10 Best Frozen Meats in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian

When in doubt, chicken is a safe bet due since it is allowed to be eaten in most religions. Chicken also takes the least amount of time to cook than pork and chicken, so it is perfect for days when you don't have a lot of time to whip up a meal. Of all meat options, chicken is the most affordable, so you could easily purchase a whole chicken and still be able to afford other types of meat. 

This Pinoy favorite is indeed a must-have in your kitchen! You could easily make fried chicken and chicken wings if you're craving anything fried or prito. If you want something more homemade, you could cook dishes like adobo, afritada, and tinola. Even chicken inasal is achievable at home! 

Pork is the most consumed meat in the Philippines. It is versatile as it is served from everyday dishes to gatherings. There are also a lot of ways to cook pork, including soup dishes like sinigang and nilaga. Of course, who could forget the classic pork adobo and sisig? For grilled options, you can make the party staple barbecue or even have a samgyup night at home!

In terms of pricing, it fits in the middle between chicken and beef, so you don’t have to shell out much to enjoy tasty ulam. However, pork does have its limitations, especially if you can’t consume them due to religious obligations. If you have health concerns but want to eat pork, go for the lean parts and remove the fat. 

Beef is very flavorful and malinamnam. It is often used for rich and meaty sarsa or light broth sabaw dishes like caldereta, mechado, and bulalo to really bring out the taste and soften any tough cuts. Beef is also used for the ever-popular steak and tapa, which is a tasty breakfast staple!

The demand for beef is not as high compared to pork and chicken, most likely due to the price factor as raising cattle is costlier and takes more time. If you’re really craving beef, there are affordable options that don’t have to break the bank as more and more stores offer lower prices or even upcycle different cuts of beef and make them into steaks. 

If you want to switch up your meat selection, lamb is a great choice. It is rich in protein and contains many vitamins and minerals, making it ideal if you are an athlete or recovering from surgery. It is also ideal for those who cannot eat beef or pork because of health or religious restrictions.

However, lamb is often glossed over due to the lack of options and knowledge of how to cook it since goat is mostly raised in backyards by small farmers, so it is not as industrialized. Luckily, there are imported options available online for Filipino consumers.

Ground meat or giniling, as Filipinos call it, is a great addition to hearty dishes. As its name suggests, it is essentially made by grinding meat usually pork or beef. If you're keen on the fat content, ask the seller for the leaner meat. It can also be determined by looking at the images. The more dominant the red color of the meat compared to the white fat, the leaner it is. 

This cut is versatile because it can be used as a filler or even as the centerpiece of a dish. For example, the filling of lumpiang shanghai is a mix of ground beef with vegetables like carrots. It can also add meatiness to dishes like quesadilla and lasagna. Ground meat also shines as the main component of the dish for burger patties and arroz ala cubana. 

For chicken meat, you can choose between whole or choice cuts. Buying a whole chicken is ideal if you cook for a lot of people, especially if each of them prefers different chicken parts. Don't want to trouble yourself by chopping the whole chicken? Ask the seller if they can cut up the pieces for you. They can be used for sarsa and sabaw dishes like afritada, tinola, and the Filipino-favorite adobo. 

On the other hand, choice chicken cuts are better if you cook for yourself or for a few people. Parts like thigh, leg or drumstick, and wings are best for fried chicken since they have the most skin. Who could ever resist the oh-so crispy chicken skin or balat? As for soups and salads, get the breast part to get more of the white meat to add as sahog. 

Meat cuts of beef, pork, and lamb come in a variety of sizes. Large meat slabs and chops that are generally used for steaks, often have bones intact which gives the dish a deeper and richer flavor. Meat that is chopped into cubes is usually boneless and more tender. Big cubes are suitable for mechado and adobo while small cubes are incorporated into menudo. 

Thick strips of pork or liempo and beef are mainly used for grilled dishes or inihaw, tapa, and while thinner strips are for samgyupsal.  These cuts often have linings of fat that add flavor and juiciness. For any type of meat, the most tender part is the leanest cut that has the least amount of fat. 

Raw meat refers to the bare-bones cut of meat. This means that it has not been processed except for being cut, sliced, or ground. If you’re looking to make homemade ulam and specialty dishes from scratch, get some raw meat. This way, you will have the freedom to add the seasoning or marinade you prefer. Most of all, you know and have control over the ingredients you’re putting. 

We can’t talk about frozen meat without mentioning the processed kind. This includes chicken nuggets, hotdogs, tocino, and even frozen dim sum. These have a longer shelf-life, need no preparation on your part, and almost always only require frying!

While a home-cooked meal is definitely the way to go, these food items certainly make for a quick baon or breakfast in a pinch if you’re pressed for time. Kids can also appreciate having a taste of their go-to breakfast to help them feel as if they were back in school!

Restaurants nowadays often sell frozen meat that is ready to cook. This means it has already been prepped and seasoned, so you only need to cook or heat it. This is very convenient because you don't have to measure ingredients or adjust the flavoring, especially if your cooking skills need a bit of work. 

Ready-to-cook meats are lifesavers specifically for days when you are stumped on what to cook or need something made quickly. It is also one way of recreating the restaurant experience if you miss dining out. This way, you get to stay at home while the food comes to you! 

For you to know which areas are covered by the store's delivery services, check their FAQs page regarding delivery options since this information is usually indicated there. It can be frustrating when you're ready to check out some items only to find out that they can not deliver to your address.

The majority of butcher shops, online groceries, and specialty meat stores are able to deliver within Metro Manila, but it might pose a challenge for those who live in the provinces considering these are highly perishable items. For this, you can message the seller beforehand to see if they deliver to your location. 

You also want to take a look at their delivery fees, which often vary depending on the distance, like when using third-party couriers. Some stores have in-house riders and can waive fees provided you have reached a certain amount, while others have a fixed delivery fee. There are also those who prefer to pick up the order from the store to keep an eye on the frozen meat while being transported.  

Aside from the quality of meat, the packaging needs to be inspected as well. If not indicated on the description or images, ask the store regarding this information. The packaging should preferably be vacuum-packed or tightly sealed to avoid contamination. Your order must also be delivered frozen inside a secured or insulated box to prevent spoilage.