How To Make Chimichurri
Looking for an easy way to add some flavor to your meals? Look no further than chimichurri! This Argentinian sauce is made with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. It's perfect for topping grilled meats or vegetables, and it can be used as a marinade or condiment. Making your own chimichurri is easy, and it's a great way to use up fresh herbs from your garden.
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What is Chimichurri?
Chimichurri is a loose oil-based condiment used to accompany barbecued meats or churrasco throughout Argentina and Uruguay. It’s the most delicious sauce you’ll taste.
While traditionally, it is used as a sauce for churrasco (grilled meats), I’ve been enjoying it as a salad dressing and a baste for grilled portobello, eggplant, and zucchini. It tastes amazing on virtually anything!
Chimichurri can be prepared earlier than needed, and refrigerated for 24 hours if needed. Use to baste meats (chicken or steaks) while grilling or bbq. Even though it isn’t traditionally used as a marinade, you can still use it as one on veggies, shrimps, or any other protein. It is recommended to choose to baste ingredients with chimichurri instead. Also, add a couple of tablespoons over your grilled veggies or proteins to serve.
What is chimichurri sauce made of?
Chimichurri sauce is made with fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar, chili pepper, and olive oil. It livens up pretty much anything you throw at it and you can use it 100 different ways. Try spooning it over steak, shrimp, chicken, and vegetables. You can also toss it with pasta or rice.
Is chimichurri like pesto?
Pesto is ground to a very fine, creamy-looking paste, but the herbs in chimichurri are chopped more coarsely, resulting in a sauce that looks more like green salsa or chunky herb oil. Third, because they hail from different countries (and continents), they've got different flavor profiles.
Does chimichurri have nuts in it?
No! Chimichurri contains oil, water, vinegar, fresh parsley, fresh oregano, and vegetables as well as other spices blended in. Chimichurri goes with grilled meats.
Chimichurri Recipe
Makes 16 servings (serving = 1 tbsp)
What You’ll Need
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
3-4 cloves garlic , finely chopped or minced
2 small red chilies , finely chopped or 1 tsp cruched chili flakes
3/4 tsp fresh oregano
1 level tsp coarse salt
1/2 tsp pepper
What You’ll Need To Know
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavours into the oil before using. Ideally, let it sit for more than 2 hours, if time allows.
The article was first published February 2020 and updated July 2022.
