Christmas in the Philippines always feels like a warm hug — kahit gaano ka-busy ang December, when the smell of queso de bola and ham hits the air, I’m instantly transported back to childhood. I think that’s why I love holiday cooking so much. Every dish comes with a memory, a story, or a “Uy, naaalala mo ba ‘to?” moment that makes the season feel richer.
Growing up, our Noche Buena table was always a little chaotic — halo-halo ng classic dishes, new dishes someone wanted to try, and that one recipe na “pang-experiment” pero nauubos din naman. Now that I’m the one preparing the holiday spread, I find myself mixing tradition with modern twists. Some recipes feel like they belong to my mom, others feel like they belong to the kids… and some feel like they belong to the future.
So here’s my curated list of Filipino Holiday Recipes for 2025 — a mix of classics we love, dishes that get better every Christmas, and modern favorites na siguradong crowd-pleasers.
And yes, may konting chika and nostalgia sprinkled throughout, of course. 🎄💛
1. Classic Filipino Pork Hamonado
Nothing smells more like “Pasko na!” than pork ham simmering in pineapple juice.
I remember Mom used to cook this on Christmas Eve — the whole house smelled sweet and festive. To this day, whenever I cook it, my kids run to the kitchen asking: “Mommy, is it Christmas already?”
Serve with buttered rice and expect zero leftovers.
2. Baked Mac Filipino-Style (Kids’ Favorite!)
This is Twinkle and Ykaie’s non-negotiable holiday dish. Kahit may lechon, kahit may steak — they will always go straight to the baked mac with that gooey, cheesy topping.
My twist?
A mix of melty cheese + a layer of sweet-style meat sauce na very Pinoy.
Try mo — promise, sasabihin ng guests mo: “Sino gumawa nito?”
3. Chicken Galantina (Old School but Always Special)
This is the kind of dish that feels like a labor of love. I grew up seeing titas bring this to potlucks — beautifully sliced, perfectly stuffed, and served with gravy.
Today, I make a simpler version — rotisserie-chicken style, stuffed with carrots, hotdog, pickles, and egg.
Still festive, still nostalgic, but mas mabilis!
4. Holiday Lechon Belly or Pork Roast
Lechon is lechon — walang tatalo.
But in our home, we sometimes skip the whole lechon and do a belly roll instead. Mas budget-friendly, mas manageable, and mas crispy din if done right.
We had one last Christmas na super crisp, and the kids kept sneaking pieces habang nagpipicture pa ako. 🤣
5. Creamy Shrimp Alfredo (Modern Dish for 2025)
Not all holiday dishes need to be traditional.
For Christmas 2024, I cooked Shrimp Alfredo for the first time and everyone said:
“Pwede ba every Christmas na ‘to?”
It’s that dish that bridges generations — classic enough for family, modern enough for the kids.
6. Festive Pinoy Fruit Salad
Our fruit salad has many versions — some watery, some too sweet, some perfect.
The “perfect” one for me is:
— chilled all day
— just the right amount of cream
— lots of kaong + nata
— and very cold grapes (my personal twist!)
Whenever we serve this, it disappears in minutes.
7. Homemade Ensaymada or Store-Bought (No Judging!)
Some years, I make them from scratch.
Some years, I buy them from our favorite bakeshop.
Both years — ubos agad.
The kids’ favorite part?
The mountain of butter and sugar on top.
Mine?
Kainan while unwrapping gifts.
8. Holiday BBQ Platter / Chicken Inasal Tray
We started doing this in 2023 when we wanted a break from heavy dishes.
Surprisingly, one of the most loved dishes during Noche Buena was simply grilled BBQ + inasal + java rice.
Sometimes the simplest ones make the happiest memories.
9. Christmas Cakes & Desserts (My Sweet Weakness)
Whether it’s mocha cake, chocolate cake, brazo de mercedes , or a new trendy cake — dessert is the heart of every Filipino Christmas table.
A couple of years ago, we had a Fruit Cake (so good!!). 🤣
The truth? Christmas food doesn’t have to be perfect — it just needs to feel like home.
Food is how we tell stories.
Food is how we celebrate love.
Food is how we build traditions that our kids will remember long after the dishes are washed.
Whether you’re cooking 10 dishes or 3, whether classic or modern, whether homemade or store-bought — what matters is the joy around the table.
Here’s to delicious memories, warm kitchens, and a beautiful Filipino Christmas 2025. 🎄❤️
