Chimichurri Sauce is a bright, vibrant, and flavorful oil-based condiment originating from South America, especially from Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine. Typically made with fresh ingredients such as parsley, oregano, shallots, garlic, olive oil, red chili, and red wine vinegar, this homemade sauce is one of the best accompaniments to grilled or roasted meats, seafood, and vegetables. It can also be used as a marinade to infuse the meat with its delicious flavors.
In this recipe, I have provided easy step-by-step instructions along with photos to guide you through the process of making Chimichurri Sauce at home. Additionally, I have included a detailed video for visual learners.
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What is Chimichurri Sauce?
Chimichurri Sauce is a tangy, herbaceous, and oil-based sauce that has its origin in South America. The sauce is made with a blend of fresh herbs such as parsley and oregano, garlic, shallots, red chili, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. The result is a bright and flavorful sauce that pairs perfectly with grilled steak, chicken, and vegetables. It is commonly served as a condiment for grilled meats, or roasted or baked vegetables, but can also be used as a marinade or salad dressing.
In terms of its origin, Chimichurri Sauce is believed to have originated in Argentina and Uruguay, where it is a staple of traditional cuisine. There are many variations of Chimichurri Sauce, but the most popular are the green and red varieties.
Green Chimichurri is the classic version, made with fresh herbs, garlic, and vinegar, while red Chimichurri features the addition of tomatoes and red bell pepper, giving it a sweeter, milder taste. Another variation is Chimichurri criollo, which includes diced onions and green bell pepper for a chunkier, more textured sauce.
One of the best things about Chimichurri Sauce is how easy it is to make. Simply chop up the herbs and garlic, mix them with the other ingredients, and let the flavors meld in the fridge for at least an hour. The result is a delicious sauce that can be made in just a few minutes with minimal effort.
Plus, the ingredients are readily available at most grocery stores, making it an accessible and affordable way to elevate your meals. With so many variations to choose from, there's a Chimichurri Sauce to suit every taste and preference.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make Chimichurri Sauce are fresh and readily available at most grocery stores. Let's take a look at what you will need:
- Fresh Parsley and Oregano: These herbs provide an authentic and fresh taste to the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a bold and deliciously garlicky flavor
- Shallots: Deliver a delicate and sweet yet sharp flavor to the sauce
- Red Chili: Thai red chili is used in this recipe to add a nice level of heat. You can reduce the amount of chili or substitute it with chili flakes for a milder heat level
- Red Wine Vinegar: Delivers a tart and sour taste to the sauce. If you don't have red wine vinegar, you can substitute it with lemon juice
- Olive Oil: Adds an authentic taste and flavor to the sauce
- Black Pepper: Provides a warm and earthy flavor to the sauce
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Chimichurri Sauce at Home?
This recipe shared here is for Chimichurri Sauce, a flavorful condiment originating from Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine. Not only is it incredibly easy to make, taking just under 10 minutes, but it's also the perfect marinade or condiment for roasted, or grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Wash and Chop Parsley - To make this flavorful sauce, you will need some fresh parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, red chili, black pepper, salt, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. The first step is to wash the parsley and oregano and pat them dry. Once they are dry, remove any thick stalks from the parsley and finely chop the leaves. Add the chopped parsley to a mixing bowl
- Chop Other Ingredients - Next, finely chop the oregano leaves and add them to the same mixing bowl as the parsley. Then, chop the onion and garlic and add them to the mixing bowl
- Mix the Liquid Bases - Now it's time to add the spices and liquids. Finely chop a red chili and add it to the mixing bowl with some ground black pepper, salt, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Mix everything well
- Refrigerator - To allow the flavors to meld together, I recommend letting the Chimichurri Sauce rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will give the spices and liquids time to infuse into the herbs and vegetables, creating a more complex and delicious flavor
- Serve - Once the sauce has had time to rest, you can serve it as a dip or side sauce for a variety of grilled or roasted meats. It pairs well with steak, grilled chicken, and baked chicken dishes
Tips
- Fresh Herbs: For the best flavor and delicious taste, always use fresh herbs like parsley and oregano in this sauce. Be sure to wash and pat them dry thoroughly to remove any mud or debris. While fresh oregano is recommended, you can also use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano if that is more convenient. However, using fresh herbs will add much more flavor.
