Easy Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

From fifteen years perfecting Filipino dishes in my kitchen and countless Sunday family gatherings, I'm sharing this bulalo recipe Filipino food that's been passed down through three generations of our family. This isn't just another beef soup - it's the heart of Filipino comfort food, where beef marrow bones simmer for hours to create that signature rich, clear broth that warms both body and soul. Through years of cooking for homesick Filipino friends and teaching Emma about our cultural heritage, I've refined this recipe to capture the exact flavors of the best Batangas bulalo houses.

Another serving of bulalo recipe Filipino food — A black bowl containing beef shank, corn, carrots, potatoes, and bok choy in broth, garnished generously with chopped herbs and scallions.

Why You'll Love This Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

From years of serving this hearty Filipino soup to friends and family, I've watched faces light up with that first taste. This recipe creates restaurant-quality bulalo at home using simple techniques that anyone can master. The clear, flavorful broth paired with tender beef and fresh vegetables makes this the ultimate comfort food that satisfies on every level.

Whether you're meal prepping for busy weeks or hosting Sunday dinner, this traditional bulalo delivers consistent results without requiring fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. The long, slow cooking process might seem intimidating, but it's actually quite forgiving - perfect for beginners who want to experience the magic of Filipino home cooking. Plus, the incredible aroma filling your kitchen will have everyone asking when dinner's ready!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
Ingredients for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
How To Make Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food Step By Step
Smart Swaps for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food Variations
Equipment For Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
Storing Your Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
What to Serve With Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food
Top Tip
The Secret Ingredient My Aunt Swears By
FAQ
Ready to Warm Hearts and Souls!
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Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Ingredients for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Main Players:

Beef shank with bone marrow
Beef short ribs
White onion
Fresh ginger
Whole peppercorns
Fish sauce
Sea salt

Seasoning and aromatics — A wooden board with beef bones, ginger, onions, scallions, whole peppercorns, salt, fish sauce, and soy sauce, laid out for making the broth.

The Vegetable Team:

Fresh corn on cob
Napa cabbage
Green beans
Small potatoes
Bok choy

Flavor Enhancers:

Scallions for garnish
Bay leaves
Garlic cloves

See recipe card for quantities.

Fresh vegetables on board — Corn cobs, potatoes, green beans, garlic, and bok choy neatly arranged on a wooden board, waiting to be added to the soup.

How To Make Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food Step By Step

Initial Prep:

Rinse beef bones in cold water
Cut vegetables into large chunks
Slice ginger into thick pieces
Prepare aromatics

Prepared raw ingredients — Chopped beef short ribs with sliced ginger, onion, scallions, and garlic displayed on a wooden board, ready for broth preparation.

Building the Broth:

Add bones to large pot with cold water
Bring to gentle boil
Skim foam regularly for 15 minutes
Add ginger, onion, peppercorns

Beef bones simmering in broth — Large chunks of beef shank with marrow bones, onions, and aromatics cooking in a flavorful golden broth.

The Long Simmer:

Reduce to gentle simmer
Cover partially
Cook 2-3 hours minimum
Check water level hourly

Pouring water into broth — A dark pot of simmering beef and vegetables with leeks and carrots, as hot water is being poured in to maintain broth level.

Vegetable Addition:

Add corn and potatoes first
Simmer 15 minutes
Add green beans next
Finish with leafy greens

Pot of simmering broth with vegetables — A stainless steel pot of broth filled with sliced potatoes, corn, green beans, onions, and herbs, creating a colorful mix.

Final Seasoning:

Garnish with scallions
Season with fish sauce
Adjust salt to taste
Remove aromatics

Bowl of beef soup — A rustic wooden bowl filled with clear beef broth, chunks of tender beef, carrots, corn, potato, and leafy greens, topped with chopped scallions.

Smart Swaps for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Meat Options:

Beef shank → Oxtail pieces
Short ribs → Chuck roast
Mixed bones → Single cut

Vegetable Choices:

Napa cabbage → Regular cabbage
Corn cobs → Baby corn
Green beans → Snap peas
Bok choy → Chinese broccoli

Seasoning Alternatives:

Bay leaves → Dried herbs
Fish sauce → Soy sauce
Fresh ginger → Ginger powder

Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food Variations

Batangas Style:

Extra beef marrow bones
Minimal vegetables
Focus on pure broth
Traditional simplicity

Tagaytay Special:

Add mushrooms
Extra corn
Heartier vegetables
Mountain-style richness

Modern Twist:

