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Creamy Peruvian Green Sauce Aji Verde

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A bold and creamy Peruvian green sauce made with fresh cilantro, jalapeño, mayo, and queso fresco, perfect for adding vibrant flavor to grilled meats, roasted veggies, or as a dip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves (remove thick stems)
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded for mild heat or left whole for more kick
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1–2 tablespoons water or buttermilk to thin sauce if needed

Instructions

  1. Rinse cilantro well and shake dry. Remove thick stems but keep tender ones for flavor. Seed the jalapeño if you prefer less heat. Peel garlic cloves.
  2. In a food processor or blender, combine cilantro, jalapeño, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped but not pureed; vibrant green flecks should remain visible.
  3. Add mayonnaise, crumbled queso fresco, and lime juice to the herb blend. Pulse again until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. With the machine running on low, slowly drizzle in olive oil to emulsify the sauce and achieve a luscious texture.
  5. If the sauce is too thick, add water or buttermilk one tablespoon at a time, blending briefly after each addition until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse quickly and taste. Adjust lime juice or salt if needed to balance brightness and seasoning.
  7. Optional: Chill the sauce in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld, covering tightly to avoid absorbing other odors.

Notes

Keep jalapeño seeds if you want more heat but add gradually to avoid overpowering. Letting the sauce rest in the fridge mellows and blends flavors beautifully. Vegan substitutions include using vegan mayo and silken tofu or blended cashews instead of queso fresco. Avoid over-blending to maintain fresh texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Aji Verde, Peruvian green sauce, creamy sauce, cilantro sauce, jalapeño sauce, mayo sauce, queso fresco, spicy sauce, dip, condiment

Find it online: https://swooshspice.com/creamy-peruvian-green-sauce-aji-verde-recipe-perfect-for-bold-flavor/