Easy and Authentic Chimichurri
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I’m not a huge fan of adding a condiment or sauce to my steak, but I will always make an exception for a great chimichurri.
Chimichurri is a classic. It is flavor-packed with herbs, vinegar, and garlic and adds a great layer of flavor to grilled and smoked meats, vegetables, and more.
This basic recipe requires only a few ingredients and can be whipped up in minutes. But don’t let the minimal ingredients and ease of preparation fool you; it adds a ton of zesty, spicy flavor.
Easy and authentic chimichurri
Chimichurri originated in Argentina and is widespread across South and Central America, especially in Asado and Churrasco-style cooking. It’s a versatile sauce that goes great on dishes like our Santa Maria style Tri Tip and Smoked Picanha.
Ingredients you’ll need
- Parsley – I use all parsley in my chimichurri, but many people like the flavor of fresh cilantro as well. If you want to combine cilantro and parsley, I would do 1½ cups parsley and a half cup of cilantro so that the cilantro flavor doesn’t overpower the sauce.
- Garlic
- Red jalapeños – I used two, but if you’re not a big fan of heat or spice, you can cut the jalpeño down to one or use a bell pepper or poblano pepper.
- Kosher salt
- Red wine vinegar
- Olive oil
Equipment you’ll need
- Knife – suitable for chopping
- Chopping board
- Bowl
- Spoon
How to make chimichurri
Chimichurri is really versatile, so feel free to play around and make it your own! All types of peppers, onions, and herbs work well in this recipe so it’s a great time to experiment with different flavors.
1. Chop
I prefer my chimichurri to have a little more body, so I do a rough chop on the garlic and jalapeños, but if you prefer a little less chunk chop them finer.
Finely chop the parsley.
2. Mix
Put the garlic, jalapeños, salt, and red wine vinegar into a bowl and mix to combine.
Add the olive all and stir again until well combined.
3. Sit
Let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Condiments and sauces to up your BBQ game
- Quick Pickled Red Onions
- Pickle Chips
- Cranberry Sauce
- Easy Horseradish Sauce
- Blue Cheese Sauce
- The 7 Most Important American Regional Sauces
Easy and Authentic Chimichurri
Ingredients
- 2 cups parsley - finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic - small dice
- 2 red jalapeños - small dice
- 2 tsp Kosher salt
- 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Add the parsley, garlic, jalapeños, salt, and vinegar to a bowl.
- Stir until well combined and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
- Add the olive oil, then stir again until well combined, and sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only. If you’re worried you could always add a side of kale.
About Your Pitmaster
Breanna Stark is a Texas-based competitive pitmaster and barbecue educator. She grew up cooking over charcoal and open flames while camping with her father, sparking a lifelong love of barbecue. Since 2014, she has competed in over 100 IBCA, KCBS, and CBA events, earning recognition for her award-winning chicken and Texas-style barbecue.
Passionate about recipe testing and development to create approachable dishes that help backyard cooks level up their barbecue skills. Breanna shares her expertise with over three million followers on social media.