The Philippines boasts hundreds of islands with unique cultures and cuisine. There are also plenty of foods to choose from.
Thanksgiving has historically been one of the holidays where Filipinos have incorporated American traditions into their celebrations.
So, if you’re new to the Filipino-American experience or curious about which dishes to include on your holiday table this year.
Here are traditional Filipino Thanksgiving foods that you need to try this year!
Pancit
The first on our list of Filipino Thanksgiving foods is Pancit, a popular noodle dish made with rice noodles, vegetables, and meat.
Therefore, Pancit is often served at parties and celebrations, making it the perfect dish for Thanksgiving.
This year, try something new and add pancit to your Thanksgiving feast! You can find this dish pre-made or purchase the ingredients and make it yourself.
Kare-Kare
Kare-Kare is a classic Filipino Thanksgiving Food made with oxtail, beef, or chicken and a variety of vegetables.
The most important part of the dish is the peanut sauce, which is caused by grinding roasted peanuts into a paste.
Meanwhile, Kare-Kare is served with bagoong (fermented shrimp paste) on the side. Variations exist in different parts of the country where kare-kare may be cooked in coconut milk or other ingredients.
Bibingka
Bibingka is a type of rice cake popular as Filipino Thanksgiving Food. It’s usually made with glutinous rice, coconut milk, and brown sugar and is often served with a topping of grated coconut.
Bibingka is traditionally eaten during Christmas but can also be enjoyed as a Thanksgiving treat.
If you’re looking for something new to try this Thanksgiving, why not give bibingka a try? You might find that it’s your favorite fresh holiday food!
A Whole Roasted Pig
A whole roasted pig is the centerpiece of any Filipino feast, and Thanksgiving is no exception.
While it may seem daunting to cook an entire pig, it’s not as difficult as you think. Plus, the result is worth the effort!
With salt and pepper, place on a rack set inside a large pan lined with aluminum foil (to catch drippings).
Add water to cover halfway up the roast’s sides (or until just below where you cut), then cover tightly with foil.
White Rice
White rice is the most commonly eaten type of rice in the Philippines. It is usually the main meal dish and a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes.
Why not try something different this year and add white rice to your Thanksgiving feast?
Ginisang Puti
Ginisang Puti is a light-tasting, salty fish soup that is perfect for the Thanksgiving season. It is made with fresh fish, tomatoes, and onions and is best served with rice.
Meanwhile, this dish is traditionally prepared as Filipino Thanksgiving food but can be enjoyed anytime.
Ginataang Bangus
Ginataang Bangus is a delicious milkfish dish cooked in coconut milk. It is perfect for the Thanksgiving season because it is light and refreshing yet still hearty and filling. It’s easy to make and can be served with rice or noodles.
Inihaw na Manok
Inihaw na Manok (fried chicken marinated in vinegar and lemon juice before being cooked.
Manok is a Filipino Thanksgiving food, and it is chicken in Tagalog, and inihaw means grilled.
Put these two words together, and you get inihaw na manok, or grilled chicken. It’s a popular dish in the Philippines that’s often served as an appetizer or main course.
Adobo
One Filipino Thanksgiving food that can be made without any additional ingredients!
Adobo is a type of stew popular in the Philippines made with chicken and other ingredients.
It is cooked in a vinegar and soy sauce mixture and typically served with rice.
So, this year, try making adobo for your Thanksgiving feast, and your guests will be impressed!
Flan
Flan is a custard dessert popular in many cultures, and the Philippines is no exception.
Flan is a delicious Filipino Thanksgiving food that can serve as a special treat on holidays like Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, if you’ve never had flan, you’re in for a real treat! Although there are some variations, most traditional flans are baked or steamed.
These tasty treats are straightforward to make at home; be sure not to overcook them so they maintain their light texture.
Pandesal
Pandesal is a Filipino Thanksgiving Food that can also be eaten for breakfast. It’s made with flour, water, yeast, and salt and is usually round.
However, Pandesal is traditionally served with coffee or tea. But it can also be eaten with other dishes, like eggs or sausage.
On Thanksgiving, Pandesal can be served as an appetizer or side dish.
Also, it’s a good option for those seeking a gluten-free alternative to traditional loaves of bread. If you want something new this Thanksgiving, give Pandesal a try!
Lumpia
Lumpia is a popular Filipino Thanksgiving Food that can be made with either a meat or vegetable filling.
The fillings are then wrapped in a thin pastry skin and fried until crispy.
Lumpia is often served as an appetizer or side dish but can also be enjoyed as a main course.
This dish is perfect for those looking for something different to enjoy this Thanksgiving.
Moreover, it has a unique taste and texture compared to everyday dishes you might find at your typical American Thanksgiving dinner.
