Chimichurri – So Easy and Delicious!

Chimichurri is perfect for marinating, dipping, and dressing pretty much everything!  It’s easy to make and tastes amazing. You’ll wonder how you lived without it!

I recently had the best chimichurri.  There’s a new Mexican restaurant near my house that I am slightly obsessed with.  Thankfully so is my regular lunch date gal pal.  I literally haven’t ordered a bad meal from there, or even a mediocre one, and the margaritas are legit.

The last time we visited I told the waiter I was in the mood for red meat and veggies, so he came back with the most wonderful skirt steak and grilled vegetables that was dressed with the most delicious chimichurri sauce I’ve ever had. Naturally, I spend the next few weeks trying to recreate the chimichurri recipe.

And, folks.  Ohhhhhh, I think you’re going to love me for this one! Serve it over steak (here’s how to broil steak if you’re not able to grill), or fish tacos.  I even like it on crispy chicken thighs!

Chimichurri ingredients:

• cilantro leaves – I love cilantro and could eat it on nearly everything.  This recipe makes beautiful music of cilantro.  If you’re on team cilantro then you’ll definitely want to make this chimichurri sauce. 
• parsley leaves – The cilantro in this chimichurri recipe is tempered by parsley.  I find that it stretches the flavor without making it overpowering. 
• salt – Salt is so key, it intensifies flavors and should not be skipped. 
• garlic – I like to use fresh garlic cloves, but if you’re in a pinch the stuff from the jar or squeeze bottle will work too. 
• olive oil – Try to choose a good quality olive oil as it will be the carrier for all this amazing chimichurri flavor. 
• lime juice – Again, fresh limes are always going to be best, but I have been known to use the stuff in the bottle shaped like a lime before.  It’s not ideal, but it’s better than not having chimichurri! 
• capers – Not all chimichurri recipes use capers, but they’re one of my favorite parts of this recipe (sighhhhh, fine, skip them if you hate capers).  They add a bright note on top of the sauce.  Almost like a little caviar pop, since we leave them whole!

Can you freeze chimichurri?

This sauce uses all fresh, bright and delicious ingredients, but can be frozen so you’ll have these amazing flavors on hand any time you want.  If you don’t want to freeze, no worries, the oil and lime will keep it preserved in the fridge for several weeks if not longer.

Is Chimichurri good for you?

Chimichurri is very good for you!  It’s made with healthy oil (olive oil), greens that are packed with vitamins and nutrients (parsley and cilantro), as well as garlic which is touted as heart healthy and an antioxidant.

What do you put chimichurri sauce on?

We put chimichurri sauce on nearly every protein!  I love a skirt steak chimichurri and roasted potatoes.  But it’s also amazing on crispy chicken thighs, and fish tacos! I’ve even been known to put it over my steak salad on occasion.  Mmmmm.

I’m pretty sure this sauce could make even the gloomiest days look bright.  We may be getting into those dark winter evenings that come too early, but make a great steak with your cast iron and throw this over top to forget all your seasonal worries.  And throw in a margarita while you’re at it.

What is chimichurri sauce like?

Chimichurri sauce is an uncooked sauce used as a marinade, dressing or topping on meats, salads, sandwiches, and other foods.  It is made primarily with cilantro, parsley, and lime juice so it is a bold bright citrusy flavor that is someone unique in its ability to go well with heavier gamey meats like steak and lamb, but also light dishes like fish and even salads.

Is chimichurri spicy?

Our recipe for chimichurri is not spicy, but you can absolutely make it spicy by adding jalapeno or other peppers to the sauce.  Either add it to the blender or finely dice it and stir in when you add the capers.

Recipes pair with chimichurri

• Pico de Gallo
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Seared Steak
• Tropical Fruit Salad

Chimichurri making tools

• Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables!  This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced.  Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
• Stick blender – Possibly the most used gadget in my entire kitchen.  The key to making a hand blender useful versus a giant pain in the butt is to rinse it immediately after using.  That way you’re never trying to get crusty dried goop out from under the blades.
• End grain cutting board – This is my absolute favorite cutting board and the one that I get the most compliments on.  And p.s. I have a lot of cutting boards.  It really is absolutely stunning, and knows how to take a beating.  We use it every single day!

How to make Chimichurri

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5 from 2 votes

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Chimichurri

Chimichurri Is perfect for marinating, dipping, and dressing pretty much everything!  You'll wonder how you lived without it!

Course Sauce

Cuisine Latin American

Prep Time 10 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 cups cilantro leaves stems removed - approximately 1 bunch
• 2 cups parsley leaves stems removed - approximately 1 bunch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic peeled
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice - approximately 3 limes
• 3 tablespoons capers

Instructions

1. Add everything except capers to your blender (or you could use a stick blender), and pulse until smooth.
2. Stir in capers (so they stay whole), and store in the refrigerator.  This can be used right away but it best after 24 hours so the flavors can marry.
3. Enjoy!

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