The short answer: for classic chimichurri sauce, finely chop 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley and 4 garlic cloves, then stir in ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt and red pepper flakes. Let it sit 20 minutes before serving.
- Key numbers: 10 minutes hands-on · 20-minute rest · makes about 1 cup · 2 parts oil to 1 part vinegar · about $2.56 for the parsley, garlic and oil
- Top moves: chop by hand, dry the parsley well, and salt the vinegar first so it dissolves
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan steak night with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
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Prep time: 15 minCook time: 0 minTotal time: 40 minServings: 1 cupTotal includes 25 min of resting, chilling or rising.
Ingredients, doneness temperatures and prices in this chimichurri sauce recipe were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, the method, 5 variations, what to serve it with, cost and storage.
Chimichurri ingredients (makes about 1 cup)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-leaf parsley | 1 bunch, about 1 packed cup chopped | Leaves and tender stems |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, minced | |
| Dried oregano | 1 teaspoon | Or 1 tablespoon fresh |
| Red wine vinegar | ¼ cup | Sherry vinegar or lemon juice also work |
| Extra virgin olive oil | ½ cup | |
| Red pepper flakes | ½ teaspoon | More for heat |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Kosher salt if you have it |
| Black pepper | ¼ teaspoon | |
| Shallot | 1 small, minced | Optional |
How to make chimichurri sauce
- Dry the parsley. Wash it, then spin or pat it completely dry. Wet herbs make a watery sauce.
- Season the vinegar. Stir the salt, garlic, shallot, oregano and pepper flakes into the vinegar in a bowl. Let it sit 5 minutes to soften the garlic.
- Chop the herbs. Finely chop the parsley leaves and tender stems with a sharp knife.
- Combine. Add the parsley to the bowl and stir in the olive oil.
- Rest. Let it stand 20 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Taste. Add salt, a splash of vinegar or more chili. It should taste bright, garlicky and a little salty.
Chimichurri at a glance
| Style | What changes | Best with |
|---|---|---|
| Classic green | Parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar | Grilled steak |
| Red chimichurri | Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and a roasted red pepper | Pork, sausages |
| Cilantro | Half parsley, half cilantro, lime instead of vinegar | Shrimp, fish tacos |
| Marinade | Add 2 tablespoons more oil | Chicken, skirt steak |
| Creamy | Stir 2 tablespoons into ½ cup Greek yogurt or mayo | Sandwiches, fries |
What to serve with chimichurri sauce
- Steak: flank, skirt, sirloin or rib eye. Cook beef steaks to at least 145°F and rest them 3 minutes, per the FoodSafety.gov temperature chart.
- Chicken: spoon it over grilled thighs or BBQ chicken. Chicken is done at 165°F.
- Fish: it's bright on baked salmon and shrimp.
- Potatoes and vegetables: toss it with roasted potatoes, a baked potato or sheet pan dinners.
- Eggs and bread: drizzle it on fried eggs or use it as a dip for crusty bread.
If you're using it as a marinade, set some aside first. Don't serve marinade that touched raw meat unless you boil it. For a cool yogurt-based sauce to serve on the side, make cucumber yogurt sauce and keep it separate until serving.
What chimichurri costs
In USDA's weekly grocery ad report for ads ending October 24 to November 5, 2026, a bunch of plain (flat-leaf) parsley averaged $0.79 and garlic averaged $2.46 a sleeve. On November 4, 2026, Great Value extra virgin olive oil was $6.12 for 17 fluid ounces at Walmart. The parsley, garlic and oil come to about $2.56 for a cup of sauce, or about $0.32 for each 2-tablespoon serving. The vinegar, oregano and pepper flakes come from the pantry and aren't included.
Compare that with bottled chimichurri, and homemade is fresher and usually cheaper. Track herb prices in a grocery price book, and see meal planning on a budget for using a whole bunch of herbs before it wilts. Like sauces? Try our teriyaki sauce and marinara sauce.
Storing chimichurri
Keep chimichurri covered in the fridge and use it within about 4 days, since raw garlic in oil shouldn't sit at room temperature for long. Don't leave it out more than 2 hours, the same rule USDA gives for perishable food in the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F. The oil firms up in the fridge, so let it stand 15 minutes before serving. For longer storage, freeze it in an ice cube tray.
Plan steak night and save the recipe
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu grid and an aisle-sorted grocery list.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Fillable recipe pages and cards for your sauces and marinades.
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$23.95bought separately). Includes both printables above plus three more family organizers.
Frequently asked questions
What is chimichurri sauce made of? Classic Argentine chimichurri sauce is fresh flat-leaf parsley, garlic, dried or fresh oregano, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes. Some cooks add shallot or a little cilantro.
Should chimichurri be made by hand or in a food processor? Hand chopping gives the classic loose, oily texture with bits of herb you can see. A food processor is faster, but pulse it only a few times so it doesn't turn into a paste.
What is the ratio of oil to vinegar in chimichurri? Start with about 2 parts olive oil to 1 part red wine vinegar, such as ½ cup oil and ¼ cup vinegar. Use less vinegar for a milder, oilier sauce.
What is chimichurri sauce used for? It's the classic sauce for grilled steak in Argentina. It's also great on chicken, pork, shrimp, salmon, roasted potatoes, eggs and grilled vegetables, or as a marinade.
Can I use cilantro instead of parsley? Yes, but it becomes a different sauce with a brighter, citrusy flavor. Many cooks use half parsley and half cilantro as a middle ground.
How long does chimichurri last in the fridge? Because it's raw garlic in oil, keep it covered in the fridge and use it within about 4 days. Let it sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving so the oil loosens.
Can you freeze chimichurri? Chimichurri freezes well: spoon it into an ice cube tray, freeze it, then move the cubes to a bag. Use them within 3 months and thaw them in the fridge.
How do I plan steak or chicken night around chimichurri? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu grid and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so one bunch of parsley covers two or three planned dinners.
Where can I save my chimichurri recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages, dividers and recipe cards, so your favorite sauce ratios are easy to find.
Does HomeBase Paper Co. sell the meal planner and recipe binder as a set? The Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99, $23.95 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. sells the meal planner and the recipe binder as a set, plus three more household printables.
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Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA AMS: Weekly retail specialty crops report (FVWRETAIL) ams.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Danger zone, 40°F to 140°F fsis.usda.gov