Peruvian Yellow Sauce

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Ají Amarillo Sauce - Peruvian Yellow Sauce - is a perfect accompaniment for Peruvian-style grilled or roasted chicken. Whether you start with ají amarillo paste made at home, or commercial ají paste, the creamy, mildly spicy sauce elevates the simplest roasted vegetables (especially potatoes!) and meats. No cooking is required; all you need is a food processor or blender, and 10 minutes of your time!

Jump to:

• 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Ají Amarillo Sauce
• 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
• 🔪 Instructions
• ❓ FAQ
• 💭 Tips
• 📖 Recipe
• 🥣 Pairing Suggestions
• 💬 Comments

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Ají Amarillo Sauce

Ají amarillo paste is a staple at Andersen casa, and I love finding new ways to use it. Several years ago, I did ají verde sauce (Peruvian green sauce) that became a favorite salsa for meatballs, roasted chicken, and and sweet potatoes. I have enjoyed both green and yellow ají sauces in Peru, but it wasn't until I started working on a post for making ají amarillo paste from frozen or dried peppers that I decided to create a healthier yellow sauce with yogurt rather than mayonnaise.

This ají pepper sauce comes together really quickly, especially if the ají amarillo sauce is already prepared. The ingredients get puréed, and that's all there is to it. I prefer to make this Peruvian salsa recipe right before I need it so I can serve it at room temperature rather than cold from the refrigerator.

What Dishes Pair Well with Peruvian Yellow Sauce?

• Peruvian roasted or grilled chicken
• air fryer plantain chips
• Peruvian fish tacos
• chicken heart anticuchos
• baked Peruvian meatballs
• air fryer sweet potatoes

📋 Ingredients You'll Need

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

• ají amarillo paste - You can find ají pepper paste in Latino markets, in some grocery stores, and online. You can make ají amarillo paste with fresh, frozen, or dried peppers.
• plain yogurt - I use nonfat Greek yogurt, and we really like the results. Feel free to use lowfat or whole fat if you prefer.
• garlic - If I'm not pressed for time, I will roast the garlic first. I love the milder, mellow flavor. I will use more garlic if it's roasted as well. With fresh, raw garlic cloves, 2 is probably enough.
• queso fresco - Queso fresco is a mild, soft cheese, and it works well in this Peruvian yellow sauce. I have not tried other cheeses, but I think cotija would be a good substitute as I use it in my ají verde.
• tomato paste - Ketchup is a decent substitute.
• fresh limes - You'll want about 1 tablespoon of fresh juice, and that may require 1 or 2 limes.
• olive oil
• shallot - Green onion or red onion are good substitutes

🔪 Instructions

• Using a spatula, scrape into a serving bowl. Garnish with cilantro if desired. Enjoy!

❓ FAQ

💭 Tips

Ají amarillo paste can vary from mild to medium-hot. I recommend tasting your paste to determine heat level, and if you're uncertain, add incrementally.

I have also made this Peruvian ají pepper sauce with half mayonnaise and half plain yogurt. If you have it in Peru, it's probably made with all mayonnaise. If you love mayonnaise, and you're not concerned about the additional calories, you might enjoy the sauce made with ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup plain yogurt (or all mayonnaise!).

Whether I make a Peruvian-style roasted chicken, or a simple roasted chicken, this ají amarillo sauce is a favorite accompaniment. Served with this sarsa salad or this lima bean salad, and some simple roasted potatoes, it's a flavorful, healthy meal. I hope you'll give this salsa recipe a try!

📖 Recipe

🥣 Pairing Suggestions