Peruvian cuisine, a vibrant blend of indigenous and international flavors, has captivated visitors to this South American country. From beaches and mountains to deserts and rainforests, Peru’s diverse landscapes have shaped its rich cultural heritage, with food being an integral part. The nation’s culinary history stretches back 6,000 years, and today, traditional Peruvian appetizers offer a flavorful introduction to the country’s art of cooking.
These small plates, often enjoyed as snacks or light lunches, showcase the country’s multicultural roots, influenced by Asian, African, and European interactions. With peppers, corn, and beans being everyday staples, there are plenty of ingredients and recipes that transcend borders. Discover 17 mouth-watering Peruvian appetizers to try at home, including Tequeños, Chinguirito, Tiradito, and more!
Tequeños
A flavorful finger food that’s sure to impress, Tequeños are crispy fried egg rolls wrapped around savory beef steak and vegetables, creating a mouthwatering starter that complements any meal perfectly. For those familiar with South American cuisine, this dish may evoke memories of empanadas and taquitos, beloved regional specialties.
However, Peruvian tequeños stand out from their Venezuelan counterparts by utilizing spring roll wrappers and an array of fillings, such as succulent crab meat, juicy hot dogs, or classic ham and cheese.
Tacu Tacu
A creative solution for reducing food waste in Peruvian cuisine is the delectable dish known as tacu tacu. This savory appetizer cleverly transforms leftover rice and beans into a fresh culinary experience. By incorporating aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, and spices, the humble leftovers are elevated into a new and exciting dish. To take it to the next level, fried eggs, plantains, and a tangy local onion relish are added on top.
Chinguirito
In the northern regions of Peru, a unique twist on traditional ceviche is born – the chinguirito. This flavorful dish takes its name from its star ingredient, the guitarfish or chingo, which is only found in the Sechura-Piura areas of Lambayeque. The combination of garlic, onion, and chili pepper, balanced with a generous squeeze of lemon, creates a vibrant and refreshing ceviche experience that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Rocoto Relleno
The Rocoto Relleno, a vibrant Peruvian appetizer, is an explosion of flavors and textures. This iconic stuffed pepper is bursting with savory elements – tender meat, fragrant herbs, crunchy vegetables, creamy hard-boiled eggs, nutty peanuts, and sweet raisins. The combination of these diverse components creates a mouthwatering experience that transcends the bold spice.
For many Peruvians, this beloved dish embodies the fiery essence of the Misti Volcano in southern Peru’s Andes mountains, earning it an aphrodisiac reputation for its passionate flair.
Pulpo Al Olivo
Peru’s culinary heritage is richly reflected in Pulpo Al Olivo, a beloved dish that has gained international recognition. This classic recipe typically centers around tender octopus pieces smothered in a savory olive sauce, making it a popular choice as both an appetizer and main course. While the core ingredients remain consistent, including olives, lime or lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and eggs, the dish’s versatility allows for numerous creative variations.
Peruvian Ceviche
Peruvian cuisine wouldn’t be the same without its iconic ceviche, a recipe that’s been dubbed the national dish. At its core, ceviche is a harmonious blend of raw seafood, typically featuring fish, marinated in a zesty mixture of citrus juices like lime and lemon. The acidity of these ingredients cleverly ‘cooks’ the fish, giving it a tender and flavorful texture.
To strike the perfect balance between the dish’s bold flavors and textures, spicy peppers and spices are added to the mix, often accompanied by starchy corn, sweet potatoes, and plantains.
Causa Rellena
Causa Rellena, a delectable layered potato casserole, offers a cooling respite from the summer heat. This elevated potato salad is composed of creamy mashed potatoes stacked with an assortment of vegetables and protein-rich tuna or chicken fillings. The addition of tuna lends depth and tenderness to the dish, making it an excellent choice for the causa rellena.
As a refreshing Peruvian treat, this delight can be served with a medley of accompaniments, including black olives, hard-boiled eggs, and a drizzle of mayonnaise over each slice, providing a harmonious balance of flavors.
Papa A La Huancaina
Peru’s love affair with Papa A La Huancaina is well-documented. This iconic appetizer consists of boiled potatoes, eggs, and olives, accompanied by a rich and creamy huancaina sauce that has earned its own reputation as a national treasure. The secret to this delectable condiment lies in the aji amarillo pepper, Peru’s most prized hot pepper, which imparts a distinct spice and depth of flavor.
According to local lore, the humble origins of huancaina sauce can be traced back to a resourceful peasant woman who traveled great distances to sell her potatoes from Huancayo and cleverly used the added sauce to tantalize taste buds with its creamy texture and fiery kick.
Anticuchos
In the vibrant streets of Peru, a culinary staple takes center stage – anticuchos, a mouthwatering treat that’s equal parts indulgent and authentic. This beloved street food has its roots in traditional Peruvian cuisine, where tender beef hearts were grilled to perfection as an appetizer. While modern twists have introduced marinated chicken and beef steak to the mix, the core essence of anticuchos remains unchanged: rich, buttery flavor and a depth of spice that leaves you craving more.
