South American Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Causa Rellena
Peru's elegant cold appetizer — silky ají amarillo-lemon mashed potato layered around a creamy tuna or chicken filling, served chilled in vibrant yellow slices.
Contains common allergens
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Instructions
6 steps- 1
Prepare the potato dough: Boil the potatoes until tender. Peel and pass them through a potato ricer while still hot to ensure there are no lumps. Let cool completely.
- 2
Season the dough: Knead the cold mashed potatoes with aji amarillo paste, fresh lime juice, oil, and salt until it forms a smooth, bright yellow, pliable dough.
- 3
Make the filling: In a separate bowl, mix the shredded cooked chicken with mayonnaise and a pinch of salt.
- 4
First layer: Line a ring mold or small casserole dish with plastic wrap. Press half of the potato dough into the bottom to form an even, compact layer.
- 5
Middle layers: Arrange the thinly sliced avocado evenly over the potato, then spread the chicken salad mixture over the avocado.
- 6
Final layer and chill: Top with the remaining potato dough, pressing down firmly to seal. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, then unmold and garnish with hard-boiled eggs and black olives.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
69/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving315
Calories
10 g
Protein
23 g
Carbs
21 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Causa rellena is a chilled layered Peruvian dish built on seasoned mashed yellow potato, a nod to Peru as the ancestral home of the potato itself. The bright yellow base is whipped with lime and aji amarillo, then layered with a filling, classically chicken, tuna, or avocado, into a cool, savory terrine. Its name carries patriotic legend, but at heart it is a refined way to show off the country's potatoes.
Listahan note
This version keeps the layering simple, a lime-and-aji potato base around a creamy chicken or tuna filling, served cold as a light main or starter. The flavor lives in seasoning the potato boldly while it is still warm.
Technique cues
- Season and lime the potato while it is still warm so it absorbs the flavor; a cold mash tastes flat no matter how much you add later.
- Press each layer firmly and chill before slicing so the causa holds clean layers instead of sliding apart on the plate.
- Bloom the aji amarillo paste in a little oil first to deepen its color and round its flavor into the potato.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Boil the potatoes while you mix the filling, so the mash is ready to season the moment it is drained and warm.
- Make-ahead
- Causa is meant to be made ahead; assemble and chill several hours or overnight, adding avocado only before serving.
- Leftover move
- Scoop leftover causa onto toast or fold it into a wrap for a quick cold lunch.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Line the mold with plastic wrap so it lifts out clean and the dish needs only a rinse.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
yellow potatoes
the layered base
Purpose: Starchy yellow potatoes give causa its signature color and smooth, dense mash.
Handling: Boil whole, peel warm, and rice or mash until very smooth.
Adaptation: Yukon Gold potatoes are the best widely available stand-in.
aji amarillo paste
the defining flavor and color
Purpose: Aji amarillo gives the potato its golden hue and fruity, mild heat that defines causa.
Handling: Bloom in a little oil, then beat into the warm mash.
Adaptation: A mix of yellow bell pepper paste and a pinch of cayenne approximates it.
lime juice
the brightening acid
Purpose: Fresh lime is essential to the lively, tangy character of the potato base.
Handling: Add to taste while the potato is warm and adjust before chilling.
Adaptation: Lemon juice works but lime is more authentic.
cooked chicken or tuna
the filling
Purpose: A creamy, seasoned protein filling is the savory heart between the potato layers.
Handling: Shred or flake and bind with mayonnaise, lime, and onion.
Adaptation: Mashed avocado or crab make excellent fillings.
avocado
creamy layer
Purpose: Sliced avocado adds a rich, cool layer that complements the potato and filling.
Handling: Slice thin and lay just before serving so it does not brown.
Adaptation: Hard-boiled egg slices add richness without browning.
mayonnaise
binder for the filling
Purpose: Mayonnaise makes the filling creamy and helps it hold between potato layers.
Handling: Fold in just enough to bind, not drown, the protein.
Adaptation: Greek yogurt or mashed avocado bind more lightly.
Technique notes
- Rice the potatoes rather than whipping them in a machine, which can turn them gluey, and you keep that dense, sliceable texture.
- Chill the assembled causa at least an hour so the layers set and cut cleanly.
- Taste and re-season after chilling, since cold mutes salt, lime, and chile and a finished causa should taste vivid.
Ingredient swaps
- Vegetarian direction
- Fill with mashed avocado, corn, and peas instead of chicken or tuna.
- Lighter direction
- Bind the filling with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
- Individual portions
- Build single causas in ring molds for an elegant plated starter.
Serve alongside
- Black olives and hard-boiled egg garnish
- Mixed green salad
- Salsa criolla (lime-onion relish)
- Toasted bread
- Chicha morada
- Pisco sour
- Sparkling water with lime
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Keep assembled causa covered in the fridge for up to two days; it is a cold dish so no reheating is needed. Add avocado only just before serving to avoid browning. Causa does not freeze; the potato turns grainy and the filling separates on thawing.
Equipment
- Potato ricer or masher
- Ring mold or loaf pan lined with wrap
- Citrus juicer
- Offset spatula for smoothing layers
Make this household-aware
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Plan it in Listahan
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