How to Make the Perfect Anticuchos Peruvian Beef Heart Skewers
Peruvian · Medium · 210 min · 4 servings
Anticuchos are iconic Peruvian street food skewers made from marinated beef heart grilled over open flames until smoky and tender. The bold marinade of aji panca, cumin, and vinegar transforms this humble ingredient into one of the most delicious and distinctive dishes in all of Peru.
Why this recipe works
This Anticuchos Peruvian Beef Heart Skewers recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 210 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 290 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 800 g beef heart cleaned and cut into 4 cm cubes
- 4 tbsp aji panca paste
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Clean and Prep the Beef Heart
Trim away any fat, membranes, and tough connective tissue from the beef heart, then cut it into uniform 4 cm cubes. Rinse the pieces under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Marinate the Meat
Combine the aji panca paste, red wine vinegar, cumin, garlic, and oil in a bowl to form the marinade. Toss the beef heart cubes in the marinade until fully coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Step 3: Skewer and Grill
Thread the marinated beef heart onto soaked wooden or metal skewers and grill over very high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side. The outside should develop a beautiful char while the inside remains slightly pink and juicy.
Step 4: Serve with Accompaniments
Remove the skewers from the heat and let them rest for 2 minutes before serving. Serve with boiled potatoes, corn on the cob, and a drizzle of aji amarillo sauce alongside.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- beef heart → chicken thighs or beef sirloin for a milder more familiar flavor
- aji panca paste → ancho chili paste blended with a touch of smoked paprika for a similar deep earthy flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Under-marinating the beef heart for less than 2 hours which means the flavors cannot penetrate the dense muscle
- Cooking on low or medium heat instead of very high heat which prevents the characteristic char and smoky flavor from developing
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 290 calories, 38g protein, 4g carbs, 12g fat, 1g fiber.
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