--- title: "Sarsa Criolla (Peruvian Onion Relish) - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "Make authentic Sarsa Criolla, a crisp and tart Peruvian red onion relish. This quick, mildly spicy condiment is perfect for tamales, sandwiches, and rice." url: "https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/sarsa-criolla-peruvian-onion-relish.html" date: "2026-11-05T23:57:58+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/eb/sarsa-criolla--peruvian-onion-relish--1793240944-eb56fcde.jpg) [ << VFA Home ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy.html) [ ](https://ivu.org/Peru,%20Raw%20gourmet,%20Sauces,%20Starters%20&%20side%20dishes)[Peru](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/peru.html), [Raw gourmet](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/raw-gourmet.html), [Sauces](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/sauces.html), [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) # Sarsa Criolla (Peruvian Onion Relish) by Mateo Quispe Sarsa Criolla is a classic Peruvian onion relish that brings a crisp, tart, and mildly spicy bite to any meal. This rustic condiment is quick to prepare and serves as the perfect accompaniment to tamales, sandwiches, or rice dishes. ![](https://ivu.org/images/yootheme/icon-clock-large.svg) Total Time 10 mins ![](https://ivu.org/images/yootheme/icon-difficulty-easy.svg) Difficulty Easy ### Translate this page to your language! [![English](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)English](#) [![English](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)English](# "English")[![Afrikaans](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Afrikaans](# "Afrikaans")[![Arabic](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Arabic](# "Arabic")[![Chinese (Simplified)](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Chinese (Simplified)](# "Chinese (Simplified)")[![Chinese (Traditional)](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Chinese (Traditional)](# "Chinese (Traditional)")[![Danish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Danish](# "Danish")[![Dutch](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Dutch](# "Dutch")[![French](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)French](# "French")[![German](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)German](# "German")[![Hindi](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Hindi](# "Hindi")[![Indonesian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Indonesian](# "Indonesian")[![Italian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Italian](# "Italian")[![Japanese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Japanese](# "Japanese")[![Korean](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Korean](# "Korean")[![Malay](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Malay](# "Malay")[![Portuguese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Portuguese](# "Portuguese")[![Russian](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Russian](# "Russian")[![Spanish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Spanish](# "Spanish")[![Turkish](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Turkish](# "Turkish")[![Vietnamese](https://ivu.org/modules/mod_gtranslate/tmpl/lang/blank.png)Vietnamese](# "Vietnamese") ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/51/recipes-hero-51307741.png) Simple Tasty Recipes ## Ingredients for 4 Servings - 1 mild red onion, cut into "feathers" (lengthwise, paper-thin half moons) - 1 mild hot pepper (aji amarillo, red jalapeno, jalapeno, etc.) (optional!) - generous pinch salt - 1-2 limes (juice of) - 1/2 teaspoon corn oil (optional!) - 1 tablespoon minced cilantro (optional!) ## Time - Preparation Time 10 mins - Cooking Time 0 mins - Total Time 10 mins ## Goes Great with [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/8b/th11%20239-8b83abc2.jpg) ### VEGAN COLORFUL CURRY STICKY RICE rice ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-colorful-curry-sticky-rice.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/dc/egyptian-lentils-and-rice--koshary--1775668849-dc284168.jpg) ### Egyptian Lentils and Rice (Koshary) ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/egyptian-lentils-and-rice-koshary.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/2b/bryanna-s-injera--ethiopian-flatbread--1775264032-2b985d5d.jpg) ### Bryanna's Injera (Ethiopian Flatbread) ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/bryannas-injera-ethiopian-flatbread.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/19/roti-bread-1780594788-199689c2.jpg) ### Roti bread ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/roti-bread.html) [ ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/4c/chilean-carrot-salad-1791419300-4ccefdcc.jpg) ### Chilean Carrot Salad ](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/chilean-carrot-salad.html) ## Method 1. Slice the onion 'a la pluma'-- into paper-thin half-moons, cutting the onion top-to-bottom. This is best if the onion is mild. If using hot pepper, cut it into the finest possible slices-- the shape doesn't matter so long as it's not an eyesore, and you can even mince it if you like. 2. Put onion (and pepper) into a bowl. Sprinkle over a generous pinch of salt and sort of squish it into the onion with your fingertips. It will change the texture of the onion and tame its spice a little, but the difference will be mild. 3. Ignore the onion while you squeeze the lime or limes, and pick out the stray seeds. 4. You may drain off any accumulated salty liquid from the onion, or not. Douse onion with lime juice (and oil, if using), and stir to incorporate everything. If you are using cilantro, add it now. 5. Serve immediately alongside any savory dishes or all by itself atop rice. If you have leftovers, eat them soon or toss them-- it's gross when it's kept a bit. The magic is all in the first hour or so. ### Notes: This is the standard relish that accompanies virtually all main-course dishes in Peru. It's great with tamales (as a starter) and on sandwiches (make sure your main filling can stand up to it!) It is crisp, mildly spicy, tart, and salty-- yum! Peru's answer to pickles. You will find this spelled 'zarza,' 'sarsa,' and other ways. It's very rustic and perfectly yummy. **Serving info:** Total recipe: 188g · Yields 4 portions · Portion size: 47g | Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Portion | % Daily Value | |---|---|---|---| | Energy (kcal) | 43 | 20 | 1% | | Carbohydrates (g) | 8.1 | 3.8 | 1% | | ↳ of which sugars (g) | 3.3 | 1.6 | - | | Dietary fiber (g) | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2% | | Protein (g) | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1% | | Total fat (g) | 1.3 | 0.6 | 1% | | ↳ Saturated (g) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1% | | ↳ Monounsaturated (g) | 0.3 | 0.2 | - | | ↳ Polyunsaturated (g) | 0.6 | 0.3 | - | | ↳ Trans (g) | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | | Sodium (mg) | 210 | 99 | 4% | | Calcium (mg) | 10 | 5 | 0% | | Iron (mg) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1% | | Potassium (mg) | 141 | 66 | 1% | | Vitamin C (mg) | 22 | 11 | 12% | | Vitamin B12 (µg) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | ### Ingredient data sources - Red onion — 110g — Onions, raw — USDA FDC - Lime juice — 60g — Lime juice, raw — USDA FDC - Jalapeno pepper — 14g — Peppers, jalapeno, raw — USDA FDC - Corn oil — 2.2g — Oil, corn, industrial and retail, all purpose salad or cooking — USDA FDC - Salt — 1g — Salt, table — USDA FDC ⚠️ = estimated or sourced outside the listed databases. % Daily Value based on FDA 2020 Daily Values for adults (2,000 kcal diet). 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