Vegetarian Food In Peru: 36 Best Peruvian Vegetarian Dishes And Vegan Food In Peru

Last updated on March 19th, 2024 at 11:12 am

Today, we write about vegetarian food in Peru with the best 36 Peruvian Vegetarian dishes. You will find vegetarian and vegan food in Peru while traveling in restaurants and supermarkets. Being a vegetarian in Peru and vegan in Peru should be very easy and everyone will understand if you are looking for these food and recipe options in any restaurant or household.

Looking for vegetarian and vegan dishes in Peru? Food will always be one of the biggest parts of travel and culture. Every time we visit a new country, we make sure we eat to our heart’s content, and that we introduce ourselves to the cultural and local food, and the unique food offered by each new country. Read here Lima vs Cusco and Things to know before going to Peru

Peru’s most popular and authentic dishes can have vegetarian/vegan twists, and that’s just something we are excited to try. So if you’re traveling to Peru, you should be confident to find and eat the vegetarian and vegan dishes you want.

On average, Peruvian Plant-based dishes in a local restaurant in Peru will cost around €6. Breakfast will usually be cheaper and dinner will usually be the most expensive. In Peru, you’ll find a lot of plant-based choices like vegetarian sandwiches and fruits.

Peruvians also love to have legumes in their diet – so that’s something you can easily find in a lot of their vegan and vegetarian recipes. Apart from this, you can get vegetarian/vegan pizza and pasta with vegetables. Plus a lot of vegetables, juices, fruits, and cheese.

Is it possible to survive as a vegetarian and as a vegan in Peru? It will be challenging but there are options for vegan food in Peru. Keep reading below.

Read more food reads, check here for the 47 best Peruvian traditional and best dishes to try, Peruvian drinks and best breakfast in Peru

For travel tips BEFORE traveling in Peru, you might want to check out the how to get from Lima airport to city center and Lima airport to San Isidro

SIM CARD AT LIMA AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Lima airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Lima. Read here Peru sim card and 8 Days Peru Itinerary

WHERE TO STAY IN PERU

For accommodation in Peru, you can find deals starting from $15 USD per room. If you prefer mid-budget accommodation, it will cost $30-40 USD and for $60 USD you will find luxury accommodation in Peru.

Click here to get the best deals in Peru with Booking.

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki

VEGETARIAN FOOD IN PERU: BEST PERUVIAN VEGETARIAN DISHES AND VEGAN FOOD IN PERU

VEGETARIAN IN PERU AND PLANT-BASED IN PERU

1. Plant-based / Vegetarian Ceviche 

Ceviche is Peru’s signature dish – delicious, has a unique taste, and definitely popular across the globe. Peruvian Ceviche will normally include fish and seafood cooked with Leche de Tigre – that delicious marinade made from lime and various sea flavors. For the vegan version, it’ll be a mix of just vegetables and becomes a no-cook dish, which uses a good cooking technique to bring out the flavors of the usual ceviche dish. The secret is on the marinade!  

2. Ceviche de Mango (Mango Ceviche)

Another good version of Ceviche is using mangoes, and mangoes with flavors of onion is just a burst of delicious flavor that you really need to try if you haven’t.

3. Peruvian Burritos with Aji Verde Sauce 

Burritos are just so popular anywhere in the world, because why wouldn’t they, right? They are usually bursting with flavors, and if you have the right sauce, then you can just get it perfect. The plant-based Peruvian burritos will have a filling of roasted sweet potatoes, fresh corn, peppers, black beans, quinoa, and delicious Peruvian green sauce – and it’s spicy! 

4. Vegan Peruvian Cau Cau

To bring out the flavors of another Peruvian dish favorite, the vegan Peruvian Can Cau uses the mix of mint, cumin and turmeric to create its unique Peruvian kick. Plant-based and healthy, and something to add to your list to try. 

5. Peruvian Quinoa Stew

Ah, who hasn’t heard of Quinoa nowadays? Tagged as one of the world’s superfoods, Quinoa actually originated from Peru. This soup is tasty, super healthy, and is just full of flavors and nutrients. One more Peruvian dish to add to your list of not to miss Peruvian dishes.

6. Lomo Saltado: Peruvian Mushroom Strips With Sweet Potato Fries – Vegan, Gluten-Free

The Lomo Saltado is another classic Peruvian dish. “Saltado” which is the Spanish word for stir-fry, is a dish prepared in a hot wok, cooked with red wine, garlic, onions, and tomatoes, and then later partnered with fries and rice (obviously without lomo). Easy to cook, and definitely something you should try when you’re in Peru, or actually even when you’re in your home country. 

