This Easy Chimichurri will deliver a big flavor to anything you’re grilling! It’s garlicky, herby, tangy, slightly spicy, and incredibly versatile since it can be used both as a marinade and a sauce.
Easy Chimichurri Recipe Highlights
Chimichurri Sauce…Oh. My. Goodness. It’s delish!!!
This Chimichurri sauce is epic, so easy to make, yet super impressive and perfect for your summer party!
Once you start using it, you will get addicted to it…It’s freaking delicious.
What is chimichurri sauce made of?
For those of you who have never tried this sauce, there’s nothing boring or bland about this sauce. My personalized version of this Argentinean sauce uses cilantro, parsley, and sweet red pepper. Plus, shallot, garlic, crushed red pepper, a little red wine vinegar, lime juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Chimichurri sauce ingredients
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
You’ll need:
- Parsley leaves
- Cilantro leaves
- Shallot
- Red sweet pepper
- Garlic
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Red wine vinegar
- Fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil
Process Overview: How to make chimichurri sauce
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down).
- Combine Ingredients
Add all the ingredients but the oil into a small food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Add Oil
Then transfer the sauce to a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture; mix to combine.
- Let it Sit u0026 Enjoy!
Let stand for at least 20 minutes before serving, so all the flavors combine.
Variations you can apply to this recipe
And, like making anything else homemade, you have complete control over what you add to it. So if you’re not much of a cilantro person, you can substitute with additional parsley, and if you like heat, you can add a hot pepper – such as fresco pepper – instead of sweet. It’s totally up to you!
Storing Instructions
I love that it holds up well in the refrigerator. I make a double batch and keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
Uses For Chimichurri Sauce
This simple-to-make fresh sauce pairs perfectly with steak, hotdogs, chicken, pork, fish, or seafood. And it can be used both as a marinade and a sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chimichurri is an uncooked, loose oil-based sauce originating in South America. This delicious sauce is used to accompany all kinds of dishes, especially grilled meat. It can be used as a condiment or to marinate meats.
My personalized version of this Argentinean sauce uses cilantro, parsley, and sweet red pepper. Plus, shallot, garlic, crushed red pepper, a little red wine vinegar, lime juice, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
Chimichurri sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
You can use chimichurri as a marinade or as a sauce. This simple-to-make fresh sauce pairs perfectly with steak, hotdogs, chicken, pork, fish, or seafood.
You can use white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or rice wine vinegar.
Looking for more condiment recipes? Check these out!
- Green Onion Vinaigrette
- Easy Coleslaw Salad Dressing
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Maple Vinaigrette
- Easy Avocado Sauce
- Buttermilk Salad Dressing
- Cilantro Mojo Sauce
- Browse more recipes…
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Recipe Card 📖
Easy Chimichurri Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup parsley leaves, tightly packed
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, tightly packed
- 1 shallot, peeled and chopped
- 1 small red sweet pepper, deveined and seeds removed
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) oil (see notes)
Important
Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!
Instructions
- Add parsley, cilantro, shallot, pepper, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, vinegar and lime juice into a small food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the olive oil over the mixture; mix to combine.
- Let stand for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
This recipe was originally published in June 2017. The recipe remains the same, but more notes, tips, photos, and information were added to the post in March 2023 to make it as helpful as possible!
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I made this Chimichurri sauce last night – it was delicious – I added in some extra fresh chilli – we like spice in this household!
Hello Heather- So glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for trying my recipe!