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Pinakbet (Filipino Vegetable Stew)

A funky and hearty vegetable stew.

Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

• The combination of sautéed shrimp paste and dashi fortifies the pinakbet with a slightly smoky and seafood-forward flavor. 
• Staggering the addition of vegetables ensures that they are tender and properly cooked through, without becoming mushy.

Pinakbet is a pungent Filipino vegetable stew made by simmering a variety of vegetables with shrimp or lechon kawali (crispy fried pork belly) in a fermented seafood-infused broth. The dish originated on the northern island of Luzon and has since spread throughout the country and abroad. Served alongside cooked white rice and fried or grilled fish and meat, this nourishing dish is a staple on Filipino dinner tables. 

In the Philippines, there are two popular versions of this dish: pinakbet Ilocano and pinakbet Tagalog (a derivative of the former). Pinakbet Ilocano, the traditional version, relies on bagoong isda, a thick fermented fish sauce typically made from a mix of anchovies and salt, to flavor the stew. Pinakbet Tagalog, on the other hand, utilizes bagoong alamang, which is a fermented shrimp or krill paste. Each bagoong lends a different flavor profile to the pinakbet; bagoong isda increases the funky savoriness of the dish, whereas bagoong alamang adds a hint of sweetness that complements the umami flavor. 

My mom only uses ginisang bagoong—a variation of bagoong alamang that is sautéed with onion, garlic, vinegar, and sugar—which imbues the pinakbet with a sweeter, more complex flavor. Consequently, I prefer pinakbet Tagalog made with ginisang bagoong (and call for it in this recipe), but if you have another type of bagoong you’d like to use (whether bagoong isda or alamang), feel free to substitute with an equal amount by volume. 

While the above versions exist and interpretations are plentiful, pinakbet should, at minimum, include a mix of hearty vegetables—eggplant, long green beans, bitter melon, okra, and squash or sweet potato—and your fermented seafood of choice. Besides slicing the vegetables (the most time-consuming part of this recipe), this one-pot dish, which uses dashi instead of water to build a punchy broth, is remarkably simple in its preparation. I start by sautéeing onion, garlic, tomatoes, and ginisang bagoong to build a flavorful base, then add dashi and the vegetables in staggered additions. Within thirty minutes, you'll have a slightly funky, hearty stew you can eat along with white rice for a simple but delicious meal, or you can serve it as part of a large meal, perhaps alongside chicken inasal and tortang talong (and, of course, rice!).

Recipe Details

Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 bitter melon (about 8 ounces ; 225g), halved lengthwise, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (optional)

2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil

1 small yellow onion (4 ounces; 115g), finely chopped

2 medium garlic cloves , minced

2 plum tomatoes (about 8 ounces; 225 g ), cored and chopped 

2 ounces (1/4 cup; 60 g ) ginisang bagoong (see notes)

2 cups (475ml)  homemade  or  instant   dashi

1 small sweet potato (about 8 ounces; 225 g ), peeled, quartered, and cut into 1/4-inch slices

8 ounces (225g) Chinese long beans or string beans, stem ends trimmed and beans cut into 2-inch lengths

1 medium Japanese eggplant (about 6 ounces; 170g), halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

8 ounces (225g) okra , caps trimmed, pods cut in half on a bias

Cooked white rice , for serving

If using bitter melon, combine 2 cups (475ml) water and 2 teaspoons (8g) salt in a medium bowl, and whisk to dissolve. Add bitter melon, and stir to combine. Set aside for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Meanwhile, in a 4-quart stainless-steel saucier or saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and garlic, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’ve softened and released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Add ginisang bagoong and stir until well incorporated, about 1 minute.

Add dashi, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Add sweet potato and green beans. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender enough to be pierced with a knife, but not completely cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Drain bitter melon (if using), and add to saucepan along with eggplant, and okra. Cover and continue to cook until all vegetables are tender and completely cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season with salt to taste.

Transfer to individual serving bowls and serve immediately with white rice.

Special Equipment

4-quart stainless-steel saucier or saucepan

Ginisang bagoong is fermented shrimp paste that has been sautéed with onion, garlic, vinegar, and sugar. It can be found in Filipino or Asian specialty markets and online .

Make-ahead and Storage

Pinakbet can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

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How To Cook The Best Pinakbet

September 28, 2019 by Eat Like Pinoy Leave a Comment

If you’re sort of a vegetable lover, I’d bet you’d like Pinakbet! Wanna bet?

We have made eating together as a family a part of our culture. Of course, a healthy and savory Filipino dish will make it more memorable. Pinakbet is one of the most uncomplicated foods to make because of its beginner-friendly recipe. Pinakbet is a dish you can make in a snap because its ingredients are plentiful in every area and can be easily resourced wherever you may be - that is another win!

Locally fresh produce and harvest are the critical ingredients for the dish. Readily available, right? One more thing is that vegetables are just easy to prepare and shrimp or the other meat compounds of Pinakbet. Anyone can quickly follow the recipe. We’ve seen young ones cook this, too. We’ve grown and witnessed the people’s affection, especially the Filipinos, into cooking and then, of course, eating! Cooking contests, food festivals, boodle fights, and the likes are some of the many point cases that undeniably shows our deep devotion to food. By cooking the best fares on the table, we are like being ushered to a different time and place. We may feel like we are being backed to childhood by tasting that remarkable Special Pinakbet. These great dishes have time-traveling become realized.

Pinakbet has become one of the Philippine cuisine wonders and will never go out of the list regardless of whether it’s home-cooked or being ordered in a restaurant. Another classic Filipino specialty. A filling and hearty infusion of vegetables and varieties of meat. Pinakbet is a dish that will not only fill your stomach but is also something that will be tattooed to your heart and mind. Like it is something that gives you affection and keeps you wanting for more. 

What is Pinakbet?

Pinakbet is mixed vegetables with shrimp sauce that originated in the Ilocos region. The dish name is an Ilocano word, “Pinakebbet” which means “shrivel” or “shrink.” Specifically, the dish is from the province of Ilocos Sur. It is popular because its ingredients are commonly found in their local grounds and are planted yearly. Pinakbet reflects the agricultural and livelihoods of Ilocos. Also, it represents the Ilocano and every family living there. It symbolizes their hard work in growing and working for their family.

This dish has usually been dubbed as a representative or as a cultural symbol of a family. Families are like Pinakbet: there is a bitter gourd that represents challenges and trials, pumpkin sweetness symbolizes prosperity, love, care, and gateway to success and victory, the saltiness of the bagoong and meat compounds are the hard work and high peaks of our lives, and each spice is their love for one another. 

The dish is visually enticing because of the colorful vegetables. It is a colorful medley of delicious food and nutrients. Also, the plate has the perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and bulkiness of vegetables. It can be eaten alone or with a little rice. Probably not so sure with what we just said, but if you are a light eater, you’ll ask for a bit of rice, because the vegetables might already consume too much space in your tummy! There is a lot in every bite.

Pinakbet is a refreshing dish with a neutral taste of combined sweetness, bitterness, and saltiness that comprise it to perfection. It can never go wrong, may it be the one on the restaurant’s menu or grandma’s special recipe. We are confident you couldn't agree more with everything we shared about Pinakbet for those who are lucky enough to have tasted it already. If you have not tried it yet, I bet Pinakbet will get you hooked the very first time you’ll try it.

This food is a kind of dish that can be served every day at the table. You also have vast options on how to cook it. Due to its fame, many have made their Pinakbet to a different level. With the avalanche of food innovations all over the country, you may have one that will join the hype. If you want to explore more on the pliability and what more you can do to level up your Pinakbet, we have listed a few versions of the ever famous Pinakbet. Like a cooking contest, you might have a hard time choosing which one is best. Let’s bid on it one by one.

Recipe Variations

Grilled Version

Grilling the vegetables adds a smoky flavor to the dish and compliments well with the pinakbet’s bagoong. Grilled Pinakbet metamorphoses the traditional way of cooking the dish. In this version of the plate, the vegetable ingredients are being grilled first in the fire before finally mixing in the stew. This way of cooking Pinakbet is ideal for extra health-conscious people as grilling is a way of cooking that can be less risky for our body’s state and health.

