Learn how to make ginisang bagoong! This sauteed shrimp paste is the perfect medley of sweet, savory, and spicy and makes a great condiment to green mangoes and your favorite dishes.
My yearly vacations to the Philippines are always a food-venture! I have aunts who love to cook as much as I do, and it’s exciting to learn from them. On my recent trip, one of my aunts shared with me her secret to the best lumpiang sariwa while my other aunt taught me how to make her killer ginisang bagoong.
I hope you give their special recipes a try because they’re the bomb! My aunt’s sauteed shrimp paste is so much better than mine; I am updating this post to reflect her method.
What is Bagoong
Bagoong or alamang is a fermented condiment made of minute shrimp or krill. These small crustaceans are cleaned in a brine solution and mixed with salt.
The mixture is kept in earthen jars and allowed to ferment for about 1 to 3 months, with food coloring added to give the paste its characteristic red or pink hue. A by-product of this process is fish sauce which is a clear, yellowish liquid that accumulates on top.
Widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine, it is also a common ingredient in Filipino cooking such as in pinakbet Tagalog and binagoongan. Although it can be consumed “fresh”, the extra step of sauteing or gisa makes it a better pair for dishes such as kare kare and of course, green mangoes.
Helpful Tips
- Using a fine-mesh sieve, rinse the raw shrimp paste to rid of the excess brine and drain well.
- Cook the sugar in the oil until dissolved and begins to brown. Add the shrimp paste and cook until it changes color.
- Add chili peppers, if you prefer spicy.
- Thicken the shrimp paste with cornstarch slurry for better texture.
- Allow to cool completely and transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid.
Ginisang alamang makes an excellent condiment for all your favorite meals, but the best way to enjoy it, in my opinion, is with crisp mangoes. My mouth is watering just looking at the photo above!
Weird as it may be to the uninitiated, tart green mangoes are indeed the perfect canvas for generous dollops of this pungent paste. The sourness of the fruit complemented by the sweet, savory, and spicy flavors of bagoong is seriously addictive!
Ingredients
- 2 cups bagoong alamang, preferably colorless
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 Thai chili peppers, optional
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Using a fine-mesh sieve, rinse shrimp paste under cold, running water to rid of excess saltiness. Drain well.
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil.
- Add sugar and cook, stirring regularly, until sugar is dissolved and lightly browns.
- Add bagoong and cook, stirring regularly, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until color darkens.
- Add minced peppers, if using.
- In a small bowl, combine corn starch and water and stir until smooth.
- Add cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir until well-distributed. Continue to cook until the shrimp paste is slightly thickened.
Notes
Video
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
RayAna Rojas says
How long does it store for and does it have to be refrigerated?
Lalaine Manalo says
I like to refrigerate it for longer life; it should last for about a week in the ref.
Jennifer says
So helpful lalo na maraming mangga dito
Sa amin
Daniel A Johnson says
Thank you for the recipes , I’m married to a Filipina and shes in the Philippines now and I’m stuck here in u.s waiting for the Philippines to reopen so I’m trying to cook cause think of her everyday, God Bless Salamat
Lalaine Manalo says
I’m glad you find the recipes useful. Praying for your reunion soon. God bless!
Daniel A Johnson says
Salamat and May God bless you and your family too : )
Janver says
Anong instrument, tool, utensils ang kailangan ko po?
Eric Galang says
Please guide me on the ingredients needed for 1 kilo of shrimp paste.how much water and corn starch needed…please email me at as i was not always online..planning to start a bagoong business.
Learmalyn Batalla says
What if i prefer to put some pork on it..? How can i manage it in the procedure? Although the recipe that you’ve shown was already good
Lalaine Manalo says
You can brown and cook the pork in a separate pan and just add and saute with the bagoong. 🙂
Janver says
Anong instrument, tool, utensils ang kailangan ko po?
Chona says
Thank you, thank you po sa recipe nato.
Lalaine Manalo says
You’re welcome. Enjoy!
Katrina Tupas says
I like to try your recipes 😊
Rio Francisco says
nangasim naman ako. hehe. pupunta talaga ako ng palengke bukas para bumili ng mangga at hilaw na bagoong. thanks! 🙂