a huge pot for just a few bucks.

Bistek Tagalog – Filipino Beef Steak with a Twist

Bistek is basically Filipino-style beef steak, and it’s crazy flavorful for how simple it is. Thin slices of beef are marinated in soy sauce and calamansi (or lemon), then pan-fried with onions until everything is caramelized and delicious.
What you’ll need:

• Thinly sliced beef (sirloin works great)
• Soy sauce
• Calamansi or lemon juice
• Onions, sliced into rings
• A little sugar to balance the flavors

Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes, then cook it in a hot pan with the onions. The marinade becomes a savory, tangy sauce that’s perfect over steamed rice. It’s a weeknight dinner that tastes like you put in way more effort than you actually did.

Ginataang Hipon – Creamy Coconut Shrimp

If you’re into creamy, coconutty vibes, ginataang hipon is your jam. It’s shrimp cooked in coconut milk with veggies like squash, string beans, and eggplant. The coconut milk makes everything rich and silky, while the shrimp adds a sweet, briny flavor.
You start by sautéing garlic, onions, and ginger, then pour in coconut milk and let it simmer. Add your veggies and shrimp, season with fish sauce, and you’re done. Some people add a little chili for heat, which I totally recommend if you like a kick.
This dish is perfect when you want something comforting but not too heavy. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly if you’re into that.

Turon – Sweet Banana Spring Rolls for Dessert

Okay, so turon isn’t a main dish, but you can’t talk about Simple Filipino cooking without mentioning dessert. Turon is basically caramelized banana spring rolls, and they’re dangerously addictive.
You take slices of ripe saba bananas (or regular bananas in a pinch), wrap them in spring roll wrappers with a bit of brown sugar, then fry them until crispy and golden. The sugar caramelizes into a crunchy coating that’s sweet, sticky, and absolutely irresistible.
Pro tip: Add a slice of jackfruit inside with the banana for an extra layer of flavor. Serve warm for maximum yumminess. 🙂

Tips for Nailing Filipino Cooking Every Time

Don’t skip the garlic. Seriously, Filipino food is all about garlic. If a recipe calls for three cloves, use five. You won’t regret it.

Taste as you go. Filipino cooking is all about balancing flavors—salty, sour, sweet. Adjust your soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar until it tastes right to you.

Use fresh ingredients when you can. Fresh garlic, onions, and ginger make a huge difference. But frozen veggies? Totally fine. No judgment here.

Rice is your best friend. Almost every Filipino dish is meant to be eaten with steamed white rice. It balances out the bold flavors and makes everything more satisfying.
Meal prep like a boss. Most of these dishes taste even better the next day, so make big batches and enjoy leftovers all week.

Wrapping It Up

Filipino food is flavorful, approachable, and way easier to cook than you might think. These eight recipes are proof that you don’t need to be a chef or have a fancy kitchen to make something absolutely delicious. Whether you’re whipping up adobo for dinner or frying lumpia for game day, you’re tapping into a food culture that’s all about flavor, family, and good vibes.

So grab your ingredients, crank up some music, and give Simple Filipino cooking a shot. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can master these dishes—and how fast they disappear from the table. Trust me, once you start, you won’t want to stop. 😉