15+ Ulam Recipes for Delicious and Easy Meals

Ulam provides delicious flavors and satisfying nutrition in Filipino meals. This article features a variety of ulam recipes that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. These dishes range from simple stir-fries to classic favorites, making them great options for family dinners or special gatherings.

Exploring ulam recipes allows you to enjoy traditional Filipino cuisine while also putting your own twist on classic flavors. With a mix of ingredients and cooking styles, you can create meals that cater to your taste and preferences. Get ready to discover new favorites that will bring warmth to your dining table.

1) Giniling (Filipino Picadillo)

Giniling, also known as Filipino Picadillo, is a comforting dish that combines ground meat with vegetables in a rich tomato sauce. You can use ground pork or beef, making it flexible for your taste.

This dish often includes potatoes and carrots, adding heartiness and flavor. Raisins can also be added for a touch of sweetness. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs ground pork or beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
2. Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add ground meat and cook until browned.
4. Mix in the tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
6. Stir in raisins if using. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot over rice.

2) Green Bean Mushroom Stir-fry

Green bean mushroom stir-fry is a quick and tasty dish. It’s perfect as a side or even as a main meal. You’ll enjoy the mix of fresh green beans and mushrooms cooked in a savory sauce.

Start by heating some olive oil in your skillet. Add garlic and ginger for flavor, then toss in the green beans and mushrooms. Stir-fry them until they’re tender but still crunchy.

This dish is not only delicious but also vegan and gluten-free. Serve it over rice for a full meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• Soy sauce to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
2. Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 minute.
3. Add green beans and mushrooms; stir-fry until tender.
4. Add soy sauce; mix well and serve hot.

3) Ginisang Sayote with Chicken

Ginisang Sayote with Chicken is a tasty Filipino dish that’s both simple to make and budget-friendly. This recipe features chayote, juicy chicken, and flavorful seasonings. It’s a great way to enjoy vegetables!

Start by slicing the chayote and chicken into bite-sized pieces. You’ll sauté garlic and onion to build a lovely base of flavor. Then, add the chicken until it’s cooked through.

Next, mix in the chayote and some tomatoes. For added taste, add oyster sauce. Cook everything until the vegetables are tender. Enjoy this delicious dish with rice!

Ingredients

• 1 large chayote (sayote), cored and sliced
• 1/2 kilogram chicken, cut into small cubes
• 1 piece onion, minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pieces tomatoes, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
2. Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
3. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
4. Stir in tomatoes and chayote.
5. Pour in oyster sauce and mix well.
6. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

4) Bistek Tagalog

Bistek Tagalog is a classic Filipino dish known for its savory and tangy flavors. This beef steak is usually marinated in soy sauce and calamansi juice, giving it a unique taste. It is often served with onions on top, enhancing its flavor even more.

To make this dish, you will need simple ingredients. It’s perfect to pair with steamed rice, making a filling meal for any time of the day.

Ingredients

• 600g sirloin beef, sliced
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons calamansi juice
• ½ cup water
• 5 onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the sliced beef in soy sauce, calamansi juice, and ground pepper for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
3. Sauté the onions until soft, then set them aside.
4. In the same pan, cook the marinated beef until browned.
5. Add water and simmer until the beef is tender.
6. Top with sautéed onions before serving.

5) Hard-boiled Eggs with Barbeque Sauce

Hard-boiled eggs make a tasty and simple dish, especially when paired with barbecue sauce. This combination is both savory and satisfying. You can enjoy it as a snack or a side dish.

To prepare, start by boiling your eggs until they are fully cooked. This usually takes about 9-12 minutes. Once cooked, cool the eggs under cold water before peeling them.

Next, drizzle your favorite barbecue sauce over the eggs. You can use a tangy or smoky sauce according to your taste. This adds a nice kick that makes the dish even more enjoyable.

Ingredients

• 2-4 hard-boiled eggs
• 2-3 tablespoons of barbecue sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the eggs for 9-12 minutes.
2. Cool the eggs in cold water.
3. Peel the eggs carefully.
4. Drizzle barbecue sauce on top and enjoy!

6) Tuna Burger Patties with Gravy

Tuna burger patties are a tasty and simple dish. They are full of flavor and perfect for a quick meal. You can serve them with a delicious gravy that adds extra richness.

To make your tuna burger patties, you will need canned tuna, bread crumbs, and a few vegetables. Mixing these ingredients is easy and takes just a few minutes.

Cooking the patties is also fast. You can pan-fry them until they are golden brown, then pour the gravy on top. This dish is a great option for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 can of tuna (5 ounces), drained
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• ⅓ cup of minced onion
• ¼ cup of minced celery
• ¼ cup of minced bell pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the tuna, egg, bread crumbs, and vegetables.
2. Form the mixture into patties.
3. Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat (375°F / 190°C).
4. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Serve with gravy on top.

7) Ensaladang Talong sa Gata

Ensaladang Talong sa Gata is a simple and tasty dish you can enjoy. It features grilled eggplants mixed with coconut cream, giving it a rich flavor. This salad is perfect as a side dish or light meal.

To start, grill the eggplants until they are soft and charred. Let them cool, then peel off the skin and slice them. Combine the grilled eggplants with coconut cream and a touch of vinegar for a zesty kick.

You can serve it cold or at room temperature. Adding chopped onions and tomatoes can enhance the freshness. It’s a delicious way to enjoy eggplants with a unique twist.

Ingredients

• 8 pieces of eggplant
• Oil for brushing
• 1 cup of coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brush eggplants with oil.
2. Grill eggplants until soft and charred.
3. Allow to cool, then peel and slice.
4. In a bowl, mix eggplants with coconut cream and vinegar.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

8) Loco Moco with Homemade Gravy

Loco Moco is a delicious Hawaiian dish that combines rice, hamburger patties, and a fried egg, all drenched in savory homemade gravy. It’s a comforting meal perfect for any time of the day.

To make the gravy, start by melting butter in a pan. Add chopped onions and sliced mushrooms, cooking until soft. Then, stir in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, bringing it to a simmer.

Season your hamburger patties with salt and pepper before cooking them until browned.

Serve the patties over a bed of white rice, top with the fried egg, and pour the homemade gravy over it all. Enjoy this hearty meal!

Ingredients

• 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 6-7 small button mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 hamburger patties
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add onions and mushrooms, and cook until they are soft.
3. Stir in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, and let it simmer.
4. Season the hamburger patties and cook them until they are browned.
5. Fry the eggs to your liking.
6. Serve patties over rice, top with fried eggs, and pour gravy on top.

9) Salmon Sushi Bake

Salmon sushi bake is a delicious and easy dish that brings sushi flavors to your home. It combines baked salmon with sushi rice and tasty toppings, all in one dish.

To start, you’ll need to cook your sushi rice according to the package directions. While the rice is cooking, you can prepare the salmon.

Mix cooked salmon with soy sauce and sesame oil for extra flavor.

In a casserole dish, layer the sushi rice with the salmon mixture. You can add toppings like avocado, furikake, and drizzles of spicy mayo for a tasty finish. Bake it until everything is warm and bubbly.

This recipe is perfect for sharing with family or friends. Enjoy this warm, comforting dish!

Ingredients

• Sushi rice
• Cooked salmon
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Furikake
• Avocado
• Sriracha or spicy mayo

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook sushi rice as per package instructions.
2. Mix cooked salmon with soy sauce and sesame oil.
3. In a casserole dish, layer sushi rice and salmon mixture.
4. Top with furikake and avocado.
5. Drizzle with sriracha or spicy mayo.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or until heated through.

10) Skinless Filipino Beef Longganisa

Skinless Filipino beef longganisa is a tasty and easy dish to enjoy. This sausage is known for its sweet and savory flavors. It’s perfect for breakfast or as part of a delicious meal.

To make this dish, you need some simple ingredients. The blend of seasonings gives it a unique flavor that pairs well with rice or eggs.

You can cook these sausages by frying or grilling them. They usually take about 10 to 15 minutes to cook until they are browned.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs ground beef
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix all the ingredients well.
2. Form the mixture into small, round patties or sausages.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
4. Cook the sausages for 10-15 minutes, turning until browned.

11) Baked Filipino Empanadas

Baked Filipino empanadas are a delicious snack that you can enjoy any time. These hand pies have a flaky crust and are filled with a savory mixture of beef and vegetables. They’re perfect for parties or a quick meal.

To make these empanadas, start with a simple dough made from all-purpose flour, salt, and butter. You can add your choice of spices for extra flavor.

The filling usually includes ground beef, diced potatoes, and peas.

Once you prepare the filling, roll out the dough and cut it into circles. Place a spoonful of the filling in the center, fold the dough over, and seal the edges. Bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) until golden brown.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 cup ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup peas

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix flour, butter, and salt in a bowl.
3. Add cold water and knead until smooth.
4. Cook beef with potatoes and peas in a pan until done.
5. Roll out dough and cut into circles.
6. Place filling in the center of each circle.
7. Fold and seal the edges.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.

12) Chicken Joy (Jollibee Style)

Chicken Joy is a popular dish that brings joy to any table. This crispy and juicy fried chicken is loved for its flavorful coating and tender meat. You can make it at home with some simple ingredients.

To get started, you’ll need chicken pieces, salt, and some spices. The key to that crispy texture is using cornstarch in the coating mix. This will give you the crunch that everyone loves.

For frying, heat oil to about 350°F (180°C). Fry the chicken until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). It’s perfect with rice or your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 kg Chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Five spice powder
• Cooking oil (for frying)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix salt, garlic powder, and five spice powder in a bowl.
2. Rub the mixture onto the chicken pieces.
3. Coat the chicken in cornstarch.
4. Heat oil to 350°F (180°C) in a pan.
5. Fry chicken until golden brown.
6. Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

13) Homemade Fishball

Making homemade fishballs is fun and rewarding. You can enjoy a tasty snack or a side dish for your meals.

Start by cutting fish fillet into small pieces. Use a food processor or blender to turn it into a smooth mixture. Add seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar to enhance the flavor.

Once your mixture is ready, shape it into small balls. You can then fry or steam them until cooked through. They’re perfect for dipping in sauce!

Ingredients

• Fish fillet
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Sugar
• Water (for boiling)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut fish fillet into small pieces.
2. Blend fish with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Shape the mixture into small balls.
4. Fry or steam the fishballs until fully cooked. Enjoy!

14) Chicken Bistek

Chicken Bistek is a delicious Filipino dish that features tender chicken marinated in soy sauce and calamansi juice. This dish is perfect for a family meal, bringing flavorful comfort to your table.

You start by slicing the chicken breast into thin pieces. Marinate it with soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, and pepper for added taste. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

In a pan, sauté onions until they are soft and golden. Then, add the marinated chicken and cook until it’s thoroughly done. You can serve it with the sauce over rice for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup calamansi juice (or lemon juice)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the chicken breast thinly.
2. Marinate chicken in soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions until soft.
4. Add the marinated chicken and cook until fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
5. Serve over rice with sauce. Enjoy!

15) Sticky Crispy Chicken

Sticky Crispy Chicken is a delightful dish that combines soft, juicy chicken with a crispy coating. It’s perfect for a family meal or a special occasion.

To start, sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and ground white pepper on the chicken breasts. This gives them a flavorful base.

Next, you’ll mix all-purpose flour and cornstarch in a bowl. This mixture creates that perfect crispy texture when cooked.

Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken until golden and crispy.

As the chicken cooks, prepare a sweet and spicy sauce. Pour it over the cooked chicken for a sticky finish.

Serve this dish with rice or your favorite side. It’s sure to please anyone at the table!

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Ground white pepper
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
2. Mix flour and cornstarch in a bowl.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Fry chicken until golden and crispy.
5. Prepare sweet and spicy sauce.
6. Pour sauce over cooked chicken and serve.