How to Cook Sisig the Healthier Way

Sisig is one of the most famous Filipino dishes alongside adobo. Though some people consider sizzling pork as bar chow, it works as ulam just as well. The combination of crisp meat and tender bits seasoned with onions, chili, and calamansi are to die for! Unfortunately, too much of this fatty dish can do just that. With a few tweaks, you can learn how to cook sisig, the healthier way.

How? Read on for ways to turn this dish into something your family can indulge in often. Let’s get started.

How to Make Sisig Healthier

Here are a few ideas to cook healthier sisig at home.

Skip the frying for a different method.

Cooking sisig is a two to three-step process. It begins with boiling the meat before grilling it, then crisping it in oil. Many cooks streamline the process. Unfortunately, shortcuts sometimes involve deep-frying the meat. Change it up by using an oven or air fryer to crisp up the pork.

Replace pork with other healthier proteins.

An fast route to take when aiming for healthier sisig is to replace pork. Pork face, belly, ears, liver, and brains are standard ingredients. Nowadays, you can forego pork for chicken, fish, squid, or tofu sisig. Changing the main protein also cuts the cooking time.

Add more veggies to the mix.

Who says you can’t add more veggie sisig ingredients? Broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, carrots, and sweet corn kernels are great starting points, but feel free to add other vegetables you like.

Use vegan meat substitutes.

Gone are the days when vegan meat alternatives tasted bland. You can easily find delicious-tasting meat substitutes. Tofu and mushroom are two excellent options in terms of texture and flavor. Give them an umami boost with a dash of Knorr Liquid Seasoning. 

Pick low-fat mayonnaise.

Although the original recipe does not call for mayo, it’s a condiment many like to add to the dish. If you are one of those who like their sisig creamy, you might want to consider low-fat mayo or even yogurt.

Other Ways to Serve Sisig

Sizzling sisig, when not paired with liquor, is served with a helping of rice. Other than the ulam and kanin combo, there are countless unique options. Here are some ideas you might want to make for your family.

• Sisig tacos – A no-brainer, especially if you have leftovers. All you need are taco shells, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. It’s a great light meal kids and adults will enjoy.
• Sisig pizza – You don’t need instructions to make this one. Sprinkle cooked sisig over store-bought pie crust. Don’t forget to lay on the foundation first. Spread tomato sauce and smother with cheese. Finish off cooked sisig pizza with Knorr Liquid Seasoning for that extra flavor boost.
• Sisig lettuce wrap – Take cues from Korean BBQ and enjoy your sisig wrapped in lettuce! This no-carb wrap is perfect if you are trying to eat healthier.
• Sisig Pasta – Mushroom sisig with pasta sauce over al dente noodles – yes please! Take your fave sauce and top with crispy sisig. You seriously can’t go wrong.

If it’s your first time cooking pork-free sisig, fear not! Learning how to cook sisig without pork isn’t tricky. If anything, the substitutes listed are easier to manage than pork. Chicken and tuna sisig are prime examples of easy-to-cook versions that are healthier but just as delicious. Whichever sisig recipe you decide to prepare, don’t be afraid to experiment with seasonings and ingredients. Your loved ones will appreciate the creativity!