I have to admit, I’m a bit embarrassed. Up until last year, I had never tasted Chimichurri. Fortunately, I stumbled across an easy chimichurri sauce recipe with cilantro and well quite frankly… I FELL IN LOVE.
For the next two weeks, we had chimichurri sauce on everything! We had it with chicken, pork, steak, shrimp, tacos, eggs, potatoes, tossed into salads, and even mixed into rice.
Chimichurri sauce is a loose oil based condiment that traditionally accompanies meat, especially flank or skirt steak. It has a bright, fresh, clean flavor thanks to a base of parsley, a little bite of heat and good punch of zing!
This bright green sauce packs a TON of flavor. You can make it in minutes, it only calls for a few ingredients and NO special equipment is required! Plus this sauce is wonderful for both meat lovers and veggie lovers alike.
Simple Prep Tips & Variations
- Don’t use a blender or food processor. This is a loose condiment, not a paste. Think bonfire beach party, not a crowded downtown happy hour.
- Double the recipe and keep on hand in the refrigerator. It will keep easily for a week.
- Try adding 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano) to either recipe.
- For the chimichurri sauce recipe with cilantro, try switching out the red pepper flakes for a minced habanero. Don’t forget to take out the veins and seeds & please wear gloves when you do!
Authentic Argentinian Chimichurri Sauce Recipe (with Parsley)
- Finely chop a large bunch of fresh parsley, leaves only, until you have 1 cup.
- Mince 2-3 cloves garlic and zest 1 lemon.
- Wearing gloves, take the seeds and veins out of a red chili and finely chop it.*
- Mix together parsley, garlic, lemon zest, the juice from the lemon, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried), 1 teaspoon salt, red chili pepper, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, and 1/2 cup light olive oil and mix together.
- Let sit for 5-10 minutes and serve.
* If you don’t have gloves or red chilis handy, substitute 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar works really well in place of lemon juice & zest.
Why I get obsessed with Chimichurri every summer.
FAQ
What can you substitute for chimichurri?
Are cilantro and parsley interchangeable?
Does chimichurri contain cilantro?
Can I use regular parsley for chimichurri?
What can I substitute for chimichurri?
Red wine vinegar: you can substitute this with white wine vinegar, though the flavor will vary. Aromatics: garlic, lime juice (optionally some zest, too – though that isn’t authentic), and salt and pepper are all classic additions to authentic chimichurri. Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic used to personal preference.
What are the healthier substitutes for Allspice?
Allspice berries have been compared to the aroma and flavor combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Allspice is described as warm and earthy with a peppery kick. It is possible to substitute other warming earthy spices for allspice, either individually or in combination. Whether the substitute is healthier is debatable. Most culinary spices are healthy additions to the diet, while some spices have been studied more than others. For example, evidence from human trials suggest that cinnamon may lower blood sugar and blood lipids(fats) and only small amounts(one to three grams) are needed to provide benefit. A combination of ground clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon is considered a worthy substitute for ground allspice.
Can you substitute dried chives for parsley?
If the dish you’re substituting in has garlic or onions, dried chives are a great substitute. Not only will there be a great addition of flavor, but you’ll get that same green coloration. Dried chives are a cost-effective and simple substitution for parsley. 2. Dried Tarragon
What can I use instead of olive oil for chimichurri?
Oregano: you can use fresh or dried oregano, though fresh is best. Oil: I like to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. However, you could use another neutral oil like canola or sunflower oil (the traditional Argentine chimichurri option). Red wine vinegar: you can substitute this with white wine vinegar, though the flavor will vary.