• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Family Eats
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Four cooked air fryer chicken breasts on an air fryer rack.
      Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
    • An instant pot insert filled with cooked corn on the cobb.
      Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
    • A prepared bowl of tortellini salad.
      Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad
    • A bowl filled with salted potatoes.
      Salted Potatoes (Papa Salada)
    • A platter with peach avocado salad with leaves of basil and arugula on a pink background.
      Peach Avocado Salad
    • Quick pickled red onions in a container.
      Quick Pickled Red Onions
    • Corn succotash with tomatoes and bacon.
      Tomato, Bacon and Corn Succotash
    • A bowl of blueberry oatmeal.
      Maple Blueberry Oatmeal
    • Ranch Chicken Bites
      Ranch Chicken Bites
    • Strawberry granola.
      Strawberry Granola with Coconut and White Chocolate
    • Fudgesicles.
      Healthy-ish Fudgesicles
    • BLT with avocado.
      Family-Style BLT with Avocado
    Home » Condiments

    Colombian Aji (Ají Colombiano)

    Published: Aug 24, 2023 · Modified: Sep 18, 2023 by Kelli Avila · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Colombian aji prepared in a mason jar and displayed in a white bowl.

    Made from a mix of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro, this zesty Colombian Aji is bursting with flavor. It only takes about 5 minutes to make in a blender and can be stored in the fridge for a few days. It's a fantastic condiment to grilled meats and seafood, works well as a salsa, and is great for dipping.

    A mason jar of prepared aji on a cutting board.

    Ají Colombiano is a popular condiment or sauce (aka salsa) that is used for various purposes in Colombian cuisine. In our Colombian-American house, we absolutely must have a jar of Aji in the fridge for the majority of the summer when tomatoes are ripe (that and Pickled Red Onions). It's a stand-by during BBQ season, especially if Papa Salada (salty potatoes) is on the menu.

    My husband and his family are from Bogota, Colombia, and his sisters taught me how to make Aji (along with Carne en Bistec (Colombian Steak with Tomatoes and Onions) and Arepas con Queso).

    The exact variation of Aji can vary depending on the region of Colombia it is made in and the ingredients that are available. Essentially, Aji is a sauce made from finely chopping or blending aromatics such as tomatoes, peppers, and onions. It's usually spicy, but not always. The resulting sauce is a zesty and bright condiment that adds a punch of flavor and freshness to a variety of dishes.

    It's used as a salsa for empanadas or potatoes, it's eaten with meat, fish, and rice, and can be used as a base to cook soups and stews.

    So let's get to making it! You can jump around the article using the menu below, or you can just head right to the bottom for the complete recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
    • How to Make It
    • Kelli's Best Tips
    • Storage
    • Recipes to Pair with Aji
    • Full Recipe

    Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

    Here is a brief overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. The full recipe with quantities is listed below this text in the recipe card. If substitutions are available for this recipe, they'll be listed here. If you don't see a substitution you are looking for, please leave a comment below.

    Ingredients with labels for making Colombian aji.
    • tomatoes (don't use cherry tomatoes here; large tomatoes are best....preferably in season and flavorful)
    • green onions (also known as scallions...this can be substituted with a red or yellow onion, too)
    • jalapeno (use fresh, with or without the seeds or pickled jalapenos can also be used too...if you like acidic flavors then you'll love this aji with the pickled jalapenos)
    • white vinegar (or another vinegar works well here, like red or white wine vinegar)
    • cilantro (if you are a cilantro hater...this recipe might not be for you, but maybe check out this Basil Spinach Pesto instead?)
    • coarse kosher salt (This recipe was tested using Diamond Crystal coarse kosher salt. If you use Morton's kosher salt or fine salt decrease by about half for volume, or use the same amount by weight.)

    How to Make It

    Traditionally, Aji is made by finely chopping all of the ingredients together. But this is very time-consuming. So for simplicity sake, use a blender or a food processor.

    Ingredients for colombian aji in a blender before being processed.

    Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor.

    Ingredients for colombian aji in a blender after blending.

    Pulse the aji ingredients until they are roughly chopped.

    Kelli's Best Tips

    This recipe is simple, and there is plenty of room for ingredient experimentation. Here are some notes to help you have success with your Aji:

    • Cilantro stems are okay to use, since they hold a lot of flavor, as long as they are thin and delicate. If your cilantro has thick and tough stems, use only the delicate leaves.
    • Pre-chop the ingredients: I know I know, it seems silly to pre-chop the veggies but I find they get a more even "blitz" in the blender compared to if you throw them in whole.
    • Don't over-blend: This is not supposed to be a smooth sauce; in fact, quite the opposite. The aji should have even chunks of the ingredients, so just "pulse" the blender or food processor.
    • Adjust the heat: To make it less spicy, remove the jalapeño seeds and membrane, use less of it, or try a milder type like serrano. I add half a seedless jalapeño or some pickled jalapeños for my kids to enjoy the flavor without too much spice.

    Storage

    Store the aji in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. A mason jar works great!

    Aji is one of those sauces that gets better with age. On days two and three, it's amazing. However, it doesn't keep indefinitely, as the vinegar starts to break down the ingredients. It is best consumed within 5-7 days.

    Recipes to Pair with Aji

    • Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
      Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
    • Oven tacos with beef and melty cheese.
      Oven-Baked Beef Tacos
    • Baked Sausage Pepper and Onions Recipe
      Baked Sausage, Peppers and Onions
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
      Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

    Making the recipe? Be sure to leave a comment with a star ⭐️ review on your experience! Have a question? Leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can!

    Print

    Full Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    A mason jar of prepared aji on a cutting board.

    Colombian Aji (Ají Colombiano)

    ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
    • Author: Kelli Avila
    • Prep Time: 00:10
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 1 quart 1x
    • Category: Condiment
    • Method: Blender
    • Cuisine: Colombian-American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This zesty Colombian Aji is bursting with flavor, made from a blend of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and cilantro. It only takes about 5 minutes to make in a blender, and can be stored in the fridge for a few days. It's a fantastic condiment to grilled meats and seafood, works well as a salsa, and is great for dipping.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 large tomatoes, core removed and roughly chopped
    • 4 green onions, white and green parts, roughly chopped
    • 1 jalapeno, seeded or not (see note about heat)
    • ½ cup white vinegar
    • 1 bunch cilantro, washed and de-stemmed
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or to taste)

    Instructions

    1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse about 10 times until all ingredients are chopped roughly the same size.
    2. Enjoy on everything.

    Notes

    This recipe was tested using Diamond Crystal coarse kosher salt. If you use Morton's kosher salt or fine salt decrease by about half for volume, or use the same amount by weight.

    Cilantro stems are okay to use, since they hold a lot of flavor, as long as they are thin and delicate. 

    To adjust the heat level according to your taste, remove the seeds and membrane and limit the amount of pepper you use.

    Store the aji in the refrigerator and consume it within 5-7 days.

    Keywords: Colombian Aji

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    Pin

    More Condiments

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm so glad you are here!

    I'm Kelli, the creator of Everyday Family Eats, this space where I share easy and quick recipes the whole family will love! I'm a former professional cook and baker, and full-time working mom, who is passionate about creating approachable dinner ideas that allow the whole family to gather at the table and enjoy a meal together.

    More about me →

    Keep in the know!

    Sign up for the Everyday Family Eats Newsletter to be the first to hear about new recipes and seasonal content you don't want to miss.

    Kelli's Favorite Recipes

    • Gnocchi with pizza ingredients.
      Skillet Pizza Gnocchi
    • Sheet pan sausage, potatoes and veggies.
      Sheet Pan Sausage and Potatoes
    • A bowl of mac and cheese
      One Pot Mac and Cheese
    • A plate of BBQ Cheddar meatballs.
      BBQ Cheddar Meatballs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Everyday Recipes, LLC