A Deliciously Versatile Sauce: Chimichurri!

So, What is Chimichurri Sauce?

Originally from Argentina, this sauce has become known as a very versatile sauce with endless variations. Chimichurri sauce is a simple sauce made of simple ingredients. Essentially, Chimichurri sauce is the Argentinian version of Italian pesto sauce. The typical main ingredients of a common chimichurri are fresh parsley, garlic, oil, and some kind of acidity (usually lemon juice but you can use wine vinegar to elevate your flavors). Now, while it only really takes these few simple ingredients to make Chimichurri, the key is all in preparation. We’re going to share our secrets to creating a delicious Chimichurri sauce that you’ll love! Keep reading for some key pointers to take this simple recipe base to the next level!

Let’s Start With The Basics: The Ingredients You Need To Make Next Level Chimichurri Sauce

• 1 Shallot
• 1 Red Jalapeno
• 4 Cloves Garlic
• 1/2 Cup Sherry Wine Vinegar
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Cup Cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped
• 1 Tbsp Oregano, dried
• 3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Next: How to Make Your Chimichurri Sauce in 4 Easy Steps

1. In a large molcajete (or large bowl), combine the shallot, garlic, jalapeno, and salt and mash into a rough paste.
2. Stir vinegar, cilantro (already chopped), parsley (already chopped) and oregano in to combine.
3. Drizzle in olive oil while stirring to loosely emulsify (this should be done slowly to properly incorporate your ingredients together).
4. That’s it! Just season to taste and serve!

Pro Tips: How To Make The Best Chimichurri

• Always by hand! To get the best flavor and texture of your Chimichurri sauce, you’ll want to chop your leaves without crushing them. Therefore, you don’t want to use a food processor that might bruise your leafy ingredients.
• Stay Fresh! For the best spicy kick of flavor that you would expect in a proper Chimichurri sauce, you’ll want to use fresh cloves of garlic to mince to get the best flavor. Extra tip: this garlic flavor will really come through after resting for 2 hours.
• Marinate! Let your sauce marinate for at least 2 hours. The sauce will taste best if you let it rest for a couple of hours (or overnight for best results) to let the flavors meld together and infuse with the oil.

Still Have Some Questions About How To Make Chimichurri? No problem. Here are some FAQs

• How Long Does Chimichurri Last?
  • If you keep your Chimichurri sauce in the fridge in a sealed container, it can last for about 3 months without losing flavor. You can also freeze your chimichurri sauce in an ice tray for easy individual use.
• Is Chimichurri healthy?
  • From a health standpoint, chimichurri is loaded with benefits. It has a high level of calcium, carotenes, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron, fiber, and much more. Garlic is also a heart-healthy ingredient!
• How much parsley is in ¼ cup, chopped?
  • 1 bunch of fresh parsley, with the large stems removed = 1 cup of parsley
    • ¼ of the bunch = ¼ cup of chopped parsley
  • Why is it called Chimichurri?
    • Well, we don’t actually know. There are a couple of theories you can consider. Some say that the name comes from the Basque country word tximitxurri which means “mixture of several things in no particular order”. Another theory is that it is a combination of “Jimmy’s Curry” – Jimmy being a man who traded often in Argentenia, but Argentinians had difficulties saying his name. We don’t actually know, but we do know we love Chimichurri Sauce!
  • What can you eat Chimichurri Sauce with?
    • The short answer: whatever you want! We here at Barbecue at Home like to put our chimichurri sauce on delicious meats like Cuban Pork Tenderloin. You can also have chimichurri sauce on steaks, chicken, salmon, potatoes, you name it! Chimichurri sauce goes especially well on smoked meats!

Pit Boss, @CORY_IN_THE_KITCHEN likes to put his delicious chimichurri sauce on Brizzy Tacos or Brisket Breakfast Hash. Check out his Instagram for more amazing recipes!

We hope you enjoyed this piece on the versatile Chimichurri Sauce. For more Barbecue Pro Tips, check out our Pit Master Blog and don’t forget! You can watch some great “How To” videos that will help you to become your own Back Yard Pit Boss on our YouTube Channel. You can also follow Barbecue at Home on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok for great Barbecue content! We’d love to see what you love your chimichurri sauce on, so tag us in your posts! #athomepitmaster