If your dinner rotation needs a serious flavor wake-up call, I’ve got 20 authentic Peruvian recipes that are about to steal the show. Think cozy, creamy stews, crispy golden bites, and sauces so good you’ll want to put them on everything. I’m so excited to share these, so here they are.
1. Lomo Saltado
Lomo saltado is the ultimate fusion comfort food, a sizzling platter of seasoned beef, crispy French fries, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. This dish came to Peru with Chinese settlers, and you can taste that heritage in every bite kissed with soy sauce and vinegar.
It’s tangy and salty, with just the right amount of sweet. I could eat this every single week.
2. Arroz Con Leche
This is rice pudding, South American style. The perfect blend of cinnamon, sugar, and silky Spanish rice comes together in a luxuriously creamy dish.
To really nail this recipe, keep a few simple tips in mind. It’s the ultimate cozy dessert.
3. Peruvian Green Sauce (Aji Verde)
One of Peru’s most beloved condiments, you’ll find a jar of this spicy sauce in nearly every home and restaurant. It’s a punchy blend of cilantro, hot pepper, garlic, and lime that wakes up everything it touches.
The best part? You can absolutely play around with the basic recipe and make it your own. I drizzle it on everything.
4. Peruvian Hot Chocolate
Peru’s varied topography means parts of the country get the snowy, wintery type of cold. That’s where this traditional warming, spicy hot chocolate comes in.
It uses a bitter Peruvian cocoa that’s high in antioxidants and has a rich, toasted cacao flavor. It’s the coziest way to keep the chill out and
5. Chicha Morada
Say hello to chicha morada, a refreshing and fruity drink that’s completely alcohol free. The name translates to “purple drink,” and it is indeed an eye catching beverage.
Made from dried purple corn, it’s basically a superfood smoothie packed with antioxidants and vitamins. It’s vibrant and delicious, so pretty in the glass.
6. Aji De Gallina (Peruvian Chicken Stew)
This classic stew is a beautiful mashup of European technique and South American soul. Tender shredded chicken simmers in a creamy, French inspired roux that gets its lush body from bread, not cream.
It looks so gentle and mild, but then a spoonful of sunny aji amarillo pepper sneaks in with this warm, spicy kick. I love how it feels like a hug in a bowl.
7. Causa Rellena (Peruvian Chicken Potato Salad)
Half the magic of this dish is how absolutely stunning it looks on the plate. I’m talking about a tall, colorful tower built from layers of creamy mashed potato and shredded chicken.
It’s infused with aji amarillo pepper and fresh lime juice, plus cilantro, so every bite is bright and zingy. A savory trifle that’s as delicious as it is gorgeous.
8. Papa a la Huancaina
This classic dish usually makes an appearance as an appetizer, but I’d happily serve it for breakfast or brunch too. Thick slices of tender potato are smothered in a cheesy, spicy Huancaina sauce.
It’s finished with hard boiled eggs and black olives, plus a sprinkling of fresh parsley. Simple and elegant, it’s so satisfying.
9. Salsa Huancaína
Huancaina is a spicy, cheese sauce that gets dolloped over so many Peruvian meals. It’s made from the country’s legendary aji amarillo chile pepper and queso cheese, with saltine crackers that give it a smooth, velvety thickness. I love it chilled or at room temperature, served with plenty of tortilla chips or yucca fries for dipping.
10. Peruvian Quinoa Soup
This South American soup is about to become your favorite winter warmer. A rich broth carries fluffy quinoa and tender chunks of sweet potato, with fresh veggies, making it a nourishing meal that keeps the cold out. The recipe calls for chicken stock, but you can easily swap in vegetable stock if you’re cooking for vegetarians.
11. Tacu Tacu
They really did name this one twice because it’s that good. Tacu tacu is a hearty, humble mix of rice and beans that shows up on dinner tables all over Peru.
All you have to do is bring those leftovers together, then crown the whole thing with a fried egg and caramelized plantains. Simple and satisfying, it’s so incredibly tasty.
12. Peruvian Fried Rice
Also known as arroz chaufa, this fried rice is another gift from Chinese Peruvians who arrived in the 1960s. It has all the savory, satisfying vibes of your favorite takeout, with a few unexpected twists.
I’m talking hot dogs and shredded chicken tossed right in with the rice. It might sound wild, but it works beautifully.
13. Yucca Fries
Yucca is a starchy root vegetable, much like a potato, that’s native to Peru, and frying it is hands down the best way to enjoy it. Peel the yucca and slice it into matchsticks, then boil for about 20 minutes until soft.
Once it’s drained and dried, add it to hot oil and let it bubble up until perfectly crisp. These fries are ridiculously addictive.
14. Papa Rellena (Stuffed Potatoes)
Calling all dumpling lovers! Papa rellena is a crisp, crunchy golden shell that shatters to reveal a juicy, meaty center.
Think of it like an empanada, but even more satisfying because it’s a whole handheld meal packed into one delicious little nugget. You need these in your life as soon as possible.
15. Ranafote (Peruvian Bread Pudding)
If you have stale bread hanging around the kitchen like a guest who’s outstayed their welcome, you’ve got the start of something delicious. This versatile recipe can be enjoyed for dessert or served up as a sweet stuffing. Made from crunchy bread, raisins, brown sugar, apple, and nuts, it’s a resourceful and irresistible treat.
16. Peruvian Chicken Soup
Every culture has its own version of healing chicken soup, and Peru’s is classic comfort food that transcends borders. It’s traditionally served as a remedy for colds, flu, and whatever ails you.
This one is loaded with antioxidant rich cilantro and aromatic garlic, plus a squeeze of tangy lime. A bowl of this feels like medicine for the soul.
17. Purple Corn Pudding
This vibrant one pot dessert is an instant hit with kids thanks to its fun color and scrumptiously sweet taste. It’s a smooth blend of purple corn, dried fruits, cinnamon, and cloves, the perfect marriage of spicy and sweet.
In Peru, this pudding is a must at birthdays and holidays, and any celebration really. It’s pure joy in a bowl.
18. Frejoles Colados
Peruvians have a gift for turning almost any ingredient into pudding, and here black beans get the dessert treatment. The beans are pureed and mixed with sugar and condensed milk, plus cinnamon, until they become a smooth, creamy porridge like dish. It’s a bowl of spicy, sweet yumminess that will completely surprise you.
19. Oven Roasted Peruvian Chicken
A beautifully roasted bird is a universal love language, and the Peruvian version brings all the flavor. The chicken gets rubbed with aromatic herbs and spices, then roasts until the skin is golden and crackling.
Serve it with a side of spicy pepper paste for dipping. Can’t find aji amarillo peppers? Habaneros will give you a similar fiery thrill, even if it’s not strictly traditional.
20. Chilcano de Maracuya (A Pisco and Passionfruit Cocktail)
Pisco is the liquor of Peru, an amber colored brandy made from Peruvian grapes in the coastal regions. Here, Pisco meets luscious passionfruit pulp, ginger ale, and a dash of bitters, and the results are nothing short of magical. This refreshing, thirst quenching cocktail is ideal for lazy summery afternoons.