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Fresh Aji Verde Sauce Recipe Easy Creamy Spicy Zing for Tacos

fresh aji verde sauce - featured image

A quick and easy creamy, tangy, and spicy green sauce made with fresh aji amarillo peppers, cilantro, and lime juice. Perfect for tacos, grilled meats, roasted veggies, or as a dip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 fresh aji amarillo peppers, seeded (or 2 jalapeños, seeded for less heat)
  • 1 cup packed fresh cilantro
  • ½ cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 23 tablespoons water (to thin sauce)
  • Optional: 1 green onion, chopped
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

  1. Wash and seed 2-3 fresh aji amarillo peppers (about 30-40 grams each). For less heat, remove seeds carefully. If using jalapeños, slice and seed 2 medium ones.
  2. Roughly chop 1 cup packed fresh cilantro and 1 green onion (if using). Mince one large garlic clove finely.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine the aji peppers, cilantro, garlic, green onion, and ½ cup mayonnaise. Pulse a few times to start breaking everything down.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Continue blending until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 2-3 tablespoons water to reach desired consistency.
  5. Season with salt starting with ¼ teaspoon and add a pinch of ground cumin if desired. Blend again and taste to adjust lime or salt as needed.
  6. Check texture; if too thick, add more water or olive oil. If too thin, add a teaspoon more mayo.
  7. Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

For dairy-free version, substitute mayonnaise with ripe avocado or vegan mayo. Blend garlic and herbs first before adding mayo to avoid bitterness. Adjust heat by seeding peppers or adding more seeds/cayenne. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Avoid microwaving leftovers to preserve texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: aji verde sauce, fresh aji amarillo, creamy green sauce, spicy sauce, taco sauce, cilantro sauce, easy sauce recipe