This easy chimichurri sauce recipe is an easy way to upgrade a juicy steak, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables. Made with fresh herbs and garlic, spices, vinegar, and olive oil, this bright green sauce is packed with tons of flavor — and makes for a pretty presentation, too.
While you can use this sauce to top veggies and meats, it also makes for a tasty marinade or sandwich spread. You can even incorporate it into breakfast or brunch by spooning it over your morning eggs.
The next time you’re looking for an authentic recipe for chimichurri, give this one a try. It’s sure to brighten up any meal!
What is Chimichurri Sauce?
Chimichurri is a sauce made of chopped herbs, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. You can use it as a marinade or topping for grilled meats, fish, and vegetables.
Chimichurri is originally from Argentina and Uruguay, but it has become popular around the world. It’s served with many dishes like the arepas con queso seen below.
Why You’ll Love Chimichurri Sauce
There are tons of reasons to love this simple sauce.
- Delicious – This fresh sauce is balanced with just the right amount of heat, acidity, and fresh-from-the-garden flavor.
- Eye-catching – Up your presentation game by using this bright green sauce.
- Versatile – From proteins to veggies, this sauce can easily elevate many meals.
Ingredients
These simple ingredients are quite possibly already in your pantry and garden.
- Flat-leaf parsley: Fresh parsley is the base of the sauce. It imparts fresh and bright flavor.
- Fresh garlic cloves: Garlic adds a pungent and slightly spicy taste to the sauce.
- Cilantro: Another herb, cilantro adds a layer of fresh flavor to the sauce and contributes to the sauce’s vibrant color.
- Dry crushed red pepper flakes: Red pepper add heat and a subtle smokiness to the sauce.
- Black pepper: Pepper helps to enhance the overall taste of the sauce.
- Olive oil: Oil makes the sauce smooth and imparts its own subtle flavor.
- Red wine vinegar: Vinegar’s tanginess balances the sauce and complements the herbs and spices.
- Kosher salt: Salt also balances the sauce and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to Make Chimichurri Sauce
Making this sauce is super easy!
- Blend parsley. In a small food processor, blend the parsley. Remove to a small-medium bowl.
- Blend garlic and cilantro. Repeat with the garlic and cilantro.
- Add seasonings and oil. Add the crushed red pepper, black pepper and olive oil to the same bowl. Stir.
What To Serve With Authentic Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri is a bold and flavorful sauce that you can serve with a variety of dishes — try it on grilled meats like pork chops or turkey, or on seafood like lobster tails or shrimp. You can also drizzle it over potatoes, spoon it over veggies, mix it into pasta salad, quinoa salad or spread it on sandwiches.
You can also use chimichurri sauce as a marinade, dipping sauce, or salad dressing or serve over veggies like Instant Pot Asparagus.
Variations
You can change up chimichurri in a bunch of ways to make your own style of sauce.
- Cilantro – Instead of cilantro use more parsley, fresh oregano, or Thai basil.
- Heat – Decrease the heat by lessening the amount of red pepper or increase it by adding more. You can also add cayenne or hot sauce for even more heat.
- Vinegar – Substitute white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or distilled white vinegar for the red wine vinegar.
- Citrus – Add lemon juice or lime juice for bright, citrus flavor.
- Onion – Dice some green onions or a red onion for extra flavor and color.
- Dairy – Mix the sauce with Greek yogurt or sour cream to make a creamy dip or sauce.
Storage and Freezing
Chimichurri sauce can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer.
How to Store Chimichurri
Store chimichurri sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. A mason jar works well for storing your homemade chimichurri.
Can I Freeze Chimichurri Sauce?
Chimichurri sauce can be frozen in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. If you want to freeze it in small portions, try using an ice cube tray.
Common Questions About Chimichurri Sauce
The basic ingredients in chimichurri sauce are chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. This recipe also incorporates crushed red pepper.
Chimichurri sauce is full of fresh, herbaceous flavor with a subtle hint of spice. The vinegar gives it a slightly tangy flavor.
Chimichurri sauce is a healthy condiment. It’s low in calories and fat, is a source of antioxidants, and is full of vitamins and minerals.
More Savory Sauces
If you know me, you know how much a love a good sauce. Here are a few of my favorites.
Chicken Nugget Dipping Sauce
Blue Cheese Sauce
Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Chimichurri Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups flat leaf parsley any overly large stalky parts removed packed
- 4 large cloves garlic
- 3/4 cup cilantro packed
- 1 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a small food processor, blend the parsley. Remove to a small-medium bowl.
- Repeat with the garlic and cilantro.
- Add the crushed red pepper, black pepper and olive oil to the same bowl. Stir.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
Nutrition
Love this chimichurri! Went perfectly with our grilled meat over the weekend.
We loved the chimichurri sauce and it went great over our steak. Definitely will make again!
This sauce is so good with grilled chicken!
I never realized that chimichurri sauce is made from such simple ingredients. So easy! I’d love to try this with scrambled eggs.