Filipino Christmas Food Ideas for a Tasty Holiday

Did you know that Filipinos celebrate Christmas for the longest time, starting as early as September? Knowing this, I got curious about their holiday cuisine and started trying some of them — and well, they did not disappoint!  

Now, if you’re planning to have a Filipino Christmas food menu this holiday season, I’ve prepared this list just for you! From classic Filipino appetizers and traditional main dishes to sweet desserts, it’s all here!

Filipino Macaroni Salad

Let’s start with this traditional macaroni salad! I really love how the sweet pineapple and raisins blend with the cheese and chicken. It’s perfect as an appetizer or side dish for your Christmas menu, and you can even skip the chicken and add more fruit for a sweeter twist!

Filipino Macaroni Salad

This Filipino macaroni salad is always on the buffet table at family parties. It’s such a sweet and unique combination of flavors that you almost forget it’s not a dessert! Make it even sweeter by adding 3/4 cup of kaong (the sugar palm fruit used in halo-halo) or 3/4 cup of nata de coco. Some of my family members add a can of sweet corn too.

Check out this recipe

Filipino Spring Rolls (Lumpiang Shanghai)

Of course, I can’t forget about one of the most classic Filipino finger foods—this spring roll or lumpiang shanghai is a perfect and light bite for your menu! The crunchy wrapper, filled with savory pork, carrots, and onions, perfectly matches the sweet and spicy dipping sauce. It’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love!

Lumpia Shanghai (Filipino Spring Rolls)

Lumpia Shanghai is a perfect appetizer and finger food for parties and festive dinners. These super crispy and crunchy egg rolls are packed with pork, carrots, celery, and onions and come with a sweet yet spicy dipping sauce that will have everyone sopping up every last morsel!

Check out this recipe

Pork Siomai Recipe

Another usual Filipino appetizer that you’ll likely find on celebration tables is this pork siomai! I love how easy it is to make, using pork with a hint of shrimp and vegetables, all bound together with egg. You can steam or fry it—both ways are delicious!

Pork Siomai Recipe (Shumai)

This is a quick and easy recipe for pork siomai (shumai). This is the recipe that I refer to most of the time because it is simple and straightforward.

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Filipino Barbecues 

Barbecues are a staple too, especially during Noche Buenas! The flavor of Filipino barbecues is just something else—the tender pork, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, is simply irresistible. The sarsa adds that extra kick and makes it hard to stop at just one skewer!

Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers

My Filipino bbq pork skewers recipe with detailed steps and photos. Learn how to cook these tender skewers, with authentic marinade and sauce.

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Filipino Spaghetti 

Filipino spaghetti is something that will always be served during the Christmas holidays. This version is dominantly sweet, with a rich tomato flavor and a hint of savory meatiness that makes it a hit with both kids and adults. It’s a must-have at any holiday gathering!

Filipino-Style Spaghetti

Sweet, tangy, and rich, this meaty Filipino Spaghetti is Philippine’s take on the Italian Bolognese.

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Beef Caldereta

Moving on to the main dish! Let’s start with beef caldereta, packed with rich, savory flavors and hearty chunks of beef, potatoes, and bell peppers—it’s best served with rice too! This classic dish is perfect for festive occasions and family gatherings.

Filipino Beef Caldereta

Beef Caldereta, or Kaldereta, is a hearty and flavorful Filipino stew. Pair it with warm rice for a perfectly comforting meal.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu

This chicken cordon bleu is one of my favorites! I love the crispy exterior paired with the delicious combination of chicken, ham, and melted cheese inside. The rich sauce is a game-changer that really enhances its taste by a mile!

Filipino Chicken Cordon Bleu with Dijon Cream Sauce

Chicken Cordon Bleu – Tender chicken, slices of ham, and cheese rolled and breaded. Pan-fried to crispy golden perfection and topped with a rich dijon cream sauce!

