Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Easy Chimichurri Sauce is the perfect tangy, herbaceous complement to grilled meats. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the secret to a bright, fresh flavor that’ll make your steak, chicken, or fish shine. Keep reading for my best tips and tricks. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Healthy Orange Chicken Recipe and Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Slow Cooker Recipe.
Why This Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Bright, fresh flavor that elevates any dish
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Versatile – great for steak, chicken, fish, and more
- Better than store-bought – homemade is always best
What You'll Need for Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Lemon wedges
- Optional: Crusty bread
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Parsley: Use flat-leaf parsley for best flavor
- Cilantro: Substitute with fresh basil if you're not a fan of cilantro
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Ensures smooth, consistent texture → See on Amazon
- Quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
- Combine ingredients: In a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, vinegar, or oil as desired.
- Serve: Drizzle over grilled meats or serve on the side. Enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-process the sauce. It should have some texture – if it's too smooth, add more herbs or pulse briefly.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Make-ahead: You can make this sauce up to one day ahead. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Storing & Reheating Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to one day ahead.
Freezing Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of garlic or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Make-ahead: This sauce improves with sitting, so make it a few hours ahead if possible.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce separates, give it a quick pulse in the food processor to recombine.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality red wine vinegar — Provides the perfect tangy base for the sauce → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
- Crusty bread
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add oil: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more salt, vinegar, or oil as desired.
- Serve: Drizzle over grilled meats or serve on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of garlic or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Make-ahead: This sauce improves with sitting, so make it a few hours ahead if possible.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce separates, give it a quick pulse in the food processor to recombine.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to one day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make it up to one day ahead. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Over-processing the sauce can cause it to turn bitter. Be careful not to over-process and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
While you can freeze it, the texture may not be as smooth upon thawing. It's best to make only what you need.
Chimichurri sauce is great on grilled chicken, fish, vegetables, and even pasta. Use it wherever you want a tangy, herbaceous kick.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
