Best Chimichurri Recipes
If you want to elevate your grilling game, without a doubt, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re diving deep into the world of chimichurri, one of South America’s most beloved cowboy cooking sauces. We’ve curated this roundup article to highlight all our best chimichurri recipes in one place! With its tangy flavor and fresh, herbaceous vibes, chimichurri is a surefire way to level up any of your favorite grilled meats! In this post, we’re diving into the best chimichurri recipes that you’ll want to make on repeat. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned pro, there’s something here for everyone. Table of Contents Sauce OriginsMy ExperienceWhy You’ll Love ChimichurriBest Chimichurri Recipe BasicsTips for Making ChimichurriBest Chimichurri Recipes for Picanha SteaksSkillet SteaksBest Chimichurri Recipes for Grilled steaksSteak Sandwich RecipesBest Chimichurri for Lamb RecipesMore Chimichurri-Inspired RecipesHow to Smoke ChimichurriFAQsFlavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire Sauce Origins My Experience My Experience Why You’ll Love Chimichurri Best Chimichurri Recipe Basics Tips for Making Chimichurri Best Chimichurri Recipes for Picanha Steaks Skillet Steaks Best Chimichurri Recipes for Grilled steaks Steak Sandwich Recipes Best Chimichurri for Lamb Recipes More Chimichurri-Inspired Recipes How to Smoke Chimichurri FAQs Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire Sauce Origins Before diving too deep into the ins and outs of chimichurri, we need to take a moment to talk about the origins of the famous sauce. Chimichurri hails from Argentina and Uruguay, where it’s especially a staple in traditional cuisine. This herbaceous sauce is traditionally served with grilled meats, adding a burst of flavor to dishes like skirt steak and flank steak. Authentic Argentine chimichurri combines flat-leaf parsley, garlic, vinegar and olive oil. This creates a bright green sauce that’s both savory and tangy. The addition of red pepper flakes or fresh tomatoes can turn it into a delicious chimichurri rojo, offering a slightly different, but equally awesome taste. My Experience I had the incredible opportunity to attend a friend’s asado while visiting South America some years back. We spend the afternoon around a fire grilling up all kinds of meats and adding chimichurri to every bite of it. One of my favorites was enjoying the chimichurri on a choripan! The above and below photos are from that very asado in Patagonia. We cracked open a jar of my friends chimichurri that he sells to local restaurants with the community and dug in! If you want to give choripan a try, check out my Loaded Choripan and Cheese Stuffed Choripan recipes! One thing I learned at that asado is that American’s tend to enjoy fresh chimichurri. We like to use fresh parsley and oregano and make a very bright sauce out of it. It’s actually more traditional for South American’s to make their chimichurri out of dried ingredients. They love their dried herbs and let the chimichurri sit at room temperature to marinate for a while before using it. It makes for a really flavorful and delicious sauce. If you really get into chimichurri, you should give both a try! Then drop a comment below and let me know if you prefer the fresh herbs vs the dried herbs when it comes to your chimichurri. Why You’ll Love Chimichurri My best chimichurri recipes are all about those fresh ingredients, mostly because the fresh version of chimichurri is my favorite. Chimichurri is an easy sauce made with a mixture of several things. Fresh parsley, fresh cilantro and fresh oregano tend to be the mainstays that get combined with the zing of red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. The addition of garlic cloves, red pepper flakes and a good dose of extra virgin olive oil creates a sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s the perfect way to add zesty and vibrant flavor to your dishes, and it doubles as a great marinade for your favorite cuts of meat like picanha, skirt steak, flank steak, sandwiches and lamb chops. Plus, it stores well in an airtight container, making it a great make-ahead option for your next gathering or backyard BBQ. Best Chimichurri Recipe Basics