15 Filipino Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving becomes even more special with Filipino flavors on the table. From crispy lumpia to creamy leche flan, these 15 Filipino Thanksgiving recipes blend tradition and comfort in one unforgettable feast.
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Thanksgiving is one of the most special times of the year to celebrate family, food, and gratitude. For many Filipino Americans, it is also the perfect opportunity to create meaningful Thanksgiving recipes that combine both Filipino and American traditions. When November comes, our tables often feature the familiar turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy right alongside our beloved pancit, lumpia, and lechon kawali. It is a celebration of cultures and flavors that tell our story as Filipino Americans.
The smell of garlic, soy sauce, and calamansi blends with the aroma of roasted turkey. The kitchen stays busy all day, the rice cooker never stops, and laughter fills the air. That is what makes Filipino Thanksgiving gatherings so special. It is not only about the food but also about gratitude, connection, and the warmth of being together.
A short history of Filipino Thanksgiving
The story of Thanksgiving in the Philippines began during the early nineteen hundreds when the country came under American influence. Schools and government offices adopted the American version of the holiday, holding celebrations to promote gratitude and unity. The first official Thanksgiving in the Philippines was even declared by President Manuel Quezon during the Commonwealth era. It was celebrated much like the American one, but over time, Filipinos reshaped the meaning to fit their own values of family and pasasalamat, or giving thanks.
After World War Two, the tradition remained in some communities, especially among families with relatives who had worked with or studied under American institutions. Filipino cooks began preparing dishes that mixed local ingredients with American favorites, such as roast chicken seasoned with soy sauce and calamansi instead of turkey with herbs. It became common to host a simple meal at home where families gave thanks for blessings and togetherness.
When Filipinos started migrating to the United States in greater numbers during the nineteen sixties and seventies, they brought that familiar sense of gratitude with them. Many found comfort in adopting Thanksgiving as their own because its spirit felt close to Filipino values. Families prepared both turkey and rice, mashed potatoes and pancit, and pumpkin pie beside leche flan. The meal reflected their dual identity, grateful for opportunities in a new land while staying deeply connected to home.
Today, Filipino Americans continue to celebrate Thanksgiving in a way that is uniquely their own. Some keep the holiday simple, while others turn it into a full feast that feels more like a fiesta. Either way, it always revolves around family, food, and appreciation for life’s blessings. The Filipino version of Thanksgiving may have started with history, but it continues because of the heart that every Filipino brings to the table.
How Filipino families celebrate Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day in a Filipino home begins early in the morning. The kitchen fills with the sounds of chopping, simmering, and happy conversation. One person prepares marinades, another sets the table, and someone is always in charge of frying lumpia. There is a pot of rice cooking in the background and the smell of garlic and soy sauce fills the air.
Some families still prepare roast turkey, but others choose roasted pork belly, chicken inasal, or beef caldereta as their main dish. Lumpia, pancit, and adobo are also common favorites. Before eating, everyone pauses to pray and give thanks, in English or Tagalog, and then the real feast begins. After dinner comes dessert, coffee, and sometimes karaoke that lasts into the night. This is what Filipino Thanksgiving looks like, full of love, laughter, and great food.
15 Filipino Thanksgiving Recipes You Will Love
These fifteen dishes bring Filipino flavor and comfort to the Thanksgiving table. Each one tells a story and adds its own unique touch to your list of Thanksgiving recipes.
Lumpia
Crispy and savory, Lumpia is always the first dish to disappear. These golden rolls filled with ground pork and vegetables are a favorite appetizer. Serve them with sweet chili sauce or spiced vinegar for a perfect start to your holiday meal.
Lechon Kawali
Lechon Kawali is the ultimate indulgence for any Filipino Thanksgiving. The pork belly is boiled, dried, and fried until the skin turns extra crispy while keeping the meat tender and juicy. It is festive, flavorful, and always worth the effort.
PORK BBQ
Filipino Pork BBQ brings smoky sweetness to your collection of Thanksgiving recipes. The skewered pork marinated in soy sauce, calamansi, banana ketchup, and sugar gives off a scent that instantly reminds everyone of backyard parties and celebrations.
