Let’s be real — there are days when the budget is tight, the fridge is nearly empty, and the kids (or hubby) are suddenly hungry again. Whether it’s the day before grocery shopping or just one of those “ay, wala na palang ulam” moments, I’ve learned to rely on my pantry emergency meals: quick, tasty, and satisfying meals made with whatever I can find in the kitchen cabinet.
The best part? They all cost ₱100 or less, and no one complains — not even the picky eaters at home!
What’s in My Pantry Emergency Kit
Before I share the recipes, here are a few things I always keep stocked:
- Sardines (in tomato sauce or oil)
- Canned tuna
- Instant noodles or miswa
- Eggs
- Tokwa (tofu) (this is kept in the fridge)
- Soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, and seasonings
- Garlic and onion (always!)
- Canned mushrooms or corn
- Rice (of course!)
- Pasta
With these on hand, you’ll never run out of meal ideas — just creativity!
My Favorite ₱100 Pantry-Pulutan Meals
1. Ginisang Sardinas with Miswa
Cost: Around ₱70
A classic lifesaver! Sauté garlic and onion, add sardines, mash slightly, then pour in a bit of water and miswa noodles. Comfort food at its finest.
2. Tuna and Corn Tortang Pancake
Cost: Around ₱90
Mix canned tuna, canned corn, chopped onion, and egg. Pan-fry into savory fritters. Great with ketchup or a little mayo!
3. Spicy Tokwa Sisig
Cost: ₱100
Fry tofu until crispy, then chop and toss with soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi, onion, and siling labuyo. Serve sizzling hot — pulutan vibes, but pang-ulam din!
4. Poor Man’s Pasta (Instant Noodles Hack)
Cost: Around ₱80
Boil instant noodles, drain, and toss with a can of tuna, garlic, and a splash of oil or butter. Optional: top with leftover cheese or egg for extra flavor.
5. Egg Fried Rice + Tokwa Bites
Cost: Around ₱95
Use leftover rice, garlic, egg, and soy sauce to make garlic fried rice. Pair with cubed fried tofu tossed in sweet chili sauce. Easy and filling!
6. Tuna Pasta
Canned tuna? Always stocked. Spaghetti or elbow macaroni? Got it. Sauté some garlic, toss in tuna (in oil or water), season with salt, pepper, and a bit of ketchup or all-purpose cream if you have it. Mix with cooked pasta — instant comfort food for around ₱90! Bonus: it’s kid-approved and filling.
Bonus: Turn It into Pulutan Night!
These dishes double as emergency ulam, emergency meal or quick pulutan if friends come over unexpectedly. Just add a cold drink and you’re all set!
It’s amazing what you can do with simple pantry staples and a little creativity. These pantry emergency meals have saved me more than once — when I was short on time, short on cash, or both! So the next time you feel like there’s “nothing to cook,” take a look inside your cabinet. You might just surprise yourself.
Got a pantry-pulutan idea of your own? I’d love to hear it in the comments!
