Easy Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri sauce is popular sauce made with fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar, and high-quality olive oil. It’s popular in South America, particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, where people often serve it with grilled meats. You can use it as a marinade for meats, a dressing for salads, a topping for sandwiches, and more.

Chimichurri sauce comes together easily with a few fresh ingredients. The combination of ingredients creates a bright, tangy flavor that complements the savory smoky flavors of grilled meat and vegetables. While it’s an excellent way to add fresh flavor to meats, it also works well with rice, potatoes, and other side dishes.

Try it with homemade tostones for the perfect snack or side dish!

What Does Chimichurri Taste Like?

Chimichurri sauce originated in Argentina and Uruguay as a condiment to grilled and roasted dishes like steak, grilled lamb chops, pork, and grilled chicken. It’s savory flavor comes from the fresh uncooked herbs that it’s made with.

Chimichurri is a balanced sauce with earthy fresh garlic flavors and a light oiliness, making it a perfect complement to any dish. It’s flavor profile also works well with seafood like grilled shrimp, salmon, or white fish.

More suggestions for serving are provided below.

Why Everyone Loves This Recipe ❤️

While you will find many recipes, this is the best chimichurri recipe because it’s made with just a handful of ingredients to create authentic flavors. It’s fresh, flavorful, and oh so delicious!

• Packed with Flavor: The flavor of the sauce is tangy, herbaceous, and slightly spicy, with a refreshing and bright taste that elevates the flavor of any dish it accompanies. The garlic gives it a sharp, pungent flavor that’s balanced out by the vinegar and oil.
• Convenient and Easy: This sauce is quick and easy to prepare, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal prep time. It can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for future use, making it a convenient sauce to have on hand
• Versatile: This savory sauce is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Whether you use it as a dip, mix it with butter, add it to salads, or incorporate it into sandwiches, there are countless possibilities with this recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Chimichurri

NOTE: The full list of ingredients with measurements is provided in the recipe card below.

Chimichurri sauce comes together with just a few fresh ingredients. You can pull this entire recipe together in under 15 minutes.

What kind of parsley can I use?

I always recommend using flat leaf parsley for chimichurri sauce. It has a more robust flavor which works well for this sauce. Flat-leaf parsley is also easier to chop. I recommend using organic fresh parsley if possible because it has a deep, earthy flavor and lasts longer.

You can use curly parsley or a combination of flat-leaf and curly leaf parsley, if needed.

Other Ingredients

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Try to use the highest quality olive oil you can buy. This will ensure the best flavor as the olive oil serves as the base of the sauce.
• Fresh Lemon: You will use the freshly squeezed lemon juice from the lemon.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a subtle tanginess to the sauce. The acidity from the vinegar balances the herby and garlicky flavors well.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are always a must for chimichurri. It adds a robust flavor to the sauce and helps bring everything together.
• Red Chili Peppers: I use fresno peppers to add a little kick. You can use 1 or 2 fresh chilies, depending on your taste for spiciness. I find that 1 pepper adds delicious flavor with mild spice. If you don’t have fresh peppers, you can stir in some dried red pepper flakes.
• Seasonings: You will need dried oregano, salt, and pepper to finish off the sauce. You can use fresh oregano, but you will only need a few pinches as fresh oregano is more flavorful than dried.

How to Make Chimichurri (Full Recipe Below)

1. Wash and Chop the Produce: Make sure to wash all of your produce well. Then chop the fresh parsley and red chilies. Mince the garlic.
2. Combine the Ingredients: Combine parsley with the chilies and minced garlic in a medium bowl. Stir in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil. Add the oregano, salt, and pepper and mix everything together to combine.
3. Rest Time: Let the chimichurri sit for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Prep Note: You can use a food processor to chop the produce. The best chimichurri sauce has a little bit of texture, so make sure not to puree the ingredients completely. Process the produce, then gently stir in the liquid ingredients.

Storage Instructions

Store chimichurri sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To freeze, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw before serving. I like to store the chimichurri in individual servings in an ice cube tray for freezing.

What Do I Eat with Chimichurri?

You can use this sauce as a marinade or a sauce for serving. It can elevate a simple meal to create something that is memorable.

I recommend eating this fresh green sauce with chicken thighs, red meat like skirt steak or flank steak, potatoes, fish, or on sandwiches. This bold flavors pair perfectly with my Roasted Garlic & Herb Chicken and Cajun Butter Lobster Tails.

My Favorite Sauce Recipes

If you love this chimichurri, try some of my other favorite sauces.

• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Jerk Marinade
• Homemade Browning

This chimichurri sauce recipe is a quick and easy way to add fresh flavor to meals. Enjoy it all year long with your favorite protein or side dishes.