The basic ingredients for chimichurri include fresh parsley, fresh cilantro (optional) and then fresh oregano (also optional), which form the herbaceous base of the sauce. I mention the optional piece of the sauce because it’s all about your preferences! Most of my chimichurri recipes consist of a base that’s just parsley, but if you’re a fan of cilantro and oregano then definitely add them in. Garlic cloves and red pepper flakes add a punch of flavor and heat. For the acidic component, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar is used, providing the tangy flavor that balances the herbs and spices. To bring everything together, extra virgin olive oil is essential, giving the chimichurri its smooth and cohesive texture. Lemon juice or lime juice adds an additional layer of acidity and brightness. Season with kosher salt or sea salt and black pepper to taste. Red onion can also be added for an extra burst of flavor, though it is optional. These simple ingredients create a vibrant and versatile sauce perfect for enhancing a variety of dishes. Tips for Making Chimichurri Dried vs Fresh Herbs: For me, the fresh parsley, cilantro and oregano are the key to getting that authentic chimichurri flavor. However, you might like the dried herbs more! Give both a try to decide your favorite before getting too adventurous with the sauce. Balance the Acidity: Adjust the vinegar (red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar) and citrus (lemon juice or lime juice) to taste. This balance gives chimichurri its signature tangy flavor. Storage: Keep your chimichurri in a Mason jar or an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours to let the flavors meld. For longer storage, of course, refrigerate and then consider using ice cube trays to freeze individual portions for easy use. Variety: Experiment with chimichurri verde and chimichurri rojo. The green chimichurri is classic, while the red version adds a kick with red chili peppers or Fresno chiles. Dried vs Fresh Herbs: For me, the fresh parsley, cilantro and oregano are the key to getting that authentic chimichurri flavor. However, you might like the dried herbs more! Give both a try to decide your favorite before getting too adventurous with the sauce. Balance the Acidity: Adjust the vinegar (red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar) and citrus (lemon juice or lime juice) to taste. This balance gives chimichurri its signature tangy flavor. Storage: Keep your chimichurri in a Mason jar or an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours to let the flavors meld. For longer storage, of course, refrigerate and then consider using ice cube trays to freeze individual portions for easy use. Variety: Experiment with chimichurri verde and chimichurri rojo. The green chimichurri is classic, while the red version adds a kick with red chili peppers or Fresno chiles. Best Chimichurri Recipes for Picanha Steaks The Best Chimichurri Recipes roundup would clearly be incomplete without these picanha steak recipes. Skewered Picanha with Bone Marrow Chimichurri Why is bone marrow chimichurri gaining popularity? This recipe will show you why! View Recipe Chimichurri and Cheese Stuffed Picanha How about throwing some cheese in the mix for a stuffed picanha? Let’s freakin’ gooooo! View Recipe Smoked Picanha with Spicy Smoked Chimichurri This amazing Smoked Picanha with Spicy Smoked Chimichurri is your ticket to Brazilian steakhouse flavor. View Recipe Picanha with Chimichurri Butter Skewered Picanha with Chimichurri Butter, cooked rotisserie-style, is one of the easiest ways to make picanha steaks taste phenomenal. View Recipe Skillet Steaks Perfectly seared steak bites in a skillet then paired with farm-fresh eggs and potatoes? Yes! And then for the final touch, they are finished with a zesty chimichurri sauce. Steak Bites with Smoked Chimichurri This isn’t your typical steak, egg and potato recipe—the smoked chimichurri sauce is the star. View Recipe Steak and Eggs with Charred Scallion Chimichurri This recipe knocks it out of the park with juicy steak, tender chunks of potato and fluffy scrambled eggs all topped off with homemade charred scallion chimichurri. View Recipe Best Chimichurri Recipes for Grilled steaks Fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy juicy, flavorful steaks topped with vibrant chimichurri sauce. These recipes combine the smoky char of perfectly grilled steaks with the fresh, herbaceous kick of chimichurri. The result? A mouthwatering experience that elevates any barbecue or dinner gathering. Brazilian Steaks with Habanero Chimichurri These Brazilian steaks are topped with a habanero chimichurri for an extra spicy kick that is so freakin' delicious. View Recipe Parmesan Crusted Steak Skewers with Tomato Herb Chimichurri These Parmesan Crusted Steak Skewers are juicy bites of grilled steak crusted in parmesan and served with fresh Tomato Herb Chimichurri. View Recipe Beef Short Ribs with Chimichurri Butter These Grilled Beef Short Ribs with melted chimichurri butter are cooked over a smokeless firepit until tender and served with crispy smashed potatoes. View Recipe Wagyu Secreto Steak with Roasted Chimichurri American Wagyu is the best of the best when it comes to steak. Grilled over an open flame and then topped with roasted chimichurri, it's next-level perfection. View Recipe Rotisserie Beef Ribs with Chimichurri Rotisserie Beef Ribs brings the best of slow cooking to your backyard, yielding fall-off-the bone tender beef smothered in a flavor-packed chimichurri sauce. View Recipe Chimichurri Steak and Shrimp Perfectly grilled filet mignon, smoky bacon and succulent shrimp are leveled up by our delicious chimichurri sauce. View Recipe Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri With a nice crusted outer layer and a tender, juicy inner layer, this cut is a fan favorite, especially because of the chimichurri sauce on top. View Recipe Beef Back Ribs with Chimichurri Juicy and well marbled beef back ribs thrown on the smoker and cooked till they fall off the bone. Maybe add some chimichurri? View Recipe Steak Sandwich Recipes Elevate your sandwich game with the fresh, tangy flavors of chimichurri. These recipes combine the bold, herbaceous sauce with a variety of delicious fillings, creating mouthwatering sandwiches that are perfect for any meal. Whether you’re packing lunch or making a quick dinner, chimichurri sandwiches are an absolutely delicious way to enjoy the sauce. Chimichurri Burger Tender slices of picanha beef help create a totally unique and different way to make an insanely satisfying, over-the-top juicy burger. View Recipe Smoked Sausage Chimichurri Sandwich Grab a win this football tailgating season with the Smoked Sausage Chimichurri Sandwich. This zesty and smoky sandwich is all you need in your winning ritual! View Recipe Chimichurri Steak Sandwich The Chimichurri Steak sandwich is my idea of the perfect meal, whether for lunch or dinner. View Recipe Cheese Stuffed Sausage Sandwich with Chimichurri This Cheese Stuffed Sausage Sandwich is stuffed with gooey cheddar and layered with Italian sausage, a fried egg, and fresh chimichurri. View Recipe Cheese Stuffed Choripan with Tomato Chimichurri This Cheese Stuffed Choripan is made of provolone-stuffed hoagie rolls topped with chorizo sausage, tomato chimichurri, and spicy habanero. View Recipe Chimichurri Marinated Tri-Tip with Grilled Fries This delicious cut of meat is best served with a homemade chimichurri sauce full of fresh herbs and French fries on the side. View Recipe Pizza Sandwich with Chimichurri Sauce The Pizza Sandwich features spicy chorizo, melted mozzarella, and homemade chimichurri on a pizza bun. View Recipe Loaded Choripan with Spicy Serrano Chimichurri Loaded Choripan for a delicious, hand held kind of dinner. View Recipe Steak Frites Sandwich with Chimichurri Steak Frites Sandwich for a delicious way to enjoy the best of steak and freshly fried French fries all in one bite! View Recipe Chimichurri Steak Sliders Chimichurri Steak Sliders are my mouthwateringly delicious take on the classic beef burger sliders with onion rings. View Recipe Mint chimichurri anyone?! Check out the below recipes to see how I customize my chimichurri recipes to pair with all types of lamb! Rotisserie Leg of Lamb with Chimichurri Rotisserie Leg of Lamb is an epic recipe that pairs marinated and roasted lamb with a zesty chimichurri sauce. View Recipe Lamb Skewers with Mint Chimichurri St. Patrick’s Day, here we