Fresh Lumpia (Homemade) – A Filipino Classic Made from Scratch 🇵🇭
Fresh Lumpia is a beloved Filipino dish—soft crepes filled with savory sautéed vegetables and chicken, topped with a garlicky, slightly sweet sauce, and sprinkled with crushed peanuts. This homemade version includes everything from the wrapper to the sauce—no shortcuts, just real flavor.
Whether you’re making it for a holiday feast, family dinner, or potluck, Fresh Lumpia is a dish that always steals the show.
Why I Love This Recipe
I grew up seeing lumpia at almost every family gathering, but nothing beats the experience of making it from scratch at home. Here’s why this version stands out:
- The homemade wrapper is soft, tender, and sturdy enough to wrap without tearing.
- The filling is colorful, hearty, and balanced—a mix of veggies and chicken with the perfect seasoning.
- The garlic sauce is sweet, savory, and sticky, coating every bite in flavor.
- It’s customizable—you can go all-veggie, add tofu, or use shrimp or pork instead.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Wrapper:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 eggs
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: drop of yellow food coloring
For the Filling:
- 1½ cups shredded chicken breast
- ½ cup green beans, sliced
- ½ cup carrots, julienned
- 1 cup sweet potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup singkamas / turnips / jicama
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup water
- Seasoning granules or bouillon
- Fish sauce, salt, and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
- Salt, to taste
Garnish:
- Toasted crushed peanuts
- Romaine lettuce leaves
🔄 Swaps & Notes
- Protein Alternatives: Use ground pork, shrimp, or tofu instead of chicken.
- Vegetable Flexibility: Feel free to include mung bean sprouts or mushrooms.
- Wrapper Hack: In a pinch, use store-bought lumpia or spring roll wrappers (but homemade tastes best!).
- Sauce Heat: Add chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce for a little kick.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Wrapper
In a bowl, beat the eggs, then mix in water, oil, salt, and optional coloring. Gradually whisk in flour and cornstarch until smooth. Strain to remove lumps.
Heat a lightly oiled nonstick pan. Pour in about ¼ cup of batter, swirling to form a thin crepe. Cook until set, flip briefly to cook the other side, and set aside. Repeat.
2. Prepare the Filling
In a pan, fry one head of minced garlic until golden. Set aside.
In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion until fragrant. Add shredded chicken and cook until lightly browned. Season with fish sauce and pepper.
Add carrots, sauté 2 minutes. Then sweet potatoes, green beans, and water. Simmer for 2 minutes. Add seasoning granules and salt to taste. Stir in singkamas and cabbage. Cook briefly and set aside to cool.
3. Make the Sauce
In a saucepan, mix water, sugar, garlic, and cornstarch until smooth. Turn on heat to medium. Add soy sauce and salt. Stir constantly until thick and glossy.
4. Assemble the Lumpia
Place a romaine lettuce leaf on each wrapper. Add a spoonful of cooled filling. Roll tightly like a burrito. Place seam-side down.
5. Serve with Sauce & Toppings
Spoon sauce over each lumpia. Sprinkle with toasted crushed peanuts and extra fried garlic if desired.
✅ Tips for Success
- Let the filling cool before wrapping to avoid soggy wrappers.
- Use a nonstick pan for smooth, tear-free wrappers.
- Don’t overfill—a little goes a long way in keeping the wrap tight and neat.
- Toast the peanuts to bring out their nutty aroma.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Pairings
Fresh Lumpia is best served:
- As a light lunch or appetizer
- Alongside These Sheet Pan Quesadillas for a mixed platter
- With garlic fried rice or pancit for a full Filipino spread
- Paired with calamansi juice or iced tea for a refreshing touch
🧊 Storage & Leftovers
- Fridge: Wrap individually in parchment or cling film and store up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Not needed—Fresh Lumpia is best served cold or at room temp.
- Make Ahead: Prep all components and assemble just before serving.
🍴 More Recipes You Will Love
Explore more hearty and flavorful comfort meals:
- These Chicken Enchiladas Are My Go-To for Cozy Crowd-Pleasing Dinners
- These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast
- This Dorito Casserole Is My Favorite Weeknight Dinner Shortcut
- These Easy Turkey Wings Are My Favorite Comfort Food for Lazy Sundays
- This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit
🔚 Final Thoughts
Homemade Fresh Lumpia brings together everything I love about Filipino cuisine—flavor, texture, and color wrapped into one beautiful bite. It’s hearty but light, savory but fresh, and absolutely worth the extra effort.
Tried it? Tag your photos, leave a comment, and follow for more tried-and-true recipes from the Chef Maniac kitchen!
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