Chimichurri sauce is a bright, herb-forward, oil-based condiment that pairs perfectly with grilled foods—from steak and chicken to roasted vegetables.
Post written by The BBQ Brothers. For tips on meat prep, grill setup, and recommended tools and techniques, consult The BBQ Brothers Beginner’s Guide to Grilling before you start cooking.
I generally avoid heavy sauces that mask the flavor of well-grilled meat. A thick, sugary glaze or a store-bought brown sauce can hide the smoke, salt, and crust you worked so hard to create. The exception I always make is chimichurri. This South American condiment is fresh, herbaceous, and bright, and it complements grilled proteins instead of overpowering them. Best of all, it comes together quickly with simple ingredients and minimal fuss.
The heart of chimichurri is the herbs. I prefer a 50/50 mix of fresh cilantro and flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped. If cilantro tastes soapy to you, swap in extra parsley. Once the herbs are prepped, add a few strong flavor components: several cloves of minced garlic, one minced Fresno pepper (or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you prefer), and a healthy splash of red wine vinegar. These ingredients give the sauce its punch and acidity.
After mixing the herbs, garlic, pepper, and vinegar you’ll have a coarse, somewhat sticky mixture. The olive oil is what smooths everything out and unifies the flavors. Add the oil a little at a time—about a quarter cup at a time—until the sauce reaches a loose, silky texture. You can pulse these ingredients briefly in a food processor, but keep it chunky: over-blending turns chimichurri into a purée with a texture closer to baby food, which loses the fresh, herbaceous bite you want.
Chimichurri is highly adaptable. Prefer milder garlic? Use fewer cloves. Want more heat? Add another chili or some crushed red pepper. You can change the herb balance, the acidity, or the oil to suit your taste. The basic template—fresh herbs, garlic, pepper, vinegar, oil, and salt—works every time.
Chimichurri Sauce
- Author: The BBQ Brothers
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: Argentinian-inspired
Description
Chimichurri is an easy, herb-forward, oil-based sauce that brightens grilled foods. It works with steaks, chicken, fish, and vegetables and can be adjusted to taste—more herbs, less vinegar, or more heat as you prefer.
Ingredients
- 1 bundle fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 bundle fresh cilantro, finely chopped (substitute additional parsley if you dislike cilantro)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (adjust to taste)
- 1 red Fresno chili pepper, minced (or 1/2–1 teaspoon red pepper flakes)
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- About ¾ cup olive oil, added as needed to reach desired consistency
- 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the herbs finely. Use roughly equal parts cilantro and flat-leaf parsley for a balanced fresh flavor; replace cilantro with more parsley if needed.
- In a bowl, combine the chopped herbs with the minced garlic and the minced Fresno chili (or red pepper flakes). Add the red wine vinegar and salt, and mix to distribute the flavors.
- Add the olive oil gradually—about a quarter cup at a time—whisking or stirring until the mixture becomes loose and silky. Taste and adjust salt, vinegar, or heat as desired. Avoid over-processing if using a food processor; keep a bit of texture.
- Let the chimichurri rest for a few minutes if possible so the flavors meld. Spoon it over sliced steak, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or use it as a marinade or finishing sauce.
Notes
This sauce is very forgiving: reduce garlic for a milder profile, increase chilies for heat, or swap herbs to change the character. Store leftovers refrigerated and use within a few days for best flavor. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled; bring it up to temperature before spooning over hot grilled foods so the oil loosens and the aroma comes through.
So let us know what you think — did this recipe smoke the competition or go up in flames? Leave a comment below!