America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chile Sauce)

By David Pazmiño

Published on May 18, 2022

Time

10 minutes

Yield

Makes about ¾ cup

Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chile Sauce)

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise 1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped coarse3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons grated cotija cheese 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon jarred huacatay paste 1 garlic clove, minced

Before You Begin

Huacatay is a Peruvian herb sometimes called black mint. You can find it jarred in supermarkets or online. If it's unavailable, increase the cilantro to 5 tablespoons.

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth, about 1 minute. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.)
Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chile Sauce)
Photography by Daniel J. van Ackere. Styling by Chantal Lambeth.

Ají Verde (Peruvian Green Chile Sauce)

Save

Time

10 minutes

Yield

Makes about ¾ cup

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped coarse
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons grated cotija cheese
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon jarred huacatay paste
1 garlic clove, minced

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped coarse
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons grated cotija cheese
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon jarred huacatay paste
1 garlic clove, minced

Ingredients

½ cup mayonnaise
1 jalapeño chile, stemmed, seeded, and chopped coarse
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons grated cotija cheese
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon jarred huacatay paste
1 garlic clove, minced

Why This Recipe Works

Zippy ají sauces are mandatory with pollo a la brasa, and they're not just for the chicken: Peruvians also pour them all over the salad and fries that share the plate. This one is mayonnaise-based and bolstered with gutsy seasonings such as garlic, huacatay paste, cilantro, lime, cotija, and jalapeño.

Before You Begin

Huacatay is a Peruvian herb sometimes called black mint. You can find it jarred in supermarkets or online. If it's unavailable, increase the cilantro to 5 tablespoons.

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth, about 1 minute. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.)

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.