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Filipino Lechon Kawali

One of the top choices when it comes to main dishes is this Filipino lechon kawali! You know I love crunchy textures, and this crispy fried pork belly definitely hits the spot. Serve it hot with your favorite sauce for a truly satisfying meal!

Filipino Lechon Kawali

Lechon kawali, fried pork belly, is a tasty Filipino dish with flavors of garlic and bay leaves. This lechon kawali recipe is easy and yummy.

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Filipino-Style Pineapple Glazed Ham

This Filipino-style pineapple-glazed ham is one of the main symbols of Filipino Noche Buena! It truly is the star of the night, with its juicy, flavorful meat and the sweet, tangy glaze making it irresistibly delicious. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a memorable Christmas holiday feast!

Filipino-style Pineapple-glazed ham

Make the holidays extra delicious with this Filipino-style Pineapple-glazed ham! Juicy and flavorful with a sweet and tangy fruity glaze, it’s the perfect Christmas dinner centerpiece.

Check out this recipe

Classic Pork Adobo

Last but not least for the main dish list is this classic pork adobo! What I love about it is that, aside from its delicious flavor, you can choose your meat—whether it’s pork, beef, or chicken. It’s a versatile dish that’s always a hit!

Pork Adobo

How do you like your Pork Adobo? Saucy or dry? Adobo is one of the famous Filipino cuisine worldwide. You can use pork, chicken, beef and even fish. You can use any types of meat and it’s braised with soy sauce and vinegar and lots of brown garlic.

Check out this recipe

Filipino Rice Cake (Bibingka)

Yay, moving on to desserts! I absolutely love rice cakes, and this one has that warm and comforting flavor that’s perfect for the holidays. Topped with savory ingredients, it’s a delightful treat that really captures the festive spirit of Christmas!

Bibingka Recipe

This is a soft, tasty and special bibingka done the easy way. You will love this sweet rice coconut cake topped with salted eggs and cheese.

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Filipino Purple Rice Cake (Puto Bumbong)

This is probably the most classic Filipino Christmas dessert! Just look at that vibrant pop of color—it’s not only festive but also incredibly delicious. Steamed to perfection and topped with butter, grated coconut, and muscovado sugar, it’s a treat that truly captures the holiday spirit.

Puto Bumbong Recipe

Puto bumbong is a type of Filipino purple rice cake which is prepared by steaming ground purple rice mixture inside a bamboo tube. The tube is referred to as “bumbong ng kawayan” in Filipino. This might have been the reason why this was named as such. Puto bumbong has been associated with the Christmas season!

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Filipino Purple Yam Jam (Ube Halaya)

I’m a big fan of purple yams and can’t get enough of them, so this simple yet delicious purple yam jam is a perfect dessert choice! It’s vibrantly purple, sweet, and creamy, making it not only festive but also incredibly satisfying. Plus, making it from scratch means it’s even better than store-bought!

Ube Halaya Recipe (Purple Yam Jam)

Ube halaya is a sweet and delicious Filipino dessert, and it’s not hard to see why it’s popular! Make it from scratch for a better tasting purple yam jam!

Check out this recipe

Cathedral Window Jelly 

This is the most festive dessert ever! Just look at that colorful design—it practically screams Christmas! It tastes like classic jelly but even better, with a combination of vibrant flavors that’s simply irresistible.

Cathedral Window Jelly Dessert

This cathedral window jelly dessert is a popular Filipino dish. The coloured gelatin mixed in with the white gelatin gives a cathedral-window-like look.

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Filipino Fruit Salad

Last but definitely not least is this traditional Filipino fruit salad. I always enjoy any type of fruit salad, and this one is a top choice for dessert with its heavenly, sweet, and creamy sauce. It’s the perfect way to end any meal and always brings a touch of sweetness!

Filipino Fruit Salad

There are numerous versions of Filipino Fruit Salad. My family’s rendition is made with mixed fruit cocktail, shredded young coconut, and sweetened cream.

Check out this recipe

Lots of thanks to the original creators of these amazing appetizer, main dish, and dessert recipes!