Recipes

Lomo Saltado Beef Stir Fry

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 15 mins

| Cook Time: 30 mins

| Total Time: 30 mins

You may need:

Discover The Recipe

Lomo Saltado Beef Stir Fry is a Chinese-Peruvian fusion takeout classic that is easy to make at home. Peruvian cuisine has a range of cultural influences: indigenous Incan recipes and crops, Spanish recipes, and Asian flavors from relatively more recent immigrants. Peruvian-Chinese fusion food is so common it even has its own name in Peru: Chifa. Lomo Saltado beef stir fry is one of the more important Chifa dishes, borrowing flavors from Chinese immigrants and mixing with the local Aji Chilis and the Peruvian potato. The result is an easy-to-make savory and spicy combo.

Aji (pronounced "Ah-HEE") chilis play a special role in Peru. Its easy to forget that are thousands of varieties of chili peppers around the world and just lump them together as "spicy peppers". For example, Aji Amarillo ("yellow pepper") has medium heat (like a jalapeño) with subtle, fruity notes such as raisin, passion fruit, and mango. Aji Amarillo is part of the Peruvian "holy trinity" along with red onion and garlic. However, Aji Panca is a dark red Peruvian pepper with a fruity and smoky flavor and is very popular in BBQ meats. Try using Aji Panca in any recipe calling for plain chili powder to add layers of flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of beef (top sirloin, tri tip, or NY strip)

  • 1/4 tsp salt (optional)

  • 1 red onion, sliced into small wedges 

  • 2 roma tomatoes, sliced into wedges

  • 1 bag of frozen french fries (esp sweet potato fries)

  • 1 Tbsp canola oil (or vegetable oil)

  • handful of cilantro, roughly chopped

  • 1 lime, sliced into wedges for garnish 

  • Lomo Saltado Beef Stir Fry Sauce:

  • 1 small piece of ginger, grated or minced

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 3 Tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

  • 1 Tbsp oyster sauce (optional)

  • 1 Tbsp Piquant Post Aji Amarillo spice

Notes

You may wonder why our Lomo Saltado beef stir fry recipe calls for frozen french fries. Potatoes (gluten-free, by the way) are a staple in the Peruvian diet and a must in this authentic dish. While Peruvian restaurants often fry their own potatoes for this dish, who has time to make homemade french fries anymore? We usually avoid frozen prepared foods, but this is an exception. So, shop the labels to find the healthiest version in your store.

Or, try sweet potato fries instead! They fit perfectly in this recipe. See this Cleveland Clinic infographic to see which potato packs more nutrients and decide for yourself.

Try using kosher salt for pops of flavor in the stir fry. If you need to reduce sodium substitute 1.5 Tbsp water for half the soy sauce and omit the extra salt.

Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 425. Place frozen fries on baking sheet and cook until crisp (approx 20-25 mins or follow instructions on package if different). 

Slice beef into finger-sized strips and season with salt and black pepper. Slice vegetables. Then mix all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together. 

When the fries are almost done cooking, heat a large skillet or wok on Med-High and add oil. When oil is shimmering, add beef and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove fries from oven. 

Add onion and cook for 1 minute, continuing to stir. Add tomatoes and stir-fry sauce. Stir the mixture and cook for 1 minute. Add fries and cilantro, then stir to coat. Remove from heat and serve immediately. 

Alternatives & Substitutions

  • If you don't have oyster sauce, you can use a 1 tsp fish sauce and 2 tsp of Hoisin sauce. Or just leave it out if it's too much hassle.

  • Even though Lomo Saltdao literally means "beef stir-fry", for our friends who don't eat beef (or meat), substitute in your favorite protein. The stir-fry sauce packs a lot of flavor. To recreate the umami flavor that beef provides, try adding in sliced shiitake, porcini, or portobello mushrooms along with 1 tsp of fish sauce.

  • Feel free to add in any crunchy vegetables - it's a stir-fry after all. Try broccoli florets, thinly sliced carrot, asparagus, or cauliflower.

  • Try using Piquant Post Aji Amarillo spice to make this delicious Tallarin Saltado (Peruvian Stir-Fried Noodles) recipe instead! 

  • Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!

Lomo Saltado Beef Stir Fry

Serves

4

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Piquant Post spice you'll need:

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of beef (top sirloin, tri tip, or NY strip)

  • 1/4 tsp salt (optional)

  • 1 red onion, sliced into small wedges 

  • 2 roma tomatoes, sliced into wedges

  • 1 bag of frozen french fries (esp sweet potato fries)

  • 1 Tbsp canola oil (or vegetable oil)

  • handful of cilantro, roughly chopped

  • 1 lime, sliced into wedges for garnish 

  • Lomo Saltado Beef Stir Fry Sauce:

  • 1 small piece of ginger, grated or minced

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 3 Tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar

  • 1 Tbsp oyster sauce (optional)

  • 1 Tbsp Piquant Post Aji Amarillo spice

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 425. Place frozen fries on baking sheet and cook until crisp (approx 20-25 mins or follow instructions on package if different). 

  2. Slice beef into finger-sized strips and season with salt and black pepper. Slice vegetables. Then mix all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together. 

  3. When the fries are almost done cooking, heat a large skillet or wok on Med-High and add oil. When oil is shimmering, add beef and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove fries from oven. 

  4. Add onion and cook for 1 minute, continuing to stir. Add tomatoes and stir-fry sauce. Stir the mixture and cook for 1 minute. Add fries and cilantro, then stir to coat. Remove from heat and serve immediately. 

Notes

  • You may wonder why our Lomo Saltado beef stir fry recipe calls for frozen french fries. Potatoes (gluten-free, by the way) are a staple in the Peruvian diet and a must in this authentic dish. While Peruvian restaurants often fry their own potatoes for this dish, who has time to make homemade french fries anymore? We usually avoid frozen prepared foods, but this is an exception. So, shop the labels to find the healthiest version in your store.

  • Or, try sweet potato fries instead! They fit perfectly in this recipe. See this Cleveland Clinic infographic to see which potato packs more nutrients and decide for yourself.

  • Try using kosher salt for pops of flavor in the stir fry. If you need to reduce sodium substitute 1.5 Tbsp water for half the soy sauce and omit the extra salt.

  • Optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

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