All Vegetables Version

This variety is probably the best version of pinakbet for health-conscious people. The all-vegetable pinakbet. A dish that belongs to the healthy type that gives a complete package of combined tastiness and nutritional benefits at the same time. Many people opt for this version as it is the most beneficial among other variations without compromising its savor. If you want a little more spicy taste, you may add different spices or more salt or fish sauce.

We have seen a lot of dishes with their baked version. Pinakbet can go by the trend. By baking all the pinakbet ingredients in one pan, it is creative and pleasing to the eye and a unique and healthy way of cooking the dish without much oil. Baked pinakbet is often made with rice as the base, and then the pinakbet is usually placed on top of it. This is a complete meal in one that is undoubtedly worth a mouthful bite!

Pinakbet with Pork Belly

To infuse more flavor to Pinakbet, we may add pork belly. The vegetable stew is instinctively best when partnered with a lump of meat, and pork belly is one of the many that can be Pinakbet’s forever partner. Pork belly can be delightfully crisp and tender in just one bite. No wonder it was also one of the popular dishes everyone is familiar with. It is always a good idea to put that tasty belly inside your tummy—another cracking delicious supplementary for Pinakbet.

Ilocano Version with Chicharon

Chicharon is deep-fried pork with exceptional crunch and taste. It is widely used as toppings too many dishes. Ilocanos often mix it with Pinakbet. Like other dishes, chicharon will never go wrong with anything as it is one of the deadliest and the exclusively topnotch food partner of all time. It has always been charismatic because of its puffiness and irresistible crackle.

Ginataan (With Coconut Milk)

A classic Filipino vegetable dish like Pinakbet may become even more delicious if mixed with gata or coconut milk. The plate becomes flavorful and creamier with the addition of this ingredient. This ingredient not only adds sweetness to Pinakbet, but it also has its nutritional value.

Troubleshooting Recipes

• Pinakbet or pakbet is naturally bitter. A prevalent mistake most people make is mixing the vegetables while cooking. These will bring out the bitterness of the gourd. To avoid excessive bitterness to dominate the Pinakbet, mix the vegetables before tossing them into the pan.
• Although ampalaya or bitter gourd is loved by many, some people may frown on its bitterness. Pinakbet is incomplete without ampalaya, but there are easy ways to lessen or remove its bitterness. You can rub it with salt. Yes! Salt is the trick to neutralize ampalaya’s bitterness by blocking the taste buds in charge of it.
• Less is more, and Pinakbet is one of the simplest dishes, let the bagoong do its work, but you can always add a little salt until you are satisfied with its taste. Try to add the flavor enhancers gradually so you will achieve that “just right” taste.
• There are times when the vegetables are unevenly cooked. Always put the lid on, these will evenly cook all the vegetables, and it will also keep the bagoong simmering, distributing evenly among all the ingredients.

Trivia About this Filipino Dish

• The word Pinakbet originated from the term “Pinakebbet,” meaning ‘shrunk’ because vegetables turn into smaller sizes whenever cooked in the stew. 
• Pinakbet is well-known in the northern part of the Philippines and has originated in the Ilocos region. As the days go by, this dish has already become part of the Filipino tradition and culture. It has been very famous in every corner of the country up to the present.
• During the early days, people did not buy but only harvest vegetables in their backyard. Eventually, people have been sharing vegetable planting techniques and management of crops. The start of Pinakbet has begun as vegetables are cooked and served as they talk over the farm production.
• Different regions have different entries on unique versions of Pinakbet. Just for example, in Bicol, they put a lot of chilies, as they are known for being avid fans of really spicy foods. This version’s spiciness also counterfeits the bitterness of some vegetables of the Pinakbet, like the ampalaya.
• Some people who have unimaginable ideas have used Pinakbet as toppings for pizza dough, completing it with the ever-demand mozzarella cheese. It is unique and weird to be heard, but I think it is not bad if we give it a try. We also heard it turned out tasty and pleasant! Who wouldn’t love pizza?
• There are a few people who are allergic to shrimp, thus the bagoong. We have an alternative to that, so close to how the shrimp tastes. It is no other than tuyo or dried fish. It will fill out the sought after saltiness that balances the dish.
• There is a festival to celebrate one of the favorite dishes of the Ilocanos. The “Pinakbet Festival” is celebrated through street dances and cooking festivals. It was before celebrated in March but later on, moved to December as “OFW’s” desire to join with the celebration’s festivity.

Tips On How to Cook the Best Pinakbet Dish

• The Ilocano way of cooking Pinakbet is by using fish bagoong sauce instead of bagoong alamang. You can dilute the bagoong with water to balance the saltiness and the aroma. One glass is more than enough. 
• One traditional way of preparing Pinakbet is cooking it in a clay pot. It is believed that this method of cooking helps enhance the flavor of the vegetables. So if you want a dominant taste of the vegetables, get that clay pot.
• When cooking the vegetables, put them in the pot according to how long each takes to get cooked. Set in first the sturdy ones like the beans and squash, then followed by the ones which take less time to cook. The quickest vegetable to cook comes last.
• Cut the vegetables in uniform length and thickness to ensure that everything is evenly cooked—the string beans consistent in size, the squash in the same thickness, and so forth.
• Do not overcook the vegetables. Keep an eye on the fire as the heat of the pot is enough to do the rest. Vegetables that are overcooked will lead to discoloration and loss of nutrients and vitamins.
• If there are more tomatoes, this dish is more delicious. Smashing the tomatoes thoroughly before putting them in the pan helps to get all the juice out. Tomatoes are one of the vital ingredients that give a distinctive taste to the Pinakbet.
• If you find the ampalaya too bitter, you can cut down its contents of the recipe or rub it with salt before mixing it with the other ingredients.

Food Best Served With Pinakbet

Steamed rice.

Pinakbet, with its bountiful ingredients, may already be considered as a complete meal on its own. We can add any side dish we may want, but steamed rice will never go out of place. Steamed rice and Pinakbet as a combo is a classic part of the traditional Filipino cuisine.

Just when you thought you had enough of its saltiness, Fried ” Danggit” or any fried fish for that matter, compliments the pinakbet. Both are so healthy, and the fish’s crispness blends well with the pinakbet vegetables’ soft taste and texture. Pairing fish with vegetables is always a great idea. Although fried fish is so simple, it is delicious. Let’s eat now and pass on the rice.

It also goes well with crispy pork skin or chicharon for a more classy presentation and a refreshing way of serving pinakbet. Or you can just use bits of chicharon on top for a more affordable version. Chicharon gives a dash of flavor to the mix of vegetables and adds a crunchy texture to Pinakbet.

The Ilocos region is where Pinakbet originated, and when you hear Ilocos, you will most likely crave their ever famous Bagnet. It is boiled tender pork chunks that are deeply fried to perfection. It is like a top-of-the-line version of Chicharon. This combo is well-known in the province. They are like a love team dubbed as the “BagBet.”

And guess what, If you are a fan of shrimp, you can use that too! Its fresh taste will surely compliment the taste of bagoong. It is easy to make quickly enough for the next meal and is always effortlessly ideal for adding to every meal. A fantastic flavor oozes from this mouthwatering seafood that is lip-smackingly delicious.

Shrimp Paste

More than the shrimp itself, shrimp paste is something that we can’t get enough of. Aside from being the main salt of the Pinakbet, we can also have this satisfyingly tasty shrimp paste on the side for a more inviting and delicious meal.

Finally, wash it down with ice-cold sodas or carbonated drinks. Its sweetness will balance your palate, keeping the saltiness and bitterness in your taste buds at bay. A perfectly refreshing beverage that is sweet and gives a good pop on your taste buds. Iced soda is the perfect drink to do that trick.

Pinakbet is an effortless dish to make that will surely satisfy your palates. It is also a dish that contains chunks of nutritional value that comes from different vegetables comprising it. Pinakbet is only one of the many words that Filipinos should be proud of. Vegetable dishes like this are popular throughout the country because of our fresh produce and how they naturally love cooking and eating together as a family or a community. Who would like to live in that house in the song “Bahay Kubo?” Everyone has a soft heart when it comes to food. We have traditional ways of preparing Pinakbet, but we are also that creative that we always find other ways of innovating and creating our versions of the dish depending on how we like it to be. We are being bound harmoniously by the food that we eat because food has been one of the easiest ways to make people come together in peace. So bring your appetite, and let’s get on to cooking. 

