Vegan Aji Verde (Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)
Peruvian green sauce, or Aji Verde, is a delicious Peruvian hot sauce you can find in most restaurants around Peru.
Traditionally, it’s made with Aji Amarillo– a yellow chili pepper native to Peru. Since this pepper is difficult to come by in the United States, I’ve substituted the Aji Amarillo with a similar pepper, the jalapeno.
Aji Verde sauce incorporates fresh cilantro, crisp peppers, garlic, lime juice, and a creamy base (typically mayo, yogurt, or oil).
This version can be made with a vegan mayonnaise brand, keeping it totally vegan and plant-based! It tastes the same as the original but is cruelty-free and even healthier!
Beautiful views after hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!
Peruvian green sauce has become my husband and I’s favorite hot sauce!
The first time I tried Aji Verde was while visiting Peru. My tour guide took us in for a home-cooked meal. His father made us delicious, authentic Peruvian cuisine, and, in particular, his homemade Aji Verde was mouth-watering!
I had no idea a sauce could taste so good!
After that encounter, I found Aji Verde sauce in multiple restaurants during my time in Peru. It literally came with everything, from a scrumptious taco platter in Cusco to a delicious vegetable bowl in Aguas Calientes.
Coming home, I really missed the food. I wanted to create a version of it that my husband and I could both enjoy while at home in the States.
I made us a large batch, and it was devoured within the week! We doused it on everything! From tacos, Buddha bowls, rice and beans, potatoes, etc. Just a tiny drizzle of this Peruvian green sauce makes the most basic foods taste superb.
Today, I’m happily sharing this Peruvian-inspired recipe with you! I hope you, too, can enjoy it and get a taste of why Peru knows how to do hot sauce right.
See also:
Peruvian Green Sauce Recipe:
For this vegan version of Aji Verde, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4 jalapenos
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 2 green onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¾ cup vegan mayo*
- 1 lime, juiced
- Pinch of salt & black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (if avoiding oil, sub water)
*I like vegan mayo that uses aquafaba as its base. My personal favorite brand is Chosen Foods Vegan Avocado Oil Mayo.
Not only does this plant-based mayo contain heart-healthy avocado oil, but it uses aquafaba from chickpeas. Aquafaba has a whipped, creamy texture making it the perfect base for an animal-free mayo.
It’s also super easy to make your own aquafaba mayo. I like this recipe, here.
Uses for Aji Verde Sauce:
This green sauce will literally go with just about everything, adding flavor and bright color to most dishes.
My husband likes to use this sauce on his tacos and burritos. I like to use it in my buddha bowls and grilled vegetables. Other plant-based ideas include:
- Tostones
- Tostadas
- Salads
- Sweet potatoes
- Grilled tofu
- Black bean burgers
- Quinoa
Storage:
You can store the Peruvian green sauce in the refrigerator for up to seven days. Use it throughout the week on various dishes!
Instructions:
- Coarsely chop the jalapenos, cilantro leaves, green onion, and garlic cloves. If you want your sauce spicier, leave in the jalapeno seeds. If you want your green sauce milder, deseed the jalapenos.
- Add the chopped jalapenos, cilantro leaves, green onions, garlic cloves, vegan mayo, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Slowly add your oil until mixed thoroughly. Add a little water if you want your sauce to have a slightly thinner consistency.
- Season with more salt & black pepper to taste.
- ENJOY!
Makes ¾ to 1 cup of green sauce (or roughly 8 servings).
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 2 tablespoons | Calories: 185 calories | Carbohydrates: 1.4g | Protein: 0.25g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.9g | Sodium: 129mg 9% DV | Potassium 42mg 2% DV | Fiber: 0.3g 1% DV | Sugar: 0.5g | Iron: 0.1mg <1% DV | Calcium: 5.9mg <1% DV | Vitamin C 11mg 15% DV | Vitamin A 333IU 14% DV
*Nutrition Information is obtained from the Cronometer app. Some values may vary.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @messybun_traveler on Instagram and hashtag it #messybuntraveler so we can see all the Peruvian deliciousness! Also, don’t forget to pin this Aji Verde sauce recipe!
