17 Flavorful Filipino Main Dishes That Will Keep Your Taste Buds Excited!

Thinking of exploring the world of Filipino cuisine for the first time? You’ve come to the right place! With its rich cultural heritage and diverse influences, Filipino cooking offers a plethora of flavors and options to suit any occasion. From the popular lumpia to lesser-known dishes, we’re about to take you on a culinary journey that will leave you craving more.

The Philippines’ unique blend of Spanish, Chinese, American, and Malay cuisines has resulted in a distinctive style of cooking that’s equal parts bold, vibrant, and satisfying. Take Kare-Kare, for instance – its rich peanut sauce and tender beef are sure to pique your interest. Or how about Beef Pochero, a hearty stew that will warm your heart and fill your belly? Filipino main dishes offer something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking to try something new.

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Transform your culinary experience by incorporating peanuts into a hearty stew. A perfect example of this is Kare Kare, a beloved Filipino dish that combines the richness of peanut butter with tender oxtail, eggplant, green beans, and bok choy. While it may require more than an hour to prepare using an instant pot, the end result is well worth the wait. Serve Kare Kare with a side of white rice and shrimp paste for a truly satisfying meal.

Pork Binagoongan

Pork Binagoongan

Indulge in a culinary classic with Pork Binagoongan, a mouthwatering dish that’s sure to satisfy your cravings. The combination of tender pork belly, sautéed onions, garlic, eggplant, tomatoes, long green peppers, and the savory flavor of bagoong alamang creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave you wanting more. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to prepare and cooks quickly, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

So why not give it a try and delight in the fruits of your labor?

Inihaw Na Baboy

Inihaw Na Baboy

Indulge in the unmistakable charm of Filipino cuisine with this mouthwatering recipe that has won over many hearts. The harmonious balance of smoky flavor, crispy char, and tender meat makes it a perfect introduction to the country’s culinary delights.

The secret lies in the marinade, where skinless pork belly meets minced garlic, soy sauce, 7Up, brown sugar, banana ketchup, and calamansi or lemon juice. Allow the flavors to meld together for 4 hours before grilling it to perfection.

Serve with a side of steaming hot rice and atchara, a sweet and sour pickled vegetable condiment, and your hunger will be nothing but a distant memory.

Crispy Pork Belly

Crispy Pork Belly

Satisfy your craving for something crunchy, crispy, and indulgent with this scrumptious pork belly dish. Each bite is a textural delight, boasting an irresistible crunch that’s hard to resist. The best part? You can achieve this mouthwatering result without drowning the meat in oil or resorting to deep-frying. Simply cook it in an air fryer for a crispy, crackly, and utterly delicious pork belly experience.

For an added layer of flavor, consider dipping it in spiced vinegar – your taste buds will thank you!

Pancit Palabok

Pancit Palabok

Indulge in a culinary adventure by trying Pancit Palabok, a flavorful dish that combines rice noodles with a savory shrimp-based sauce. This mouthwatering combination is topped with an assortment of delicious ingredients, including succulent shrimp, eggs, tofu, crispy tinapa, tender squid, crunchy chicharron, and a sprinkle of green onions and toasted garlic for added depth. For the perfect accompaniment, pair it with Puto Cheese and serve calamansi on the side for a truly satisfying experience.

Chicken Inasal

Chicken Inasal

While many people enjoy grilling chicken, Chicken Inasal offers a unique twist by marinating the meat in a mixture of vinegar, calamansi juice, and spices. The process is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just two easy steps. First, prepare the marinade, then grill the chicken while periodically brushing it with a basting sauce as needed. For an added layer of flavor, serve it alongside atchara, and you’ll have a well-rounded meal.

Pork Adobo

Pork Adobo

Indulge in the rich flavors of Pork Adobo, a beloved Filipino classic. This savory, tangy, and slightly sweet dish has gained worldwide recognition for its bold taste. The recipe, which originated in the Philippines, involves slow-cooking pork in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic sauce. When served with warm rice, it’s an absolute delight that will leave you craving more.

I had the pleasure of trying this delectable dish at our Christmas brunch, where it was expertly prepared by local Filipino chefs who catered for us. The end result was a mouthwatering Adobo experience that left me wanting more.

Crispy Pata

Crispy Pata

Indulge in the unbridled flavors of this Crispy Pata recipe, which transforms fried pig’s hock into an unparalleled culinary experience. The harmonious blend of crispy exterior and succulent interior will leave your taste buds singing. This delectable dish isn’t just a satisfying main course option; it’s also an ideal accompaniment to a cold beer during game nights with loved ones.