Best Pinakbet Recipe

Ingredients.

• ½ lb Ground Pork optional
• ½ cup Dried shrimp
• 12 pcs String beans (sitaw) cut into 2-inch length
• 1 lbs Pumpkin (kalabasa) cubed
• 12 pcs Lady's fingers (okra) sliced
• 2 pcs Eggplant sliced
• 1 pc Bitter gourd (ampalaya) sliced
• 4 pcs Tomatoes chopped
• 1 pcs Onion chopped
• 4-5 cloves Garlic minced
• 2 teaspoon Shrimp paste (bagoong alamang)
• 2 ½ cups Water
• ½ cup Cooking oil
• ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper

Instructions

• Heat oil in a pan, saute onion, garlic, and tomatoes until onion softened.
• Add the shrimp paste and ground pork (optional).
• Pour water into the pan. Stir and let it boil for 3 minutes.
• Add black pepper. Stir. Then, put the dried shrimp. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes over medium heat.
• Add string beans and cook for 1-3 minutes.
• Add pumpkin and simmer for 1-3 minutes.
• Then put in lady’s fingers, bitter gourd, and eggplant. Stir then cover the pot and cook for 1-3 minutes. Wait until the vegetables are all softened.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

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How to Cook Pinakbet

Last Updated: December 8, 2022 Tested

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. The wikiHow Culinary Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 39,087 times.

Pinakbet is a fragrant Filipino stew. It's flavored with fatty pork and salty shrimp paste, which is why the recipe below doesn't call for any extra salt. The vegetables are stewed together with garlic and ginger for a hearty, flavorful stew that's best served over rice. To make this recipe, you first need to make a Filipino-style pork called "bagnet," though you can also sometimes find it in international markets.

Ingredients

Bagnet Servings: Enough for 1 pot of Pinakbet

• 1 pound pork belly
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 peeled garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 heaping tablespoons salt
• Vegetable oil [1] X Research source

Pinakbet Servings: 4

• 1 pound bagnet (see recipe below)
• 1-2 bitter melons
• 2 tablespoons Filipino shrimp paste [2] X Research source
• 1 inch ginger, peeled and sliced [3] X Research source
• 1 cup red onion or shallots
• 1/2 pound of Japanese or Chinese eggplant
• 1/2 pound okra (or 8-10 pieces)
• 3 tomatoes, cut into large chunks
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 5 snake beans
• 1-2 cups winter squash (such as kabocha)
• 1-2 cups pork broth
• Dash or two of patis (fish paste)
• Dash of freshly ground pepper
• Pinch of sugar

Making the Bagnet

Cooking the Pinakbet

• Note that some recipes say to add the pork at the end rather than with the vegetables. [14] X Research source

Expert Q&A

• If you find the bitter melon too bitter, you can cut down the amount in the recipe. You can also salt the bitter melon prior to using it. Spread out the sliced melon, and sprinkle salt over the top. Leave it for half an hour. The salt should pull out some of the water and bitterness. Rinse the salt off before using. [19] X Research source Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/mixed-vegetables-pinakbet
• ↑ http://casaveneracion.com/pinakbet-an-ilocano-pork-and-vegetable-stew-with-shrimp-paste/
• ↑ http://www.chow.com/recipes/30379-paul-quis-pakbet-pinakbet-filipino-vegetable-stew
• ↑ http://www.filipinofoodrecipes.net/pakbet.htm

About this article

To cook pinakbet, start by cooking some shrimp paste in a pan for a couple of minutes to release its flavor. Then, add minced garlic, sliced ginger, shallots, tomatoes, brown sugar, pepper, and patis to the pan, and cook everything for a few minutes. Next, add some bagnet to the pan, along with some squash, beans, and eggplant. Finally, pour in a splash of broth, cover the pot, and cook everything for 15-20 minutes. To learn how to make bagnet, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Pinakbet – Classic Filipino Vegetable Stew Recipe

The word pinakbet is derived from the Ilocano term meaning ‘shrunk' or “shriveled” and refers to a dish that originated in the northern part of the Philippines. This vegetable stew is packed with a mix of greens found in abundance all over the country, but don't worry, you should be able to find all of the ingredients in most stores in the United States (or in local grocery stores anywhere outside of the Philippines).

Known for its savory taste, the dish is stewed with broth and shrimp paste to give it more depth, make it more appealing, and make it more fragrant. A classic savory vegetable dish with a Filipino touch.

Pinakbet is one of the many healthy Filipino vegetable recipes. In some versions, pork is omitted and fish is substituted instead, or meat is omitted to suit particular diets and vegetarians. Some versions even add cream or milk to make the stew thicker and smoother, and chili peppers for a bit of spice.

Commonly, this dish is cooked until a bit of the sauce is left, though some households cook it till it's almost dry or a bit watery like its Ilokano counterpart. The best way to ensure that your pinakbet dish is flavor-packed is to cook it step-by-step, rather than mixing the vegetables altogether.

If you add meat, sear the meat first to add some color, and reduce the fat for the vegetables so that they get the same flavor as the meat. Butternut squash takes longer to cook than okra and bitter melon (bitter gourd), which are ready in just a few minutes so make sure to allow for cooking times. This prevents the vegetables from becoming too soggy and darkening.

Many Filipinos eat Pinakbet once a week or more, as it's a well-loved recipe that not only serves up a bowl of delectably colorful vegetables, but it also packs a savory blend of flavors that are packed with vitamins and nutrients.

Alternatives

What to substitute for shrimp paste? 

Note that shrimp paste is one of the most important ingredients to add to pinakbet. Salty and savory, shrimp paste has a pungent taste that mellows to a delightful aroma and umami taste. Substitute ingredients include fermented fish paste, soy sauce, fish sauce, vegan fish sauce, and miso. You can also omit the paste and just add more salt and pepper.

What vegetables are used in Pinakbet, and do I need to use only these?

Typically, butternut squash, string beans, eggplant, okra, and bitter melon are used in Pinakbet. However, some people add leafy vegetables or ingredients that are more suitable for their diet. The distinct taste of Pinakbet is not only made by adding shrimp paste, garlic and onions, but also by the assortment of vegetables.

The ingredients list

• oil – for searing the pork
• salt and pepper – to taste and season the pork
• pork belly – consists of mostly fat which adds to the richness and umami flavor to the dish.
• onions – helps heighten the flavor to the dish.
• garlic – makes the dish aromatic
• tomatoes – adds color to the Pinakbet
• butternut squash – adds vibrant color and has a slightly sweet taste. Squash is also high in fiber.
• water or pork broth – to cook the vegetables while helping to create a flavorful sauce.
• string beans give the dish a bit of a crunch.
• okra – a great source of fiber and antioxidants that help with sugar control.
• eggplant – has a mildly sweet, veggie taste that soaks up the sauce and makes it even more flavorful.
• bitter melon – an abundant vegetable commonly used in Filipino recipes . Has a signature bitter taste.
• shrimp paste – or bagoong alamang is a fermented shrimp condiment made of crushed krill and shrimp mixed with salt.

• Check the butternut squash when it’s simmering. Mix often and add more water if necessary to prevent the bottom of the pan from burning.
• When you cook the squash, you can add more or less water, depending on the amount of sauce you prefer.
• Since shrimp paste is already very salty, have a taste after cooking and add more salt and pepper as needed, or a bit of sugar if it tastes too salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pinakbet gluten-free?

Pinakbet is a gluten-free dish, but if you're using broth instead of water, be sure to check the ingredients.

Why add pork?

Adding a bit of pork in Pinakbet helps cut the bitterness of the vegetables, and adds a bit more flavor to the dish. The fats in the pork also help keep the vegetables juicy. In some Pinakbet recipes, bigger chunks of pork turn this vegetable side dish into a main dish.

How to cut the okra for pinakbet?

Many people slice okra diagonally to improve its appearance; this can also be done with eggplants and other vegetables.

