Anticuchos de Corazón (Peruvian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers)
In short: Cubes of beef heart marinated overnight in ají panca, vinegar, garlic and cumin, then grilled on skewers until charred outside and tender within. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 315 kcal
Anticuchos are the smoky skewers sold from street carts in Lima in the evening, along with boiled potato and corn. Beef heart is a lean, mild-tasting muscle, and an overnight marinade of red ají panca, vinegar, garlic and cumin makes it tender and deeply flavored. The skewers are grilled quickly over high heat and brushed with the boiled marinade. Serve them with hot sauce.
Instructions
- Trim all the sinew and silver skin from the beef heart, then cut it into 2.5 cm (1 in) cubes.
- Whisk the ají panca paste, vinegar, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and oil in a large bowl. Add the beef, toss well, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Thread 5 or 6 cubes onto each soaked skewer. Pour the leftover marinade into a small pan and simmer for 2 minutes, then set aside for basting.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates.
- Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with the boiled marinade after the first turn, until browned with charred edges and cooked through to at least 63°C (145°F). Do not overcook, or the heart turns chewy.
- Rest the skewers for 3 minutes. Serve hot with boiled potato, corn and hot sauce.
Tips
- Beef heart toughens when overcooked, so grill it hot and fast. If you cannot find it, use beef sirloin tip cut into the same cubes.
- If you cannot find ají panca paste, mix 2 tablespoons of ancho chili paste with 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika.
Questions and answers
What does beef heart taste like?
It tastes mild and beefy, firmer than steak, without the strong flavor of other organ meats. Marinated and grilled, it is tender and slightly sweet.
How long should I marinate anticuchos?
At least 4 hours, and ideally overnight. The vinegar and spices tenderize the meat and carry flavor throughout.
Can I use another meat for anticuchos?
Yes. Beef sirloin, chicken thighs and even octopus take the same marinade. Cook chicken to 74°C (165°F).
How long does it take to make Anticuchos de Corazón (Peruvian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers)?
About 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Anticuchos de Corazón (Peruvian Grilled Beef Heart Skewers)?
About 315 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 30 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 315 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