It can easily be ordered from your local restaurant, making it the perfect last-minute addition to your meal if guests come over last minute!
Roast Turkey Inasal
A Filipino dish from the Visayas region. It is cooked by laying thin slices of uncooked meat over an open fire or grill until cooked.
It’s seasoned with turmeric, lemon juice, onions, and chili peppers for added flavor.
Meanwhile, it is often served with rice, soy sauce, and vegetables such as green beans, pumpkin leaves, and carrot flowers. Some also like to add hard-boiled eggs or fried bananas.
If you’re looking for something different this Thanksgiving, why not try this traditional Filipino Thanksgiving Food? With roast turkey inasal, you can rest assured your guests will go home satisfied. So get ready to add some new flavors to your holiday table!
Corn with Aligue Butter
This Filipino Thanksgiving Food is usually served as a side dish, but it’s so good that you may want to make it the star of your meal.
Note this: The trick with cooking Aligue butter is not to burn it. Once melted, add some water and let it simmer for 15 minutes before pouring over the corn cobs that have been boiling for at least 10 minutes.
Finish with chopped scallions on top of each cob before serving.
Cornbread
Cornbread is an excellent bread and a wonderful accompaniment for turkey or ham.
It goes best with chili and green beans, but no one would complain if you served it with traditional recipes like green bean casserole or mashed potatoes!
Butternut Squash with Gata Cream Sauce and Bagoong Crumble
Butternut squash is a popular winter squash in the Philippines. Its sweet, nutty flavor pairs well with gata cream sauce, a coconut milk-based sauce.
Also, Bagoong crumbles, a Filipino condiment made from fermented shrimp paste. It adds a salty, umami flavor to the dish.
The best part about bagoong is that it has no fishy or strong odor, so it can be added to anything without changing the taste.
Patis-Glazed Carrots
Patis is a type of fish sauce made from fermented fish. It’s salty, umami-rich, and a bit sweet. I am making it the perfect glaze for carrots.
These Patis-Glazed Carrots are roasted until tender and then coated in the ice, giving them an irresistible flavor. If you’re unsure how to make patis, check out this recipe!
Turon
Turon is a Filipino Thanksgiving Food. It is a fried pastry made of a thin sheet of puff pastry wrapped around a brown sugar and muscovado filling. It is then fried deep.
Meanwhile, it can also serve as an afternoon snack or dessert and is best enjoyed with hot tea.
This dish is usually made during the holidays but can be enjoyed anytime. If you’re looking for something new to try this Thanksgiving, add Turon to your list!
Puto
Puto is a type of steamed rice cake that’s commonly eaten in the Philippines.
It’s often served as a snack or side dish and can be made in various ways.
For Thanksgiving, why not try making puto stuffing? It’s delicious and easy to add Filipino flavor to your holiday feast!
Inasal
Inasal is a popular type of roasted chicken in the Philippines. It consists of chicken mixed with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and pepper and grilled over charcoal.
In addition, Inasal is usually served with rice, a dipping sauce made from calamansi (a type of citrus fruit), and chili peppers.
So, if you’re looking for a hearty dish to share with your family this Thanksgiving, look no further than inasal!
Halo-Halo
Halo-halo is a type of Filipino Thanksgiving food: a shaved ice dessert loaded with fruits, beans, jellies, and leche flan.
It is a refreshing, icy dessert that’s perfect for hot weather. Furthermore, Halo-halo is traditionally served in a tall glass or bowl, and it’s a widespread Filipino Thanksgiving Food that’s often served during celebrations.
Why not try something different this year and serve halo-halo at your Thanksgiving feast? Your guests will love the unique flavor and the excellent, refreshing texture. Trust us, and it’ll be a hit!
Champorado
Champorado is a popular chocolate rice porridge among Filipinos. It’s made with glutinous rice, chocolate, and milk and is usually served for breakfast or as a snack.
This dish is perfect for Thanksgiving because it’s warm, comforting, and filling. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time to enjoy your holiday without stress.
Nilagang Baka
Nilagang Baka is a popular beef stew in the Philippines. It is made by simmering beef bones and meat in water until tender.
Vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and cabbage are added to the soup. Nilagang Baka is a Filipino Thanksgiving Food usually served with white rice and a dipping sauce.
Mais Con Yelo
Mais con yelo is a shaved ice dessert popular in the Philippines. It’s made with sweetened condensed milk and corn kernels and topped with ice cream.
Lechon Kawali
Another popular Filipino Thanksgiving dish is lechon kawali, roasted pork belly. The pork belly is first boiled until tender.
However, it’s usually served with a dipping sauce and is often seen at parties and celebrations.
This dish is perfect for Thanksgiving because it’s both flavorful and filling. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time, so you can enjoy your holiday stress-free.
