Super Easy Bicol Express Recipe (With Beginner-Friendly Shortcut)

Cooking Bicol express at home doesn’t have to feel intimidating, especially for beginner cooks. This fuss-free version uses a simple shortcut to build the rich coconut sauce faster, so you can focus on getting the flavors right without complicated prep. Now, you can enjoy this spicy favorite more often and start playing around with your own twists as your kitchen confidence grows.

60 min.
4 People
Easy
Average

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 piece onion (chopped)
8 cloves garlic (chopped)
2 tablespoons unsweetened shrimp paste or bagoong
300 grams pork (sliced thinly)
1 (40-gram) pack Knorr Ginataang Gulay mix
6 pieces green finger chilies (sliced)

Cooking Method

Sauté the Aromatics Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onions, garlic, and bagoong until fragrant.
Cook the Pork Add pork and cook for 1 minute. Tip: The pork is ready for the next step once the slices lose their pink color and start to turn lightly opaque on the surface.
Simmer the Sauce In a bowl, dissolve Knorr Ginataang Gulay Mix in water. Pour mixture into the pot and bring it to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Tip: Reduce the heat after adding the coconut-based mixture to help keep the sauce smooth and prevent it from splitting.
Finish with Chilies Add chilies and stir. Simmer until the pork is tender. Serve hot.

What Is the Origin of Bicol Express?

Bicol Express traces its roots to Bicolano cooking, known for combining coconut milk and chilies, but the dish as it’s widely known today was popularized in Manila. Many accounts credit Cely Kalaw of Malate for naming it after the Bicol Express train line, drawing a link between the dish and the region’s bold flavors. While its exact origin remains debated, the name and flavor profile clearly reflect Bicol’s culinary tradition.

Why This Bicol Express Is Quick and Easy

This version keeps the signature profile of Bicol express while simplifying the process for beginner cooks. Using a ginataang mix helps the sauce come together faster and gives you a pantry-friendly ingredient that keeps longer than fresh coconut milk. If you’re looking for the more traditional preparation, try this traditional Bicol express recipe.

How to Adjust the Spice Level of Bicol Express

The spiciness of Bicol Express mainly comes from the chilies, so adjusting the amount is the easiest way to control the spice level. Use fewer chilies for a milder dish that highlights the creamy coconut base, or remove the seeds to reduce the heat further. For a bolder kick, add more chilies or switch to hotter varieties such as siling labuyo instead of green finger chilies.

Easy Bicol Express Ingredient Swaps

Once you get comfortable with the base recipe, it’s easy to experiment with small tweaks. A creamy version can use coconut cream and mayonnaise for extra richness, while a crispy version features pork browned until lightly crisp. For a spicier twist, simply add more chilies or combine different varieties to intensify the heat.