Anticuchos (Bolivian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers with Peanut Sauce)
In short: Skewers of beef heart marinated in vinegar, cumin and chili, grilled until charred, then served with boiled potato slices and spicy peanut sauce. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 400 kcal
Anticuchos are the smoky skewers sold from street grills in Bolivian cities after dark, hissing over charcoal. Beef heart is marinated in vinegar, garlic, cumin and red chili, which makes it tender and deeply flavored, then grilled until charred at the edges. A bowl of boiled potato slices and a thick, spicy peanut sauce make it a meal. Sirloin works if you cannot find heart.
Instructions
- Whisk the vinegar, oil, garlic, chili paste, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the beef heart, toss well, cover and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Drain, cool for 10 minutes, then peel if you like and cut into 1 cm (1/2 in) slices.
- For the sauce, blend the peanuts, ají paste, garlic, lime juice, oil, salt and water for 1 minute, until smooth. Add water a tablespoon at a time until it pours like heavy cream.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Thread 3 or 4 cubes of beef onto each skewer, leaving small gaps so the meat cooks evenly. Discard the leftover marinade.
- Grill the skewers for 6 to 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until charred outside with a slightly pink center, about 63°C (145°F).
- Rest the skewers for 3 minutes. Serve with the potato slices and the peanut sauce for spooning over.
Tips
- Trim the heart carefully, removing all sinew and fat, and do not overcook it, or the meat turns tough. If you cannot find beef heart, use sirloin or flank steak cut into similar cubes.
- The sauce thickens as it stands, so loosen it with water before serving. Grill the potato slices briefly alongside the skewers for extra flavor.
Questions and answers
What are anticuchos made of in Bolivia?
Most often beef heart, marinated in vinegar, garlic, cumin and red chili, then grilled. They come with boiled potato and a spicy peanut sauce.
Is beef heart tough?
Not when trimmed well, marinated and grilled quickly. Overcooking is what makes it chewy, so aim for a slightly pink center.
Can I cook anticuchos in the oven?
Yes. Broil the skewers on a rack under a hot broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until browned and charred at the edges.
How long does it take to make Anticuchos (Bolivian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers with Peanut Sauce)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Anticuchos (Bolivian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers with Peanut Sauce)?
About 400 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
