Easy Chimichurri Sauce
Looking for the best chimichurri sauce recipe? This fresh, herb-packed chimichurri is made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, and red wine vinegar — and it comes together in just 5 minutes with no cooking required. A family recipe passed down through generations, it's the perfect condiment for smoked picanha, grilled steak, grilled shrimp, and steak sandwiches.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: Argentinian
Keyword: chimichurri recipe, chimichurri sauce
Servings: 6 people
- ½ cup good quality olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar see notes
- ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 3-4 garlic cloves finely minced
- ½ jalapeño seeded, deveined, and finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano Mexican oregano preferred
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
Taste and adjust. Want more heat? Add a few extra red pepper flakes or leave some jalapeño seeds in next time. Want more tang? Add a small splash more red wine vinegar. Need more salt? Season to taste.
Rest before serving. *For best results, let the chimichurri rest at room temperature for 20 - 30 minutes before serving. This allows the garlic to mellow slightly and the herbs to fully infuse into the oil and vinegar. Stir once more before serving.
- Mexican Oregano vs. Regular Oregano: If you can find Mexican oregano, use it. It has a slightly more citrusy, earthy flavor compared to Mediterranean oregano and really elevates this sauce. Look for it in the Latin foods section of your grocery store or at a Latin market.
- Red Wine Vinegar vs. White Wine Vinegar: We have made this chimichurri recipe with both types of vinegars, and both are great. We find the white wine vinegar to give a more delicate, crisp flavor. The red wine vinegar is more robust and tangy. Use your favorite or use a mixture of both.
Serving: 1g | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.5mg