Pinakbet Recipe

Pinakbet isn't your average stew. It is mildly sweet but savory, creamy and filling yet healthy. Made with an assortment of fresh local vegetables, pork belly and shrimp paste, this dish is very popular and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 100 – 150 grams pork belly (chopped to ½ inch)
• 2 small onions
• 5 big cloves garlic
• 2 pieces tomatoes
• ½ a small butternut squash
• 1 & ½ cup water or pork broth
• 1 cup string beans
• 1 bundle of okra
• 1 piece eggplant
• 1 piece bitter melon
• 2 tablespoons shrimp paste

Instructions

• In a bowl, mix together the pork, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• In a pan at medium heat, add oil and cook the pork till all the sides have browned.
• Slice the onions and tomatoes, roughly chop the garlic, and slice the string beans into bite-sized pieces.
• Chop the squash and eggplant into small pieces, slice the okra melon gourd into half, and then slice this diagonally.
• In the same pan, cook the onions, garlic, and tomatoes with the remaining oil till aromatic.
• Add in the butternut squash and pork broth. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 5 – 7 minutes or till the squash has softened and can be easily pierced by a fork.
• Mix in the string beans, okra, eggplant bitter melon, and shrimp paste. Cover and let this cook for 3 – 5 minutes.
• Once the eggplants have softened, serve hot with steamed rice

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BY : Bebs | Published: 02/10/ 2019 | Updated: 07/26/ 2019 | 18 Comments

Pinakbet or Pakbet is a Filipino vegetable dish that is flavorful as it is colorful. A medley of local vegetables like squash, eggplant, okra, yard-long beans, and bitter melon. Pork, shrimp paste, and tomatoes are used to give it its distinctive taste .

This Pinakbet recipe was originally published in 2016. Updated in 2019 to include new photos and additional tips. 

My mama usually cooks Pinakbet for lunch or dinner as a side dish to fried fish or other fried meat. As kids, my siblings and I would try to wiggle our way out from eating our portion. We especially hated the bitter melon. But all attempts were to no success.

I remember my sister, Glenda, once tried to hide her bitter melons under her pile of leftover fish, but of course she got busted and had to eat the rest.

I do not know if any kid likes or ever liked bitter melon right from the start, but it does grow on you and as we grew older we got to appreciate this very healthy dish.

While living abroad, eating Pinakbet has been a real treat. I had to wait for the right time that all the veggies needed are available at the same time. The squash and eggplant I can buy locally. But the rest of the vegetables like okra, bitter melon, and yard-long beans I can only get in Asian stores.     

What is Pinakbet?

How to cook pinakbet, additional tips for a great tasting pinakbet, other authentic filipino vegetable dishes to try:, printable recipe, pinakbet tagalog.

Pinakbet or Pakbet is a mixed vegetable stew with pork slices that originally came from the Ilocos region. The original Ilocano version uses "bagoong isda" which is a sauce made with fermented fish.

As the dish became popular in the surrounding areas, different versions took root. The Pinakbet Tagalog, which is how the version from south of Ilocos (Manila and adjacent areas) is called, uses shrimp paste for flavor. This recipe here is the latter.

There are different ways and versions in cooking Pinakbet. Basically, it involves these simple steps:

• Brown pork in hot oil.
• Saute garlic, onions, and tomatoes.
• Add shrimp paste.
• Add the vegetables and water. Quickest vegetable to cook comes last. Cook until vegetables are tender.

• Vegetables are added depending on how long they cook. Those that take longer come in first. Usually, in this order:  squash then bitter gourd, eggplants and yard-long beans and lastly the young okra. If vegetables are more mature they will also take longer to cook.
• Cut all vegetables in the same size as much as possible. Not only will it look nice but also so they all cook evenly and avoid others from getting mushy while waiting for the rest to cook.
• To lessen the bitterness of bitter gourd, soak cut slices in water with a little salt for 30 minutes before cooking.

• Laing - Taro leaves cooked in spicy coconut milk
• Ginisang Labong - Sauteed bamboo shoots
• Lumpiang Sariwa - Filipino fresh spring rolls
• Tortang Talong - Eggplant omelette with ground meat
• Chop Suey - vegetable stirfry

Ingredients   1x 2x 3x

• 1 tablespoon oil
• ½ pound pork belly - cut into strips
• 1 small onion - chopped
• 2 cloves garlic - minced
• 2-3 tablespoons shrimp paste
• 3 medium tomatoes - chopped
• ½ small squash - peeled and cut into cubes
• 1 cup water
• 5-7 young okras - ends trimmed, cut into halves diagonally
• ½ bunch yard-long beans (sitaw) - ends trimmed and cut into 3-inch lengths
• 1 medium bitter gourd - seeded then halved and cut into slices
• 1 large eggplant - ends trimmed and cut into cubes

Instructions  

• In a wok or pan,  heat oil over medium-high heat. Add pork and cook until browned and fat rendered. 
• Lower heat to medium and add the onion and garlic and cook until tender and aromatic. Add tomatoes and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until it becomes soft and the skins peel off the flesh
•  Add shrimp paste and continue to cook for about a minute.
• Add squash and water. Cover the pan and let it simmer for about 2 minutes. 
• Add yard-long beans, bitter gourd, and eggplant. Season with salt if needed.  Cook for about 2 minutes. Add the okra and cook for another 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet still a bit crisp.
• Transfer to a serving plate and serve with rice and your favorite fried meat.

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Iris Gayanilo Schmidt says

October 23, 2023 at 10:58 am

Gracie says

August 27, 2023 at 1:14 am

March 27, 2022 at 3:41 am

Glenn Rosemeyer says

March 27, 2022 at 3:34 am

Rosalie Habin Maddie says

October 30, 2021 at 10:54 am

Knowell says

August 16, 2021 at 5:58 am

Can I use fish bagoong Instead of shrimp paste.. Allergic kasi anak ko sa shrimp paste.. Thanks

September 03, 2021 at 11:10 pm

Sure go ahead.

Tambolong says

November 26, 2020 at 10:00 am

Hello, Couldn’t have done it without your precise guidance and instructions in such a short time when I came upon your recipe. My wife is COVID positive so I have to struggle to prepare & cook without any preparation. So off I went to the grocery & cook under pressure. You’re a life saver. Thank you

May 01, 2021 at 12:26 pm

Hey, good to know that our recipe was able to help you during these difficult times. But sorry to hear about your wife and hoping she is all well now.

Justin Todd says

July 21, 2020 at 1:35 pm

Rolando Raganit says

June 18, 2019 at 12:35 am

June 18, 2019 at 7:21 pm

Glad you love it!

Julie holley says

April 22, 2019 at 3:15 am

April 23, 2019 at 11:00 am

Thanks for the 5 stars Julie!

Don Laguilles says

November 23, 2016 at 5:51 pm

love the website. I love your Pinakbet. My wife wants to try your empanada recipe. She loves empanadas. She is Irish-Welsh descent. **shimp - it think that's a mispell on the Pinakbet recipe.

November 23, 2016 at 10:17 pm

Hahaha! To think that hubby is also checking for misspelling before I push publish! Thanks Don and I corrected it! Just visited your site, what a lovely family and I do hope your wife tries the chicken empanada, they are one of my favorites. 🙂

September 29, 2016 at 1:14 pm

September 29, 2016 at 6:01 pm

Thanks Anna!

Rate This Recipe

How to Cook Filipino Pinakbet

Pinakbet or Pakbet, a vegetable stew from Ilocos in the Philippines, is named after the Ilocano term ‘pinakebbet’ which means “shriveled”. This alludes to how vegetables are slow-cooked over low heat until they become much smaller due to sweating.

Drawing from local staples, the dish is comprised of root crops and beans such as okra, ginger, tomatoes, eggplant, ampalaya, sitaw, siling, duwag and kamote. Its unique flavor is derived from bagoong monamon – a seasoning made up of fermented fish. To complete this delectable combination diced pork or bagnet with shrimp or pre-cooked fish for extra zest!

Also Read:  How to Cook Filipino Pork Menudo

Pinakbet Tagalog tantalizes the taste buds as much as it nourishes your body. Its vivid combination of local vegetables, pork belly, and shrimp paste makes this classic Filipino dish a perfect accompaniment to fried fish or grilled meat – or served on its own for an elevated main entree. Let’s be honest – many of us have memories from our childhoods of actively avoiding this vegetable-based dish in favor of something more palatable to our taste buds – like fried chicken or breaded pork chops.

Some of my most cherished childhood recollections are the lunchtime feasts of our mother’s pinakbet. I’m sure, like many children, we would have much-preferred spaghetti or chicken bbq over this zesty vegetable stew if given a choice, yet still adoringly savored every bite as if it were a culinary delicacy!

