Skip to:
Our Top 15 Picks for The Best Gulay Ulam Ideas to Eat with Rice
Thinking about what to cook and eat for lunch and dinner is hard enough but trying to incorporate more vegetable ulam is even harder. After all, most Pinoy ulam is meat or fish based, think chicken and pork adobo, sinigang na bangus, and giniling. Most of what’s commonly served during mealtimes are meat or fish-heavy. And while there’s nothing wrong with getting our dose of protein for the day, pinggang pinoy (a guide on healthy food portions for Filipinos) recommends having half of our plate filled with fruits and vegetables. Steamed vegetables are easy and delicious but they can be boring after a while. There’s nothing like flavorful ulam that’s perfect with piping hot rice so we’ve gathered our top 15 gulay ulam ideas that will have you eating healthy and delicious meals all week long.
Gulay Ulam Ideas with a Crunch
1. Crispy Tofu Sisig with Okra and Mushroom
Kicking off the list is delicious and crispy tofu sisig with okra and mushroom. This deceptively healthy yet yummy ulam is full of vitamins and nutrients all thanks to okra, mushroom, and crispy tofu. Perfect for picky-eaters, this pinoy ulam uses Knorr Liquid Seasoning Original to add a rich umami taste.
Featured vegetables: okra, mushroom
2. Lumpiang Gulay
No list of gulay ulam ideas is complete without crispy lumpiang gulay. This recipe takes the family favorite to the next level by adding Knorr Pork Cubes into the mix. You get all the meaty flavors in this vegetable ulam minus the meat.
Featured Vegetables: carrots, green beans, sayote, malunggay
Gulay Ulam Ideas with Rich & Flavor-Packed Sauces
3. Vegetable Kare Kare
This meatless Kare Kare is an indulgent gulay ulam that’s ready in only 35 minutes! We say you can even do it in less time if you have your vegetables all prepped and ready to go. The secret to this flavorful veggie dish is Knorr Kare Kare recipe mix. It has all the delicious flavors that we all love minus the effort! A real win on our books.
Featured Vegetables: banana heart, eggplant, green beans, pechay
4. Bok Choy Curry
Curry isn’t a common dish you’ll find in traditional Filipino cooking but with the influx of other cultures, we’ve grown to love this creamy and rich-tasting dish. Make this anytime you’re craving for something warm, comforting, and healthy.
Featured Vegetables: bok choy, oyster mushrooms
5. Ginataang Gulay
Classic, simple, and oh so good, this ginataang gulay is a must have in your list of classic gulay ulam ideas. Perfect with adobo and hot rice, this classic vegetable dish is made extra tasty with Knorr Ginataang Gulay Recipe Mix.
Featured Vegetables: Squash, string beans, malunggay
If you’re eating healthy on a budget, you can’t go wrong with nutrient-dense kangkong a.k.a. water spinach. Making it into adobo is a delicious, affordable, and nutritious way to incorporate more gulay ulam in your diet.
Featured Vegetables: kangkong
7. Adobong Labong (Bamboo Shoots)
We all know about adobong kangkong but did you know you can make adobo from bamboo shoots as well? Just like kangkong, bamboo shoots soak up flavor really well and are great to make as adobo. For an extra-meaty taste, use Knorr Beef or Pork cubes when cooking.
Featured Vegetables: Bamboo Shoots
Gulay Ulam na May Sabaw (Soup)
8. Kalabasa and Malunggay Soup
Full of all things good for you, this simple vegetable soup is perfect on its own during rainy days or served with fried food and rice. It has 4 different kinds of vegetables that make this gulay na ulam packed with vitamins and nutrients.
Featured Vegetables: Squash, malunggay, okra, eggplant, string beans
9. Veggie Sinigang
What is sinigang without the vegetables? This veggie sinigang recipe takes out all the meat and keeps it simple with a variety of vegetables and sour soup that’ll make even the pickiest eaters lick their bowls dry. Make this dish in a breeze by using Knorr Sinigang sa Sampalok mix.
Featured Vegetables: string beans, eggplant, radish, kangkong
Gulay Ulam Ideas for Those Who Need a Bit of Meat
While all of the vegetable ulam recipes are delicious and meaty on their own, some people prefer a bit of meat to go with their ulam. Whether it’s for picky eaters or meat-eaters that must have meat with their gulay, here are some recipes that are heavy on the veggies with a hint of meat or fish.
10. Bulanglang (Vegetable Soup)
11. Ginataang Langka
12. Ginisang Monggo
13. Ginisang Pechay with Giniling
14. Ginisang Repolyo
15. Gising Gising
16. Sipo Egg
Making gulay na ulam is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. While most people think of buttered or steamed veggies when wanting to eat healthier, it’s not exactly the most sustainable. The most important part of eating healthier is being able to sustain it, and that means eating dishes that are delicious and comforting. Use these recipes when starting out but get creative in the kitchen and make your own gulay na ulam using whatever you have on hand. Just remember this tip – use Knorr Chicken, Beef, Shrimp,or Pork Cubes whenever you’re cooking vegetables. These cubes add a depth of flavor that makes your vegetable ulam extra delicious.
