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5 Easy Filipino Recipes for Busy Weeknights

Hey there! Let me guess – you’re staring at your phone, it’s 6 PM, and you’re thinking “What’s for dinner?” while craving the Filipino food you grew up with. Trust me, I’ve been there!

You know that feeling when you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching Pinoy food videos, and your stomach’s like “feed me adobo!” but your brain reminds you that you’ve got a million things to do? Same.

Look, I know what you’re thinking – Filipino food means hours in the kitchen, like how our moms and titas would cook. (Flashback to every Sunday morning with the smell of garlic and vinegar filling the house, anyone?) But here’s the tea: I’ve cracked the code on making legit Filipino dishes that won’t have you camping in the kitchen all night.

I’m talking about dishes that hit different – that perfect adobo tang, that sinful lechon kawali crunch – but won’t have you missing your favorite Netflix show or doom-scrolling time. #AdultingHacks, if you will!

So whether you’re a busy professional who can barely tell a spatula from a ladle (no judgment!), or just someone who wants their Filipino food fix without the fuss – I got you! Ready to make some magic happen in your kitchen? Let’s get cooking!

FR though, who else agrees that nothing hits the spot like Filipino food after a long day? Drop a comment below! 👇

GINILING NA BABOY

(The “I Can’t Even” Savior Meal)

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Serving: 3-4 people (or 2 if you’re really hungry!)

What You’ll Need:

  • 500g ground pork (20% fat if you’re feeling extra)
  • 2 potatoes, diced small (lazy hack: smaller = faster cooking!)
  • 2 carrots, diced small
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced (or more, I don’t judge)
  • 1/2 cup green peas (frozen is fine, we’re not fancy here)
  • 2-3 tbsp soy sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional but recommended: Magic Sarap/MSG (let’s be real, this makes everything better)

Instructions:

  1. Sauté garlic and onion (that Filipino cooking starter pack!)
  2. Add ground pork, break it up, cook until no longer pink
  3. Throw in potatoes and carrots
  4. Add soy sauce, salt, and pepper
  5. Cover and let it do its thing for 5-7 mins
  6. Add peas, cook 2-3 more mins
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning (add more soy sauce if you’re feeling salty 😉)

GINISANG MUNGGO

(The Healthy-ish Option That Actually Tastes Good)

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Serving: 4 people

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 cup mung beans, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
  • 2-3 cups spinach/malunggay
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce (patis)
  • Chicharon or crispy garlic for topping
  • Optional: shrimp or pork bits

Instructions:

  1. Boil pre-soaked mung beans until tender (about 10-15 mins)
  2. In another pan, sauté garlic and onion
  3. Add optional meat/shrimp if using
  4. Pour in cooked mung beans with some of its liquid
  5. Season with fish sauce
  6. Add spinach last minute
  7. Top with chicharon because #YOLO

FILIPINO-STYLE CHICKEN CURRY

(Not Your Basic Yellow Curry)

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Serving: 4-5 people

What You’ll Need:

  • 1kg chicken, cut into pieces
  • 2 potatoes, chunked
  • 2 carrots, chunked
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup water
  • Fish sauce to taste
  • Black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Sauté garlic and onion (again, it’s our thing!)
  2. Add chicken, cook until slightly brown
  3. Add curry powder, stir to coat
  4. Pour in coconut milk and water
  5. Add potatoes and carrots
  6. Simmer until veggies are tender
  7. Add bell pepper last few minutes
  8. Season with fish sauce and pepper

CORNED BEEF SILOG

(The 3AM “Why Am I Still Awake” Meal)

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Serving: 2 hungry souls

What You’ll Need: For the Corned Beef:

  • 1 can corned beef (Purefoods or Argentina hits different, but any brand works!)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Black pepper
  • Optional: 1 potato, diced small (if you’re feeling fancy at midnight)

For the Sinangag (Garlic Rice):

  • 2 cups leftover rice (cold rice works best!)
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced (or more, vampire protection is important)
  • Salt to taste
  • Oil for frying

For the Sunny Side Up:

  • 2 eggs
  • Pinch of salt
  • Oil for frying

The How-To: Garlic Rice First:

  1. Heat oil in a pan (medium heat)
  2. Fry minced garlic until golden (don’t burn them or else 😭)
  3. Add cold rice, break up chunks
  4. Season with salt
  5. Stir-fry until heated through and slightly crispy
  6. Set aside and keep warm

The Star Corned Beef:

  1. In the same pan (less washing, you’re welcome!)
  2. Sauté garlic and onion
  3. Add corned beef, break it up
  4. If using potato, add it now and cook until tender
  5. Season with pepper
  6. Cook until slightly crispy on the edges (this is the secret!)

The Perfect Sunny Side Up:

  1. In a clean pan, heat oil
  2. Crack eggs carefully
  3. Cook until whites are set but yolk is still runny
  4. Season with a pinch of salt

Assembly:

  1. Pile that garlic rice on your plate
  2. Add your crispy-edge corned beef
  3. Slide that perfect egg on top
  4. Optional but highly recommended: banana ketchup on the side!

Pro Tips:

  • Keep the yolk runny – it’s like instant sauce when you break it!
  • If your corned beef is too saucy, cook it longer to get those crispy bits
  • Leftover rice from the fridge works WAY better than fresh rice
  • Add a cut tomato on the side if you’re trying to be “healthy” at midnight 😅

Optional Add-ons:

  • Spicy vinegar
  • Banana ketchup (the red one, let’s not start that debate)
  • Hot sauce if you like living dangerously

Want to level it up? Add:

  • Fried garlic bits on top
  • A side of atchara (pickled papaya)
  • Extra egg because… why not?

Remember: No judgment on portion sizes after midnight! 🌙✨

Alright fam, there you have it – my ride-or-die Filipino recipes that have saved countless hangry moments and busy weeknights! Trust me, your future tired self will thank you for having these in your back pocket.

No more sad “what’s for dinner?” texts to your mom or endless food delivery scrolling. These recipes are literally cheaper than your daily coffee run and tastier than your go-to takeout!

Don’t forget to:

  • Drop a comment below with your cooking wins!
  • Tag us in your food pics using #WeeknightFilipino #MasaganaRecipe
  • Follow us on our Facebook Page

Remember, cooking Filipino food doesn’t have to be a whole day event (sorry, Lola! 🙏). Sometimes the best meals are the ones you can whip up while still in your work clothes!

Got questions? Kitchen disasters? Recipe requests? Leave a comment below! Let’s keep the Filipino food love going! ❤️

Kain na! (Let’s eat!)