Peruvian anticuchos are renowned for their bold, garlicky kick, courtesy of a marinade that soaks into the meat overnight. This crucial step infuses each bite with an unctuous quality, making it impossible to resist the allure of this succulent, juicy delight. With its perfect balance of savory and spicy, anticuchos is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Aguadito De Pollo
Peruvian cuisine has its own unique twist on traditional chicken soup, known as Aguadito De Pollo. This beloved dish boasts a vibrant green color courtesy of its key ingredients – a blend of peppers, garlic, onions, and aji amarillo paste that’s been cilantro-infused into a rich puree. The chicken stock serves as the foundation, loaded with an abundance of vegetables to create a hearty, comforting base.
Adding rice to this recipe elevates it to new heights, making Aguadito De Pollo a quintessential comfort food experience.
Solterito
The Solterito, a quintessential Peruvian chopped salad, boasts a medley of ingredients that harmoniously blend to create a symphony of flavors. The combination of dense and vibrant elements such as corn, edamame, cherry tomatoes, feta, jalapeno, and olives forms a rich tapestry of textures and tastes. Each bite is an invitation to savor the complexity, with each component playing its part in a delightful culinary dance.
And for those seeking an added layer of indulgence, the creamy richness of avocado can be seamlessly incorporated, elevating this salad from a simple garden-fresh delight to a sumptuous experience.
Tamalitos Verdes
In northern Peru, a unique twist on the traditional Mesoamerican tamale has evolved into a beloved dish – Tamalitos Verdes, also known as green tamales. This Peruvian version boasts an intricate flavor profile that is both delicate and complex, with a bold spicy kick. What sets these tamales apart is their vibrant green hue, achieved through the clever combination of fresh corn and cilantro in the recipe.
Tiradito
Tiradito, a mouthwatering traditional dish, is all about showcasing sashimi-grade raw fish in its finest form. Thinly sliced and lavishly drizzled with the bold flavors of aji amarillo sauce, this appetizer is sure to impress your guests. The inspiration behind Tiradito lies in Nikkei cuisine, a unique fusion of Japanese immigrant culture blended with Peruvian traditions.
While whitefish is the most commonly used type of fish for this dish, other varieties may also be employed, adding an extra layer of complexity and nuance to this already impressive culinary creation.
Peruvian Empanadas
In Central and South America, the empanada is a ubiquitous culinary delight. Interestingly, its origins can be traced back to Galicia in Spain, where the recipe for this sweet and savory pastry is said to have originated. Typically, empanadas are filled with beef, eggs, and olives, while the dough is sprinkled with sugar before baking, resulting in a caramelized crust that adds an extra layer of flavor.
Over time, various twists on the traditional recipe have emerged, making each empanada unique and satisfying in its own way.
Juanes
In the jungle regions of Peru, a traditional recipe called Juanes has long been a staple in local cuisine. The dish is characterized by its unique presentation – a sticky ball of rice and chicken wrapped in bijao leaves for easy portability. When you take a bite, you’ll discover a flavorful medley of ingredients, including tender chicken, salty olives, creamy boiled egg, and turmeric-infused yellow rice.
The aromatic blend of cumin, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper gives Juanes its distinctive scent and depth of flavor.
Choclo Con Queso
Peruvian culinary traditions are renowned for their bold flavors and vibrant ingredients, and Choclo Con queso is no exception. This beloved snack or side dish is a masterclass in balancing textures and tastes, featuring the star of the show: choclo corn. Hailing from Peru, this unique corn variety boasts large kernels that impart a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
By combining the choclo’s natural charm with a zesty garlic and cilantro mixture, blended with creamy mayonnaise and melted cheese, you’ll be rewarded with a mouthwatering munchable treat that’s easy to prepare at home.
Choros A La Chalaca
In the bustling port city of Callao, Peru, lies the culinary gem known as Choritos A La Chalaca – a mouthwatering mussel dish that has earned its place in the hearts of many. What sets this Peruvian specialty apart from others is the unique cooking method and the bold flavors that come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.
The mussels are steamed to perfection before being topped with a vibrant salsa that adds a burst of flavor to each bite.
The salsa itself is a masterful blend of ingredients, including rocoto pepper for its subtle spiciness, juicy tomatoes, fresh parsley, corn kernels for added sweetness, the tanginess of lemon juice, the depth of aji amarillo peppers, and a touch of salt and pepper to bring everything together.
The combination of these flavors and textures creates a dish that is both familiar and excitingly new.
The heat from the rocoto pepper is balanced by the freshness of the parsley and the sweetness of the corn, making for a culinary experience that will leave you craving more.
The bottom line
Indulge in the vibrant culture and history of Peru through its delectable cuisine, starting with these 17 mouth-watering Peruvian appetizers. From savory Tequeños to zesty Tiradito, each dish presents a unique blend of flavors and ingredients, sure to delight your taste buds. Whether you’re looking to recreate traditional favorites like Chinguirito or experiment with innovative combinations, this list offers an unparalleled culinary journey.
