Longganisa are Filipino sausages commonly paired with fried rice and egg, called longsilog, for a complete meal. Sausages are well-known processed meats across the globe, and many countries have their own versions. In the Philippines, we take pride in our longganisa as our "official entry" to this category.
It is easy to cook, making it ideal as baon for work or school. However, with different longganisa products available online, it can be confusing to pick. In this article, we help you sift through the choices through our list of recommendations and a buying guide fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales.
Quick List - Top Longganisa
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Like some popular Filipino cuisines, longganisa comes in various flavor profiles and styles because they originate from different provinces and regions. Let's get to know a few of the more popular ones.
Vigan longganisas are small and plump sausages that are sun-dried for half a day to remove excess moisture. Drawing heavily from the influence of Mexican chorizos, their taste profile is more on the salty and spicy side.
Since Ilocos is known for its garlic, you can expect to find a distinct garlicky taste in Vigan longganisas. You'll also get hints of tang from another trademark product, the Ilocos vinegar. This variant is ideal for those who are not into sweet-flavored processed meats.
This type of longganisa hails from the Lucban, Quezon. It has its own unique and delicious taste profile that is characterized by the use of fresh oregano juice. Authentic Lucban longganisas still follow the traditional ratio of 70% pork meat and 30% fat to maintain its juicy and meaty flavor.
And to make it more aromatic and tasty, they generously add seasonings and spices like garlic, salt, paprika, and ground pepper. Lucban longganisas are usually cooked in simmering water to render fat. Then once the water has evaporated, these sausages are fried in the rendered fat.
Alternatively, they can also be skewed and grilled for a smoky flavor. You can also use these sausages in pasta sauces because of the spices they have. Just remove the sausage casing and chop them into pieces, and they are ready for a meaty marinara or creamy carbonara!
Longganisas from Pampanga are the best for those with a sweet tooth! These reddish sausages have the iconic sweet-savory flavors you expect from Kapampangan processed meats like tocino. Just imagine how the sugar caramelizes during frying, and you know you're in for a treat!
Some brands may include garlic in the ingredients but not as much as the other types of longganisa. Most kids will surely enjoy the sweeter profile, so it's a safe choice for their baon in school. But if you find them too sweet for your palate, you may dip them in vinegar with garlic or chili peppers to balance the taste.
There are two main types of longganisa: the traditional longganisa and the skinless longganisa. Here are some of their advantages and disadvantages in terms of packaging styles.
Like any sausage and chorizo, the longganisa mixture is placed in fresh pork intestine casing, sometimes referred to as skin - hence, the name skinned longganisa. The case helps to keep the meat from falling out or crumbling when cooking. They are a bit crispier when cooked.
However, depending on the brand, some may find the casing too chewy. To prevent a chewy outer casing, you can boil or simmer the longganisa first before frying. Skinned longganisas are also perfect for grilling because they keep their shape well.
On the other hand, skinless longganisas are bought frozen, and since they are not in casings, they are less firm than skinned types. This type is more convenient to cook because there's no need to cut the sausages into individual pieces, and you don't need to boil them in water first. Just make sure the pan is hot enough so it won't crumble or stick to the bottom of the pan.
Not all longganisas have the same type of meat. While pork meat is the most commonly used, there are other varieties like chicken and beef. The type of meat used affects the sausage's taste and texture, so it's good to know their pros and cons.
Pork is by far the most common meat used in making longganisa. As mentioned earlier, some manufacturers intentionally include 20% - 30% pork fat into the sausage mix to keep it moist and enhance the flavor.
However, this means that it has a high fatty content. If you want to reduce the fat, the best way is to boil the longganisa first in water to render the fat. Then, as the water completely evaporates, the rendered fat will serve as the cooking oil.
If you are trying to cut down on your fat consumption, we recommend trying chicken longganisa. White meats like chicken are great for people who are health-conscious or just want to try alternative meats that are lighter.
These sausages may not be as flavorful as your traditional pork sausage, but the reduced fat and calories are beneficial. And don't worry, you will still get a longganisa taste because they are flavored with the same seasonings and spices used in their pork counterparts.
Some regions offer beef longganisa to widen consumers' options. They use ground meat and a little beef fat to form the sausages, resulting in a rich and savory flavor. Like pork longganisa, though, this one has high fat content. Another downside is that it is more expensive than the other types of meat. Still, they are so delicious and definitely worth the occasional indulgence.
