17 Easy Vegan Filipino Recipes

Trying to eat meat-free, but don’t want to give up Filipino cuisine? These vegan Filipino recipes are your solution.

Traditional dishes like sisig, lumpiang Shanghai, and tocino all have a plant-based twist. They’re simple enough for beginners, too.

Filipino cuisine focuses heavily on meat. But with a few substitutions, you can make any dish vegan-friendly. 

Sweet or savory, this collection of vegan Filipino recipes has something for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re new to Filipino food or eat it every day. You’ll find plenty of easy dishes to cook the plant-based way.

1. Sopas (Vegan Filipino-Style Macaroni Soup)

What do you get when you combine Filipino cooking with American influences? You get sopas!

It’s a type of macaroni soup that’s comforting like chicken noodle soup. Give it a vegan twist, and you have this healthy plant-based version. 

Pasta, veggies, vegan ham, and vegan sausages are swimming in a non-dairy evaporated milk broth. It’s enough to feed a crowd and it’s ready in 30 minutes.

2. Filipino Crispy Tofu Sisig

I dare anyone to take a bite of this dish and call tofu boring. Even meat eaters will go back for a second plate!

Traditionally made with pork and chicken, this sisig features crispy tofu. It’s smothered in a savory sauce along with mushrooms, bell peppers, and chilis. 

Spicy and umami-packed, vegan sisig is an unforgettable meal. And it’s ready in 20 minutes!

3. Vegan Filipino Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)

Lumpiang Shanghai is a Filipino classic. It usually has ground meat. But anyone can eat this plant-based version. 

The crispy spring roll wrappers have a vegan ground beef and vegetable filling. Crunchy and savory, they’re mouthwatering. You’ll love them dunked in a sweet and sour dipping sauce.

4. Vegan Arroz Valenciana

Arroz Valenciana is common during the holidays. But you don’t need to wait to make this vegan version. 

Similar to paella, it’s a savory rice dish with Spanish influences. Jackfruit, bell peppers, peas, and rice are the main components. They cook in a tomato coconut milk broth seasoned with spices, saffron included. 

It’s a one-pot meal that serves a crowd and makes cleanup a breeze.

5. Vegan Filipino Pancit Bihon

Satisfy your noodle cravings with Filipino pancit bihon. It’s a stir-fried rice noodle dish speckled with fresh colorful veggies. Zucchini, carrots, cabbage, chayote, and bok choy make it pop. 

As for the sauce, a glug of soy sauce and calamansi is all you need. If you can’t get calamansi, lemon juice works, too.

6. Vegan Sweet and Sour Meatballs (Bola-Bola)

You don’t need meat to make a tasty meatball. Don’t believe me? Take a bite of bola-bola and you’ll agree. 

These savory morsels consist of plant-based meat, tofu, vegetables, and soy sauce. They’re stir-fried with extra veggies and smothered in a sweet and sour sauce.

Add white rice for a full meal and help yourself. The dish is dripping with so much flavor, you won’t even miss the meat.

7. Mushroom Tocino

Filipino tocino typically involves cured pork. This clever vegan version, however, swaps it out for oyster mushrooms. 

They come drenched in a bright red sweet and tangy umami marinade. Coupled with their chewy texture, they’re a prime meat substitute. 

Try it for breakfast with a tofu scramble and garlic fried rice.

8. Vegan Filipino Chicken Afritada

Chicken afritada is a tomato stew. Trade in the poultry for veggies, and you have a hearty vegan-friendly meal.

Soy curls, vegan hot dogs, potatoes, and more simmer in tomato sauce. It’s incredibly easy to make and it’s gluten-free. 

Put on a pot the next time you crave a warm meal. 

9. Vegan Filipino Tomato-Based “Meat” Stew (Kaldereta)

Another Filipino stew with a vegan twist is kaldereta. The goat meat and liver spread gets substituted with your protein of choice. Tofu, soy chunks, or soy curls all work. 

The protein cooks alongside a myriad of veggies in a thick tomato base. Flavored with miso and thickened with peanut butter, it’s a super flavorful dish. And a spicy one at that! It comes with five bird’s eye chili peppers. So non-heat seekers might want to dial it back.

10. Vegan Filipino Champorado

If sweet breakfasts are your thing, try this vegan Filipino champorado. This morning staple is a rice porridge oozing with chocolate. Coconut milk makes it creamy. Use cocoa powder and it’s vegan-friendly. 

Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a one-pot meal you can make with only six ingredients.

11. Vegan Arroz Caldo

Savory breakfast eaters won’t want to miss vegan arroz caldo. This rice porridge is a variation of congee. 

It’s a comforting meal full of vegan chicken strips, garlic, and ginger. Vegan bouillon also makes the sweet rice and white rice extra savory.

Garnished with calamansi, fried garlic, and green onion, this porridge is one easy meal. It’s also inexpensive!

12. Melon Sa Malamig (Filipino Cantaloupe Drink) 

Need a refreshing beverage to quench your thirst? Reach for a cooling glass of melon sa malamig. This light and fruity traditional Filipino drink is easy to make. 

It features three simple ingredients: cantaloupe, sugar, and water. Sometimes, it includes condensed milk and vanilla, too. 

It’s such a refreshing way to cool off on a hot day.

13. Vegan Pandesal (Filipino Bread Rolls)

Carb lovers will adore vegan pandesal. These Filipino bread rolls are very soft and fluffy with a hint of sugar. 

Surprisingly, you can achieve this heavenly texture without dairy. All you need is plant-based butter and milk. 

Sure, they’re more effort than store-bought dinner rolls. But once you sink your teeth in, they’re worth the extra work.

14. Ube Cream Pie

Looking for a vibrant ube recipe to impress your company? Go with this cream pie. Inside the chocolate cookie crust is a creamy and sweet filling. And there isn’t an ounce of dairy. 

Instead, the recipe calls for silken tofu, coconut cream, agave, ube halaya, and ube extract. For the final touch, there’s a sprinkle of desiccated coconut on top.

15. Tofu Adobo

Adobo is a traditional Filipino dish usually made with pork or chicken. But this vegan variation calls for firm tofu. Those soft tidbits soak up the flavor-packed sauce. It’s umami, sweet, garlicky, tangy, and a little spicy. 

Serve it with bok choy and white rice. Or opt for your favorite Filipino side dish.

16. Vegan Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelet)

Jazz up your morning routine with tortang talong. It’s a type of Filipino eggplant omelet, and it’s super unique. 

Unlike a traditional omelet, this is an eggless breakfast. The roasted eggplant gets dipped in vegan liquid eggs and pan-fried. 

It’s crispy, tender, and savory, and it only calls for five ingredients. 

17. Vegan Filipino Barbecue

Vegan and barbecue sound very conflicting. But once you try it the Filipino way, you’ll rave about it!

These soy curl skewers are tantalizing. They come with a finger-licking sauce. It’s savory, tangy, garlicky, and sweet. 

The next time you fire up the grill, toss some on. You’ll make a vegan barbecue lover out of everybody.