Pork Lumpia is a tasty Filipino spring roll filled with seasoned pork and veggies. These little bites are crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside—perfect for snacking!
You can’t go wrong with these delicious rolls, especially when dipping them in sweet and sour sauce. I always make extras because they disappear fast at gatherings. Who can resist crispy goodness? 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Pork: The main protein, providing flavor and texture. You can swap it with ground chicken, turkey, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
Carrots: They add sweetness and crunch. If you’re low on carrots, zucchini or bell peppers can work well too, though they may alter the flavor a bit.
Green Beans: These add heartiness and texture. Snow peas, peas, or even finely chopped broccoli can be good alternatives if you don’t have green beans.
Water Chestnuts: They bring a nice crunch to the filling. If unavailable, try using chopped celery or just omit them for simplicity. It’s still delicious!
Oyster Sauce: This lends a rich umami flavor. If you’re avoiding seafood, try hoisin sauce or just stick with soy sauce for seasoning.
How Do I Properly Roll Lumpia?
Rolling lumpia can be tricky, but with some practice, it gets easier! Here’s how to do it well:
- Place the lumpia wrapper in a diamond shape with a corner pointing towards you.
- Put about 2 tablespoons of filling at the corner closest to you.
- Fold the bottom corner over the filling, then tuck in the sides snugly. This ensures no filling escapes!
- Roll away from you tightly, and seal the edge with the beaten egg to keep it closed.
Make sure not to overfill! It’s tempting, but a little room allows for easier rolling and helps prevent bursts during frying.
How to Make Delicious Pork Lumpia
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Filling:
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 cup carrots, finely chopped or grated
- 1 cup green beans, finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup water chestnuts, finely chopped (optional for crunch)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for sautéing)
For the Wrappers:
- Lumpia wrappers (spring roll wrappers), about 30 sheets
- Cooking oil for deep frying (enough to submerge the lumpia)
- 1 egg, beaten (for sealing the wrappers)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This Pork Lumpia recipe takes about 20 minutes for preparation and about 15 minutes for frying. It’s perfect for a fun cooking activity! You’ll have about 30 crispy lumpia to enjoy after just 35 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Filling:
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing them until they become fragrant and translucent. This should take a few minutes.
Next, add the ground pork. Cook it while breaking it apart until it turns brown and is fully cooked through, around 5-7 minutes.
2. Add Vegetables and Seasoning:
Now it’s time to mix in the finely chopped carrots, green beans, and water chestnuts (if you’re using them). Cook this mixture for 3-5 minutes, until the veggies soften a bit.
Season your filling with the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), salt, and ground black pepper. Stir well to combine all those yummy flavors together, and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Prepare the Lumpia:
Once the filling is cooked, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly. While it’s cooling, carefully separate the lumpia wrappers. Place one wrapper on a clean flat surface in a diamond shape, with one corner pointing at you.
Take about 2 tablespoons of the pork filling and place it near the corner closest to you. Fold that corner over the filling, then fold in the left and right corners towards the center.
Now, roll the wrapper tightly away from you until it’s about halfway rolled. Brush the edge of the wrapper with the beaten egg to seal it, and then finish rolling it up completely. Repeat this process with the remaining filling and wrappers.
4. Frying the Lumpia:
When all your lumpia are ready, heat oil in a deep frying pan or wok to 350°F (175°C). Fry the lumpia in batches, turning them occasionally until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 3-5 minutes each batch.
Once fried, drain the lumpia on paper towels to remove excess oil.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
Your delicious Pork Lumpia is now ready! Serve them hot with sweet chili sauce or vinegar dipping sauce for an extra kick.
Enjoy your crispy, flavorful Pork Lumpia!
Can I Use Different Meat for This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute the ground pork with ground chicken, turkey, or beef. For a vegetarian option, consider using mashed tofu or lentils as a protein alternative!
Can I Prepare Lumpia in Advance?
Yes, you can make the filling a day ahead and refrigerate it. You can also assemble the lumpia and freeze them. Just fry them straight from the freezer when you’re ready to cook—no need to thaw!
How Do I Know When the Oil is Hot Enough for Frying?
A nice tip is to drop a small piece of wrapper into the oil. If it sizzles and bubbles, your oil is ready. Alternatively, use a kitchen thermometer to check for 350°F (175°C).
What’s the Best Way to Serve Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to help regain their crispiness!