Aji Verde is a Creamy and Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce made of fresh ingredients like cilantro, aji (spicy pepper), garlic, and cheese. It is delicious on grilled foods and even as a salad dressing. Made with fresh ingredients and just 5 minutes to prepare.
This sauce will become a family favorite at your table!
Traditionally, Aji Verde is served as a condiment alongside Pollo a la Brasa (roasted chicken). Still, it also goes great with vegetables and as a dip for dipping delicious things like these Tostones or Yuca.
Authentic Peruvian Aji Verde is made with a Peruvian hot pepper called Aji Amarillo (hot yellow pepper). Still, since I did not have it, I used jalapeños. Peruvians also use an herb called huacatay (black mint or black mint paste), but I used Cilantro.
I also substituted the mayo with avocado and a little Greek yogurt to make it a bit healthier. There is so much flavor and creaminess from all the ingredients that you don’t miss the mayo.
Aji Verde is spicy, tangy, aromatic, creamy, savory, and simply delicious. Life will never be the same after you try this sauce!
Like in my country, where everyone has their own spin on Venezuelan Guasacaca Sauce, Peruvians are not different. Almost every restaurant has its own version, so I thought, why not add my own twist to my Aji Verde recipe? 😊
Other Latin recipe creations to explore
Jump to:
How to Make Aji Verde in just 5 minutes
Equipment
- Electric blender (or food processor)
- Cutting board
- Large knife
- Glass container for storing.
See the printable version of the recipe card with ingredient quantities.
The Aji Verde ingredients
- Avocado and Greek Yogurt - make up for the absence of mayo in this recipe.
- Cilantro adds that distintive Latin flavor
- Jalapeño Pepper - use Aji Amarillo if you are lucky to have it.
- Lime Juice
- Garlic
- Water
- Vegetable Oil (Olive oil is acceptable)
- Cotija Cheese
- Salt and Black pepper.
Instructions
Here is the best part!
This Peruvian sauce is so easy. All you need is to throw all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until they are nicely blended. The perfect sauce should have a smooth, homogenous, and creamy consistency. Adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.
I hope you love this easy Peruvian Sauce recipe.
Enjoy! Disfruten!
Uses for Aji Verde (Creamy and Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce)
As in my other delicious Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce, this Aji Verde will elevate just about any dish from your grill (or kitchen!).
Ideas to pair your Aji Verde with:
- Grilled meats like Pollo a la Brasa
- These Oven-baked TOSTONES (Crispy Baked Green Plantains)
- My Baked PLANTAIN CHIPS
- Yuca
- Rice and beans
- Grilled or roasted vegetables.
Storage
- Aji Verde is best stored in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh and green for about 4-5 days.
Other Latin Salsas and Sauces for inspiration
Recipe Card
Aji Verde (Creamy and Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce) Recipe
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Blending time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Cuisine: Peruvian
Description
Aji Verde is a tangy, creamy, and Spicy Peruvian Green sauce and absolutely delicious! Perfect for drizzling over grilled meats, dipping, or spreading!
Ingredients
The Aji Verde ingredients
- 1 cup of chopped fresh Cilantro (no stems)
- 1 Jalapeño Pepper
- 1/2 ripe Avocado peeled and seeded
- 2 tablespoons of Lime Juice
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup of Water
- 2 tablespoons of Vegetable Oil (not Olive oil)
- 2 tablespoons of plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of Cotija Cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
This Creamy and Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce is so easy. All you need is to throw all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until they are nicely blended. The perfect sauce should have a smooth, homogenous, and creamy consistency. Adjust the salt and pepper to your preference.
Enjoy this easy Peruvian Sauce recipe Aji Verde. Enjoy! Disfruten!
Notes
Storage - Aji Verde is best stored in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh and green for about 4-5 days.
Alejandra
You can do everything wrong and still get this recipe to taste delicious! I used what I had on hand and it was really good. I used frozen cilantro, 2 Serrano peppers with seeds, butter instead of oil (I only had coconut oil and didn't want it to taste like coconut), nonfat probiotic yogurt, and cheddar cheese. My outcome was AMAZING but slightly runny because I eyeballed the measurements and used nonfat yogurt which is way thinner than greek yogurt.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Hi Alejandra,
I love to hear your Aji Verde turned out amazing! The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility - thanks for sharing your creative substitutions, especially the butter and nonfat yogurt. I'll add a note about consistency for future chefs. Thanks for trying the recipe and leaving your review! 🙂 💕
Amy
This was delicious! I upped the jalapenos as we have friends who really love their spice!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Love the jalapeno upgrade! Aji Verde is all about that green heat - thanks for sharing!
Melinda
This is a delicious, spicy green sauce and was a great change of pace from salsa. I liked the texture and tang that the Greek yogurt added. I will definitely be making this again!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Absolutely! Aji Verde is a refreshing salsa alternative, and the Greek yogurt keeps it cool and creamy. Thanks for making it!
Sonja
The swap from mayo to avocado and greek yoghurt made this perfect for dipping even while on a diet. This sauce is incredibly flavoured and I'll be using it for dipping all sorts of stuff into during summer.
Swapped the Cotija for Feta, as I can't find it in Ireland and it was lovely.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Hi Sonja!
Thank you for making the recipe. Feta sounds like a delicious swap for Cotija. You can also use Parmesan.
Perfect for summer dipping? we're on the same page! 🙂
Oscar
I love this sauce over my grilled ribeyes. It's super fresh, I added extra garlic and lime juice. Love it!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Ribeyes with Aji Verde - sounds like a great match to me! Extra garlic and lime, perfect call. Thanks for sharing your delicious twist!
Claudia Cristina Ciorteanu
Just whipped up some Aji Verde, and it's amazing! Creamy, spicy, and packed with fresh flavors. Perfect for dipping or drizzling over everything. You've got to try this Peruvian green sauce!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee)
Hi Claudia,
So glad you tried Aji Verde! It's got that creamy kick that goes with everything. 🙂