Peruvian Green Sauce Aji Verde (Printable)

Vibrant Peruvian sauce bursting with fresh herbs, spicy peppers, and lime - perfect for dipping, spreading, or drizzling over your favorite dishes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fresh Vegetables and Herbs

01 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
02 - 2 green onions, chopped
03 - 1–2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and chopped (substitute Aji Amarillo if available)
04 - 2 cloves garlic

→ Dairy and Condiments

05 - ½ cup mayonnaise
06 - ¼ cup sour cream
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

09 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Add the cilantro leaves, chopped green onions, seeded jalapeño peppers (or Aji Amarillo), and garlic cloves to a blender or food processor.
02 - Pour in the mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with kosher salt and black pepper, then drizzle in the olive oil.
03 - Process on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and uniformly bright green in color.
04 - Taste the sauce and adjust salt, lime juice, or pepper to your preference.
05 - Transfer to a serving bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or serve immediately at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes about as long as deciding what to order for takeout, and it tastes like something that should have taken an hour.
  • The creaminess balances the heat so well that even people who fear spice will keep reaching for more.
02 -
  • Overblending can warm the sauce and dull the bright green color, so work quickly and serve it promptly.
  • If you can find real Aji Amarillo paste, swapping it in for the jalapenos transforms this into something startlingly close to what you would taste in Lima.
03 -
  • Pat the cilantro dry after washing because excess water dilutes the sauce and makes it split after a day in the fridge.
  • A tiny pinch of sugar can rescue a batch if your lime happens to be unusually sour and throws everything off balance.

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