Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Easy Chimichurri Sauce is your secret weapon for elevating grilled meats and veggies. After making this dozens of times, I’ve discovered the perfect balance of herbs, acid, and heat. This vibrant, herbaceous sauce is the perfect complement to your summer cookouts. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy High Protein Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad for Summer and Easy Burnt Basque Cheesecake Recipe With Creamy Texture.
Why This Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Effortless and quick to make
- Brightens up grilled meats and veggies
- Better than store-bought sauces
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 cloves
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Fresh parsley: Curly or flat-leaf works fine.
- Fresh cilantro: Can be omitted if you're not a fan.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Ensures smooth sauce in seconds. → See on Amazon
- High-quality olive oil — Makes a huge difference in flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
- Prepare herbs: Combine parsley, cilantro, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add liquids: Add red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pulse until well combined.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more vinegar for tanginess or oil for richness.
- Serve: Drizzle over grilled meats, veggies, or use as a dip. Store leftovers in the fridge.
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.
- Pro tip: Make a double batch and freeze for later use.
- Pro tip: For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes.
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 for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
Freezing Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a nut-free version, omit the parsley and cilantro, and use fresh basil instead.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the fresh herbs. Dried herbs won't give the same flavor.
- Make-ahead: Make up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
- Scaling: Easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Makes a huge difference in flavor. Pays for itself vs buying store-bought sauces. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh cilantro
- Garlic cloves
- Red wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare herbs: Combine parsley, cilantro, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add liquids: Add red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pulse until well combined.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more vinegar for tanginess or oil for richness.
- Serve: Drizzle over grilled meats, veggies, or use as a dip. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a nut-free version, omit the parsley and cilantro, and use fresh basil instead.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for the fresh herbs. Dried herbs won't give the same flavor.
- Make-ahead: Make up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
- Scaling: Easily doubles or triples for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 35
- Protein: 0.4g
- Fat: 3.5g
- Carbs: 0.8g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Grilling and Dinner FAQs
Yes, make up to 2 days ahead. Store in the fridge.
You might have used old herbs or poor-quality olive oil. Always use fresh herbs and high-quality oil.
Yes, freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
No, chimichurri sauce is a cold sauce made in a food processor.
Chimichurri is tangier and has more herbs, while pesto is richer and has more cheese and nuts.
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!