Once you were older and experienced the taste, you recognized what an amazing dish it was. And after several memories of past experiences with this food, your appreciation for its popularity skyrocketed! There’s no denying that there must be a reason why this meal is so beloved.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

• Cut 500 grams of pork belly into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
• For a flavorful addition to your dish, add one chopped onion!
• Mince 4 cloves of garlic to prepare for use in your recipe.
• To add a delicious umami flavor to your dish, try using 2 tablespoons of either shrimp paste (bagoong alamang) or anchovy paste (bagoong isda). Either will do the trick and bring out the natural flavors in your meal!
• 2 pcs tomato, cut into cubes
• Cut a small-sized squash (kalabasa) into cubes, same with your sweet potato cut into bite size portion
• For a delectable dish, cut 8 pieces of okra into halves.
• Cut one bitter gourd (ampalaya) into thin slices.
• For this recipe, you will need one large-sized eggplant, cut into slices.
• Slice a small bunch of string beans into 2-inch pieces to prepare them for cooking.
• To make this recipe perfect, add two cups of room-temperature water.
• To give your dish an extra flavor boost, sauté with 2 Tablespoons of cooking oil.
• Season to perfection with salt and pepper.

Steps to Cook Pinakbet

• In a pot, heat your cooking oil and add in the onion and garlic. Saute these ingredients until they are fragrant before incorporating the ginger. Cook everything together until the onions become soft.
• Saute the lechon kawali for one minute to bring out its delicious flavors.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil, ensuring that it is well-circulated throughout.
• Enhance your dish with Knorr Shrimp Cube, then cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
• Mix in the tomato and bagoong alamang. Combining them, stir it before covering the pot tightly with its lid. Simmer for three minutes to bring out all of the flavors!
• Gently add the kalabasa or kamote to the pot before allowing it to simmer for 7 minutes.For a savory dish, combine sitaw, okra, ampalaya and eggplant. Once blended in the pot, stir the mixture and cover it for five minutes to cook.
• Generously season with ground black pepper and place the lechon kawali on top. Allow simmering for minutes before serving.
• Present your tasty creation on a beautiful platter, and indulge in its delightful flavors with loved ones. Bon Appétit!

• To guarantee that your dish is cooked evenly, make sure to cut the ingredients into uniform sizes; for example, long beans should be of equal length and pork belly should have matching thickness.
• Start with the vegetables that require more time to cook, such as kalabasa and sitaw. Then add eggplant, bittermelon, and okra which all need less cooking time for their texture to become tender.
• For optimal flavor and texture, pork belly is ideal for this recipe due to its balance of meat and fat. However, leaner cuts such as Boston butt are also workable choices in addition to proteins like bagnet or lechon kawali, shrimp, fried fish and grilled fish.
• With this recipe, pork belly was the best choice for its mouthwatering combination of fat and meat – ideal for Pinakbet Tagalog. But if you don’t care for pork, there are other cuts of pork that will work just as well!
• If you want a healthier version of the Pinakbet Tagalog, shrimp or other types of fish can be used instead of pork as your main ingredient.
• To reduce the fishy flavor, sauté the shrimp paste for a few minutes until it starts to darken. If you find the pinakbet too sour, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavors. Pinakbet is best enjoyed when paired with hot steamed rice! Enjoy your meal!

How to Serve and Store

• This Pinakbet Tagalog is a well-rounded and satiating combination of veggies and meat, making it the ideal meal all by itself. But if you are looking to pair it with something else, this Philippine classic goes wonderfully with fried fish or grilled proteins as well as white rice.
• Once the dish has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container to store and preserve its freshness. This delicious treat can be refrigerated for up to three days before enjoying it!
• For optimum heating results, use a pan with ample width and heat on medium until the contents are hot all the way through.
• Pinakbet Tagalog is best enjoyed while hot, so make sure to serve it immediately after heating! For a more flavorful and healthier version of this dish, consider adding in other vegetables such as squash, long beans, red bell peppers or carrots. Additionally, season the ingredients with Knorr Liquid Seasoning for an added layer of deliciousness

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what vegetables are best for pinakbet tagalog.

The most common vegetables used in this dish are kalabasa, okra, sitaw, bagoong alamang, tomato and eggplant. However, you can also add in other vegetables such as squash, long beans and carrots to make it more flavorful and healthier!

2. What type of pork is best for Pinakbet Tagalog?

Pork belly is the most common cut used when making this dish, due to its balance of fat and meat. However, leaner cuts such as Boston butt or bagnet can also be used in addition to proteins like lechon kawali, shrimp and fried fish.

3. How long can Pinakbet Tagalog be stored for?

Once the dish has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days before enjoying! For optimal heating results, use a pan with ample width and heat on medium until the contents are hot all the way through. Pinakbet Tagalog is best enjoyed while hot, so make sure to serve it immediately after heating!

4. How can I make my Pinakbet Tagalog healthier?

For a more flavorful and healthier version of this dish, consider adding in other vegetables such as squash, long beans, red bell peppers or carrots. Additionally, season the ingredients with Knorr Liquid Seasoning for an added layer of deliciousness. You can also use shrimp or other types of fish instead of pork as your main ingredient and sauté the shrimp paste for a few minutes until it starts to darken. If you find the pinakbet too sour, add a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavors. Enjoy your meal!

5. Can Pinakbet Tagalog be frozen?

While it is possible to freeze this dish for later use, the texture of the vegetables will not remain as enjoyable. We recommend consuming your Pinakbet Tagalog within three days after cooking and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Pinakbet Tagalog is a well-rounded and satiating combination of veggies and meat that can be enjoyed all by itself. To make it more flavorful and healthier, consider adding in other vegetables such as squash, long beans, red bell peppers or carrots. Additionally, you could use shrimp or other types of fish instead of pork as your main ingredient to reduce the fishy flavor while sautéing the shrimp paste for a few minutes until it starts to darken.

For optimal heating results when serving this dish hot after refrigeration, use a pan with ample width and heat on medium until the contents are hot all the way through. Lastly, don’t forget to add Knorr Liquid Seasoning for an added layer of deliciousness! Enjoy your meal!

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Pinakbet with Pork, Shrimp and Bagoong

• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 lb pork belly, cut into thin pieces
• 1 to 2 tbsp sauteed shrimp paste
• 1 large ampalaya, cut into bite size
• 1 large eggplant, cut into bite size
• 1/4 lbs okra, trim ends and cut in halves 
• 1 small yellow squash (kalabasa), cut into cubes
• 1/4 lb long beans 
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 large onion, sliced thin
• 1 thumb size ginger, grated
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 1/2 cup water
• In a wok, heat over medium heat and add oil. Add pork and cook until brown for about 5-7 minutes or until fat rendered.
• Add garlic, onion, ginger and tomato. Saute for few minutes until aromatic. Add bagoong and shrimp. Stir and cook for a minute. 
• Add kalabasa, long beans, ampalaya, eggplant and okra. Stir gently and allow to cook for few minutes.  Pour in water and cook for 5 minutes. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for another 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender yet crisp. Taste to see if salt is needed and add accordingly. 
• Transfer in a serving dish and serve hot with steamed rice. Enjoy! 

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Pinakbet – Instant Pot + Stovetop

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The Filipino Pinakbet is a vegetable stew usually consisting of slices of eggplants, long green beans, okra, ampalaya (bitter melon), kabocha squash, and shrimps, cooked in a sauté of bagoong (shrimp paste). I’m sharing how to cook this in the classic way on the stovetop, or if you want it quicker, in the Instant Pot.

Pinakbet is a popular vegetable dish of Filipinos. In the Philippines, especially in the provinces, this dish can be cooked with backyard produce. And bagoong is a staple condiment in most homes. When we go back to my home in the Philippines, I always ask for this dish during our meals. I’ve been fortunate to try the pinakbet when we traveled to Pangasinan, the next-door province to my hometown in Tarlac. No other place has pinakbet as scrumptious as they do in Pangasinan. The large platter that came to our table was laden with fresh, crisp and colorful vegetables that tasted like they had been harvested that day. The salty, intensely-flavored bagoong laced the corners and crevices of each vegetable slice. The shrimps were plump and succulent. It was heavenly to pour it all on a mound of fragrant, steaming white rice.

