Pinoy Thanksgiving: 5 Filipino Versions of Thanksgiving Meals

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Pinoy Thanksgiving: 5 Filipino Versions of Thanksgiving Meals

Written by Jio de Leon

Updated Nov 25, 2024, 11:35:56 AM

Every fourth Thursday of November, people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving. This uniquely American tradition has never made its way to our shores, but when our Filipino-American brothers and sisters start posting those rich, appetizing Thanksgiving dinners that include roast turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie on social media, we can’t help but crave them just a little bit.

While we don’t formally celebrate Thanksgiving here, we can still enjoy a Filipino twist on classic Thanksgiving dishes. Here are five recipes by social media creators that put a Pinoy spin on traditional Thanksgiving fare:

1. Adobo Roast Turkey

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without turkey, and what better way to give it a Filipino flavor than with adobo? Prepare your adobo sauce as usual, but add a stick of butter to make it thicker and richer. This will allow you to coat your turkey in that familiar sweet and tangy adobo goodness, giving the bird an unforgettable Filipino flavor.
Credit: Filipino Foods Pulutan at Iba Pa on YouTube

2. Turkey Paksiw

@thetastebud Turkey paksiw is my favorite way to enjoy leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Paksiw is a Filipino method of taking pre cooked meat and simmering it to tenderize the meat. This is most commonly done with leftover roasted lechon but it is perfect for turkey, too. You just need that bottle of Mang Tomas. I’m not sure exactly what goes into “All Purpose Sauce” but it’s brown and delicious. This dish is truly the definition of ugly delicious and super flavorful and comforting after a day of #blackfriday shopping Ingredients (sorry, I didn’t measure anything that well for this but it’s more of a guideline because it kinda depends on how much turkey you have) 3 cups precooked turkey 1-2 tbsp canola oil 1.5 cups water 2/3 cup vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1.5 cups Mang Tomas All Purpose Sauce 3 bay leaves 1 medium onion diced 6-8 cloves garlic roughly chopped Salt and pepper to taste 2-3 tbsp liver spread or pate (optional) 1. Over medium heat sauté garlic and onion till translucent. Add vinegar and water and bring to a low boil and simmer for five minutes without stirring. 2. Add in Mang Tomas and brown sugar and stir to combine. Toss in turkey and bay leaves. Cover and turn down the heat and continue to cook 15-20 minutes (check on it halfway and if it looks too fry add some water). 3. Stir in liver spread of using and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper. Eat with boiled cabbage and steamed rice. Enjoy! #filipino #filipinofood #leftovers #foodtiktok ♬ Thanksgiving Theme - Vince Guaraldi Trio

If you want to go even more Pinoy, use turkey in paksiw! This dish traditionally uses leftover Thanksgiving turkey, but who says you can’t serve it up fresh on the day itself? Slice up your turkey and simmer it in a sweet and sour paksiw sauce for a uniquely Filipino take on this Thanksgiving staple.
Credit: Vince Vasquez on TikTok

3. Filipino-Style Stuffed Turkey

@yungfoodbeast Thanksgiving Turkey done Filipino style! 🇵🇭🦃🔥 #thanksgivingturkey ♬ original sound - Foodbeast

Not up for a whole turkey? Why not try a Filipino-inspired stuffed turkey dish, reminiscent of the classic meatloaf, embutido? Debone the turkey for the outer layer, then stuff it with a mix of pork sausage, breadcrumbs, crushed pineapples, onions, cranberries, banana ketchup, herbs, and hard-boiled eggs. This festive and hearty dish is sure to impress at any Filipino Thanksgiving table.
Credit: Foodbeast on TikTok

4. Pumpkin Leche Flan

Leche flan is a beloved Filipino dessert, and it’s even more perfect for Thanksgiving when combined with the flavors of pumpkin pie. Simply add pumpkin puree and a dash of cinnamon to the custard base of your leche flan. This fusion of two iconic desserts results in a uniquely delicious dish for your Pinoy Thanksgiving.
Credit: Geronimo Carlo Ramos on YouTube

5. Cornbread Bibingka

Cornbread is a Thanksgiving staple, but to give it a Filipino twist, why not combine it with bibingka, a popular Filipino holiday treat? Prepare cornbread as usual, but substitute coconut milk for regular milk, as is traditionally done with bibingka. For the full experience, sprinkle coconut shavings on top before baking!
Credit: Pinoy Cooking Recipes on YouTube

Creating Filipino versions of Thanksgiving meals can become a fun new tradition, whether you're in the Philippines looking to try something different or a Filipino-American wanting to infuse your Thanksgiving dinner with a bit of home. No matter where you are, Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for the blessings of the past year, and that’s something we can all celebrate.