Not everyone can eat the same types of food due to dietary restrictions or lifestyle preferences. Thankfully, there are now options that do not use meat. Vegan longganisas are plant-based and typically substitute meat with soy or tofu. Not to worry about taste, though - these products taste just as savory and flavorful as regular longganisas, especially if they use traditional spices.
Our Philippine sausages have two prominent shapes: the plump round, and the thin sausage. These figures do not necessarily indicate a certain meat type or flavor profile, but they may give you a hint as to how they are best cooked.
Plump round longganisas have thin cases that don't need to be removed. Once you're done cooking the outer layer, you may need to prick them with a fork or slice them in butterfly cuts so that the middle part will be cooked through.
Meanwhile, many long and thin sausages are skinless. They are wrapped in a removable wrapper that you have to peel off before before putting them in the pan. Since they are thin and have no protective casing, it's best to set the fire to mid-low or medium heat to avoid burning these thin longganisas.
Longganisas differ in number and weight, but usually, larger packs offer more value for your money. They typically come in 6 - 12 pieces per pack, while others are sold by net weight (in grams or kilos). Make sure you get one that's enough for you and your family's needs to avoid feeling bitin and save some money, too.
Longganisas vary in shelf life as well, depending on the ingredients used. For instance, those with preservatives tend to last longer than the all-natural ones. The typical longganisa can last up to 1 - 2 months in the freezer. In contrast, preservative-free ones have a shorter shelf life. Meanwhile, smoked or pre-cooked longganisa can last up to 3 months in the freezer.
You can typically see the expected shelf life of the sausage in the product description of the item. But if you can't find it, contact the seller to inquire about this information. This step is vital to avoid ordering a product that is nearing its expiration date.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Pampanga’s Best Native Longaniza | ![]() | Sweet Sausages from a Pioneer Brand | |
2 | Aguila Lucban Longganisa | ![]() | Aromatic and Garlicky Lucban Longganisa | |
3 | Purefoods Chicken Longganisa | ![]() | Hamonado Longganisa Made from Premium Chicken Meat | |
4 | Longganisa Locale Chorizo de Cebu | ![]() | A Combination of Sweet and Spicy Notes | |
5 | The Good Choices Ph Vegan Friendly Plant Based Longganisa | ![]() | Healthier and Meatless Longganisa | |
6 | Tindahan Ni Aling Reyna Alaminos Longanisa | ![]() | Signature Garlicky and Peppery Longganisa from Pangasinan | |
7 | Longganisa Locale Cabanatuan Batutay Longganisa | ![]() | Extra Beefy Goodness With Batutay Longganisa | |
8 | Ricky D's Chorizo de Cebu & Longganisa Chorizo de Cebu | ![]() | Bite-Sized Sweet Sausage Balls With a Peppery Kick | |
9 | CDO Funtastyk Longganisa | ![]() | Quick-Cooking and Affordable Longganisa Made from Young Pork Meat |
Pampanga's Best is a pioneer in the frozen processed meats industry. Since 1967, they have been churning out quality meats, one of which is their signature native longganisa. These sausages are plump, short, and, as expected, sweet. Just a whiff of the caramelized sugar that comes out while cooking is enough to whet your appetite!
The sweetness is balanced by a combination of garlic, vinegar, and spices that creates a beautiful explosion of flavors in your mouth, with a hint of peppery aftertaste. There are also other flavor variants of longganisa products from the brand, so make sure to check out their website for more options.
You may be missing the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon due to the pandemic, but you need not deprive yourself of Lucban longganisas! Aguila Manufacturing can bring them straight into your home. The brand has many loyal followers who love the generous amount of garlic and oregano in each sausage.
The meat mixture also has added salt and spices to achieve the original Lucban-style taste. You can cook these sausages in two ways: by boiling then frying, or by grilling for a smoky flavor. Besides being the main star in longsilog, they can also serve as the meat ingredient for pasta sauces or pancit habhab.
Looking for a healthier longganisa meat or just want to try other products aside from pork? Purefoods has one for you! They offer the hamonado-style longganisa with just the right balance of sweet and savory taste that many Filipinos love. Plus, these sausages are smoked to level up the overall flavor, perfect for longganisa sisig!