When we got back to the States, I simply had to recreate the pinakbet for our family meal. I had nearly all the fresh vegetables and the shrimp paste from the Asian supermarket. As we savored the salty sauce cradling the eggplant, ampalaya and long beans, I felt grateful for the many opportunities that have come into my life—like traveling often back to the Philippines and relishing classic dishes that bring the family together at the table. It only takes a savory recipe like this to remind us of the abundance of blessings around us.

Pinakbet - Instant Pot + Stovetop

• Instant Pot multicooker: 3, 6 or 8 quarts
• Large skillet or wok - for stovetop cooking

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 whole onion chopped
• 1 knob fresh ginger about 1-inch, peeled, sliced
• 1/2 pound fresh shrimps heads, tails removed, peeled
• 2 whole tomatoes sliced
• 1 cup cubed kabocha squash
• 2 pieces Asian eggplants sliced
• 2 cups sliced long green beans in 2-inch length pieces
• 8 pieces okra
• 1 piece ampalaya (bitter melon) sliced, seeds and white membrane removed
• 1 cup vegetable broth *Add 1 cup more if cooking in the Instant Pot
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons bagoong (shrimp paste) from Asian markets
• 1 piece carrot peeled, sliced (optional)
• boiled rice for serving

Instructions

• To cook on the stovetop: In a large skillet, over medium high heat add the vegetable oil. After 1 to 2 minutes, when oil is hot, saute the garlic, onions and ginger. Cook for 2 minutes till soft.
• Add the tomatoes and shrimps. Continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes till shrimps turn pink.
• Pour the broth. Add the squash, eggplants, long green beans, okra and ampalaya to the skillet. Mix the ingredients.
• Season with salt and black pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat for 6 minutes till vegetables are soft. 
• Add the bagoong (shrimp paste) to the vegetables and shrimps. Mix ingredients well.
• Serve warm with rice.

To cook in the Instant Pot:

• Click Saute function on the keypad: Add the oil to the inside pot of the Instant Pot. When oil is hot enough in about 2 minutes, saute the garlic, onions and ginger. Saute for 2 minutes till soft and fragrant. Add the tomatoes and shrimps. Stir around for 1 minute. Click Cancel to turn off Saute function. Pour the 2 cups broth, and add the squash, eggplants, long green beans, okra, ampalaya, and bagoong (shrimp paste). Season with salt and black pepper. There is no need to stir ingredients at this point. Close and lock the lid. Set the valve to Sealing. Press Manual and cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes. When cooking is complete, do a Quick Release and carefully unlock and open the lid. Click Cancel to make sure Instant Pot is turned off. Serve warm.

Notes on the Instant Pot:

• After the Saute function, it takes about 17 to 20 minutes for the Instant Pot to preheat and to begin High Pressure cooking. For other brands of multi-cooker please consult the manual. For safety precautions, use accessories only for the Instant Pot or multi-cooker like metal or silicone. Do not use glassware. Consult the product manual for safety.

Cook's comments:

• Other pinakbet recipes have pork belly or pork shoulder cubes. You can add this right after adding the shrimps. Keep in mind cooking time may take a few minutes longer if meat is added.

Notes on Nutrition: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.

Did you like this recipe ? I have more Filipino Instant Pot recipes in my newest cookbook Instant Filipino Recipes: My Mother’s Traditional Philippine Cooking in A Multicooker Pot by Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino .  Buy my cookbooks and books on Amazon.com sold worldwide in paperback and Kindle format.

Hello, Friends! Please DO NOT LIFT OR PLAGIARIZE my original recipe, stories, photos or videos. All the images and content on this blog are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED and owned by my media company Besa-Quirino LLC. This means BY LAW you are NOT allowed to copy, scrape, lift, frame, plagiarize or use my photos, essays, stories and recipe content on your websites, books, films, television shows, videos, without my permission. If you wish to republish this recipe or content on media outlets mentioned above, please ASK MY PERMISSION, or re-write it in your own words and link back to my blog AsianInAmericaMag.com to give proper attribution. It is the legal thing to do. Thank you. Email me at [email protected]

Disclosure : Instant Pot is the brand name of a multi-cooker that cooks in high and low pressure. I was not paid by the Instant Pot company to mention the product or brand nor endorse it. This is not an ad. My views and opinions are my own.

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How to Write a Demonstrative Speech

Last Updated: September 19, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lynn Kirkham . Lynn Kirkham is a Professional Public Speaker and Founder of Yes You Can Speak, a San Francisco Bay Area-based public speaking educational business empowering thousands of professionals to take command of whatever stage they've been given - from job interviews, boardroom talks to TEDx and large conference platforms. Lynn was chosen as the official TEDx Berkeley speaker coach for the last four years and has worked with executives at Google, Facebook, Intuit, Genentech, Intel, VMware, and others. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 270,673 times.

Demonstrative speeches are intended to teach an audience how to do a specific thing. They can be long and detailed, or short and simple. Even if you're an expert at your topic, the process of writing your speech can seem difficult. However, once you sit down to write a great speech, you're likely to get more excited about your topic than ever.

Choosing a Topic

• For example, to give a speech about how to perform general car maintenance, you might need an hour for your presentation. That's because it's a broad topic. If you only have 15 minutes, you should narrow your speech to something like how to change a car's oil.
• If you don't have control over the length of time or the topic, you'll need to adjust your speech accordingly. If you have too much information for a short amount of time, don't go into much detail. If you have a long time for a simple topic, you can expand your speech with some history or related facts.

• For example, if you're giving a speech to professional bakers, it might not be appropriate to choose the topic, “How to Bake a Cake.” You'd probably want to make your topic more interesting to them with something like, “How to Bake Authentic French Style Pastries.”
• The age of your audience matters, too. For example, if your audience is young children, you might choose the topic, “How to Take Care of a Plant” instead of, “How to Grow Perennials.”

• Look up your topic online. Other people may have made instructional videos that you can get tips from.
• If you know any experts on your topic, ask them for advice.
• Visit your local library and checkout books on your topic. Books are excellent sources of information, and are considered reliable sources when doing research.

• You should be able to use useful visual aids via a PowerPoint presentation or manageable props and examples. So a topic like, “How to replace your car's transmission” is probably not a great topic. However, something like, “How to make a spinach salad” would be easy to do.

Writing the Speech

• The outline should contain three sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
• The body should be broken up into the various steps of the process.

• When writing a speech, you want to simply write notes. You don't need to write out the speech word for word. Write enough to make you comfortable with the material, but not so much that you'll be reading off of your paper.
• Try to remember what it was like when you learned how to do this thing. What steps required more explanation than others?
• Unplug the saw.
• Locate the screw under the blade.
• Turn the screw enough to loosen the blade.
• Remove the blade.
• To keep the audience engaged, think of how you can involve them. Will you include audience participation? Will the demonstration be hands-on? Will you tell jokes or ask the audience questions? These can all be great strategies for keeping people engaged.

• Your call to action could be something like, “By learning to change your own motor oil, you'll be able to save money and feel the empowerment of taking care of your own car!” or, “French style pastries are a welcome addition to any gathering, as you'll see when you bring them to your next party.”
• Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. That will leave the audience confused and with unanswered questions.

• Writing the introduction last is a good idea, because then you'll have already thought hard about your speech. By now, you know everything you want to say about the speech, so you can determine what is most essential to get people excited about it.
• To get people excited, use inspiring language such as, “You may have never thought you'd be able to change a flat tire yourself, but actually, it's remarkably simple!” or, “French pastries are one of the treasures of European cuisine.”
• Even though you write the introduction last, it is always the beginning of the speech.

• Take note of anything you'll want to add to the speech to explain the visual aids. For example, do you want to say something like, “I'm using unbleached white flour, but you can also used bleached flour if you prefer.”

Practicing Giving the Speech

• Review your notes as you would before giving the speech in front of people.
• Try performing the speech in front of a mirror. You should be able to look yourself in the eye much of the time, instead of always having to look at your notes.
• Go through the complete demonstration, along with your visual aids. If you don't, you might not realize that parts of the demonstration don't work as you've written them.

• Once you've made the changes, practice and try performing the speech for yourself again.
• Always use the visual aids, even if you've already used them once.

