Image source: https://ricelifefoodie.com/grilled-squid-inihaw-na-pusit-recipe-filipino-japanese-style/
In the Philippines, food isn’t just a necessity; it’s a celebration. Whether it’s a Sunday lunch, birthday gathering, fiesta, or a casual weekend with the family, meals bring loved ones together.
One of the most cherished Filipino food traditions is the backyard ihaw-ihaw (grilling) or Filipino barbecue, where the aroma of sizzling meat and the sound of laughter fill the air.
With the right Filipino grilling recipes, your backyard can transform into the ultimate Filipino restaurant experience—no reservations needed.
Must-Eat Grilled Filipino Cuisine Dishes
Here are six absolutely flavorful Filipino-style grilling recipes that your family will love.
All ingredients can easily be found in your local market, and each recipe is perfect for your next barbecue gathering.
Image source: http://filipinostylerecipe.com/2017/12/pork-barbecue-inihaw-na-baboy/
1. Classic Filipino-Style Barbecue Pork Skewers
Barbecues come in different taste profiles, but what makes Filipino barbecue distinctive is its flavorful profile, mixing savory and sweet, with a subtle smoky taste.
What makes Filipino barbecue arguably so delicious is its marinade.
Filipino barbecue often includes a tasty mix of soy sauce, calamansi, sugar, and the unique ingredient: banana ketchup.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg pork shoulder, sliced thin
- 1 cup banana ketchup
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
- Bamboo or metal skewers
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine the marinade ingredients: banana ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, pepper, and hot sauce.
- Add the meat into the mixture and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight (make sure to refrigerate in a covered container).
- Thread marinated pork onto bbq skewers.
- Grill over medium-high heat charcoal grill, turning occasionally and basting with leftover basting sauce until cooked and slightly charred, about 10-12 minutes.
- Serve immediately with rice and Datu Puti vinegar dip (add a spicy twist to your sauce by adding in chopped siling labuyo)
Image source: https://onestophalal.com/blogs/info/chicken-inasal-recipe-bacolods-famous-grilled-chicken
2. Chicken Inasal (Grilled Filipino-Style Chicken)
The delicious chicken inasal is a beloved recipe attributed to “the Sugar Bowl of the Philippines,” Bacolod City.
Many restaurants have tried to recreate the traditional Bacolod chicken inasal recipe. However, whether it’s as delicious as the original one is still up for debate.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken leg quarters
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup (for basting)
Instructions:
- Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl. Using a whisk, mix all ingredients until everything is well blended.
- Marinate chicken for at least 3 hours or overnight (refrigerate in a covered container).
- Grill over a charcoal grill or gas grill, basting with banana ketchup mixed with a bit of oil every few minutes. Option to place the meat on bbq skewers.
- Grill until skin is crispy and meat is fully cooked, around 20-25 minutes.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- This Filipino food staple is absolutely delicious paired with garlic rice and pickled papaya (atsara).
3. Grilled Bangus (Milkfish)
Grilled bangus or inihaw na bangus is a simple yet delicious barbecue dish to prepare.
In this recipe, the fish is best cooked on a charcoal grill to give it that distinct smoky taste that balances perfectly with the fish’s delicate flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole bangus (milkfish), cleaned and butterflied (cut into half)
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for brushing
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Season with salt and ground black pepper.
- Stuff the mixture inside the fish cavity. Secure with kitchen twine if needed.
- Brush fish with oil and season the skin with salt.
- Grill over charcoal briquettes or a gas grill for 6–8 minutes per side or until skin is crispy and flesh is cooked through.
Serve with dipping sauce of calamansi, soy sauce, and vinegar. Best paired with steaming hot rice or garlic rice for breakfast.
4. Filipino BBQ Beef Kebabs
If you’re a fan of kebabs, then this Filipino-style beef bbq perfect for you.
Ingredients:
- 500g beef sirloin, cubed
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder (or finely minced garlic)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes for skewering
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients. Add beef and marinate for 3–4 hours.
- Thread beef and vegetables alternately onto metal or wooden bbq skewers.
- Grill over medium-high heat, turning regularly until beef is slightly charred outside but still juicy inside (about 8–10 minutes).
- Serve immediately as a tasty backyard party dish.
You can actually do this with chicken meat cut up in smaller portions or pork meat, and even with plain vegetables, too.
Image source: https://meatwave.com/recipes/inihaw-na-liempo-grilled-filipino-pork-belly-recipe
5. Filipino-Style Grilled Liempo (Pork Belly)
Liempo is a sinful yet delightfully delicious barbecue dish. It’s best to use pork belly with a layer of fat to give it that mouthwatering and flavorful bite.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg sliced pork belly
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Marinate pork belly in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, sugar, banana ketchup, pepper, and salt for 3–4 hours.
- Grill pork over charcoal or gas grill, brushing with basting sauce and turning occasionally until well-browned and crisp on the edges, about 15–20 minutes.
- Slice and serve immediately with rice and datu puti vinegar on the side.
Alternatively, you can also eat and enjoy liempo even if you don’t have access to a grill. Instead of cooking it over fire, you can also bake it in an oven.
To do so, simply preheat your oven at around 185-190° Celsius and bake the marinated meat for around 20 minutes.
Another healthier alternative is to use an air fryer or turbo broiler.
6. Grilled Filipino Hot Dogs with Banana Ketchup Glaze
Grilled hot dogs are Filipino party staples. It’s a quick, easy, and filling Filipino-style barbecue that’s affordable and beloved, particularly by kids.
Ingredients:
- Filipino-style red hot dogs
- 1/4 cup banana ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- Oil for brushing
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk banana ketchup, brown sugar, and hot sauce mix to make a glaze.
- Skewer hot dogs and brush with oil. If you have bigger hot dogs, you can chop them in half and place each half on separate bbq skewers for easier cooking.
- Grill over medium to high heat for 5–7 minutes, rotating them occasionally.
- During the last few minutes, brush with the glaze until slightly caramelized.
- Serve immediately on skewers or in buns with more banana ketchup.
Grilling in Style with Camella
Hosting a Filipino-style backyard barbecue involves preparing delicious food.
But, most importantly, it’s about creating memories, sharing laughter, and enjoying the flavorful traditions of Filipino cuisine with the people you love.
But to truly enjoy moments like these, you need the right space.
Camella, one of the Philippines’ most trusted home developers, offers thoughtfully designed homes with generous outdoor spaces perfect for family gatherings and backyard grilling.
Whether you’re firing up the charcoal grill for some pork shoulder barbecue or skewering hot dogs for the kids, Camella gives you the freedom to celebrate Filipino traditions right in your own backyard.
From their secure and spacious communities to amenities that support family bonding, Camella ensures your home is where you build the best memories over absolutely delicious food you eat and heartfelt laughter you share.
Ready to experience the joys of Filipino grilling in your own yard? Find your dream home with Camella today.
