Make this bowl of kamatis bagoong with me! This easy Filipino recipe can be your savory and healthy condiment at home.

Kamatis bagoong in a small blue bowl placed on a wooden board

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Substitutions & Variations
Storage Tip
FAQs
Foolproof Kamatis Bagoong

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This kamatis bagoong recipe is vegan, affordable, and beginner-friendly. It's the plant-based version of the Filipino bagoong isda, or bagoong alamang. The ingredients are healthy and easy to find.

Tomatoes bring fresh flavor and natural sweetness and are a good source of vitamin C and lycopene. It also has black beans that serve as an alternative to the traditional ingredients like fish sauce or shrimp paste. It is rich, savory, and packed with umami flavor that pairs perfectly with veggies and rice.

The Story Behind Kamatis Bagoong

Filipinos love to pair bagoong with tomatoes, which keeps the flavors balanced. Traditional versions use bagoong balayan, a fermented fish sauce known for its strong, salty taste. Some like the cloudy version of fish sauce, while others prefer clear patis. This plant-based version uses salted black beans for a vegan alternative.

Where Kamatis Bagoong Comes From

The bagoong recipe was created in the Philippines, where similar salty condiments are used in many regional dishes. This includes KBL, an acronym for kadyos, baboy, and langka. Other versions use vinegar, fish sauce, or shrimp paste to build bold and savory flavor. For a healthier version, Filipinos started using kamatis or tomatoes for bagoong.

When is this Dish Typically Enjoyed?

It is usually served at any simple family meal. It can be added to tofu, veggies, steamed rice, and savory dishes. It can be paired with cooked langka or bagnet. You can enjoy it in kamayan style or using bare hands as a staple condiment or side dish!

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

salted black beans
tomatoes
red onion
garlic
coconut cream
salt
black pepper

See the recipe card for quantities.

All ingredients for kamatis bagoong in bowls

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Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

First, chop the tomatoes and red onion, then mince the garlic. Set aside a small amount of the tomatoes and onion for cooking later.

Blend the Bagoong Mixture

Add the salted black beans, most of the tomatoes, garlic, and onion to a blender. Then, blend until smooth and thick.

Cook the Tomatoes

Add a small amount of water to a pan over medium heat and add the reserved tomatoes and onion. Then, cook until the tomatoes are soft and slightly mushy.

Add the Bagoong Mixture

After that, pour the blended black bean mixture into the pan, then stir in the coconut cream. Cook for 3–5 minutes so the flavors come together.

Season and Serve

Season with salt and black pepper, and add a little water if you want a thinner consistency. Finally, turn off the heat and serve with rice or vegetables!

Substitutions & Variations

Ingredient Swap
If you don't have red onion, feel free to use white or yellow onion.
Variation
For a lighter consistency, swap coconut cream with coconut milk.
Mistake to Avoid
Don't add too much salt before tasting the mixture. The black beans already have salt. Just add more after everything has simmered together.

Storage Tip

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. Freeze it for up to 1 month, but the tomatoes and coconut cream separate slightly after thawing.

Kamatis bagoong surrounded by ingredients

FAQs

How can I make the bagoong thicker?

Keep the mixture simmering longer over low heat. It will thicken as some of the liquid evaporates. Just make sure to stir regularly so it doesn't stick to the pan. A shorter cooking time will give you a more cloudy version.

Is kamatis bagoong spicy?

No, this version is not spicy. But if you like, you can add chopped chili to make it spicy.

Can I use canned black beans?

You can, but your kamatis bagoong will taste different. Regular black beans don't have the same salty fermented flavor. It's best to use salted or fermented black beans. They provide the deep umami taste that replaces fish sauce or shrimp paste.

Is kamatis bagoong the same as bagoong balayan or lasona?

No. Bagoong balayan is a traditional fish condiment from Batangas. It's pure and heavily fermented and different from clear patis or vinegar. Kamatis bagoong, however, uses tomatoes. Lasona refers to a small onion, while guinamos is fermented fish.

5 from 7 votes

Print Pin Recipe

Foolproof Kamatis Bagoong

This rich and savory vegan Filipino condiment is made with tomatoes, salted black beans, and coconut cream. It’s an easy plant-based alternative to traditional bagoong that pairs perfectly with rice and vegetables.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: Condiment, Dip, Side Dish

Cuisine: Filipino

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 149kcal

Author: Lainey

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup salted black beans
▢ 8–10 medium ripe red tomatoes chopped
▢ 1 red onion chopped, with some reserved for sautéing
▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
▢ ½ cup coconut cream
▢ water as needed
▢ salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients

First, chop the tomatoes and red onion, then mince the garlic.
Set aside a small amount of the tomatoes and onion for cooking later.

Blend the Bagoong Mixture

Next, add the salted black beans, most of the tomatoes, garlic, and onion to a blender.
Blend until smooth and thick.

Cook the Tomatoes

Then, add a small amount of water to a pan over medium heat and add the reserved tomatoes and onion.
Cook until the tomatoes are soft and slightly mushy.

Add the Bagoong Mixture

After that, pour the blended black bean mixture into the pan, then stir in the coconut cream.
Cook for 3–5 minutes so the flavors come together.

Season and Serve

Then season with salt and black pepper, and add a little water if you want a thinner consistency.
Finally, turn off the heat and serve with rice or vegetables!

Watch The Recipe Video!

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Want to make your veggies and plain rice more exciting? Make some kamatis bagoong! This savory condiment takes a few minutes to make using a few simple ingredients.