Description
Sinigang is a traditional Filipino soup known for its tangy, savory, and hearty flavors. Made with a base of tamarind, it features tender meat or seafood, a medley of fresh vegetables, and a mouthwatering sour broth that is perfect for comforting meals. Sinigang is versatile, allowing variations with pork, beef, fish, or shrimp, depending on your preference.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broth:
- 8 cups water or rice washing (hugas bigas)
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 1 packet tamarind soup mix (or 1 cup fresh tamarind pulp, adjusted to taste)
Protein:
- 1 ½ lbs pork belly, spareribs, or shrimp (choose your preferred protein)
Vegetables:
- 1 cup radish, sliced into rounds
- 1 cup eggplant, sliced
- 1 cup string beans (sitaw), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups water spinach (kangkong) or spinach leaves
- 2 small green chilies (siling pangsigang), optional
Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (patis), to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Broth:
In a large pot, bring water or rice washing to a boil. Add the tomatoes and onion. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes to infuse the flavor into the broth. - Cook the Protein:
Add your chosen protein (pork or shrimp) to the pot. If using pork, let it simmer for 30–40 minutes or until tender. If using shrimp, add it later during the vegetable cooking stage to avoid overcooking. - Add Vegetables:
- Add the radish and eggplant to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Follow with string beans and cook for another 3–5 minutes.
- Flavor the Soup:
Stir in the tamarind mix or fresh tamarind pulp. Adjust the sourness to your liking. Season with fish sauce and salt, tasting as you go. - Finish with Greens:
Toss in the water spinach or spinach leaves and optional green chilies. Let them wilt for 1–2 minutes before turning off the heat. - Serve:
Ladle the sinigang into bowls and serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
- Customization: Add or substitute vegetables like okra, taro (gabi), or green beans.
- Tamarind Alternatives: If fresh tamarind isn’t available, you can use tamarind concentrate or a blend of lemon juice and vinegar for a similar tangy effect.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Sinigang, Filipino Soup, Tamarind Soup, Comfort Food