šŸÆ Sauces & Condiments

Aji Amarillo Paste Substitute: Complete Guide to Peruvian Chili Alternatives

Find the best substitutes for aji amarillo paste in Peruvian cooking. Learn about yellow bell pepper blends, Hungarian wax peppers, and homemade alternatives with proper ratios and tips for lomo saltado and other dishes.

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Quick Answer

The best aji amarillo paste substitutes are yellow bell pepper with habanero (1:1), Hungarian wax peppers (1:1), or a blend of sweet peppers with jalapeƱo (1:1). For lomo saltado specifically, use yellow bell pepper with a touch of habanero for authentic flavor.

Best Substitutes

Yellow Bell Pepper + Habanero

1:1

Blend of sweet yellow bell pepper with spicy habanero to mimic aji amarillo's unique flavor profile

Best for:

lomo saltadoPeruvian disheswhen you want authentic flavorsauces and marinadestraditional recipes

Use 3 parts yellow bell pepper to 1 part habanero. Roast peppers first, then blend with a little oil and salt. This combination best replicates aji amarillo's fruity sweetness with medium heat.

Hungarian Wax Peppers

1:1

Yellow-orange peppers with similar heat level and fruity flavor to aji amarillo

Best for:

general Peruvian cookingwhen you want similar heat levelsaucesmarinadessalsas

Hungarian wax peppers have a similar heat level (30,000-50,000 SHU) and fruity flavor. Roast and blend with oil for paste consistency. Slightly less sweet than aji amarillo but very close.

Sweet Peppers + JalapeƱo

1:1

Blend of sweet yellow or orange peppers with jalapeƱo for balanced heat and sweetness

Best for:

mild Peruvian disheswhen you want less heatfamily-friendly recipessaucesdressings

Use 4 parts sweet peppers to 1 part jalapeƱo. This creates a milder version that's still flavorful. Good for those who find aji amarillo too spicy.

Aji Amarillo Powder + Oil

1 tsp powder + 2 tsp oil

Dried aji amarillo powder mixed with oil to create paste consistency

Best for:

when you have aji amarillo powderquick substitutionsall aji amarillo usesauthentic flavor

Mix aji amarillo powder with olive oil to create a paste. Use 1 teaspoon powder with 2 teaspoons oil for best consistency. This is the closest substitute if you can find the powder.

Harissa Paste

1:1

North African chili paste with similar heat level but different flavor profile

Best for:

when you want similar heatfusion dishessaucesmarinades

Harissa has similar heat level but different flavor (smoky, earthy vs. fruity). Works in a pinch but will change the dish's flavor profile significantly. Good for heat but not authentic Peruvian taste.

Homemade Aji Amarillo Paste

1:1

Make your own paste using fresh aji amarillo peppers when available

Best for:

authentic Peruvian disheswhen fresh peppers are availablebest flavor matchtraditional recipes

Roast fresh aji amarillo peppers, remove seeds and stems, then blend with a little oil, salt, and a touch of vinegar. This is the best substitute if you can find fresh peppers.

Cooking Tips

  • šŸ’”Aji amarillo paste is essential for authentic Peruvian cuisine, especially lomo saltado
  • šŸ’”The paste adds both heat and fruity sweetness - choose substitutes that can provide both
  • šŸ’”Roast peppers before blending to enhance their natural sweetness and remove raw flavors
  • šŸ’”Aji amarillo has a unique flavor that's hard to replicate exactly - yellow bell pepper + habanero comes closest
  • šŸ’”For lomo saltado specifically, the yellow bell pepper + habanero blend works best
  • šŸ’”If using harissa as a substitute, add a touch of honey or sugar to balance the smoky flavor
  • šŸ’”Aji amarillo paste is typically used in small amounts - a little goes a long way
  • šŸ’”Store homemade paste in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for longer storage

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for aji amarillo paste in Peruvian cooking. Learn about yellow bell pepper blends, Hungarian wax peppers, and homemade alternatives with proper ratios and tips for lomo saltado and other dishes.