Peruvian Breakfasts: +23 traditional breakfast foods in Peru

Want to know what are the most popular Peruvian breakfasts? In this post we share all the traditional breakfast foods you can enjoy in Peru!

There’s no better way to start your day than with a delicious Peruvian breakfast. From humitas to chicharron there’s something for everyone.

So if you are looking to travel to Peru and want to experience the best of Peruvian food, then be sure to start with a hearty breakfast.

Ready to learn some delicious Peruvian breakfasts?

The following are some savory dishes that are traditionally served for breakfast in Perú. Of course, these are only suggestions so feel free to experiment and try new things!

If you are looking for more South American breakfast ideas make sure to check this post with Chilean Breakfast foods!

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Chicharrón

This is one of Peru’s most popular breakfasts and is served with white rice, fried eggs, and a large helping of avocado. The pork belly ( chicharrón ) comes from the lechón asado (roasted pig) and is prepared by roasting the meat in its own fat until it becomes crispy.

You can also try chicharron en salsa verde, which is a popular variation that adds a delicious green sauce made from fresh cilantro, aji amarillo , and other ingredients.

Huevos Al Ají

This simple dish can be prepared in minutes if you have the right ingredients on hand. Simply cook your eggs however you like them (scrambled, fried, etc.) and mix with a generous helping of chopped red onion, fresh cilantro , and fresh yellow aji pepper. You can also add other desired ingredients such as tomato or avocado slices.

Peruvian humitas

Peruvian humitas are a dish very similar to Mexican tamales. Made from steamed corn dough stuffed with chicken, pork or cheese and wrapped in a corn leaf. In Perú, humitas are also prepared with blue corn dough and achiote , a special spice blend that gives them their distinct yellow color. Some people will add cheese to the center of the humita while others prefer not to.

Habas con menestra or menestra de habas

This vegetarian dish is great for those who don’t eat meat since it’s usually served vegetarian.

Habas are broad beans and menestra refers to the mixture of vegetables included in this dish. The typical Peruvian menestra is made with chopped red onion, garlic , yellow aji pepper, choclo (dried corn on the cob), carrots, peas and celery.

It can be served as a hearty breakfast after a night out partying or as a lunch or dinner.

Butifarra

Butifarra in Perú refers to a cold sandwich. It’s made with jamón. del país, a seasoned ham that’s traditional and easily found in Peru.

A butifarra sandwich is also filled with salsa criolla. Salsa criolla is an onion relish made with red onion, vinegar, aji amarillo and other typical Peruvian spices.

Ceviche

Ceviche is a popular accompaniment to breakfast in Peru, especially on special occasions and during the summer months. It’s usually served with fresh sliced red onion, boiled yellow potato pieces , chopped cilantro, slices of avocado , and lime wedges.

If you have never heard about ceviche before it’s a dish made from delicately marinated raw fish. It’s a very popular dish in Perú and can be found on the menu at lunch or dinner time, as well as during breakfast.

Pan con chicharron or pork rind sandwich

This is another popular Peruvian breakfast dish that’s slowly gaining in popularity all over Latin America.

A pan con chicharron sandwich is usually prepared by taking a slice of bread ( pain de miga ) and spreading it with pork rinds.

Pan con pejerrey

Another popular sandwich variation that substitutes the pork rinds with pieces of fresh fish.

Pejerrey is a type of fish that’s caught in the coastal regions of Peru. The fish is coated in a thick flour and egg batter and dip fried before using it as a sandwich filling.

Salchicha huachana

This is another popular breakfast dish that’s served with white rice, eggs, and a hearty helping of avocado. A salchicha huachana is made with ground beef or pork stew meat simmered in tomato sauce , spices and seasonings.

Lomito al jugo

Traditionally, lomito al jugo is a dish that’s accompanied by bread. In some regions of Peru it can also be served with rice instead of bread.

Lomito al jugo is made in a wok or cauldron that is heated with water. The meat is then added along with soy sauce and spices.

Once the meat has cooked for a few minutes it’s ready to be served. It has a very similar taste to lomo saltado.

