Description
Homemade Chimichurri Sauce is a vibrant and zesty Argentinian herb sauce made with fresh parsley, garlic, and red wine vinegar. Perfectly balanced with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes and brightened with lemon juice, this no-cook sauce is an ideal accompaniment for grilled meats, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Herbs and Aromatics
- 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley (packed)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (optional, or use more parsley)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Liquids and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- juice of ½ lemon (optional for brightness)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Combine Herbs and Seasonings: In a food processor or blender, add the fresh parsley, cilantro (if using), garlic cloves, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Pulse a few times until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
- Incorporate Olive Oil: With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the ingredients combine into a slightly chunky sauce. This helps emulsify the sauce while maintaining texture.
- Adjust Flavor: Taste the chimichurri and add lemon juice if desired for added brightness. Adjust salt or red pepper flakes according to your preference.
- Serve or Store: Serve the chimichurri immediately as a fresh condiment, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. If chilled, bring back to room temperature before serving to revive the flavors.
Notes
- Chimichurri pairs excellently with grilled steak, chicken, seafood, and roasted vegetables.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a small chopped chili pepper.
- While best fresh, making the sauce a day ahead enhances the flavor as the herbs meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
