This Classic Chimichurri Sauce is “Tart, herbaceous, and absolutely addictive…”. It’s wonderful on grilled flank steaks (see below) or any kind of steaks, chops, chicken, and fish. It’s delicious drizzled over root vegetables and cauliflower. Toss with your favorite canned or fresh beans for an amazingly flavorful side dish. Chimichurri Sauce is also a fabulous addition to cheese and charcuterie boards. And, yes… I’m deeply, madly in love with this Chimichurri Sauce, and once you try it, I’m pretty sure you will be too!
What You’ll Need
- red wine vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt
- red cracked pepper flakes – optional
- fresh garlic
- shallots
- fresh red or green jalapenos
- jalapenos in adobo sauce
- fresh cilantro
- fresh curly and/or flat leaf parsley
- fresh oregano
One of the best things about cooking is the learning process. Cooking has a way of reminding you that no matter how much you think you know, you’ll always discover something new if you just take off the blinders once in a while.
When we cook, we get to experience different places and try new things… We get to push our own boundaries and feed curiosities we didn’t even know we had.
Kind of a romantic notion, don’t you think?
Here’s The Story
We have a large, south-facing deck attached to our house that quickly proved to be a good place to grow fresh herbs. Our “deck garden” grows a little more each year, and with it, our love for the beautiful, fragrant little plants that graciously flavor our food and embellish our plates all summer long.
I’m always on the hunt for new ways to use herbs, and every now and then, I stumble on something that becomes a house favorite.
Enter, Chimichurri Sauce. I first discovered it just a few years ago through a recipe on Food52 from Adam Rapoport. He described it as “Tart, herbaceous, and absolutely addictive…” and I couldn’t wait to try it. (And, by the way, that description is absolutely on point!)
Both my husband and I fell in love with it after the first bite. It feels like something we’ve just always enjoyed and we wonder how we ever lived without it.
The first time I made it I used canned red jalapenos – and the peppered carrots that came in the can with them – which worked really well. So well, in fact, that it inspired our own variation of Giardiniera Chimichurri with colorful “pickled” peppers and vegetables scattered throughout.
Some folks are very passionate about chimichurri, and there are lots of ideas and traditions that dictate how it’s supposed to be made. I think that’s what I love most about it: There are so many ways to create something so simple, but so uniquely versatile and flavorful.
I’ve only just begun my love affair with it, so I don’t know all the technicalities but I do know that it’ll always be on my list of personal favorites and I’ll be experimenting with different variations for a long time to come.
What’s To Love
Chimichurri Sauce is perfect for the herb-obsessed cook. There are a lot of ways to make it, but the basics include parsley, cilantro (not used in all chimichurri sauce recipes), and other herbs, garlic, peppers, onions or shallots, and olive oil. I’ve seen very thin “watery” versions as well as very thick, almost pesto-like versions. Either way, it’s a wonderful addition to many different dishes. Play around with it a bit and see how you like it best!
Make sure to pop over and check out our colorful Giardiniera Chimichurri Sauce recipe if you’re looking for a different twist!
Enjoy!
Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt + more to taste
- A pinch of red cracked pepper flakes - optional
- 1½ - 2 tablespoons garlic 3 to 4 cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons of shallot 1 large or 2 smaller, finely chopped
- 2 – 3 tablespoons fresh red or green jalapenos finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons jalapenos in adobo sauce finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh cilantro 1 large or 2 small bunches, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh parsley – curly and/or flat leaf ½ - 1 bunch, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh oregano 1 small ¾ oz./21 gram herb package, finely chopped
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper flakes (if using), garlic, shallot, jalapeno peppers. Stir well and allow ingredients to marinate at room temperature while you prep the herbs.
-
Wash cilantro, parsley and oregano and gently shake or pat dry with paper towel to remove excess water. Trim bottoms and heavier stems from cilantro and parsley; thin cilantro and parsley stems are fine to use. Remove oregano leaves from stems. Finely chop herbs.
-
Add chopped cilantro, parsley and oregano to bowl and stir until all ingredients are combined.
-
See notes below for prep and serving tips. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 2 - 3 hours to allow flavors to marry. Serve at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
*I recommend chopping everything by hand - especially the shallots, jalapenos. It takes a bit longer, but the colors, shapes and textures they add to the sauce will be worth it!
*If chopping herbs by hand (recommended), use a sharp chef’s knife and cutting board and chop them in small batches. You can use a food processor to chop the herbs, be careful not to over-process or they’ll become “pesto”. Just give them a few quick pulses to maintain texture.
*It may seem like a lot of garlic, shallots, jalapenos, etc., but their intensity and heat are softened by the olive oil and all the herbs. Let it sit for a bit and then taste… You can always add more!