Pressure cooker method
Additional herbs
Colorful vegetables
Faster preparation

Equipment For Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Large stockpot (6+ quarts)
Long wooden spoon
Fine mesh skimmer
Sharp chef's knife
Large ladle

Storing Your Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Refrigerator (3-4 days):

Cool completely before storing
Store broth and solids separately
Skim fat layer when cold
Reheat gently on stovetop

Freezer (2-3 months):

Freeze broth without vegetables
Use freezer-safe containers
Leave expansion room
Add fresh vegetables when reheating

Reheating Notes:

Never boil frozen broth directly
Warm slowly over medium heat
Add vegetables during reheating
Adjust seasoning after thawing

What to Serve With Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food

Back years of hosting Filipino family dinners, I've learned that bulalo shines brightest with simple, complementary sides. Traditional steamed jasmine rice is essential - it soaks up that rich marrow broth beautifully. Fresh lumpia or pickled vegetables (atchara) provide a bright, tangy contrast to the soup's richness. For special occasions, crispy fried garlic rice or warm pandesal bread for dipping elevate the entire meal.

The beauty of this Filipino comfort food lies in its completeness - bulalo is often the star that needs little competition. Light sides work best: a simple green salad with calamansi dressing, roasted vegetables, or fresh tropical fruits like mango or pineapple for dessert. For beverages, hot calamansi juice or iced tea complement the warming soup perfectly. Remember, in Filipino tradition, the focus should remain on savoring every spoonful of that soul-warming broth.

Top Tip

My grandmother Lola Carmen had a special way with this classic Pinoy soup dish that she learned from her own mother in Batangas. While everyone else just threw the bones into boiling water, she'd first char a whole onion directly over her gas burner until the skin was blackened. She'd add this charred onion to the pot, skin and all, during the first hour of cooking.

"The burned parts give sweetness," she'd explain, fishing out the onion before serving. That subtle smoky sweetness balanced the rich marrow perfectly. Her other secret? She'd save the last cup of broth in the pot, the most concentrated part, and add it back just before serving. "Every bowl deserves the best taste," she'd say with a knowing smile.

The Secret Ingredient My Aunt Swears By

My aunt discovered her secret to the most flavorful bulalo during a cooking disaster back in 1987. She was making soup for her daughter's birthday party when she accidentally knocked over a bottle of coconut vinegar into the pot during the last hour of cooking. Instead of starting over, she decided to taste it first - and was amazed by how that splash of acidity brightened the entire broth without making it sour.

Now she always adds two tablespoons of coconut vinegar (or regular white vinegar works too) during the final 30 minutes of simmering. The acid helps extract even more minerals from the bones while balancing the rich, fatty flavors with a subtle brightness. She swears this technique makes people ask "what's different about your bulalo?" every single time. When I tried it in my own kitchen, I understood why - that tiny addition transforms good bulalo into unforgettable bulalo.

FAQ

What are the ingredients for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food?

The essential ingredients for traditional include Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food beef shank with marrow bones, beef short ribs, corn, cabbage, potatoes, onion, ginger, peppercorns, fish sauce, and salt. Fresh vegetables like bok choy and green beans are added near the end of cooking.

What is the secret to Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food?

The secret lies in long, slow simmering of marrow-rich beef bones for 2-3 hours minimum. This extracts maximum collagen and marrow, creating that signature rich, clear broth. Skimming foam regularly and maintaining gentle heat prevents cloudiness.

What is the difference between bulalo and nilaga?

Bulalo specifically uses beef shank with marrow bones and focuses on the rich, clear broth from bone marrow. Nilaga is a broader category of boiled dishes that can use various cuts without necessarily featuring marrow bones as the star ingredient.

What is the English name for Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food?

Bulalo translates to "beef bone marrow soup" or "Filipino beef shank soup" in English. However, the Filipino term "bulalo" is widely used internationally as it captures the specific cooking method and cultural significance of this traditional dish.

Ready to Warm Hearts and Souls!

Now you have all the secrets to creating perfect Bulalo Recipe Filipino Food - from choosing the right bones to my aunt's vinegar technique. This soul-warming Filipino soup proves that the best comfort foods come from patience, tradition, and love. Whether you're connecting with your Filipino heritage or discovering these flavors for the first time, this recipe brings families together around the dinner table.

Craving more comfort food favorites? Try our quick Cheese Quesadilla Recipe (Ready in 10 Minutes) for a satisfying snack that pairs surprisingly well with soup. Need a hearty side? Our The Best Loaded Baked Potato Salad brings creamy richness to any meal. For meat lovers, our Easy Hibachi Steak Recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavors at home!