Sautéed Ginisang Ampalaya with Eggs and Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

A classic Filipino sautéed bitter melon dish cooked with ripe tomatoes and scrambled eggs for a balanced savory and slightly bitter flavor. This Filipino-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs bitter melon (ampalaya), thinly sliced, large eggs, medium tomatoes, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 medium (about 1 lb) bitter melon (ampalaya), thinly sliced
• 3 large eggs
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Wash and thinly slice 2 medium bitter melons lengthwise, removing seeds. Soak in salted water for 10 minutes, then drain to reduce bitterness.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 chopped medium tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes are softened and saucy.
4. Step 4: Stir in the drained bitter melon slices and 1/4 cup water. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until bitter melon softens but retains some bite.
5. Step 5: Push the vegetables to the side of the pan, crack 3 large eggs into the empty space, scramble gently, and cook until just set.
6. Step 6: Mix eggs into the bitter melon and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for another minute, then remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Serve warm with steamed rice as a side or light main dish.