Tamal peruano

Tamal peruano is a large tamale made from purple corn dough stuffed with chicken, pork or cheese. It’s steamed in a panca leaf and served with sauce criolla . Salsa criolla is a traditional Peruvian relish made from red onions, garlic, aji amarillo, vinegar and other spices.

Desayuno peruano

Desayuno peruano it’s a combination of different breakfast foods and made especially during weekends.

During the week people tend to eat lighter and earlier than on weekends. Desayuno peruano is a great way to catch up with family and friends over breakfast, as it’s usually served buffet style so you can help yourself as many times as you want.

It’s usually made with tamal, pork chicharron and french bread. For drinks smoothies, fruit juices and coffee are common.

Adobo arequipeño

Adobo arequipeño is a breakfast soup made with pork chop and aji panca. It’s a hearty meal that’s most enjoyed in traditional markets. It’s usually served with some fresh bread or rice on the side.

Sangrecita

Sangrecita which roughly translates to small blood it’s a dish that’s not as common in large cities. It’s basically, seasoned chicken blood that’s boiled and fried with green onion.

You can think of it as a different version of blood sausage.

Pan frances

Pan frances is a very popular breakfast bread in Peru. It’s a small bread that resembled a baguette. It’s a popular bread for sandwiches and you can find it on most Peruvian homes.

Relleno or peruvian blood sausage

Relleno is a type of blood sausage very popular in Peru. It’s made with pig intestine and stuffed with pork, chopped onion, garlic , cumin, cilantro and other spices.

It has an interesting flavor because of the chunks of meat mixed with the spices. You have to try it for yourself in order to understand what it tastes like.

Emoliente tea

Emoliente herbal tea is a delicious and nutritious drink that’s most commonly made in the countryside of Peru. It’s usually served hot with some sugar and it has different variations depending on the region where it’s prepared .

It tastes great when you feel sick or have a cold, but it can also be enjoyed just for its taste.

Papaya smoothie

Papaya smoothie is an easy and healthy breakfast option. It’s made by blending water and papaya together. It can also include milk, heavy cream, ice or sugar depending on the place you are getting it from.

Jugo surtido

Jugo surtido is a smoothie-like juice with many different fruits and vegetables added. It’s most commonly made with papaya, banana, pineapple, beetroot and honey.

It tastes great if you are looking for something light to drink after waking up.

Quinua carretillera

Quinua carretillera drink is a nutritious juice made with quinua, pineapple, quince, sugar and spices.

All the ingredients are boiled together and cook for around 1 hour. Then they are combined and served hot. It’s a thick and sweet drink that has become a common street food.

Pan con queso

Pan con queso is another common street food. It’s basically bread filled with cheese. You ca find it at most coffee shops and homes around Peru.

Peruvian picarones

Picarones is a Peruvian sweet that’s very popular during the holidays, such as Christmas or New Year. It’s made with pumpkin and it has different names depending on the region of Peru you are visiting. While it’s not usually enjoyed year round, it’s one of the traditional Peruvian breakfasts during December.

They are sweet dough rings that are deep fried and served with a chancaca syrup on the side.

You can think of them as a Peruvian churro.

Triple sandwich

Triple sandwich is a common breakfast choice in most Peruvian homes. It’s prepared with bread, cheese, ham and mayo.

Basically it’s made with 3 layers of bread and some combined fillings.

What is a typical breakfast in Peru

It depends on the region you are visiting but breakfast in Peru is incredibly varied and can go from a hearty stew to a simple and fresh breakfast. Things like chicharrones are more popular in the countryside while pan con pejerrey is more popular in coastal towns.

What do Peruvian families eat for breakfast

Most Peruvian families stick with a lighter breakfast at home. Things like bread, butter, cheese, jams and avocado are common breakfast foods at home.
In larger cities is common for busy peruvians to have breakfast on the go. There are several breakfast carts serving things like emoliente (a herbal tea), quinua carretillera or a pan con queso.

This is just a short list of all the different dishes you can try when eating breakfast in Perú. There are many more dishes to see, so be sure to eat your way through our country’s amazing traditional cuisine!