Ají Amarillo
Also known as: aji amarillo pepper, yellow chile, Peruvian yellow pepper
The backbone of Peruvian cuisine, the ají amarillo is one of the most flavorful peppers in the world. Its combination of tropical fruit notes and bright heat is unlike anything in Mexican or Asian pepper traditions.
The full profile
No single ingredient says Peruvian cooking more than ají amarillo. It appears in ceviche leche de tigre, papa a la huancaína, causa, and lomo saltado — essentially the foundation of the national cuisine. The heat is real but secondary to the flavor: passion fruit, mango, citrus, and a brightness that other peppers simply don't carry. Ají amarillo paste is the format most accessible outside Peru and it's one of the most culinarily rewarding specialty ingredients you can add to your pantry.
Flavor
Uniquely tropical and fruity — passion fruit and mango notes — with a clean, vibrant heat.
Color
Bright orange-yellow
Heat level
Hot
30K–50K SHU
30,000–100,000 SHU
Did you know
The Peruvian word 'ají' predates Spanish colonization — it comes from the Taíno language of the Caribbean and was one of the first chili-related words European explorers learned.
How to use it
- —Peruvian ceviche — leche de tigre marinade
- —Papa a la huancaína sauce (Peruvian potato dish)
- —Lomo saltado stir-fry base
- —Blended into causa (cold potato terrine)
- —Ají amarillo mayonnaise for grilled fish
Pairs well with
Shop these
Sauces and products that feature ají amarillo.
Bright finisher
Tajin Clasico
Citrusy chile seasoning for fruit, grilled corn, rims, cucumbers, and the kind of summer snacks that disappear fast.
View on Amazon ↗Everyday bottle
Yellowbird Habanero Hot Sauce
Bright carrot-habanero heat with enough body to work on eggs, tacos, and roasted vegetables.
View on Amazon ↗Cook with it
Recipes that use ají amarillo.
mexican · inferno
Apr 18, 2026Camarones en Salsa del Diablo - Devil's Sauce Shrimp
Sweet, plump shrimp swimming in a seriously fiery Mexican chile sauce that brings together 7-pot peppers, charred tomatoes, and smoky chipotles. This coastal Veracruz recipe doesn't mess around with the heat, but it keeps the beautiful briny sweetness of the seafood front and center. 60 min · 0 saves.
american · reaper
Apr 16, 2026Carolina Reaper Blackened Shrimp with Cooling Buttermilk Drizzle
Plump shrimp get dressed in a bold spice blend laced with Carolina Reaper powder, then seared until beautifully charred and juicy. A tangy buttermilk sauce offers sweet relief from the intense heat. 28 min · 0 saves.
other · medium
Apr 10, 2026Ají de Gallina - Peruvian Creamy Chicken in Spiced Yellow Pepper Sauce
Peru's beloved comfort dish featuring tender shredded chicken in a rich, creamy sauce made with ají amarillo peppers, bread, and Parmesan cheese, served over rice with hard-boiled eggs and black olives. 65 min · 0 saves.