Quinoa Chaufa is one of our favourite healthy Peruvian side dishes.
Authentic and traditional chaufa recipes are attributed to Peru’s Chinese immigrant community. They’re often served as a stir fried rice but can also be enjoyed as a warm salad.
Our homemade Peruvian Chaufa recipe is quick and easy to make, ready to serve in under 30 minutes!
Fork through a brightly coloured bowl of stir-fried chaufa featuring flavourful sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions, red bell peppers, edamame, quinoa, and soy sauce.
This Quinoa Chaufa recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
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What Is Peruvian Chaufa?
Arroz Chaufa also known as Arroz de Chaufa is a Chinese-fried rice dish.
The word “chaufa” comes from the Chinese word “chaofan,” literally translating to “stir fried rice”.
It consists of a mix of fried rice with vegetables, usually including scallions, eggs, and chicken, quickly cooked at a high flame, often in a wok with soy sauce and oil.
The recipe is derived from Chinese cuisine thanks to the influx of Chinese immigrants to Peru.
A cook or chef who specializes in the art of making chaufa is known as a chaufero.
In some regions the rice is replaced with quinoa or pearled wheat while in others, rice is mixed with noodles.
Our recipe is a healthy take on traditional Quinoa Chaufa. It’s suitable for vegan, vegetarian and gluten free diets.
Travel to Peru by Making Quinoa Chaufa at Home
I love traveling to Latin America.
As a professional food and travel journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy amazing meals in Central America, South America and the Caribbean, from traditional markets to award winning restaurants.
For over ten years, I’ve been on the hunt for the best chaufa recipe. I’ve embarked on culinary adventures at local restaurants in Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.
In Peru, I’ve forked through steaming bowls of traditional Quinoa Chaufa at restaurants in Lima, The Sacred Valley, Cuzco and Puno.
Authentic Peruvian Chaufa is known for being a hearty comfort food side dish. Our vegan interpretation features healthy ingredients that contrast nicely in flavour and texture; red bell peppers, green edamame and multi-colored quinoa.
After enjoying your first few bites, you’ll realize why a big bowl of Quinoa Chaufa is a must-try when visiting the Peru!
Where To Eat Vegan Peruvian Chaufa
If you live in a large city in Canada or America you’ll likely have access to a local Peruvian restaurant that serves healthy Quinoa Chaufa.
Haven’t traveled to Peru before? It may be helpful to first sample a Chaufa recipe at a local restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You’ll get an idea for the desired quinoa to vegetable ratio, types of vegetables to incorporate in the stir fry, and favourite seasonings.
In Toronto, popular South American restaurants that may serve Peruvian Chaufa include Mira Restaurant, Paracas Peruvian Restaurant, Chotto Matte, Los Chicos Brasa and Aldo’s Restaurant.
My Family Loves Healthy Quinoa Chaufa
After traveling through South America for 4 months I returned home inspired by the dishes I had enjoyed in the Andes.
South American cuisine was new to me so I was excited to share some of the new recipes I had enjoyed during my many meals from Lima to Cuzco.
I knew my parents would enjoy this Peruvian Chaufa recipe because they love fresh salads, easy stir fry recipes, and Chinese-inspired dishes.
While my family aren’t vegan or vegetarian we like to incorporate meatless meals into our weekly cooking schedule. Vegan and vegetarian dishes offer a great way to incorporate healthy proteins, fibre and nutrient-dense vegetables into the diet.
My father loves edamame and mother has a variety of dried quinoa in her kitchen cupboards. The colourful dish bursts with flavour and acts as a great fried rice replacement at lunch or dinner. It can also be served at a potluck or buffet in a salad bowl with a large serving spoon for scooping.
Is Peruvian Chaufa Vegan or Vegetarian?
TraditionalChaufa is often prepared with chicken and eggs.
We’ve made a Peruvian Chaufa recipe with healthy quinoa that is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
Vegan Quinoa Chaufa Health Benefits
Our Peruvian Quinoa Chaufa recipe is packed full of healthy ingredients!
A useful source of copper, calcium, manganese, and phosphorus, sesame help support circulatory, digestive and skeletal health.
It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.
Ginger contains at least 14 phytochemicals, many of which have impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a good source of copper, which supports your bones, blood and nervous system.
Onions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
Bell Peppers are an incredible source of vitamins C and A, which support your skin and immune system. They also provide beneficial carotenoid compounds such as beta-carotene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Edamame are rich in cancer-fighting vitamin C, energy-boosting B vitamins, and gut-healthy fibre.
Quinoa is a complete protein, offering essential amino acids in healthy balance. It is also high in fibre, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin E.
Chaufa Recipe Cooking Tips
This healthy homemade vegan Chaufa recipe is quick and easy to make at home. We’ve included a few tips for first time Peruvian cooks!
- We suggest using a large nonstick skillet or wok to stir fry chaufa.
- We’ve used red bell peppers in this recipe to add some colour to the dish but you can substitute for yellow or orange bell peppers if you prefer.
- We’ve used frozen edamame in this recipe but you can substitue for fresh edamame or peas.
- We suggest using dark soy sauce in this recipe but you can substitue for light soy sauce for a less intense flavour.
- You can make your own chaufa recipe as the flexibility of stir frying allows you to easily customize the ingredients. It’s a great way to use up lonely vegetables in your fridge before they expire. Feel free to have fun in the kitchen by adding additional vegetables like corn, asparagus, sweet potato, broccoli or cauliflower.
What To Serve with Peruvian Quinoa Chaufa
In my family we often serve homemade Quinoa Chaufa as a simple lunch all on its own.
It can also be served as a warm salad at a buffet or barbecue and side dish as a replacement for fried rice
We love serving this vegan Peruvian recipe with healthy dips, salads, soups and Latin American dishes like Tallarines Verdes Peruvian Green Spaghetti, Chupe de Quinoa Gluten Free Peruvian Soup, Chipotle Mexican Bean Soup, Garlic Lemon Chickpea Avocado Salad, Guasacaca Venezuelan Guacamole and Albondigas al Chipotle Smoky Mexican Meatballs.
You May Also Enjoy These Vegan Recipes…
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How To Make Vegan Peruvian Quinoa Chaufa
Peruvian Vegan Quinoa Chaufa
Equipment
- French knife
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- Nonstick Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Canola Oil
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 3 Scallions thinly sliced, white and greens separated
- 2 tbsp Fresh Ginger minced
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 cup Frozen Edamame
- 4 cups Cooked Quinoa
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a nonstick skillet, heat the canola oil and sesame oil until shimmering. Add the scallion whites, ginger and garlic, then cook, stirring until fragrant.
- Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pepper begins to soften. Add the edamame, quinoa and soy sauce, then saute, stirring, until the cooked quinoa absorbs the soy sauce and is heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve sprinkled with scallion greens.
Nutrition
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