Lumpia is a beloved Filipino dish that brings together a delightful mix of flavors and textures. These crispy spring rolls are filled with a savory mixture of ground pork and vegetables, making them a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion. Whether you're hosting a party or simply craving a taste of the Philippines, this traditional lumpia recipe is sure to satisfy.
While most of the ingredients for this lumpia recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to the lumpia wrappers. These are thin, delicate wrappers specifically used for making lumpia and can usually be found in the frozen section of Asian supermarkets. If you can't find them, spring roll wrappers can be a good substitute.

Ingredients For Traditional Filipino Lumpia Recipe
Ground pork: Provides a rich, savory base for the filling.
Carrots: Adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Green beans: Contributes a fresh, crisp texture.
Cabbage: Offers a slight bitterness and additional crunch.
Garlic: Infuses the filling with aromatic depth.
Onion: Enhances the overall flavor with its mild sweetness.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the mixture.
Ground black pepper: Provides a subtle heat and spice.
Lumpia wrappers: Thin, delicate wrappers used to encase the filling.
Oil: Used for frying the lumpia to a golden, crispy perfection.
Technique Tip for Making Lumpia
When preparing lumpia, ensure that the vegetables are finely chopped to create a uniform texture and to help them cook evenly. This not only enhances the flavor but also makes the lumpia easier to roll. To achieve this, use a sharp knife or a food processor. Additionally, when sealing the lumpia wrappers, use a small amount of water to moisten the edges, ensuring a tight seal that prevents the filling from spilling out during frying.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground pork - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a leaner option and still provides a similar texture and flavor profile.
ground pork - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is another lean alternative that works well in lumpia, offering a slightly different but still delicious taste.
carrots - Substitute with zucchini: Finely chopped zucchini can provide a similar texture and moisture content to carrots.
carrots - Substitute with bell peppers: Finely chopped bell peppers add a sweet flavor and a bit of crunch, similar to carrots.
green beans - Substitute with snap peas: Finely chopped snap peas offer a similar crunch and slight sweetness.
green beans - Substitute with asparagus: Finely chopped asparagus can mimic the texture and add a unique flavor.
cabbage - Substitute with lettuce: Shredded lettuce can provide a similar texture, though it is less sturdy than cabbage.
cabbage - Substitute with kale: Shredded kale offers a similar texture and a slightly different but complementary flavor.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Minced shallots can provide a similar aromatic quality and depth of flavor.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, though fresh garlic is preferable for its robust flavor.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Finely chopped leeks offer a similar flavor profile and texture.
onion - Substitute with scallions: Finely chopped scallions provide a milder onion flavor and a bit of color.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos provide a slightly sweeter and less salty alternative to soy sauce.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different aroma.
ground black pepper - Substitute with chili flakes: Chili flakes can add a bit of heat and a different flavor profile.
lumpia wrappers - Substitute with spring roll wrappers: Spring roll wrappers are similar in texture and can be used as a direct substitute.
lumpia wrappers - Substitute with rice paper: Rice paper can be used for a gluten-free alternative, though it has a different texture.
oil for frying - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it suitable for frying.
oil for frying - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil also has a high smoke point and adds a subtle nutty flavor to the lumpia.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Lumpia
How to Store or Freeze Lumpia
Allow the freshly cooked lumpia to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the lumpia soggy.
Place the cooled lumpia in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. This helps maintain their crispiness and prevents them from absorbing any unwanted odors from the fridge.
Store the lumpia in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 2-3 days. This keeps them fresh and ready for a quick reheat.
For longer storage, arrange the uncooked lumpia in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for about 1-2 hours or until they are firm to the touch. This prevents them from sticking together.
Once the lumpia are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of their freshness. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
When ready to cook frozen lumpia, do not thaw. Fry them directly from the freezer in hot oil. This ensures they remain crispy and prevents them from becoming soggy.
If you have leftover cooked lumpia, reheat them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This helps restore their crispiness without making them greasy.
Avoid microwaving lumpia as it can make them chewy and lose their delightful crunch.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the leftover lumpia on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through and regain their crispy texture.
Use an air fryer for a quick and efficient method. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the lumpia in a single layer in the basket. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even reheating.
If you prefer the stovetop, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil and place the lumpia in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and crispy.
For a microwave option, place the lumpia on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly heated. Note that this method may not retain the crispiness as well as others.
If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the lumpia on the rack or a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes, or until they are hot and crispy.
Essential Tools for Making Lumpia
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine all the ingredients for the lumpia filling.
Knife: Essential for finely chopping the carrots, green beans, and onion.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping vegetables and mincing garlic.
Garlic press: Useful for mincing garlic quickly and efficiently.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the carrots, green beans, and cabbage accurately.
Tablespoon: For measuring the soy sauce and portioning the filling onto the lumpia wrappers.
Teaspoon: For measuring the ground black pepper.
Lumpia wrappers: Thin pastry sheets used to wrap the lumpia filling.
Small bowl: Holds water for sealing the edges of the lumpia wrappers.
Frying pan: Used to fry the lumpia until they are golden brown and crispy.
Tongs: Handy for turning the lumpia while frying to ensure even cooking.
Paper towels: Used to drain excess oil from the fried lumpia.
Serving plate: For presenting the lumpia once they are cooked and drained.
How to Save Time on Making Lumpia
Prepare the filling: Mix the ground pork, carrots, green beans, cabbage, garlic, onion, soy sauce, and black pepper in advance and store in the fridge.
Use a food processor: Finely chop the carrots, green beans, and onion quickly using a food processor.
Batch wrapping: Lay out multiple lumpia wrappers and fill them all at once to speed up the wrapping process.
Preheat the oil: Start heating the oil while you wrap the lumpia to save time.
Freeze extras: Make a large batch and freeze the uncooked lumpia for quick meals later.

Traditional Filipino Lumpia Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Pork
- 1 cup Carrots, finely chopped
- 1 cup Green Beans, finely chopped
- 1 cup Cabbage, shredded
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 20 pieces Lumpia Wrappers
- 2 cups Oil for Frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground pork, carrots, green beans, cabbage, garlic, onion, soy sauce, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Place about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture on a lumpia wrapper. Fold the wrapper tightly and seal the edge with water.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the lumpia in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
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