- Chopping: It's recommended to finely chop all the ingredients with a knife, rather than using a food processor. This will prevent pureeing or turning the ingredients into a paste. However, if a food processor is more convenient, take care not to over-process the ingredients
- Heat Level: Thai red chili is added to this recipe for heat, which adds a great kick to the sauce. For milder heat, start with one normal red chili or ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes, then taste and add more if necessary
- Liquid Bases: Red wine vinegar and olive oil give the most authentic taste to this Chimichurri Sauce. The quantity specified in this recipe is perfect for balanced flavors, so it's recommended not to overuse vinegar or olive oil, as it may turn the sauce too sour, acidic, or oily in consistency
- Garlic: While this recipe calls for 6 garlic cloves, you can reduce the quantity according to your preference
Storage Suggestions
Chimichurri Sauce tastes best when it is freshly made and consumed on the same day. However, you can store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep in mind that as the sauce sits, its flavors may not be as vibrant and fresh as they were when it was first made. So, if possible, try to consume the Chimichurri sauce within the same day or the next day to enjoy the full range of its delicious flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Chimichurri Sauce is a versatile condiment that can be served with many dishes, particularly grilled meats. It pairs well with beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and even seafood. Additionally, the Chimichurri Sauce is an excellent marinade for meats, providing an amazing way to infuse the meat with flavor before cooking. Here are some specific suggestions:
- Grilled steak
- Grilled or roasted chicken
- Baked chicken breast
- Baked chicken thighs
- Oven-baked chicken drumsticks
- Roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, cauliflower, or eggplant
- Baked potatoes or roasted potatoes
- Crusty bread for dipping
- Also tastes great with rice
Related Recipes
You can also find similar recipes below and more at dips & condiments.
Chimichurri Sauce Recipe Video
Below, I have also shared a detailed video of this Chimichurri Sauce recipe that I hope will assist you in creating a delicious sauce at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
ChimiChurri Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Parsley Leaves, approx 2 cups when chopped
- ¼ cup Fresh Oregano, losely packed
- 6 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
- 2 Shallots, finely chopped
- 2 Red Chili , chopped, reduce to 1 for less heat
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ cup Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
To make Chimichurri Sauce
- Start by washing the parsley and patting it dry. Trim off the thick stalks, finely chop the leaves, and transfer them to a bowl
- Next, wash the fresh oregano leaves and pat them dry as well. Chop them finely and add them to the same mixing bowl. Similarly, finely chop the onion and garlic, and add them to the bowl
- Add the chopped red chili, ground black pepper, salt, red wine vinegar, and olive oil to the mixing bowl. Mix everything well
- To allow the flavors to meld together, it's recommended to let the Chimichurri Sauce rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will give the spices and liquids time to infuse into the herbs and vegetables, creating a more complex and delicious flavor
To Serve
- Serve the Chimichurri Sauce as a dip or side sauce for steak, grilled chicken, baked chicken drumsticks, baked chicken breast, or other grilled or roasted meats of your choice. Additionally, the Chimichurri Sauce can be used as a marinade for meats, providing an excellent way to infuse the meat with flavor before cooking
Video
Notes
- Fresh Herbs: For the best flavor and delicious taste, always use fresh herbs like parsley and oregano in this sauce. Be sure to wash and pat them dry thoroughly to remove any mud or debris. While fresh oregano is recommended, you can also use 1 teaspoon of dried oregano if that is more convenient. However, using fresh herbs will add much more flavor.
- Chopping: It's recommended to finely chop all the ingredients with a knife, rather than using a food processor. This will prevent pureeing or turning the ingredients into a paste. However, if a food processor is more convenient, take care not to over-process the ingredients
- Heat Level: Thai red chili is added to this recipe for heat, which adds a great kick to the sauce. For milder heat, start with one normal red chili or ½ teaspoon of red chili flakes, then taste and add more if necessary
- Liquid Bases: Red wine vinegar and olive oil give the most authentic taste to this Chimichurri Sauce. The quantity specified in this recipe is perfect for balanced flavors, so it's recommended not to overuse vinegar or olive oil, as it may turn the sauce too sour, acidic, or oily in consistency
- Garlic: While this recipe calls for 6 garlic cloves, you can reduce the quantity according to your preference
Nutrition
FAQ
Chimichurri sauce is a bright and flavorful oil-based sauce made with fresh ingredients like parsley, shallots, oregano, red chili, red wine vinegar, and olive oil. It is one of the staple condiments in Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine and is typically served with grilled or roasted meats, seafood, and vegetables.
Chimichurri sauce has a fresh taste from parsley and oregano, with a slight heat from the red chili. The tangy flavor comes from the red wine vinegar, while the garlic and olive oil add a bold and authentic taste.
Chimichurri sauce is typically served with grilled meats, chicken, seafood, and vegetables. It can also be used as a marinade for meats.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment, and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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