• You may want to invite some friends who know nothing about the topic and some who are experts in the topic. That way, you can get different perspectives on how useful your speech was.

• Ask specific questions of your test audience. You can ask them if they understood the different steps, or if there was anything they felt you missed.
• You may want to write down the feedback you get, or ask your friends to write it down so you can look at it later.

• You don't always need to incorporate others' feedback. Sometimes it won't be useful or accurate. However, if you got the same feedback from more than one person, chances are that it would be worthwhile to consider.

Sample Demonstrative Speeches

Expert Q&A

• Writing a speech and giving a speech are related, but are different skills. When it's time to deliver your speech, practice good public speaking. Be warm, upbeat, and clear. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Watch videos of other people giving demonstrative speeches. Notice what you appreciate about the good ones, and what doesn't work for you. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.myspeechclass.com/demonstration-speech-topics.html
• ↑ Lynn Kirkham. Public Speaking Coach. Expert Interview. 20 November 2019.
• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-demonstration-speech
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/oralcommunication/guides/how-to-outline-a-speech
• ↑ https://www.comm.pitt.edu/visual-aids
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/speech-delivery
• ↑ https://open.lib.umn.edu/publicspeaking/chapter/14-4-practicing-for-successful-speech-delivery/

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Demonstrative Speech – Master the ‘How-To’ Speech (With Topic Examples)

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing

What is a demonstrative speech?

Demonstrative speeches teach an audience how to do a specific thing. Even if you’re an expert at your topic, the process of writing a speech which assures the audience has learned something new, can be challenging.

As a demonstrative speaker, you will be their guide, taking them through a process of ‘show and tell’, covering each step from start to finish. It’s like an engaging ‘how-to’ speech.

They are also known as explanation speeches or a demonstrative presentation. It relies more on logic and information as opposed to emotions…although (to truly capture the audience’s attention) we must try and add an emotional element to these functional speeches as well (continue reading).

How to Pick the Correct Topic?

If you are unsure about what to speak on, there are three things to keep in mind when it comes to picking a topic for demonstrative speeches:

How Much Time Do You Have to Deliver the Speech?

Demonstrative speeches can be as short as six minutes (‘How to do origami’) or go on for more than two hours (‘How to start an online business’)! So choose a topic depending on the amount of time you have been allotted.

It will help you determine how narrow or broad your topic can be.

If you have over 30 minutes to speak, a speech on ‘How to make a cheese omelette’ will restrict you. There isn’t enough to speak on such a topic for 30 minutes.

You need to broaden your topic to something such as ‘5 unique egg dishes you can teach your kids to make’.

Know Your Audience

This is the most important point. While you may love your speech topic, it’s not necessary that your audience even cares for it.

I’ve seen speakers who deliver passionate speeches about topics that they are experts in. But if the audience is not going to benefit from that topic, how does it make sense to deliver a speech on it?

For instance, I once had a Toastmaster demonstration speech to deliver. The average age group of the club was around 35+. My ‘how-to’ topic was ‘How to live cost-efficiently as a college student’.

Needless to say, although my speech content was strong, it made no difference to the crowd – because it simply did not apply to them.

Knowing your audience can even help you narrow down your speech topic into a specific niche.

For example, if you’re delivering a talk to a bunch of advertising professionals, a speech on the foundations of advertising won’t make sense, right? Even though it’s in the same domain, your audience is already familiar with the basics.

Maybe you can talk about something more specific such as ‘How to make copywriting effective through the use of behavioral science’. Now that’s a topic that would peak their interest as it’s relevant to their domain as well as not broad enough so as to bore them or appear too generic.

Is Your Topic Suitable for a Speech?

Demonstrative or ‘How-To’ topics can be very wide but not all of them fit into a speech. For example, a speech on ‘How to raise a Kickstarter campaign’ would be a better fit for a speech as opposed to ‘How to repair your truck’.

Some things just don’t fit into speeches.

Here are some examples of Demonstrative Speech Topics

I’ve tried to include examples which apply more to speeches as opposed to YouTube videos or the like. So I’ve left out topics such as ‘How to tie a knot’, ‘How to make origami’, ‘How to swim’, etc.

Here are some speech topic options that might help you:

• How to perform yoga to help you in your life & career
• How to edit your photographs online
• A ‘how-to’ guide on copy-writing
• How to negotiate your salary
• How to be less nervous at parties
• How to speak on stage with more confidence
• How online businesses are changing the world and how you can start one too
• How to manage stress in a digitized world
• How to unlock creative potential
• How to sleep correctly

There are a LOT more topics, but you get the idea. Depending on what tone you want your speech to go in or how much time you have, you can pick funny ‘how to’ topics or even ones that end in less than 5 minutes.

Just a note, before you deliver your speech, try and find someone who is similar to the audience you are going to be presenting to and run the speech by them.

See if the message is being delivered clearly to them – are they finding it hard to comprehend what you are trying to say? Are there some gaps them could help make the speech more comprehensive?

You will receive valuable feedback by running your speech by one person (who represents your audience) before your final performance.

Demonstrative Speech Outline

To get good at understanding speech outlines, we need to first understand how speeches are written from thought to delivery. When a speech is crafted with such precision, that’s when people will remember what you speak. Chris Haroun’s Public Speaking and Presentation online course on Udemy really helped me understand this at a holistic level. I urge you to check it out. It will not only help you understand how to deliver Demonstrative Speeches but also give you a strong public speaking foundation to build on.

Here is a basic outline for a demonstrative speech

• The purpose

Let’s tackle all these points in more detail now.

Writing a Demonstrative Speech

The purpose (what’s your point).

Remember I said you can add an emotional element to your demonstrative speech? Well, this is it. Before getting into how to do something, always start with why it is important to learn that thing in the first place.

Doing this gets your audience to care about your topic. Think about it, before someone teaches you something, wouldn’t it help to know why that topic is important to learn in the first place?

I remember watching this speech by a great salesman named Zig Zigler . He told a story about how his history teacher spent the entire first class selling them on the importance of learning history.

By talking about the ‘ why’ of the subject first, the students became much more eager to learn history.

If the teacher would have straight off jumped on to the lessons of history instead of talking about why it is important, the students might have not gotten so interested in the topic in the first place.

Establish Your Credibility (Why You?)

When you are delivering a demonstrative speech, your audience is expecting to learn something from you. But like how it is with most things, they want to ensure that whoever it is that is teaching them something, is credible.

So, use the beginning moments of your speech to establish why you are qualified to speak on that particular topic. It’s also a great way to involve story-telling right from the beginning of your speech.

For example, if you’re topic is ‘How to earn passive income’, a personal story on how you created a better life for yourself using passive income would be quite an engaging way to start your speech while establishing credibility for yourself.

That becomes the introduction of your demonstrative speech . Now let’s move on to the body:

The Story (Diving into Each Point with a Story)

After you have established why learning about your topic is important as well as why you are the right person to learn from on this particular topic, start with the body of your speech – the ‘how to’ part.

If you’re an expert on the topic, this is the simple part of the speech. You already know the steps. Now it’s all about writing them down in a manner that’s easy for the audience to comprehend.

Don’t forget, although you’re delivering something that is truly functional in it’s core, you are still required to keep your audience engaged. And the best way to do that? Tell a story.

You can also start off with a summary of all the points and then dive into each of them. However, I personally prefer starting off with the points in chronological order and reveal each new point as and when it flows. It makes for a more story-telling approach.

Questions n’ Answers

After you’re done with your ‘how-to’ speech, you might believe that you have covered all the necessary topics. But the audience may have their own unique challenges that may have not been addressed in your speech.

It’s not your fault of course. It’s not possible for you to pre-empt your audience’s subjective challenges and address them in your speech.

But that’s why it’s necessary to set aside some time for a short QnA session. This allows more active interaction between you and the audience and allows them to get their personal issues (relating to your speech) solved.

A QnA segment might only be possible if you’re allowed a speech slot which is at least 20 minutes long. It might be hard to give a comprehensive speech and squeeze in a QnA session within 10 or 15 minutes.

Options & Variations (What Else?)

A great way to make your demonstrative speech more well-rounded is to add in variations of your main topic. This allows the audience to relate to other aspects of your overall topic as well.

