You can swap in beef tenderloin if heart makes you uncomfortable
Transport your taste buds straight to the vibrant streets of Peru with Peruvian Anticuchos, a culinary delight that's both deeply traditional and incredibly flavorful. These marinated beef skewers are a staple of Peruvian street food, celebrated for their rich, smoky taste and tender texture. While traditionally made with beef heart (and we encourage adventurous cooks to try it!), this recipe offers a delicious alternative using beef tenderloin, ensuring everyone can enjoy this authentic experience.
The secret to the irresistible flavor of these Peruvian skewers lies in the marinade, featuring the star ingredient: aji panca paste. This unique Peruvian chili paste provides a mild, smoky, and fruity depth that's simply unparalleled. It transforms simple beef into something extraordinary, infusing it with layers of flavor before it even hits the grill.
Making Anticuchos is a surprisingly straightforward process that yields incredibly impressive results. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity – high-quality beef (whether tenderloin or heart) marinated thoroughly in the distinctive aji panca paste, then grilled to perfection. The long marinating time is key, allowing the beef to soak up all the delicious spices and develop its signature flavor profile.
Serve your Peruvian Anticuchos hot off the grill with classic accompaniments like boiled or roasted potatoes and grilled corn on the cob, often brushed with a little more of that delicious aji panca marinade or a spicy rocoto sauce. They make for a fantastic appetizer at a party or a unique and satisfying main course for a family dinner. Feel free to experiment with adding some sliced bell peppers or onions to your skewers for extra color and flavor, or even try other cuts of beef like sirloin, adjusting cooking times as needed.