7. Vegan yam Causa with tofu, chard, and roasted pepper

Another Peruvian classic dish, Causa or mashed potatoes, are a big part to love, and of course one of the most delicious Peruvian plant-based dishes you can try. Peru has these very special yellow potatoes which give this dish a special taste and can be mixed with more veggies.

8. Vegan Chaufa / Vegan Arroz Chaufa

Peruvian Vegan Arroz Chaufa can be found just about anywhere, and definitely not to miss if you’re looking for some filling vegan food in your visit to Peru. Chaufa mean fried rice, and is a Peruvian dish from Chinese / Asian influence.

9. Pumpkin Stew with Vegetables and Fava Beans – Gluten Free and Vegan

Peruvian Pumpkin Stew, now that’s something you can’t say no to, no matter the time of the year! Delicious and healthy pumpkin stew, with just enough of Peruvian spicy kick, cooked with more vegetables and Peru’s fava beans, not to miss whether you’re eating in a Peruvian household or even a fancy restaurant.

10. Peruvian Sandwich (Vegetales Sanguche)

Vegan sandwiches, now even Peru has them, with their Vegetales Sanguche – roasted vegetable filling, making veggies tasty, and filled with the Peruvian sauce which makes this dish special and delectable.

11. Vegan meat Peruvian picante

Make sure that you taste the Peruvian spicy sauces when you’re in the country, it should be in your top things to do. Peruvian picante stew, a spicy, soupy plant-based Peruvian dish is something we can have any time of the day.

12. Vegetarian Arroz con Pollo

Now Peruvian arroz con Pollo is usually rice, one of the most staple in Peruvian plates, and served with Apollo or chicken. For the vegetarian / vegan version of this dish, various vegetables, herbs, spices and sauce are used to mimic the chicken taste, and to create the overall dish, adding ingredients such as the salsa criolla and Huancaina sauce.

13. Peruvian Chick’n, Chickpea, and Vegetable Stew

Another Peruvian daily dish to try and make yourself truly home in Peru, spiced with the uniqueness of the Peruvian tastes – cumin, coriander, garlic, marjoram, bay leaf, cilantros and chili powder.

14. Vegan Afro-Peruvian Carapulcra (Spicy Chickpea Stew)

Another one of the Peruvian classics, the Peruvian Carapulcra. This dish is usually a stew of pork and dried potatoes, with peanuts, aji panca and mirasol peppers, garlic, mixed with other Peruvian spices, however, the vegetarian and plan-based version loses the pork. With peanuts adding a new twist compared to the other Peruvian dishes, this is another one to taste, just make sure you’re not allergic to them!

15. Plant-based Ají de Gallina

Ají de Gallina is Peruvian’s Spicy Creamed Chicken, the vegetarian version of this can still included the milk and eggs, while alternatives can be used for the vegan version, retaining the rich and creamy taste of the Ají de Gallina, which makes it unique.

16. Peruvian Rice and Lentils / Tacu Tacu

Peruvian Tacu Tacu or Rice and Lentils, is there anything more traditional and Peruvian than this?

MORE VEGETARIAN FOOD IN PERU TO TRY

17. Arroz Tapado (Peruvian Rice & Soy Granules)

Another popular dish in South America, a Tapado is seafood with coconut milk. And of course in this vegetarian version, the Peruvian spices and alternative ingredients will recreate the delicious taste of this dish.

18. Peruvian Beluga Lentils with Beet Puree

A Plant-based meal and a delicious one, this Peruvian concoction should be on your list!

19. Spicy Peruvian Green Sauce

Peru’s spicy green sauce is Peruvian’s signature spicy sauce, and can be used with a lot of dishes. You’ll definitely encounter it in a lot of dishes and you can’t miss it to complete your Peruvian experience!

20. Peruvian Green Beans

Peruvian green beans stir-fried with your favorite vegan or vegetarian ingredients is an easy dish, even you can make it any time of the day!

21. Vegetarian Palta Rellena Recipe (Peruvian Stuffed Avocado Starter)

Palta Rellena or Peruvian’s avocado recipe – now that’s a perfect vegan treat! This dish is perfect for a starter or a snack, and definitely a healthy one if you’re looking for that. This dish can be added to main dishes, and if you haven’t tried it yet, avocados can be used as desserts too. Added with sugar, and / or milk! Ahh a unique dish that you shouldn’t miss! Avocado goes well with chocolate too.