KALDERETA
Kaldereta is a hearty and comforting stew perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. The tender beef cooked in tomato sauce with bell peppers, olives, and a touch of liver spread creates a rich and delicious flavor that pairs beautifully with rice.
MECHADO
Mechado is another tomato based beef stew that deserves a spot among your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Its sauce is savory, slightly tangy, and deeply flavorful. Serve it with steamed rice for the perfect Filipino style comfort meal.
LUMPIANG SARIWA
Lumpiang Sariwa or fresh spring rolls add color and freshness to your table. The mix of vegetables wrapped in a soft crepe and topped with peanut garlic sauce balances the heavier dishes. Lumpiang Sariwa adds a light and refreshing touch to the feast. Fresh vegetables wrapped in a soft crepe and topped with peanut garlic sauce create a balance of flavors. It brings color, texture, and a sense of freshness to your Thanksgiving spread.It is light, healthy, and full of Filipino flavor.
PANCIT PALABOK
Pancit Palabok is one of the most festive Thanksgiving recipes you can prepare. It features golden noodles with shrimp sauce, smoked fish, eggs, and crushed chicharon. In Filipino culture, noodles symbolize long life and blessings, making this a meaningful addition to your feast.
PANCIT BIHON
Pancit Bihon is simple but always satisfying. Stir fried rice noodles with shrimp, vegetables, and sliced meat make it one of the best dishes for large gatherings. It stays delicious for hours, making it perfect for family parties.
CHICKEN INASAL
Chicken Inasal brings smoky and tangy flavor to your Thanksgiving spread. Marinated in vinegar, calamansi, and lemongrass then grilled until golden, it is perfect for anyone who loves grilled food. Serve it with rice and atchara for a complete Filipino meal.
CHICKEN ADOBO
Adobo is the dish that every Filipino loves. The soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic combination creates a flavor that is bold, comforting, and perfect for Thanksgiving. It pairs beautifully with both rice and mashed potatoes, proving Filipino food fits any celebration.
CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD
Chicken Macaroni Salad is a must have for Filipino holidays. It is creamy, slightly sweet, and packed with chicken, cheese, pineapple, and raisins. Served cold, it provides a refreshing contrast to the savory dishes on your menu.
KUTSINTA
Kutsinta is soft, chewy, and just sweet enough. These small rice cakes topped with grated coconut add a simple and nostalgic touch to your dessert table. They are the perfect bite sized treat after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.
CASSAVA CAKE
Cassava Cake is rich, creamy, and full of coconut flavor. The caramelized top gives it a lovely golden color. It is one of the most requested Filipino desserts and easily one of the sweetest ways to end your list of Thanksgiving recipes.
LECHE FLAN
Leche Flan is smooth, creamy, and beautifully sweet. With its glossy caramel top and melt in your mouth custard, it brings an elegant finish to any Thanksgiving table. It is always the first dessert to run out during family gatherings.
FRUIT SALAD
Fruit Salad is a Filipino classic for the holidays. It combines fruit cocktail, cream, and condensed milk for a cold and creamy dessert everyone loves. Simple, colorful, and refreshing, it completes your Filipino style Thanksgiving menu perfectly.
Bringing it all together
The beauty of Filipino Thanksgiving is how naturally both cultures come together in one meal. You can serve turkey beside Lechon Kawali, mashed potatoes next to Pancit, and end with both pumpkin pie and Cassava Cake. There are no strict rules, only love, gratitude, and delicious food. These Thanksgiving recipes are more than dishes, they are stories that connect generations.
A personal reflection
Thanksgiving always brings me back to my first years in the United States. I did not fully understand the holiday at first, but I knew what it meant to be thankful. My family would gather around a table filled with turkey, adobo, mashed potatoes, and rice. It may not have looked traditional, but it felt right.
Over time, I realized that Filipino food belongs anywhere people gather to share a meal. It carries the warmth of home and the joy of togetherness. Whether you are in California, Chicago, or Manila, these Filipino Thanksgiving recipes will make your celebration truly special. Celebrate the people you love, be thankful for every blessing, and enjoy every bite. Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. May your hearts and plates always be full.
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