Creamy, spicy and bright, this Peruvian Green Sauce is a true kitchen hero. I can almost guarantee you'll be making at least one batch a week, if not more.
I don't know about y'all, but some of my favorite flavors are garlic, cilantro, lime and jalapeño. All of my top favorite cuisines - Mexican, Thai, Indian - use these base flavors, and for good reason. This super easy Peruvian Green Sauce brings them all together and it comes together in just 5 minutes. We're so obsessed, we've been putting it on everything from eggs and burgers to avocado toast and chips.
I've long been on the hunt for a recipe that would mimic the Jalapeño Chimichurri we used to serve at the Cuban restaurant I worked at in my mid-20s. I've tried about 20 different recipes, and none of them have gotten close. UNTIL NOW. Mayonnaise has been the missing ingredient, and it makes Peruvian Green Sauce (a.k.a. Aji Verde) super easy to make.
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The Many Uses of This Super Simple Kitchen Staple
Do any of y'all have a signature accessory? You know, some delightful necklace or a beautiful shade of lipstick or your very favorite pair of boots? Well, in this house, our signature accessories generally come in the form of salt for me (because salt is crucial) or heat for Joe (he puts smoked ghost pepper flakes on everything). As much as I love fashion, I love food so much more. And I'm much more likely to accessorize my plate than my person in these strange COVID times.
This creamy jalapeño-based Peruvian Green Sauce has become my new signature accessory. I mean, I still use salt because food needs it. But this sauce is the little black dress your fridge needs. It makes sense for a variety of different cuisines. And y'all? Since we're talking fashion here, it's a gorgeous hue of green. If food was a person, this sauce makes everyone who wears it look (and taste) better.
I'm not hyperbolizing here. It tastes great with everything savory that I've tried. It replaces hot sauce. You can use it as a substitute for mayonnaise. It makes a great dipping sauce. I've even thinned it out with a bit of olive oil and used it as a salad dressing. It's creamy, acidic, spicy. And it is flat out perfect.
TIP: If you're not as much of a fan of spicy heat, you can easily adjust the Scoville level by removing the ribs and seeds of the jalapeño before blending.
How to Make Easy Green Sauce
The added beauty of my new favorite sauce, Aji Verde, is that it comes together in almost no time. Just chuck a bunch of cilantro (stems and all!), a handful of garlic cloves, the juice of a lime or two, a jalapeño and some store-bought mayonnaise in a high-powered blender (I like this one and this one), flip the switch, and voila! Pour the contents into a squeeze bottle and get ready to have some fun.
TIP: Out of mayonnaise? Substitute sour cream or full-fat Greek yogurt instead!
Some Recipes This Peruvian Green Sauce Pairs Nicely With:
- Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich (or as a dipping sauce for the fries you eat with it!)
- Salmon Burritos
- Korean Steak Tacos
- BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls
The uses for this beautiful green kitchen hero are almost endless. You know I love kitchen inspiration: comment below to let me know what your favorite use is. Until next time, my friends. I hope you have a delicious and healthy day!
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Peruvian Green Sauce a.k.a. Aji Verde
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Cilantro stems and all
- 1-2 Limes juiced
- 1 Jalapeño stem removed
- 5-10 cloves Garlic
- 1 C Mayonnaise Hellman's or Duke's preferred
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to high speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into squeeze bottle and prepare to put this on everything. Enjoy!
Notes
- Can be made vegan using vegan mayonnaise
- Can be made Paleo/Whole30 friendly with avocado oil mayonnaise
- Out of mayo? Sub in sour cream or plain Greek yogurt!
- Not a fan of spicy foods? Remove the ribs and seeds of the jalapeño before blending.
- Sauce too thick? Add more lime juice.
