Extra Herby Chimichurri Sauce
vegan / gluten-free / nut-free
Chimichurri is pesto’s spicer, naturally vegan and nut-free cousin, and we absolutely love it.
What can you do with Chimichurri Sauce?
Anything you can do with pesto, you can do with this sauce. We put it on pasta; spoon it over roasted root vegetables, roasted eggplant, or grilled veggies; marinate bean salads in it; serve it over tempeh steaks; and dress burrito bowls and salads with it. It’s as close as I’ve come to a universal sauce. It’s just divine.
Does it have to be spicy?
The great thing about making your own sauces is that it can be as spicy or mild as you want. Put in a whole jalapeno (or maybe go with a serrano pepper for even more spice). Alternatively, you can de-seed your jalapeno and remove the membranes to significantly reduce the heat. And, if you aren’t into spice at all, you can leave out the jalapeno completely. It’s still delicious.
What herbs should I use?
Parsley is most traditional in Chimichurri. I like to use a little cilantro as well when I have it, but if you don’t have any or don’t like it, feel free to leave it out. You can also experiment with other herbs. Carrot tops make a great substitute for parsley and are a great way to reduce waste. Depending on how you’re using the sauce, you can also experiment with other herbs you think would taste good. Mint and cilantro are a nice combination. Let me know in the comments if you try this sauce or any cool variations!
Is this sauce “authentic”?
This version is quite a bit lower in oil than most traditional recipes, but we find it’s more flavorful if you up the herb:oil ratio. Plus it’s healthier–so you can use it as an everyday condiment with no worries.
Extra Herby Chimuchurri Sauce
To make the chimichurri sauce, add chopped parsley and cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, oregano, salt, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar to a small bowl. Mix very well, then cover the dish and set the sauce aside for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. The sauce will stay good in the fridge for up to a week.
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 60
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 7g11%
- Potassium 42mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
Directions
To make the chimichurri sauce, add chopped parsley and cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, oregano, salt, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine vinegar to a small bowl. Mix very well, then cover the dish and set the sauce aside for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. The sauce will stay good in the fridge for up to a week.
Recipes that Use Chimichurri Sauce:
