Pinakbet Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (2024)

BY :Bebs | Published: 02/10/ 2019 | Updated:07/26/ 2019 | 18 Comments

RECIPE PRINT

4.93 from 14 votes

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Pinakbet or Pakbet is a Filipino vegetable dish that is flavorful as it is colorful. A medley of local vegetables like squash, eggplant, okra, yard-long beans, and bitter melon. Pork, shrimp paste, and tomatoes are usedto give it its distinctive taste.

This Pinakbet recipe was originally published in 2016. Updated in 2019 to include new photos and additional tips.

My mama usually cooks Pinakbet for lunch or dinner as a side dish to fried fish or other fried meat. As kids, my siblings and I would try to wiggle our way out from eating our portion. We especially hated the bitter melon. But all attempts were to no success.

I remember my sister, Glenda, once tried to hide her bitter melons under her pile of leftover fish, but of course she got busted and had to eat the rest.

I do not know if any kid likes or ever liked bitter melon right from the start, but it does grow on you and as we grew older we got to appreciate this very healthy dish.

While living abroad, eating Pinakbet has been a real treat. I had to wait for the right time that all the veggies needed are available at the same time. The squash and eggplant I can buy locally. But the rest of the vegetables like okra, bitter melon, and yard-long beans I can only get in Asian stores.

What is Pinakbet?
How to cook Pinakbet
Additional Tips for a great tasting Pinakbet
Other authentic Filipino Vegetable Dishes to try:
Printable Recipe
Pinakbet Tagalog

What is Pinakbet?

Pinakbet or Pakbet is a mixed vegetable stew with pork slices that originally came from the Ilocos region. The original Ilocano version uses "bagoong isda" which is a sauce made with fermented fish.

As the dish became popular in the surrounding areas, different versions took root. The Pinakbet Tagalog, which is how the version from south of Ilocos (Manila and adjacent areas) is called, uses shrimp paste for flavor. This recipe here is the latter.

How to cook Pinakbet

There are different ways and versions in cooking Pinakbet. Basically, it involves these simple steps:

Brown pork in hot oil.
Saute garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
Add shrimp paste.
Add the vegetables and water. Quickest vegetable to cook comes last. Cook until vegetables are tender.

Additional Tips for a great tasting Pinakbet

Vegetables are added depending on how long they cook. Those that take longer come in first. Usually, in this order: squash then bitter gourd, eggplants and yard-long beans and lastly the young okra. If vegetables are more mature they will also take longer to cook.
Cut all vegetables in the same size as much as possible. Not only will it look nice but also so they all cook evenly and avoid others from getting mushy while waiting for the rest to cook.
To lessen the bitterness of bitter gourd, soak cut slices in water with a little salt for 30 minutes before cooking.
Use uncooked shrimp paste if you can. The cooked ones in jars (usually labeled as 'ginisang bagoong') are normally used as dips and has (a lot of) sugar in them.

Other authentic Filipino Vegetable Dishes to try:

Laing - Taro leaves cooked in spicy coconut milk
Ginisang Labong - Sauteed bamboo shoots
Lumpiang Sariwa - Filipino fresh spring rolls
Tortang Talong - Eggplant omelette with ground meat
Chop Suey - vegetable stirfry

Printable Recipe

Print Review

Pinakbet Tagalog

4.93 from 14 votes

Pinakbet is a usual dish on of the everyday Filipino table. A vegetable-pork stew made from a mix of local vegetables like squash, eggplant, okra, yard-long beans, and bitter gourd distinctlyflavored with shrimp paste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Course :Side Dish

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
½ pound pork belly - cut into strips
1 small onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
2-3 tablespoons shrimp paste
3 medium tomatoes - chopped
½ small squash - peeled and cut into cubes
1 cup water
5-7 young okras - ends trimmed, cut into halves diagonally
½ bunch yard-long beans (sitaw) - ends trimmed and cut into 3-inch lengths
1 medium bitter gourd - seeded then halved and cut into slices
1 large eggplant - ends trimmed and cut into cubes
salt

Instructions

In a wok or pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until browned and fat rendered.
Lower heat to medium and add the onion and garlic and cook until tender and aromatic.Add tomatoes and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it becomes soft and the skins peel off the flesh
Add shrimp paste and continue to cook for about a minute.
Add squash and water. Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
Add yard-long beans, bitter gourd, and eggplant. Season with salt if needed. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add the okra and cook for another 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet still a bit crisp.
Transfer to a serving plate and serve with rice and your favorite fried meat.

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 12gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 340mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 355IUVitamin C: 22.7mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1.1mg

Have you tried this recipe?Mention @foxyfolksy or tag #FoxyFolksyRecipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

What do you think?

Iris Gayanilo Schmidt says
October 23, 2023 at 10:58 am

Made it. Easy to follow and tastes great! Didn't have shrimp paste so substituted that with fish sauce.
Reply
Gracie says
August 27, 2023 at 1:14 am

Half Pinoy Girl here! This is my go to recipe for Pinakbet. It brings me back to family parties of my youth. Thank you for posting!!!
Reply
See Also
Currywurst Recipe - Foxy Folksy
Glenn says
March 27, 2022 at 3:41 am

I also like to add head on shrimp and some crab meat for a sea food version.
Reply
Glenn Rosemeyer says
March 27, 2022 at 3:34 am

Great recipe and directions. I like to add sweat potatoes. Nice addition to the squash.
Reply
Rosalie Habin Maddie says
October 30, 2021 at 10:54 am

Thanks 😊😊 for healthy tips..Foxy Folksy..
Reply
Knowell says
August 16, 2021 at 5:58 am

Can I use fish bagoong Instead of shrimp paste.. Allergic kasi anak ko sa shrimp paste.. Thanks
Reply
- Bebs says
  September 03, 2021 at 11:10 pm
  
  Sure go ahead.
  Reply
Tambolong says
November 26, 2020 at 10:00 am

Hello,
Couldn’t have done it without your precise guidance and instructions in such a short time when I came upon your recipe. My wife is COVID positive so I have to struggle to prepare & cook without any preparation. So off I went to the grocery & cook under pressure. You’re a life saver.
Thank you
Reply
- Bebs says
  May 01, 2021 at 12:26 pm
  
  Hey, good to know that our recipe was able to help you during these difficult times. But sorry to hear about your wife and hoping she is all well now.
  Reply
Justin Todd says
July 21, 2020 at 1:35 pm

Thanks for the recipe! I'd love to try some of the filipino dishes after having fried stuff all week.
Reply
Rolando Raganit says
June 18, 2019 at 12:35 am

nice, i tried and love it thanks for sharing.
Reply
- Bebs says
  June 18, 2019 at 7:21 pm
  
  Glad you love it!
  Reply
Julie holley says
April 22, 2019 at 3:15 am

Lv the receipts
Reply
- Bebs says
  April 23, 2019 at 11:00 am
  
  Thanks for the 5 stars Julie!
  Reply
Don Laguilles says
November 23, 2016 at 5:51 pm

love the website. I love your Pinakbet. My wife wants to try your empanada recipe. She loves empanadas. She is Irish-Welsh descent. **shimp - it think that's a mispell on the Pinakbet recipe.
Reply
- Bebs says
  November 23, 2016 at 10:17 pm
  
  Hahaha! To think that hubby is also checking for misspelling before I push publish! Thanks Don and I corrected it! Just visited your site, what a lovely family and I do hope your wife tries the chicken empanada, they are one of my favorites. 🙂
  Reply
Anna says
September 29, 2016 at 1:14 pm

Thank you for this great recipe..We liked it very much!
Reply
- Bebs says
  September 29, 2016 at 6:01 pm
  
  Thanks Anna!
  Reply

Pinakbet Recipe - Foxy Folksy Pinoy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between pakbet and Pinakbet? ›

Pinakbet (also called pakbet) is an indigenous Filipino dish from the northern regions of the Philippines. Pinakbet is made with a variety of mixed vegetables flavored with bagoóng. The word is the contracted from the Ilokano word pinakebbet, meaning "shrunk" or "shriveled."

Show Me More ›

What are the ingredients and utensils needed in cooking Pinakbet? ›

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp oil.
1/4 cup water.
250 g pork, liempo, sliced into 1/2-inch thick strips.
1/2 cup onion, red, chopped.
2 Tbsp garlic, crushed.
1/4 cup bagoong alamang.
1 pouch DEL MONTE Filipino Style Tomato Sauce (200g)
1/4 cup water.

More items...

Tell Me More ›

What is a Pinakbet made of? ›

Pinakbet is a pungent Filipino vegetable stew made by simmering a variety of vegetables with shrimp or lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly) in a fermented seafood-infused broth. The dish originated on the northern island of Luzon and has since spread throughout the country and abroad.

Learn More Now ›

Is Pinakbet healthy? ›

Pinakbet is a nutritious dish packed with a variety of vegetables, offering vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. It can be a good source of antioxidants and is low in fat, making it a healthy choice for those seeking a balanced diet.

Discover More ›

How long does pinakbet last in the fridge? ›

Storing your pinakbet

First things first, cool down your stew until it reaches room temperature, pour it into an airtight container, and in it goes into the fridge. You can store it for up to a maximum of 3 days.

Get More Info Here ›

What is pinakbet best partner? ›

Using the freshest vegetables is ideal for pinakbet. This dish is best paired with fried fish.

Read The Full Story ›

What does the recipe tell us to do Pinakbet? ›

Cook

Fry pork belly in hot oil until brown and crispy. Drain and set aside.
Using the same pan, saute onions, ginger, garlic. Add tomatoes and continue sautéing until soft. ...
Add squash, water and Knorr Shrimp Cube. Cover and let cook over medium heat for 8 minutes.
Add sitaw, ampalaya, eggplants and okra. Mix and cover.

Read The Full Story ›

Why is it important to eat vegetables like Pinakbet? ›

With vegetables as main ingredients, Pinakbet is a dish that supports Filipino farmers. When consumers purchase vegetables, they are not only providing their households with a healthy meal but are also helping and supporting the livelihood of Filipino farmers working hard to produce good quality vegetable crops.

Tell Me More ›

What are the various kinds of vegetables needed in preparing Pinakbet? ›

Answer: Pinakbet or Pakbet is a Filipino vegetable dish that is flavorful as it is colorful. A medley of local vegetables like squash, eggplant, okra, yard-long beans, and bitter melon. Pork, shrimp paste, and tomatoes are used to give it its distinctive taste.