22. Vegetable Barlotto- Barley Stir Fry (vegan)

Barlottto is Peru’s Barley Stir Fry veggies. Perfect for a plant-based palate. Restaurants have dish, and should be added to your Peru’s dishes to try too.

23. Peruvian toasted sweetcorn, avocado & quinoa salad

Now, this is pretty self explanatory, but this mix is an easy one, but a very delicious one at that!

24. Sopa seca

This Peruvian Pasta Bake dish can be made into a vegan recipe! Unlike the popular Italian spaghetti tastes, Peruvian’s Sopa Seca is a mix of peppery and creamy taste. Angel hair spaghetti is baked with chipotle sauce with black beans and splash of cilantro! Just with that taste, would be even excited to make this at home!

25. Papas a la Huancaína

Papas a la Huancaína is Peruvian’s Potato dish cooked with creamy sauce. And as delectable as that sounds, yes there’s a perfect version for this Peruvian dish! This is a popular Peruvian appetizer and usually the sauce is made with a mix of eggs and milk. However, a perfect vegan version will have the sauce created with Peruvian spices, and sesame seeds to create the creaminess of the sauce. Ahh just the description makes us want to taste this already!

26. Chupe de Quinoa Peruvian Soup

Chupe de Quinoa Peruvian Soup‘s is one of Peruvian soups that you need to taste! This one’s really healthy and gives you a good mix of the tastes of oregano, mint, lime and Aji Amarillip Paste.

27. Easy Spicy Vegan Risotto

Perfect and delish and so easy, this plant-based Peruvian risotto dish is something you can find it in households and restaurants!

28. Peruvian Split Peas

Peruvians really eat a lot of legumes in their diet, and they usually have it in different kinds of dishes, which can be served as side dishes, or even main dish with rice or bread. Split peas is an ingredient found easy in Peru, so this good should be easy done at home, with friends, or even in small restaurants.

29. Peruvian Causa Rellena (Layered Potato Casserole)

Layered potato casserole now that’s one delicious dish we would always say yes to, we love our potatoes so much! For vegan and vegetarian versions, there’s so many alternatives available, so you should be able to enjoy this with this kind of diet.

MORE VEGAN FOOD IN PERU AND PERUVIAN VEGETARIAN DISHES

30. Peruvian Green Rice

This one’s a staple in Peruvian tables! Rice with green spicy sauce.

31. Vegan Locro De Papa (Ecuadorian Potato and Cheese Soup)

When you are craving hot food in colder weather, vegan locro de papa could be a good dish for you. Potato cheese soup, easily done, with ingredients that can be easily found anywhere in Peru. Locro is a thick stew popular in places around the Andes – Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Argentina.

32. Peruvian style veggie tamales

A big favorite with Peruvian street food, can be a good snack, or a light meal – Peruvian tamales. It’s a snack made with rice flour, and coconut milk, and added flavors and ingredients to have something unique in the middle.

33. Vegetarian ceviche de chochos

Now ceviche is a popular dish in Peru, and there are so many versions of it, like this one. Chocho beans are lupini beans, and cooked with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, limes and flavored with oranges and tomato sauce. Can be served with bread, plantain chips, and hot sauce for that Peruvian twist!

34. Vegan Frijoles Negros / Black Beans

Vegan Frijoles Negros or Black Beans – you’ll never run out of bean dishes in Peruvian cuisine, and this can be served with rice or bread to be a main dish, or a side dish to your favorite Peruvian dish.

35. Peruvian Chopped Salad / Solterito

Solterito originated from Arequipa and is this delicious vegetable salad, always served cold. You’ll even find so many versions of it in different households in Peru or even in Peruvian restaurants.

36. Vegan Empanadas with Spinach

Empanadas are definitely a popular snack in Latin cultures, and to have a vegan vegetarian version, you’ll just need to change the filling of the empanada and luckily there are so many of these in your vegan and vegetarian Peruvian restaurants, and food shops!

Hope you liked our vegetarian food in Peru and plant-based food in Peru read. Which one is your favorite in the list of Peruvian plant-based and vegetarian dishes? And vegan food in Peru?

How did you find being vegetarian in Peru and vegan in Peru? Let us know which one is your favorite Peruvian vegetarian dishes in the comments below.

Feel free to use our links for discounts. By using our links, you will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys. 

Happy Travels!