Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chili Sauce)
In short: A creamy green sauce of cilantro, jalapeño, lime, fresh cheese and mayonnaise, the dip for roast chicken, fries and grilled meat. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 135 kcal
Ají verde is the green sauce that comes in a little plastic cup with every Peruvian roast chicken. It is made from cilantro, fresh green chili, lime juice, garlic, a bit of fresh cheese and a creamy base, blended until smooth and pale green. The heat is moderate and the flavor is bright and herbal. It works as a dip for fries, a sauce for grilled meat or a spread for sandwiches.
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cilantro, then roughly chop the stems.
- Blend the cilantro, jalapeños, cheese, garlic, lime juice and water until a smooth green paste forms.
- Add the mayonnaise. With the blender running, slowly pour in the oil and blend until thick and creamy.
- Taste and add salt if needed. Thin with a spoonful of water if the sauce is too thick to pour.
- Chill for 30 minutes so the flavors blend. Serve cold.
Tips
- For a more authentic flavor, blend in 1 teaspoon of huacatay (Peruvian black mint) paste if you can find it. A few mint leaves with a pinch of dried oregano is a rough stand-in.
- Leave the jalapeño seeds in for more heat. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of leftovers so the sauce does not darken.
Questions and answers
What do you eat ají verde with?
Roast chicken, fries, grilled meat, boiled potatoes and sandwiches. It is also good as a dip for vegetables.
How spicy is ají verde?
It is medium-hot with seeded jalapeños. Keep the seeds in for more heat, or use one pepper for a milder sauce.
How long does ají verde keep?
In a covered jar in the fridge it keeps for 5 days. Stir before using. It does not freeze well.
How long does it take to make Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chili Sauce)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chili Sauce)?
About 135 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 135 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 225 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
