Chimichurri Sauce is a zesty uncooked herbaceous condiment recipe with a spicy kick that’s best with grilled meats and vegetables but has many other uses as well!
Once you get this quick and easy recipe you’ll be using chimichurri on everything!
What is chimichurri?
Chimichurri sauce is bright green condiment made of fresh herbs, spices, vinegar and oil. The flavor is bright, pungent and herbaceous with a little spicy kick.
Chimichurri sauce originated in Argentina as a complement to churassco, or grilled meats, often steak, sausage, chicken, etc.
Argentinian chimichurri is made of parsely, oregano, garlic, red pepper and olive oil. The Argentinian green chimichurri is a loose, hand chopped, oil based sauce that is used as both a marinade and a table condiment. My version uses a little white onion to add extra bit of kick. In order to get the onion fine enough the sauce is choppped in the food processor and is much more smooth than traditional chimichurri sauce. To make a more authentic chimichurri recipe omit the onion, add fresh oregano and omit the food processor.
Ingredients
Using flavorful condiments full of herbs and spices like this eliminates the need for extra fats, sugar and salt. This particular combination of herbs and spices is not only a flavor boost but also a health powerhouse. A potent combination of hightly anti inflammatory foods that reduce inflammation, neutralizing carcinogens and preventing cellular damage.
- Parsley – Highly anti inflammatory Super high in vitamin k, and vitamin c; it’s also a great source of vitamin a, folate and iron. If you have other herbs like cilantro or basil, experiment with adding those. Fresh oregano and/or thyme? Heck yes, just leave out the onion depending on how much kick you’d like your chimichurri sauce to have. You can even use some dried herbs in the mix, soaking in hot water to rehydrate if you have the time.
- Red pepper – Another anti inflammatory food you can choose either dried red pepper flakes or a small red chili pepper.
- Red wine vinegar – or substitute with other light neutral flavored vinegar like apple cider vinegar or Chive Blossom Vinegar.
- Garlic
- Olive oil – a regular light flavored olive oil is preferred but extra virgin olive oil can be substituted.
- Onion – not authentic but adds a nice kick. Omit if desired.
- Sea salt – or substitute slightly less regular table salt.
Step by step instructions
- Separate parsley stems from leaves.
- Add stems to a food processor (or blender) with garlic, onions, red pepper, salt, vinegar and 1/2 cup olive oil.
- Pulse until finely chopped.
- Roughly chop parsley by hand and add to a medium bowl. Stir in the garlic and vinegar mixture and remaining 1/2 cup olive oil.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.
Yield
This chimichurri sauce recipe yields roughly 4 cups of chimichurri.
Shelf life
Serve immediately. Or refrigerate, tightly covered for up to two weeks. Chimichurri sauce will continue to intensify in flavor over time although it may lose it’s bright green color. If chilled, return to room temperature before serving. Or freeze in an ice cube tray transferring to freezer safe bags for up to 3 months.
How to use
Of course it’s amazing on grilled meats but you can also drizzle it on vegetables, make Chimichurri Salmon, or chicken. Drizzle chimichurri on soup, tacos and wraps to add a final kick of flavor. Combine it with a bit of mayo and sour cream as the base for a chimichurri potato salad. Spread it on sandwiches and hot dogs . Chimichurri livens up scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, rice, grilled vegetables and is a great dip for bread and chips. Try it is a marinade, a salad dressing, or as a pasta sauce.
However you use it chimichurri sauce is nutritious way to add flavor to your meals!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flat leaf parsley chopped, stems and leaves separated
- 6 cloves garlic peeled
- 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt or substitute 1/2 teaspoon Iodized salt
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 small white onion
Instructions
- Add parsley stems, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, vinegar and 1/2 cup olive oil to food processor. Pulse until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, add pureed mixture to the chopped parsley leaves.
- Stir in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later.
Nutrition
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