Peruvian food, you say? Yes okay CAN DO. I’m very much down widdat.
Peruvian recipes are one of those things where you read it and say, mmm! yumm! sounds so good! …. erhhhhm, so, like, ahem what is it?
It’s salty. It’s spicy. It’s a friend to all vegetables. It’s got big punchy flavor from fresh garlic and lime juice and is also colorful and crunchy and fresh.
1. Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
This is one of Peru’s absolute favorite condiments. You will seriously find a jar of this spicy sauce in pretty much every home and restaurant.
What is it? Oh, just an incredible explosion of flavors made from cilantro, hot pepper, garlic, and lime. SO GOOD. But the best part is that you can totally play around with the basic recipe.
Add more lime for extra zestiness! Stir in some cheese to get that creamy dairy thing going to balance the heat. Want more spice? Just add more peppers. This is YOUR sauce now!
2. Ranafote (Peruvian Bread Pudding)
Got some stale bread hanging around the kitchen? Like, that loaf that just won’t go away? Perfect. You’ve got what you need for Peruvian pudding. I love this recipe because it’s so versatile.
You can eat it for dessert or even serve it up as a sweet stuffing.
It’s a mix of crunchy bread, raisins, brown sugar, apple, and nuts. But here is the super interesting part. One of the main ingredients is a mature, salty cheese. YES. Cheese. In a dessert.
Trust me, it’s not as weird as it sounds! That tangy little hit from a sharp cheese (like asiago!) just adds a savory note to all the sweetness. It seriously highlights the best of both flavors.
3. Oven Roasted Peruvian Chicken
I mean, who doesn’t love a good roasted bird? It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s always a winner. In Peru, this means seasoning the chicken with herbs and spices and roasting it until it’s perfectly golden.
Then you serve it with a side of spicy pepper paste. YUM.
If you’re having trouble finding aji-amarillo peppers, you can just use habanero peppers as a swap. It’s not *exactly* the traditional Peruvian way, but you will definitely get the idea.
4. Aji De Gallina (Peruvian Chicken Stew)
This stew is just so rich and classic. I love that it pulls from both European and South American influences, kind of like Peru’s culture.
You’ve got shredded chicken simmering away in a creamy, French-style roux that gets thickened up with bread.
But don’t let that mild broth fool you! A little dash of aji amarillo chili gives this warming dish a spicy South American kick. It’s just the best cozy-up-on-the-couch meal.
5. Purple Corn Pudding
This vibrant, one-pot dessert is a total showstopper. Kids absolutely love it because of that fun color and its just SO scrumptiously sweet taste.
It’s a smooth mix of purple corn, dried fruits, cinnamon, and cloves. Just the perfect marriage of spicy and sweet flavors!
In Peru, this pudding usually shows up for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. But honestly, why wait? Make a big pot tonight and let the whole family dive into this perfect pudding.
6. Yucca Fries
Yucca! It’s a starchy root veggie, a lot like a potato, and it’s native to Peru. One of the absolute best ways to eat it? Fried. Obviously.
Prepping is easy. Just peel the yucca, cut it into matchsticks, and boil for about 20 minutes until it’s soft. Drain it, dry it, and then get it into that hot oil. Let it bubble up until it’s perfectly crisp.
You can use a deep pan or even toss them in the air fryer. If you’re trying to skip the frying, just bake them! You might lose a little of that crunch, but they will still totally satisfy all those fry cravings.
Trust me, these delicious golden brown fries are immediately addictive. Just one bite of that crunchy, salty perfection and you are HOOKED.
7. Chilcano de Maracuya (A Pisco and Passionfruit Cocktail)
We need to talk about Pisco. It is THE liquor of Peru. It’s an amber-colored brandy made from Peruvian grapes that comes from the coastal regions.
In this drink, Pisco gets matched up with passionfruit pulp, ginger ale, and a little dash of bitters. The results? Pure magic. This cocktail is so refreshing and thirst-quenching, just perfect for a summery afternoon.
One sip and you’ll be dreaming of tropical beaches and lush rainforests. YES.
8. Peruvian Quinoa Soup
This soup! You guys, this South American soup is about to be your new favorite winter warmer. It’s a rich broth just loaded with fluffy quinoa, tender chunks of sweet potato, and fresh veggies.
Just a super nourishing meal that will absolutely keep the cold out.
The recipe uses chicken stock, but if you’re cooking for vegetarians, just swap it for vegetable stock. Easy!
9. Papa Rellena (Stuffed Potatoes)
Do you like dumplings that are crisp and crunchy on the outside but have a meaty, juicy center? YES. Then you need to make papa rellena, like, immediately.
They’re kind of like an empanada, and they are a whole meal packed into one single delicious nugget. It’s mashed potato wrapped around a spicy beef filling, and then it’s baked or fried until golden brown.
Kids go crazy for this recipe! Serve it up with some ketchup and your little eaters will be in total heaven.
