A refreshing, tangy, savory, red onion salsa topping to add to any dish.
Peruvian salsa criolla is something we often have in our fridge. It is so easy to make and adds a perfect little zing to almost any savory dish. Use this recipe as a guide to creating your own easy and enjoyable Peruvian salsa criolla.
What Makes This Peruvian?
There are many salsa criolla variations throughout Latin America but the Peruvian one makes use of peppers native to Peru as well as using lime juice instead of vinegar.
Ingredients
- Red Onion
- Cilantro or Culantro
- Lime Juice
- Salt
- Aji amarillo Peruvian yellow pepper (optional), or feel free to use jalapeño if you still want a little spice.
How to Make Peruvian Salsa Criolla
Slice your red onion and pepper, chop your cilantro, toss it in a container with lime and some salt, y ya! Super quick and simple!
Tips and Swaps
- Cilantro: If you are one of those folks that doesn't enjoy cilantro due to it tasting soapy, feel free to sub the cilantro for parsley.
- Pepper: Traditionally Peruvian Salsa Criolla has thin slices of aji (Peruvian pepper), but since it can be challenging to find in stores, we often don't add it. Alternatively, you can add some thin slices of jalapeños if you're looking for a little heat with an ingredient that can be more easily found in stores.
- Red Onion: If you want to cut down on the sharp taste of raw onion, soak the onion slices in a bowl of water for a few minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the onions will make your containers very smelly, even after many washes. Since we make this often, we like to have a dedicated glass jar for our salsa criolla that will always have some lingering onion smell, and that's okay.
Also note that it will change in color and texture the longer it marinates in the fridge. We don't typically store this for longer than 3 days.
Pairing suggestions
Salsa criolla can easily be enjoyed in almost any savory dish. We love it in burgers, over avocado toast, rice and beans, salads, bowls, with tofu, the possibilities are endless! Check it out in these recipes:
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We hope you enjoy this recipe. Remember, every step you take towards a plant-based lifestyle is something to be proud of.
Whether you're vegan, trying to eat more plant-based meals, or just here for a delicious recipe -
thank you for being part of the journey with us!
Ingredients
- 1 red onion
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 limes juiced
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 aji Peruvian pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Thinly slice 1 red onion and 1 aji pepper (if using) and add about ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped.
- Combine all the ingredients and juice 2 limes over the mixture and ¼ tsp salt . Toss together and store in your fridge until ready to use.