But what's more interesting is the use of chicken from their sister company, Magnolia. As known to many, Magnolia Chicken has no antibiotic, hormonal, or steroid residues because they are naturally raised in a cage-free and stress-free environment. This means that every bite of this longganisa smacks of quality!
If you have a stomach for spicy foods or simply enjoy exploring different longganisas across the country, Longganisa Locale's Chorizo de Cebu should be part of your list! They are named chorizo, but they are technically considered as longganisas.
These petite sausage balls are immensely popular for their perfect balance of sweet and spicy notes. Each pack is also quite hefty with 2 dozen longganisas inside. If you're not into spicy food, they also have the original variant, which has a simple sweet flavor profile. Aside from rice, they work really well with pancakes and bread.
For our vegan friends, we have a longganisa product that you can enjoy! The Good Choices Ph offers a healthier and tasty replacement for meat-based sausages. These longganisas are certified 100% plant-based and made from soy and tapioca flour, which are rich in protein and cholesterol-free!
To achieve the original Pinoy sausage flavor, they are seasoned with annatto powder, garlic, brown sugar, and other spices present in typical longganisas. You can fry them with vegetable oil, but you may also cook them in a steamer or oven toaster if you'd rather avoid oil. Serve them with rice or bread to enjoy a healthy meal anytime!
The home of the Hundred Islands is also the birthplace of these garlicky and salty sausages. Alaminos Longanisa is a flavorful deli-meat you should try, care of Tindahan ni Aling Reyna, which makes them using traditional ingredients to preserve the product's authenticity.
These longganisas are known to have a liberal amount of garlic. The spicy and tangy notes of the sausages are from the black pepper and vinegar included in the meat mixture. If you want a taste of authentic Alaminos longganisa, this store is the perfect source for it!
Another entry from Longganisa Locale, batutay is a beef-based hamonado-style longganisa with a dominant garlicky flavor and hints of sweetness. The brand sources them straight from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, so you'll definitely get an authentic and delicious experience.
While this is primarily a beef longganisa, it also contains a bit of pork for extra juiciness and flavor. Recommended way of preparing is to set the stove on a medium flame and cook the sausages on a pan with little water. Poke tiny holes to cook the meat inside and release the fatty oil, and let it fry until fully cooked.
Do you want something that's easy to cook but packs a wallop in flavor? Check out these sausages from Ricky D's Chorizo de Cebu & Longganisa! They consist of pork, sugar, seasonings, and chili; hence, they are sweet and spicy! This brand has many fans because of the authentic Cebu flavor it offers.
These deli meats are made even more appetizing because of their bite-sized proportions. Serve them side-by-side with waffles or chop them into smaller pieces for a leveled-up version of Pinoy-style pasta. You can order two dozens for starters, but you can get as many as 20 dozens if you want!
CDO is another well-known local brand that sells frozen foods and canned goods. Their Funtastyk longganisa offers a pack of classic savory sausages with hints of sweetness that kids will love. More than that, though, they are soft and juicy, thanks to the use of young pork meat.
They are easy to cook, too! Just peel off the sausage casings, fry them in hot oil or toast them in an oven, and they're ready to serve! They also remain tasty hours after cooking, so they are perfect for pambaon at work or in school. Get a pack or two, and surely, you will get a good meat product at a budget-friendly price.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Longganisa is made of either pork, beef, chicken, or a plant-based alternative. These are mixed with spices and other ingredients to create various flavor profiles. They may also come wrapped in a skin casing-usually pork intestine casing- or in skinless form.
This varies across types and brands, but generally a single link of longganisa would yield anywhere from 140 to 260 calories.
Skinless longganisa is a sausage with the body made similarly to skinned longganisa, except that it's not wrapped in a skin casing. Because of this, they are less firm but also easier to cook.
Deli-meats make for a great meal, not just for breakfast but for any time of the day. They also come in handy when you have very little time to cook. Check out our articles below and find the best deli-style meats in town!
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Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Editor: R. Umlas
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Pampanga’s Best |Native Longaniza
No. 2: Aguila |Lucban Longganisa
No. 3: Purefoods |Chicken Longganisa
No. 4: Longganisa Locale |Chorizo de Cebu
No. 5: The Good Choices Ph |Vegan Friendly Plant Based Longganisa
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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