Stir-Fried Pork Bok Choy & Tofu

Stir-Fried Pork Bok Choy & Tofu

Savory dinner lovers, rejoice! This Stir-Fried Pork Bok Choy and Tofu recipe is a masterclass in simplicity. With just a few key steps, you can create a mouth-watering meal that’s sure to become a staple in your household. Start by browning the pork belly to perfection, then slow-cook it until it’s tender and falls-apart easy. Next, sauté some garlic and onion until they’re soft and fragrant, then add in the bok choy and oyster sauce for an added layer of umami flavor.

Stir-fry everything together until the veggies are cooked to your liking, and finally, toss in the cooked tofu and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. The result is a dish that’s at once savory, sweet, and satisfying – the perfect way to cap off a long day.

Sauteed Green Beans With Pork

Sauteed Green Beans With Pork

Green beans are a culinary chameleon, effortlessly adapting to a wide range of cooking methods and flavors. One delightful combination is the harmonious union of succulent pork, fragrant aromatics, and tender green beans, all sautéed to perfection. The resulting dish is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a satisfying accompaniment to a warm serving of rice.

Sinigang Na Buto Buto Ng Baboy

Sinigang Na Buto Buto Ng Baboy

Indulge in the comfort of traditional Filipino cuisine with this easy-to-make Sinigang Na Buto Buto Ng Baboy recipe. This hearty dish is characterized by its rich pork bone broth, bursting with flavors from a medley of vegetables such as okra, eggplant, string beans, radish, and water spinach, all balanced by the tanginess of tamarind. The result is a satisfying and warm meal that’s sure to become a new favorite.

Beef Pochero

Beef Pochero

The versatility of Beef Pochero is reminiscent of the diverse range of Filipino dishes that can be prepared in various ways. While there may be differences in the ingredients used, one common thread runs through all recipes: the use of tomatoes as a base. Whether it’s baked beans substituting for chickpeas, potatoes replacing sweet potatoes, or cabbage taking the place of bok choy, the core elements remain the same – slow-cooked beef with chorizo, beans, starchy root crops, and leafy greens.

Chicken Adobo Sa Gata

When cooking with gata or coconut milk, the choice is yours! For a hassle-free experience, try making Chicken Adobo Sa Gata. The process begins by marinating chicken in a mixture of garlic, peppercorns, and soy sauce for 20 minutes to an hour. Next, fry the garlic until it’s golden brown, followed by the marinated chicken and dried bay leaves. A splash of vinegar adds depth to the dish, while the gata enhances the overall flavor.

Serve hot over a steaming bowl of rice and indulge in the deliciousness!

Tinolang Manok

Tinolang Manok

Indulge in the quintessential Filipino comfort food – Tinolang Manok. This humble yet satisfying soup, made with chicken, papaya, spinach, and a hint of ginger, not only warms the soul but also provides a nutritious and flavorful meal. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make! Simply serve it hot and savor the rich flavors that will leave you feeling cozy and content.

Pancit Canton

Pancit Canton

In many Filipino celebrations, Pancit Canton takes center stage, particularly during birthdays and other festive occasions. Its significance goes beyond its delectable taste, as locals believe that savoring this noodle dish can bring longevity. To prepare this iconic recipe, combine pork or beef liver, pork or chicken, cabbage, and carrots in a savory blend of oil, soy sauce, pepper, and calamansi juice – half-cooking the ingredients to perfection.

For added flair, consider topping with boiled eggs before serving. And for a satisfying accompaniment, serve it alongside sliced bread, which makes for a filling Filipino experience.

Bistek Tagalog

Bistek Tagalog

If you’re craving a simple yet satisfying beef dish, look no further than Bistek Tagalog, also known as Beef Steak. This beloved Filipino recipe has gained popularity worldwide for its bold flavors and ease of preparation. The key to this dish’s success lies in the marinade, where thinly sliced beef is soaked in a tangy soy-citrus mixture before being pan-fried to perfection.

Giniling Guisado

Satisfy your hunger with a hearty and flavorful meal. For a true culinary experience, look no further than the classic Giniling Guisado recipe, a staple in every Filipino household. This beloved dish is made by sautéing ground beef with aromatics like onion, garlic, and tomato, then adding diced potatoes, carrots, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and seasoning to taste.

If you’re ready to venture beyond the familiar and explore the diverse world of Filipino cuisine, let’s start your culinary adventure today!

The bottom line

What sets Filipino cuisine apart is its adaptability. These mouthwatering main courses can be effortlessly incorporated into your daily meals, making them a staple in any household. The beauty of Filipino food lies in its flexibility – you can easily substitute the protein with your preferred choice without compromising on taste. In fact, trying these dishes with some of our recommended Filipino desserts will take your culinary experience to the next level.

For your next gathering or celebration, we’ve curated a list of 17 mouthwatering Filipino main courses that are sure to impress.

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