A popular Peruvian stir-fry ('Chifa' style) featuring beef strips, onions, tomatoes, ají amarillo, soy sauce, and vinegar, served with rice and fries.

Lomo Saltado (Stir-Fried Beef)

Recipe & Instructions (US Units)

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef sirloin or tenderloin, cut into strips (about 2 x 1/2 inches)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 large red onion, cut into thick wedges
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into thick wedges
• 1 ají amarillo, stemmed, seeded, and cut into strips (or substitute with 1/2 yellow bell pepper + 1 tbsp ají amarillo paste)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• French fries (cooked, thick-cut preferred)
• Steamed white rice, for serving

Instructions:

1. Season the beef strips generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering (almost smoking).
3. Add half of the beef strips in a single layer. Sear quickly without moving for about 1 minute per side, until browned but still pink inside. Remove beef from skillet and set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding a little more oil if needed.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Add the red onion wedges and ají amarillo strips (or bell pepper). Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
5. Add the minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Add the tomato wedges and stir-fry for another minute.
7. Return the seared beef to the skillet.
8. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and optional Worcestershire sauce. Pour this sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables.
9. Toss everything together quickly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the ingredients. The vegetables should remain crisp.
10. Remove from heat. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
11. Serve immediately over steamed white rice, topped with or alongside a generous portion of French fries.

What makes it special?

Lomo Saltado perfectly exemplifies Peru's 'Chifa' cuisine – the fusion of Chinese cooking techniques with Peruvian ingredients. Tender strips of beef are stir-fried at high heat with onions, tomatoes, and ají amarillo, then deglazed with soy sauce and vinegar. Uniquely, it's served with both white rice (a nod to Asian influence) and French fries (a Peruvian staple), making it a hearty, flavorful, and culturally significant dish.