Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

This traditional Chimichurri recipe is so fresh, vibrant, and loaded with parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. It is excellent as a topping for Grilled Steak, Chimichurri Chicken, vegetables, shrimp, and just about anything.

It requires just a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make Chimichurri sauce, but the way you prepare the ingredients is key. We’re sharing all of our secrets to make the best, authentic chimichurri sauce. Watch the easy video tutorial and you’ll see just how easy it is.

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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What is Chimichurri Sauce?

Chimichurri is a sauce made with fresh parsley, garlic, some acidity (usually red wine vinegar), and olive oil. We also add oregano and crushed red pepper which is considered optional but they definitely elevate this sauce. It is essentially the Argentinian version of a pesto sauce. Authentic Chimichurri originates from Uruguay and Argentina and there are endless variations of chimichurri.

Chimichurri Recipe Video

Watch Natasha make this easy Chimichurri recipe, then grab the ingredients below and make this sauce. You’ll fall in love with the flavors here and it will elevate your grilling recipes.

Chimichurri Ingredients

  • Parsley – you’ll need 1 cup of finely chopped parsley which is about 1 medium bunch of parsley.
  • Garlic – adds tons of punchy flavor. Do not skimp on the garlic.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – use high-quality olive oil with tons of flavor since this sauce is not cooked.
  • Red wine vinegar – adds acidity and helps to tame the fresh garlic flavor.
  • Oregano – you can add this fresh or dried.
  • Salt – we use fine sea salt in 99% of our cooking.
  • Black pepper – freshly ground is best.
  • Red pepper flakes – adds a touch of heat and spice to the sauce
Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

How to Make Chimichurri

  1. Finely chop parsley leaves, and mince fresh garlic clove. Add both to a small bowl.
  2. Add remaining ingredients: oil, vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes then stir to combine.
  3. Marinate – Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

Tips for the Best Chimichurri

Here is our best advice for making a more authentic and traditional chimichurri sauce. Even if you’re chopping up the parsley and garlic by hand, it literally takes 5 minutes.

  • Chop by Hand – For the best flavor and texture in chimichurri, you’ll want to chop through the leaves without crushing them in a food processor.
  • Use Fresh Garlic – fresh cloves of garlic will give the chimichurri sauce the spicy kick that you expect in chimichurri. The garlic will really shine after resting at least 2 hours. Mince freshly peeled garlic cloves for the best flavor.
  • Let it Marinate – the sauce will taste best if you let it rest for at least 2 hours or even overnight. The flavors will meld and the garlic will infuse the oil.
Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

Common Questions

How much parsley is in 1 cup of parsley?

You will need 1 bunch of fresh parsley, large stems removed, and finely chopped. Make sure to finely chop the parsley and not use the food processor.

Can I substitute the red wine vinegar?

You can substitute with white wine vinegar or lemon juice.

Can I use cilantro?

If you want to use cilantro, try using equal amounts (1/2 cup each) of cilantro and parsley.

Is Chimichurri spicy?

The fresh garlic and red pepper flakes in this recipe are what make chimichurri seem spicy. If you prefer a milder chimichurri, omit the red pepper flakes.

Can I use a food processor?

For authentic chimichurri, we do not recommend using a food processor. It is more likely to crush or bruise your parsley whereas chopping by hand with a sharp knife will produce cleaner cuts through the herbs.

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (5)

Make-Ahead Tips

Not only is this an easy sauce to make, but you will also love that chimichurri keeps really well in the refrigerator or freezer.

  • Refrigerate – place in a mason jar or tupperware, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 week.
  • To Freeze – you can put chimichurri sauce in ice cube trays and freeze for up to 3 months. Once the cubes are frozen, you can transfer them to freezer-safe zip bags. Thaw before serving.
  • To Serve – The oil can solidify in the refrigerator. If that happens, bring chimichurri to room temperature before serving.
Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

How to Serve Chimichurri

This is one of the most versatile sauces and here are our favorite ways to serve it. I’d love to know how you serve this Chimichurri Sauce in the comments below.

  • Steak – Add sauce over sliced Carne Asada, or Pan-Seared Steak.
  • ChickenChimichurri Chicken will become your new favorite.
  • Salmon – brush over Grilled Salmon and even Grilled Shrimp.
  • Pork – top Grilled Pork Chops with sauce
  • Potatoes – Drizzle over Roasted Potatoes or Boiled Potatoes.
  • Vegetables – spoon over grilled vegetables or roasted vegetables.

Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

4.97 from 64 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (8)

This chimichurri recipe is so fresh and vibrant. It is excellent as a topping for Grilled Steak, chicken, vegetables, and just about anything.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Resting Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 people as a condiment

Instructions

  • Finely chop parsley and garlic cloves with a knife (do not use a food processor) and transfer to a bowl.