10. Arroz Con Leche
This is rice pudding, but make it South American style! It’s the perfect mix of cinnamon, sugar, and silky Spanish rice, all coming together in one luxuriously creamy dish.
If you want to absolutely nail this recipe, I’ve got a few tips. Always. Use. Whole. Milk. Use a cinnamon stick instead of the powder, and do not skip the salt. Most importantly? Take your time.
Patience is everything for this pudding. You have to add the milk and stir slowly so you don’t get any lumps. I’ve learned over the years that you just cannot rush deliciousness.
11. Tacu Tacu
It’s so good they had to name it twice! Tacu tacu is a super hearty dish of rice and beans. This is THE quintessential Peruvian side dish. Seriously, it shows up on dinner tables all over the country.
And it’s not hard to master. You just toss rice and beans together and top it all off with a fried egg and some browned plantains. Make this a regular part of your weeknight rotation and you’ll be cooking like a Peruvian pro in no time.
12. Salsa Huancaína
This is a spicy, cheesy sauce that gets dolloped over SO many Peruvian meals. It’s made from that legendary Peruvian hot spice, the aji amarillo chile pepper, plus queso cheese and saltine crackers.
Those crackers are the secret! They give it a smooth, velvety thickness.
You can serve this chilled or at room temp. Just make sure you have plenty of tortilla chips or yucca fries for dipping. GIMME.
13. Papa a la Huancaina
This dish is such a classic. It’s usually served as an appetizer, but I think it would make a really unique breakfast or brunch.
It’s thick slices of potato just smothered in that cheesy, spicy Huancaina sauce. Then it gets served with hard-boiled eggs, black olives, and a little sprinkle of fresh parsley.
There is SO much going on here. Salty, savory, creamy, and spicy all at once. If you want to take your tastebuds on an adventure, this is 100% the dish for you.
14. Causa Rellena (Peruvian Chicken Potato Salad)
Okay, half the fun of this unique salad is just the presentation. It’s a colorful, towering masterpiece made from layers of creamy potato salad and shredded chicken. It’s like a savory trifle!
And it’s infused with amarillo, lime juice, and cilantro, so you know there is plenty of flavor packed in there. Serve this at your next picnic or BBQ and you will be the talk of the neighborhood. In the best way, obviously.
15. Peruvian Hot Chocolate
Peru has tons of microclimates, and in some parts of the country, it gets COLD. We’re talking snowy, wintery cold. That’s where this traditional recipe for warming, spicy hot chocolate comes in. It keeps the chill out and all the yum in.
This recipe uses a bitter Peruvian cocoa, which is high in antioxidants and has this amazing rich, toasted, cacao flavor.
You mix that with creamy dairy, spices, and just a little bit of instant coffee. This will 100% put some fire in your belly on those chilly mornings and bitter nights. SO cozy.
16. Lomo Saltado
Lomo Saltado! It’s a stir-fry-style platter just heaped with seasoned meat, french fries, onion, tomatoes, and peppers.
This dish actually came to Peru from Chinese settlers, and you can totally taste that Asian influence from the dash of soy sauce and vinegar. It makes the whole thing tangy, and just the perfect amount of salty and sweet.
Want to make it really authentic? Serve it with a side of spicy aji sauce and swap those potato fries for yucca fries. YUM.
17. Chicha Morada
This is such a refreshing and fruity non-alcoholic cocktail. The name literally translates to “purple drink,” and it is definitely an eye-catching beverage!
It’s made from dried purple corn, and this maroon-colored drink is pretty much a superfood smoothie. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
How does it taste? It’s delicately sweet, a little earthy, and thanks to a touch of cinnamon, just slightly spicy. So, so good.
18. Peruvian Fried Rice
This is also known as arroz chaufa, and it’s another amazing dish that came from Chinese Peruvians who moved to the country in the 1960s.
It’s a lot like the takeout-style fried rice you already know and love, but with a few important differences.
For starters? It has hot dogs AND shredded chicken. Yes! Toss some veggies into the mix, and you have a totally tasty, super satisfying, one-pot meal. Weeknight dinner WIN.
19. Frejoles Colados
Okay, Peruvians have a serious gift for making pudding out of pretty much any ingredient. It’s amazing. In this recipe, black beans get the full dessert treatment in a smooth, creamy, porridge-like dish.
The beans are pureed and mixed with sugar, condensed milk, and cinnamon… and they become this bowl of spicy, sweet yumminess. It’s considered a dessert, but honestly? I’d keep a bowl of this around for breakfast, too.
20. Peruvian Chicken Soup
Every single culture has its own version of that nourishing, healing chicken soup, right? It’s traditionally served as a remedy for colds, flu, or basically anything that’s bothering you.
It’s just classic comfort food that everyone, everywhere loves.
The Peruvian version is just LOADED with antioxidant-rich cilantro, aromatic garlic, and tangy lime. It’s spicy and so flavorful. This is the perfect soup for rainy days, cold nights, or anytime you just need a little boost.
