Huancaina Sauce

Creamy, zesty, and irresistibly vibrant, Huancaina Sauce is a Peruvian culinary treasure that elevates any dish it graces. This quick and easy recipe combines the bold heat of aji amarillo peppers with the smooth richness of queso fresco, the silky texture of evaporated milk, and the tangy kick of lime juice. Saltine crackers lend a subtle thickness to the sauce, while sautéed garlic deepens its savory profile. Traditionally served over boiled potatoes in the classic dish "Papa a la Huancaína," this versatile sauce also doubles as a delicious dip for vegetables, crackers, or even pasta. Ready in just 20 minutes, this simple yet sophisticated recipe is the perfect way to bring authentic Peruvian flavors to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 whole Aji amarillo peppers
• 200 grams Queso fresco
• 250 milliliters Evaporated milk
• 6 whole Saltine crackers
• 2 whole Garlic cloves
• 60 milliliters Vegetable oil
• 15 milliliters Lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the aji amarillo peppers. If using fresh peppers, remove the seeds and veins, then roughly chop.

Step 2

Heat a small saucepan over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Sauté the garlic cloves until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to let them burn.

Step 3

Add the chopped aji amarillo peppers to the saucepan and sauté for another 3-4 minutes to soften them.

Step 4

Transfer the sautéed peppers and garlic to a blender or food processor.

Step 5

Add the queso fresco, evaporated milk, saltine crackers, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to the blender.

Step 6

Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more evaporated milk to reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.

Step 8

Transfer the sauce to a serving bowl and let it cool to room temperature before serving.

Step 9

Serve Huancaina sauce over boiled potatoes, pasta, or as a dipping sauce for crackers and vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	669.2 grams (669.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1365

Total Fat 98.50g	126%
Saturated Fat 40.60g	203%
Polyunsaturated Fat 34.80g
Cholesterol 47mg	16%
Sodium 3863mg	168%
Total Carbohydrate 63.70g	23%
Dietary Fiber 3.10g	11%
Total Sugars 36.00g
Protein 66.70g	133%

Vitamin D 213IU	1065%
Calcium 1565mg	120%
Iron 3mg	14%
Potassium 1409mg	30%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 63.0%

Protein: 18.9%

Carbs: 18.1%