  • Add remaining chimichurri ingredients and stir to combine.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before serving. Store chimichurri for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Per Serving

86kcal Calories1g Carbs0.3g Protein9g Fat1g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat7g Monounsaturated Fat151mg Sodium53mg Potassium0.4g Fiber0.1g Sugar653IU Vitamin A10mg Vitamin C16mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

86

% Daily Value*

Fat

9

g

14

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

1

g

Monounsaturated Fat

7

g

Potassium

53

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

1

g

%

Fiber

0.4

g

2

%

Sugar

0.1

g

%

Protein

0.3

g

1

%

Vitamin A

653

IU

13

%

Vitamin C

10

mg

12

%

Calcium

16

mg

2

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Condiments, Sauce

Cuisine: Argentinian

Keyword: chimichurri recipe, chimichurri sauce

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 86

Natasha Kravchuk

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

Chimichurri Recipe (VIDEO)? ›

Chimichurri sauce hails from Uruguay and Argentina. It's commonly made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, finely chopped parsley, and dried or fresh oregano.

What is traditional chimichurri made of? ›

Chimichurri sauce hails from Uruguay and Argentina. It's commonly made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, red pepper flakes, finely chopped parsley, and dried or fresh oregano.

How do you get the bitterness out of chimichurri? ›

Chimichurri can become bitter if the ingredients aren't balanced properly. Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to fix bitter-tasting chimichurri. Adding more acidity, like citrus or vinegar, can counteract bitter flavors. You can also add a touch of sweetness in the form of honey or sugar.

How long does chimichurri need to rest? ›

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

It's important to let the chimichurri rest for at least 20 minutes before using it; this allows the garlic, fresh herbs, and crushed red pepper flakes meld with the oil so your chimichurri is extra flavorful.

Why is chimichurri so good? ›

The tang of the vinegar combined with herbs (usually parsley and/or cilantro, but often oregano too), punchy fresh garlic and mellow olive oil creates something like the perfect dinner party in your mouth: interesting and balanced—with no single element dominating the conversation.

How healthy is chimichurri? ›

And from a health standpoint, chimichurri is loaded with good-for-you benefits, including calcium, carotenes, iron, and vitamins A and C (from the parsley) and calcium, fiber, iron, and vitamins E and K (from the oregano), as well as heart-healthy garlic and the monounsaturated fat found in olive oil, which may help to ...

Can I use regular parsley for chimichurri? ›

I personally love the mix of parsley and cilantro so that is how I make chimichurri, but if you want a classic recipe, you can use all parsley. Use flat leaf parsley and not curly parsley. Oregano– you can use fresh or dried oregano. Garlic– I use 3 cloves of fresh garlic.

Why does my chimichurri taste bitter? ›

One possible cause is an overuse of parsley stems or garlic, which can have a slightly bitter taste. Another reason could be the use of spoiled ingredients. So, make sure you use fresh ingredients and stick to the listed amount in the recipe.

Does homemade chimichurri go bad? ›

Shelf life: Chimichurri evolves in its flavor as it ages. The fresh stage lasts about 2 to 3 weeks when refrigerated, and about 7 days if not. Chimichurri sauce is usually served aged. The ingredients cause a natural pickling process.

What's the difference in pesto and chimichurri? ›

Pesto is an Italian, basil-based sauce synonymous with pasta, while chimichurri is an Argentine, parsley-based sauce synonymous with grilled meats.

Why is my chimichurri brown? ›

Recipe Tips

Use the sharpest knife in your kitchen when making this recipe. A dull knife can pulverize the herbs making the chimichurri look kind of brown.

What do you eat with chimichurri? ›

Chimichurri complements any number of meats and vegetables. Here are some of our favorite ways to use chimichurri sauce: Serve it alongside grilled steak or pork chops, roasted chicken, poached salmon or sauteed shrimp. Drizzle it over grilled vegetable kebabs or oven-roasted vegetables.

Can you leave chimichurri on the counter? ›

Chimichurri is easy to store! You can leave it right on the counter, covered for up to 24 hours if you're going to use it soon. If not, cover it and put it in the fridge for up to two weeks. I use a mason jar to store this condiment made of fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil, and kosher salt.

Is chimichurri inflammatory? ›

Health benefits: Chimichurri seasoning is made with fresh herbs, such as parsley and oregano, which are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the garlic in chimichurri is known to have immune-boosting properties.

Should you refrigerate chimichurri? ›

Because it is made with fresh herbs, chimichurri sauce should be refrigerated. How long does chimichurri keep in the fridge? Chimichurri can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. But I guarantee you're going to use it all WAY before then!

Is chimichurri a Brazilian or Argentinian? ›

Chimichurri (Spanish: [tʃimiˈtʃuri]) is an uncooked sauce used as an ingredient in cooking and as a table condiment for grilled meat. Found originally in Argentinian, Uruguayan, and Paraguayan cuisines, it has become widely-adopted in most of Latin America.

Does chimichurri contain cilantro? ›

Traditional chimichurri does not include cilantro, but you can add it if you want! Is chimichurri spicy? The red pepper flakes in chimichurri give it a nice little kick, but it's not overly spicy. Feel free to add as much or as little as you like!

Why is chimichurri so popular in Argentina? ›

Others believe that this sauce has its origins in Basque immigration, and from that diaspora came the tximitxurri, a Basque-style herb sauce…. Whether of Irish, English, Basque or Quechua origin, chimichurri belongs truly to the Argentines, as a synonym of friendship, family and -of course- a matter of national pride.

Is chimichurri supposed to taste like vinegar? ›

If you've never had this sauce before, you're about to be wowed. It's similar to pesto, but without any cheese or nuts and with a heavier emphasis on acidic vinegar.

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