Cilantro Chimichurri Recipe

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Cilantro adds a unique burst of flavor to this cilantro chimichurri recipe which is a twist on the traditional chimichurri sauce. It’s zesty, refreshing, and slightly spicy.

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Chimichurri sauce, which is similar to pesto originated in Argentina; authentic chimichurri recipe is made with parsley as the only herb and is served with grilled meats. I added a few more fresh herbs; cilantro and oregano to bump up the flavor.

In addition to grilled meat, we like cilantro chimichurri as a condiment to air-fried baby potatoes.

Why you will love this recipe

Cilantro chimichurri sauce is a simple sauce, made with simple ingredients!
It’s a quick recipe to make and comes together quickly.

Here is what you will need

Ingredients

Fresh cilantro
Fresh parsley
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh oregano
Garlic
Red wine vinegar
Red chili pepper or jalapeno pepper

Equipment

How to make cilantro chimichurri sauce

Prepare the ingredients: Rinse and pat dry the pepper and fresh herbs, and measure the olive oil and vinegar.

Step 1. Chop the herbs

Use a sharp knife to chop the herbs and place them into a bowl.

Step 2. Mince the garlic

Mince the garlic and hot pepper and add it to the bowl with the cilantro, parsley and oregano.

Process step 3 chimichurri sauce with oil

Step 3. Add the liquid

Stir in olive oil, and vinegar.

Tip! For best results, allow the chimichurri sauce to sit for at least 30 minutes to lock in the flavor before serving it.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The full list of ingredients to make this cilantro chimichurri sauce recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients along with ideas for substitutes.

Red wine vinegar adds zest to the sauce, and it can be replaced with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

Fresh Garlic Fresh garlic adds the most flavor to this fresh sauce and can be replaced with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic.

Extra virgin olive oil has more flavor than regular olive oil, but the two are interchangeable in recipes. I prefer the light flavor of an extra virgin olive oil in foods that aren’t cooked like this sauce.

Red jalapeno pepper can be replaced with a teaspoon or two (to taste) of red pepper flakes

chimichurri sauce overhead view with spoon on the side

Chimichurri sauce variations & uses

This is such a versatile sauce that has many uses, here are some suggestions:

Variations

Add onions – Dice a tablespoon of red onion or green onions to add more flavor to the sauce.
Add citrus – brighten up the sauce and add up to a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or lime juice.

Uses

Chimichurri marinade – Mix together 2 to 3 tablespoons of chimichurri sauce with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and add up to a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
Salad dressing – Stir chimichurri sauce into your favorite salad dressing.
Chimichurri dip – Add a tablespoon or two of chimichurri sauce to 1 cup of Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tasty dip.
Chimichurri spread – Add chimichurri sauce with mayonnaise and use it as a sandwich spread.
Chimichurri hummus – stir in a tablespoon or two (to taste) to a cup of plain hummus.

Serving suggestions

There are so many delicious ways to serve chimichurri sauce, try it on the side with grilled meat, roasted meat dishes, and baked potatoes.

Brush it on vegetables or potatoes before roasting them. Cilantro chimichurri is a delicious variation on these air-fried baby potatoes.

chimichurri sauce in a jar with a spoon on the side

How to store leftover sauce

Store leftover chimichurri sauce in an airtight container for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Freeze leftover sauce for up to three months.

Recipe Tips & Questions

Tips

A knife is an easy way to chop the herbs for chimichurri, especially if you prefer more texture, and it only takes minutes to make.
Freeze leftover sauce in an ice cube tray for individual portions.

Questions

Can I make chimichurri sauce in a food processor or blender?

You can make chimichurri sauce in a small food processor. Add the garlic, pepper, and herbs to a mini food processor and pulse the herbs into small pieces. Transfer the chopped herbs to a small bowl and add the oil and vinegar. A blender is not recommended for making chimichurri sauce, it will turn the sauce into a paste.

Should chimichurri sauce be served hot, cold, or at room temperature?

Chimichurri sauce tastes best served at room temperature or chilled. If you serve it straight from the refrigerator, it should sit for about 15 minutes before serving.