Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado (LOH-moh sahl-TAH-doh)

Lomo Saltado (Beef)

Prep Time 30 min
📈 Difficulty Medium
👥 Servings
4
🔥 Calories 566 kcal
Rating 5.0 (1)

Sizzling wok-fried beef with onions, tomatoes, and aji amarillo, tossed with soy sauce and served over fries and rice simultaneously. A glorious Chinese-Peruvian fusion.

Nutrition & Info

580 kcal per serving
Protein 35.0g
Carbs 48.0g
Fat 26.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ shellfish ⚠ soy

Equipment Needed

wok or large skillet deep fryer for fries

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large plate

Garnishes: fresh parsley

Accompaniments: french fries, steamed rice

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cut the beef into thick strips about one centimetre wide and five centimetres long. Season with salt and pepper. The meat must be completely dry on the surface for proper searing. Pat with paper towels if needed to remove any moisture.

  2. 2

    Heat two tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet over the highest possible heat until smoking. Sear the beef strips in a single layer without crowding for one to two minutes, tossing once. The beef should be deeply browned but pink inside. Remove immediately.

  3. 3

    Add the remaining oil to the wok. Stir-fry the onion wedges over high heat for two minutes until slightly charred but still crisp. Add the garlic and aji amarillo and toss for thirty seconds until fragrant and the pepper pieces begin to blister.

  4. 4

    Add the tomato wedges and toss for one minute over high heat. The tomatoes should be warmed through and just starting to soften at the edges but must retain their shape and not turn into sauce. Speed is essential in this step.

  5. 5

    Return the seared beef to the wok. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, and oyster sauce. Toss everything vigorously over high heat for thirty seconds to coat all ingredients in the sauce. The sauce should glaze the meat and vegetables, not pool at the bottom.

  6. 6

    Add a handful of hot, crispy French fries directly to the wok and toss briefly to coat them in the sauce. Transfer immediately to a serving plate alongside a mound of steamed white rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve at once while the fries are still crispy.

💡

Did You Know?

Lomo saltado is a 'chifa' dish — the Peruvian term for Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine created by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • wok or large skillet
  • deep fryer for fries

Garnishing

fresh parsley

Accompaniments

french fries, steamed rice

The Story Behind Lomo Saltado

Lomo saltado is a product of Peru's chifa tradition, the Cantonese-Peruvian fusion cuisine that emerged when approximately 90,000 Chinese laborers arrived in Peru between 1849 and the 1870s. After their labor contracts ended, many opened small restaurants replicating Cantonese dishes with Peruvian produce. The stir-fry technique and soy sauce are quintessentially Chinese, while the aji chiles and potatoes are indigenous Peruvian. A 1903 Peruvian cookbook, 'Nuevo Manual de Cocina a la Criolla,' included a description of lomo saltado, documenting the assimilation of Chinese cooking into Peruvian cuisine. Culinary researcher Gloria Hinostroza traces its creation to Chinese chefs on Lima's streets in the early 19th century.

Lomo saltado is a living monument to Peru's multicultural identity. The fact that it is served with both rice (an Asian staple) and potatoes (which originated in Peru) on the same plate perfectly symbolizes the blending of cultures. The dish embodies the chifa tradition, now so deeply woven into Peruvian identity that most Peruvians consider it simply 'Peruvian food' rather than fusion. With over 6,000 chifa restaurants in Lima alone, lomo saltado represents how immigration transformed not just the cuisine but the national identity of Peru.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed a hearty lunch or dinner, served daily in homes and restaurants throughout peru 📜 Origins: 19th century

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