come! For this year’s celebration I made a White Wine Herb Lamb Skewers with Mint Chimichurri recipe. View Recipe Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Mint Chimichurri Spiced Lamb Kebabs with Mint Chimichurri is the perfect dinner switch up. View Recipe More Chimichurri-Inspired Recipes Discover the endless possibilities of chimichurri. These recipes, in particular, prove just how incredibly adaptable and delicious chimichurri can be. Pancetta Empanadas with Citrus Herb Chimichurri It is time to dive into these Fried Pancetta Empanadas. Fried them up, paired with Citrus Herb Chimichurri & we are ready to go! View Recipe Beef Empanadas with Chimichurri Flavorful meat and melted cheese in a crispy dough are paired with my favorite chimichurri dipping sauce. View Recipe Fire Baked Chimichurri Wings If you’re looking for a fun twist on regular old chicken wings, then you need to try these Fire Baked Chimichurri Wings! View Recipe Chorizo Pizza Bread with Tomato Chimichurri Chorizo Pizza Bread is everything you love about pizza on a delicious piece of Italian bread! View Recipe Surf and Turf Jalapeño Poppers with Cilantro Chimichurri Surf and Turf Jalapeño Poppers for a seafood twist on a griller's favorite appetizer. View Recipe Cheese Fries with Chimichurri Steak This loaded plate of fries has steak, zesty chimichurri sauce and melted cheese for the ultimate comfort food dinner. View Recipe Smoked Chimichurri This is going to be your new favorite condiment. It takes great recipes to a whole new level with a smoky flavor that will have everyone wondering what your secret is. View Recipe How to Smoke Chimichurri If you follow me, you know how excited I was after experimenting with smoked chimichurri. It’s a weird and crazy way to make this sauce even more delicious. After I made the traditional sauce with a hot coal from the fire, I couldn’t wait to try smoked butter—and it turned out spectacularly! It should be obvious, but when it comes to depth and flavor, a smoky chimichurri sauce is unbeatable! Seafood is a fantastic match for these smoked chimichurri sauces. They effortlessly level up grilled shrimp, salmon, or a robust fish like swordfish. Moreover, the chimichurri’s smoky and herbaceous notes provide an insanely good contrast. Additionally, don’t forget the vegetables! Roasted or grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and asparagus become even more freakin’ delicious when paired with smoked chimichurri butter. The sauce enhances their natural sweetness, adding a rich, smoky undertone. FAQs Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh? ​Definitely! While fresh herbs give the best flavor, you can nevertheless use dried herbs in a pinch. Just remember to adjust the quantity, because dried herbs are more concentrated. How long does the sauce last? ​Chimichurri can last up to a week in the fridge when stored in an airtight container, such as a Mason jar. Alternatively, you can also freeze it in ice cube trays for up to three months. Can the sauce be made in advance? ​Absolutely! In fact, chimichurri tastes even better after sitting for a few hours. Make it ahead of time and then store it in a Mason jar or an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Get The Cookbooks! Flavor X Fire & FOOD X Fire By Derek Wolf All the major tastes—salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami—are explored in depth, along with an investigation of other components you should consider when it comes to flavor, such as aroma, heat, and texture. Categorized as:Beef Recipes, Blog, Campfire Cooking Recipes, Cast Iron Recipes, Fire Pit Recipes, Grill Recipes, Homemade Sauce Recipes, Lamb Recipes, Pizza Oven Recipes, Recipes, Recipes by Method, Smoker Recipes Derek Wolf Derek is the driving force behind Over the Fire Cooking. He started cooking with live fire in 2016 and decided to start a social media page so his friends and family could follow the journey. Fast forward to today and Over the Fire Cooking has spread across multiple platforms with millions now following Derek's fire cooking journey. He's a southern fellow who enjoys everything from classic BBQ to Central and South American inspired dishes. Whatever he's cooking up, it's guaranteed to be so freakin' delicious!