Easy Argentinean Chimichurri Recipe

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This chimichurri recipe is super easy to make and I wanted to share it because it was one of the best things I ate in Argentina.

I’ve been quite upfront about how I wasn’t really impressed with food in Argentina.

Maybe it had been because everyone made it seem like a culinary mecca.

But I wasn’t a devoted follower. On the whole I found it kind of bland and boring.

But I loved chimichurri sauce. It is everywhere! because it is such an essential part of Argentinean cuisine; a bowl of chimichurri can be found on every dinner table.

However, I was introduced to chimichurri, a sauce made with herbs, garlic, oil and vinegar.

Chimichurri is amazing on meat and killer choripan (sausage in a bun).
 
 

 

History of Chimichurri 

No one really knows the origin of the name chimichurri but there are plenty of legends.

The most widely accepted is from Argentinean writer Miguel BrascΓ³ who says it dates back to when the British unsuccessfully invaded the Spanish colonies in Rio de la Plata in Argentina.

The British captives apparently asked for condiments for their food and mixed up a bunch of words so they asked for che-mi-curry or give me curry.
 

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The most odd is that it’s for β€œJimmy McCurry” an Irishman who first made chimichurri and was helping with Argentine independence efforts.

Legends has it people couldn’t say his name so they called him chimichurri.

Other stories say the name chimichurri came about from the Basque settlers as tximitxurri means a mix of many different things.

For as many theories, there are exponentially more recipes as each home and restaurant has its own but it’s roughly parsley, oregano, garlic, oil and vinegar. 

Sometimes you will find dried or fresh herbs and some chimichurri recipes are more chunky than others.

It’s up for debate whether this is the best chimichurri recipe but this is easy to make and very versatile. Chimichurri sauce is great on grilled meat so it’s perfect for any barbecue.

But it’s also a great marinade with a bit more acid and if you like sausage on a bun throw some chimichurri sauce on and call it choripan.

However, my most favourite is on oysters. I shot the video below the same day as How to Shuck Oysters with a hockey puck. Chimichurri on fresh oysters is divine!
 
 

 

What Does Chimichurri Sauce Taste Like? 

I’ll be the first to admit that a bunch of blended greens may not look the most appetizing.

But really it is so delicious. If you love a fresh tasting garlicky, spicy condiment for meats this herb condiment is perfect for you.

Although Argentinian food isn’t typically spicy, chimichurri does include some red pepper flakes, although not enough to make it really spicy.
 
 

 
Chimichurri sauce on choripan

How to Use Chimichurri

Although I love chimichurri on steak I actually don’t eat a lot of steak at home.

Fortunately it’s amazing on so many things:

  • Add a bit more oil and vinegar and use it as a marinade for chicken or lamb
  • Great with white fish and grilled shrimp
  • Toss it with grilled potatoes
  • Throw a spoonful of it in minestrone or other soup 
  • Add a bit to tomato sauce before tossing with pasta
  • Make a quick white bean salad but tossing it with beans, chopped tomatoes and cucumber
  • Add it to omelets
  • Spread it on a sandwich

How to Store Chimichurri 

It’s at its absolute best when it’s fresh and bright green.

But if you can’t use it within a few days it freezes really well. I like to freeze chimichurri in small portions so I can add a little bit to whatever I’m making. It’s best consumed within a month.
 
 

 
Chimichurri sauce on steak

Easy Chimichurri Recipe

Chimichurri is very versatile and should be adapted to personal taste. Some people perfect it more acidic and others like more olive oil.

Personally I like a chimichurri recipe that is more of a spread than a dipping sauce so I can spread it on a sandwich.

A traditional chimichurri recipe does not use cilantro. Cilantro isn’t a common ingredient in Argentinean cuisine but I like cilantro chimichurri as I think it adds a brightness.

The traditional way to make chimichurri is in a mortar and pestle but I think it’s fine in a food processor.

 
Fresh chimichurri in a glass small jar

Argentinean Chimichurri

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oregano
  • 2 cups parsley
  • 2 cups cilantro optional
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • salt and chili pepper to taste
  • 1 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Add first six ingredients to food processor.
  2. Turn on food processor to blend and stream olive oil to emulsify.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 87Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 29mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic.ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Pin it For Later: How to Make Chimichurri in 5 Minutes

 

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Argentinean Asado

Salsa verde is an Italian fresh herb sauce. Like Argentinean chimichurri it takes your barbecue game up a notch but takes less than a minute to make.

Salsa Verde Grilled Steak

Chimichurri in a small jar
Chimichurri in a white bowl on a wooden background.
Chimichurri in a white bowl on a wooden background.
This easy Argentinian chimichurri recipe is full of flavour. Learn how to make chimichurri in 60 seconds.
This easy Argentinian chimichurri recipe is full of flavour. Learn how to make chimichurri in 60 seconds.


Join the Conversation

  1. I’ve always wondered what chimichurri is and why it has such a silly name – thanks for the knowledge there πŸ™‚ Also, I didn’t realize it’s so easy to make! It’s THE perfect way to use up random leftover herbs me thinks.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Absolutely, it’s so versatile and can be frozen.

  2. Stephanie - The Travel Chica says:

    This is the food I miss most from Argentina (not counting the wine of course).

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Right! The rest of it I could pretty much leave in Argentina – especially that bready pizza.

  3. Oh, I loved the sauce so much while in Argentina.
    One of the first things I did when I got home was googling the recipe and making it on my own πŸ™‚

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      It’s so easy to make and goes well with everything!

  4. The perfect condiment for summer grilling!
    Love your recipes, I see so many delicious dishes on your Instagram account now I can TRY and make a few of them!

  5. Ummm… I wouldn’t mind having some of chimichurri on my sandwich! The legend behind the name is as interesting as the name itself!

  6. I agree with being slightly disappointed with the food in Argentina (but that’s also because i’m not a huge meat eater, so the giant steaks didn’t really do much for me!)…BUT I absolutely loved chimichurri, so thanks for the recipe!

  7. I recently tried this sauce and just love it. We have had it with chicken first but then are finding lots of uses for it. It is delicious on potatoes and just about anything we have tried it on. I have never been to Argentina but was interested in your article. Thanks!

  8. I love chimichurri and using it as a sandwich spread sounds perfect! I’ve heard that if you love meat and potatoes, you’ll love Argentinian food, but otherwise you might feel underwhelmed.

  9. JB & Renee says:

    Love the stories about how chimichurri got its name! πŸ™‚ We usually have it on roast chicken but chimichurri on oysters does sound awesome…

  10. I have been experimenting with fermented herb mixtures and I think it would be amazing to do one with your herb mixture above and make this, maybe omitting the vinegar since the ferment will be sour. So delicious, I think.

  11. Chimichurri is really very interesting. Anyone can love it. I like it very much.

  12. mary hood says:

    Mmmmm chimichurri is the shit!! I put it on everything.. chicken, salad, chorizo, shrimp. if you mix it with some MAYO and put it on a sandwich???? dear god, so amazing.. love the blog!

  13. Margo Thomas says:

    I had misplaced my chimichurri recipe so I am happy I found your blog! Your recipe sounds much better than the one I had before! Thank you! Inwill emjoy following you!

  14. How long can this keep in the fridge?

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      It would keep for a few days, the herbs will start to look unappetizing after a while. But also you could freeze this and use it as needed.

  15. Bellanira says:

    Can’t wait to make this !! Which type of parsley to use the curly parsley or the flat leaf one ? Or does it even matter??

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      I never use curly parsley for anything, it’s should be left as a garnish on dinner from the 1980s πŸ™‚

      Go with flat leaf if you can get it.

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