For example, if you’re talking about ‘How to speak in front of an audience full of children’, you can also shed some light on ‘How to speak in front of an audience full of senior citizens’ just to add some more variety to your overall speech.

At the end of it, summarize your entire speech. You have just taken the audience through a whole ride of how to do something. To ensure that they take home the necessary points, reiterate each of your steps and key takeaways to conclude your speech.

‘How To’ Tips for Demonstrative Speeches

Besides the obvious ‘tip’ of practicing your speech before you go up on stage, here are some ways on how you can deliver an impactful demonstrative speech:

How to Keep it Simple

Keep your speech simple. Keep your points to a minimal (between 3 to 7). Nobody wants to listen to a speech which has a 17 step process each with its own high level of difficulty and jargon.

Don’t include difficult words which are technical in nature. But if you must include such words, make sure you explain the terms as well.

How to Use Visual Aids

A demonstrative speech can be made much more useful with the help of visual aids. A presentation is the simplest way to provide visual aids into your speech.

Each visual can showcase each step in your demonstration. Try and use larger than life visuals with less text. Do more of the talking and let the images be there for the purpose of recall.

The visuals will help your speech be more memorable as people remember better with the use of images.

You can also use props to showcase your demonstration and add a more real element to the entire speech.

How to Engage the Audience

How to keep your audience engaged in your speech? Engage with them.

If your speech topic allows for it, why not call up an audience member to help you demonstrate your points? Engaging with the audience in this way and having them perform certain steps of the demonstration will improve the likelihood of them remembering the steps as well as make the entire experience more interactive.

Whether you involve the entire audience or just call up one on stage, it’s great either way.

This one time, a creative professional had come to our office and was giving a talk on ‘How to make the most out of a creative brainstorming session’. Instead of just giving us the steps, he divided us into smaller groups and allowed us to apply the brainstorming techniques as and when he was speaking about them.

It made the entire process much more fun & engaging and I remember the techniques he taught us till today.

How to Make It Easier for the Audience to Remember You (& Your Points)

After you are done teaching your audience, it’s not necessary that they have actually “learned” whatever it is that you attempted to teach them. They might want to find out more on the topic, they might have additional questions or they might even want to contact you to clear some doubts.

To guide them with this, it’s always more helpful to offer some resources that they can access even after the speech is over.

For example, you can provide them with a website where they could find out more information on the topic along with your contact details. Or you could hand them a small booklet which summarizes what you spoke about.

Anything that will help them after you are done with your speech and leave the venue would be a great addition to your demonstrative speech.

In closing, a demonstrative speech is a great way of teaching an audience a lesson or skill. We’ve used to before (knowingly or otherwise) and we’ll probably need to use it again. As long as we know the right topics to select, how to write an effective ‘how-to’ speech and deliver it while being our truest self, it’ll be just what our audience needs – a simple yet ridiculously helpful speech.

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• Speech Crafting →

How to Write a Demonstrative Speech (An Instructional Process)

Depending on one’s life and activities, we all have tasks that should be completed every single day, no matter how mundane or difficult they may be. But what if there are tasks that you are required to carry out but have no clue how to? This is where demonstrative speeches come in.

These are basically “how to” speeches that outline and elaborate different ways to complete a particular task. These instructional speeches are very common, especially in high school and college and are also very necessary in environments that require training, such as the corporate world.

Demonstrative speeches usually give a step-by-step process on how to do a specific task, which is then followed up with explanations and any additional information that may be needed to carry out that task. Having some visual aids that help demonstrate the steps required to achieve the task also goes a long way in providing context to your audience.

Process for Writing a Demonstration Speech

First things first, before writing any speech, you need to draw up an outline . This will help you avoid having a jumbled up speech, and will allow you to organize your speech in a way that is easy to follow and understand.

1. Begin your outline by asking yourself "Why"

What new information will an individual gain from your speech? As we have seen above, a demonstrative speech teaches your audience how to carry out a certain task. 

People tend to learn easily and understand things better when they are motivated to do so. Therefore, you should tell your audience why they should listen and learn about what you will be teaching them.

People don't buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it."

Simon Sinek

By revealing to them how they will benefit from the information you provide, you motivate your audience to want to learn more about your topic of discussion.

2. Provide an overview

Once you have revealed to your audience your topic of discussion, it is important that you give them a general outline of your entire process. This is because when learning a new task, some people may fear that it will be too complex for them.

Providing an overview helps assure your audience that not only is the topic beneficial but it is also easy to follow.

Additionally, it provides your audience with context on how the steps you highlighted here will fit together as you delve deeper into your demo.

3. Explain the steps involved in your process

This is the most important part of a demonstrative speech.

First, you should ensure that you have arranged your steps in the correct order to avoid any confusion. After this, you will then need to explain each step down to the minute details in a language that is easy to understand .

Here, you will explain what exactly is required in each step, how it will be done and the reason why it must be done. The use of visual aids in this step is crucial as they will assist individuals in your audience to understand better.

Pro-Tip: Ensure that the number of steps you have in your speech are as few as possible, this will help avoid confusion.

Additionally, you should maintain eye contact with your audience as you demonstrate each step.

4 .Talk about variations, other options and instructions

Now that you have demonstrated to your audience how the task should be conducted from start to finish, you can now provide them with variations to the process or additional options.

For instance, if you were explaining how to cook a certain dish, now is the time to reveal to them alternative ingredients that can be used to make the dish.

5. Ensure you allot time for Q&A

Question and answer portions allow a session to be more interactive . Additionally, this time can be used to clarify some steps that had not been well understood by the audience, which in turn, clears up confusion.

Pro-Tip: Monitor your time as you give a demonstration, as this will ensure that you do not rush through the entire process and have to explain everything once more in the Q&A session.

6. Give a brief summary to your instructional speech

You should end your speech by giving a short summary of the whole process, after which you can go through the benefits once more and assure your audience that not only is the entire process easy but it’s also realizable.

You might also like: How to End Your Speech with a Bang

Now that we’re good to go on your speech outline , let’s focus on some extra tips.

How to choose the Best Demonstrative Speech Topic

Your topic is an extremely important part of your presentation, as it should reflect your process as well.

Here are a few tips to guide you on how to choose the best topic for your demonstrative speech.

• Take into consideration the amount of time you have to deliver your speech.

This will make it easy for you to determine how broad or lengthy your topic should be. If you have a significant amount of time, you have the luxury and room to incorporate more ideas into your discussion.

• Your audience

Before deciding on a topic of discussion, you should always ask yourself, “will my audience learn anything?” You should ensure that your topic is not only relevant to your audience but also helpful.

We can now move on to what makes a demonstrative speech good.

How to Improve the Quality of Your Demonstration Speech

I believe it’s common knowledge that everyone can write a speech but not everyone can write a good speech. As we have seen above, demonstrative speeches are all about teaching people, so you first need to be organized to ensure that the process is as easy to understand as it can be.

Here are a few things to bear in mind:

1.Speech Structure

Your speech needs to start with an introduction and end with a summary.

You should ensure that all the parts of your speech are cohesive as this will allow you to get your message across without confusing your audience.

2. Visual Aid

Using visuals such as diagrams and charts in your demonstrative speech will help your audience understand better.

Research has shown that an individual learns better through a visual aid. Scaled-down or real props can also be used during demonstrations.

Pro-Tip: Ensure your visuals can be seen clearly from all angles.

3. Follow-up Resources

Apart from using visuals, you can also provide your audience with follow-up resources that they can use after you have finished up with your demonstration.

This will improve the likelihood that the audience will successfully practice the process or task.

Follow up resources can include:

• Handouts, which summarize the steps in the demonstration and include diagrams that illustrate any important features
• Books, websites or pamphlets that can be used to learn more about a certain process

4. Audience Participation

You could also have a few members of the audience participate in the demonstration.

Actively engaging your audience by having them carry out the steps increases the probability that they will remember the steps and be able to conduct the process or task independently even after the presentation.

However, this is dependent on how much time you have to give your presentation. If you have limited time, then you will have to provide detailed handouts to your audience and if you can, get one or two volunteers from the audience to assist you in your presentation.

Pro-tip: Encouraging participation and engaging your audience allows you to have a healthy discussion where individuals are motivated to learn more.

There you have it! Go ahead and write a demonstrative speech making use of the recommendations above, and see how your audience will follow you all the way to the end!