Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir-Fry with Fries)
In short: Strips of beef seared in a hot wok with red onion, tomato, yellow chili and soy sauce, tossed with crisp fries and served with rice. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 715 kcal
Lomo saltado is the most popular beef dish in Peru, a result of Chinese cooks and Peruvian ingredients meeting in Lima's kitchens. Strips of beef are seared in a very hot wok with red onion, tomato and yellow chili, splashed with soy sauce and vinegar, and finished with fries that soak up the juices. It is always served with white rice, so there are two starches on the plate.
Instructions
- Toss the beef with 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the cumin and the pepper. Leave it for 15 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Toss the potatoes with the 2 tablespoons of oil and the salt, spread on two trays and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
- Mix the remaining soy sauce, the vinegar and the water in a small cup.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over very high heat until smoking. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and sear half the beef for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing, until browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with a second tablespoon of oil and the rest of the beef.
- Add the last 2 tablespoons of oil. Stir-fry the onion for 1 to 2 minutes so it stays crunchy, then add the garlic and ají paste for 30 seconds and the tomatoes for 1 minute.
- Return the beef and its juices to the pan and pour in the soy mixture. Toss for 1 minute, until the sauce coats the beef and the meat is cooked through. Off the heat, stir in the cilantro and half the fries.
- Serve at once over rice with the remaining fries on top.
Tips
- Use a very hot pan and cook the beef in two batches. Crowding makes it steam and turn gray instead of searing.
- For classic fries, deep-fry the potato sticks in oil at 175°C (350°F) until golden. Good frozen fries also work when you are short on time.
Questions and answers
What does saltado mean?
It means sautéed or tossed. It describes the quick, high-heat stir-fry in a very hot wok that gives the dish its smoky flavor.
Why are there fries in lomo saltado?
The fries soak up the savory sauce and add a second texture. Many cooks serve them on top at the end so they stay partly crisp.
What cut of beef should I use?
Use a tender cut such as sirloin, tenderloin or flank steak sliced against the grain. The strips cook in just a few minutes.
How long does it take to make Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir-Fry with Fries)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir-Fry with Fries)?
About 715 kcal per serving, with 43 g of protein, 76 g of carbohydrates and 26 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 715 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 43 g |
| Carbohydrates | 76 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
