Saltado de Champiñones
A vibrant Peruvian stir-fry where meaty mushrooms meet crispy French fries, juicy tomatoes, and red onions in a savory soy and vinegar sauce. Finished with fresh cilantro and a kick of aji amarillo, this vegetarian take on the classic lomo saltado delivers big, bold flavor fast.
For 4 servings
- prep
Prep the vegetables.
1.Slice the cleaned mushrooms thickly. Cut the potatoes into batons about 1 cm thick. Cut the red onion and tomatoes into thick wedges. Mince the garlic.2.Pat the potato batons completely dry with a kitchen towel. - fry · ~5 min
Fry the potatoes until crispy.
Heat the 2 cups of oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). Fry the potato batons in batches until golden and crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels and season lightly with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
- fry · ~4 min
Sear the mushrooms over high heat.
1.Heat a wok or large sauté pan over high heat until smoking.2.Add 2 tablespoons of oil and swirl to coat the pan.3.Add the mushrooms in a single layer. Let them sear undisturbed for 2 minutes until browned, then stir-fry for 2 more minutes until caramelized.TIPDon't crowd the pan — the mushrooms will steam instead of sear. - other · ~2 min
Stir-fry the aromatics and onions.
1.Push the mushrooms to one side. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the empty space.2.Add the minced garlic and aji amarillo paste. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.3.Add the red onion wedges and stir-fry for 1 minute, keeping them slightly crisp. - other · ~2 min
Add tomatoes and the sauce.
1.Toss in the tomato wedges and stir gently for 30 seconds.2.Pour in the soy sauce and red wine vinegar. Add the ground cumin and black pepper.3.Toss everything together vigorously for 1 minute. The tomatoes should soften slightly but still hold their shape. - mix · ~1 min
Fold in the fries and finish.
1.Remove the wok from the heat.2.Add the crispy French fries and half of the chopped cilantro.3.Toss gently to coat the fries in the sauce without breaking them. - serve
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately.
Divide the Saltado de Champiñones among plates, scatter the remaining cilantro on top, and serve right away while the fries are still crisp.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Pat the potato batons bone-dry before frying to ensure they turn crisp, not soggy.
- 2Use a wok or heavy-bottomed skillet and get it smoking hot before adding mushrooms for a proper sear.
- 3Don't move the mushrooms for the first 2 minutes—let them develop a deep brown crust.
- 4Add the fries off the heat and toss gently to keep them crunchy in the sauce.
- 5Taste the sauce before tossing in the fries; add a pinch of sugar if it needs balance.
Adapt it for your goals.
High-Protein
Swap half the mushrooms for cubed firm tofu or tempeh, seared until golden before the mushrooms. This boosts protein while keeping the stir-fry hearty.
Spicy MangoSpicy Mango
Add ½ cup fresh mango chunks with the tomatoes for a sweet-heat twist. The fruity acidity complements aji amarillo and rounds out the soy-vinegar sauce.
Low OilLow-Oil
Oven-bake the fries at 220°C (425°F) with a light oil spray, and use just 1 tablespoon of oil for the stir-fry. Ideal for a lighter weeknight dinner.
Vegan & Gluten FreeVegan & Gluten-Free
Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and serve with quinoa instead of fries for a protein-packed, gluten-free bowl.
JainJain
Skip the garlic and onion, replace with asafoetida (hing) and extra aji amarillo. The mushrooms and spices still deliver bold flavour without alliums.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Selenium & B-Vitamins
Cremini mushrooms are an excellent source of selenium and B vitamins, supporting immune function and energy metabolism.
High in Antioxidants
The tomatoes and aji amarillo provide lycopene and capsaicinoids, compounds linked to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.
Good Source of Dietary Fiber
Potatoes (skin-on) and mushrooms deliver fibre that aids digestion and promotes satiety.
No Added Sugar
This savoury stir-fry relies on natural flavours without any added sugar, making it suitable for low-sugar diets.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — oyster, shiitake, or king oyster mushrooms work well. Slice them thickly so they hold up to high heat and stay meaty.