*Add more olive oil and/or red wine vinegar if you want more liquid (the liquid ingredients will be more or less pronounced depending on how finely the herbs are chopped).
*You can reduce the amount of cilantro by half, replacing it with parsley if you prefer, but more cilantro produces a brighter flavor.
*Using flat AND curly leaf parsley adds more depth and texture to the sauce.
*Lightly pack the chopped herbs in measuring cups – no need to pack them in tightly.
*Sauce can remain at room temperature for several hours – as long as the herbs are covered in oil, they won’t discolor. Stir regularly to distribute ingredients. Store refrigerated in a covered glass bowl for up to 3 days. (I’ve actually refrigerated it longer. The greens sometimes dim a bit in color, but the flavor is just gets better and better!)
*If using as a marinade for meats or as a dressing for veggies or salads, set aside approximately ½ cup or more as needed for other uses.
*Recipe adapted from Food52.
Making this Classic Chimichurri Sauce recipe?
I’d love to hear about it!
Leave a note here on the blog in the comments below, or share your creations and ideas on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Google+ .
Make sure to hashtag #baconfatte or tag @baconfatte in your social media posts to we can connect!
LIKED THIS? FEAST ON THESE:
Giardiniera Chimichurri Sauce
Arugula Oil (aka That Really Good Green Sauce)
Rice and Beans with Corn and Chimichurri recipe
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Mixed Chimichurri Salad with Beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Green Onions and Lettuce
Fresh Cilantro Lime Yogurt Sauce
Roasted Garlic and Lime Olive Oil
Chimichurri Salad with Beans and Corn
Lemon Basil Verde Sauce
Sauces, Seasonings, Spices and Spreads
I need some warming up here for sure! Deep freeze in the Deep South!
I hear ya there, Lynn… It’s been pretty chilly here too (although, we’re probably better equipped for it since we know our Minnesota Winters are coming each year). This chimichurri will warm you right up for sure!
That looks so good, and your shots are amazing!
Thank you so much, Hadia!! 🙂
What’s not to love about this recipe! Everything that makes your digestive system and every system in your body happy and better!! xo
Right?! Thanks for stopping by, Ally girl!! xo
Love chimichurri, going to have to try this one for sure.
We do too, Mary… It’s just so good in so many ways! Hope you love it as much as we do!
You had me at jalapeños and cilantro! I am so making this!
AH! Great minds think alike! 😉 Hope you do have a chance to make this, Robin… Enjoy!!
What a beautiful recipe and I can think of all kinds of ways to use it.
Thanks so much, Julie! This chimichurri really is good with so many things… You won’t have to worry about leftovers!
Perfect for all of us who like a little heat with their food. I’ll be trying this later with our steaks for dinner ♥
Couldn’t agree more, Dor! We definitely prefer a little heat with our food. Thanks for visiting! 🙂
Your chimichurri recipe sounds fabulous! It’s a bit different than my own, and like you said, that’s some of the fun of cooking and learning about new foods, is the different recipes! I can’t wait to try your version. It sounds great! And, it kind of looks like the one the pizza place down the street from me serves. 🙂
Ooooh! I’ll have to look your recipe up — we’re always in the mood to try new versions of chimichurri! Thanks, Debi!
I want a deck garden! If this gorgeous sauce is indeed addictive then I will gladly sign up for rehab; love the freshness of your ingredients and your photos really take it over the top. Deliciously done!
I only wish my deck garden lasted all year-long… It’s a bit of a challenge to grow things when the Minnesota Winters set in. Thanks so much for visiting, and for your kind words, Dan! Cheers!
I love your variation on chimichuri! We eat it on everything I cant wait to try your recipe for a new twist!
Thanks, Michele! I just saw your shrimp with chimi recipe… That’s totally on my list, too!
This sauce is amazing!!! So much great flavor and so easy to throw together. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Thank you, Angela! I sure hope you have a chance to try it… I think you’ll love it, too! 🙂
That sauce looks fantastic!! I can’t wait to give it a try!!
Thanks, Michaela! Hope you do try it… It’s really good stuff!
You are so lucky to have a thriving herb garden. Mine is not doing too well, except for the mint that is going crazy! Your chimichurri sauce looks like it could be used as an bread dipping appetizer too!
Like me, my herb garden only thrives in the summer months! 😉 Mint is one hearty plant, and it always seems to do well. Love the way it smells! Yes, this chimi is wonderful with breads, cheeses, veggies… I’m not kidding when I say that we’re obsessed with it! Thanks, Sandra!
I have to try making this sauce! It sounds awesome!
Thank you, Madi! I really hope you try it, and I hope you love it as much as we do!