What does chimichurri go well with?

Chimichurri is a vibrant green sauce that originates from Argentina and Uruguay. It has a refreshing flavor that pairs well with many foods. The base of chimichurri typically consists of parsley, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. There are many possibilities when it comes to what chimichurri can complement. Here is an overview of what chimichurri goes well with.

Table of Contents

Meat Dishes

One of the most popular uses for chimichurri is as a condiment for meat dishes. The herby flavors of chimichurri balance beautifully with the rich and savory taste of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. It can be used as a marinade, sauce, or finishing sauce. Here are some specific meat dishes that pair perfectly with chimichurri:

Steak – Spoon chimichurri over grilled steaks for added moisture and flavor.
Ribs – Slather chimichurri sauce on beef or pork ribs before grilling for an herbaceous coating.
Roasts – Roast beef or pork tenderloin gains robust flavor when marinated in a chimichurri mixture.

Burgers – Top your burger with a dollop of chimichurri sauce for a tangy addition.
Kebabs – Marinate chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetable kebabs in chimichurri before grilling on skewers.
Chops – The acidity in chimichurri cuts through the fattiness of lamb chops and pork chops.

The possibilities are endless for using chimichurri on meat dishes. Its brightness balances the heartiness of red meats and poultry beautifully. Try using it as a marinade, basting sauce, or finishing drizzle over meat hot off the grill.

Seafood

In coastal regions of South America, chimichurri is often paired with fresh seafood. The herbaceous notes in chimichurri complement fish and shellfish wonderfully. Here are some seafood options that work well with chimichurri:

Shrimp – Marinate peeled shrimp in chimichurri before grilling or sautéing.

Salmon – Brush chimichurri over salmon fillets before baking or grilling.
Halibut – Top baked or sautéed halibut with a spoonful of chimichurri sauce.
Scallops – The acidity of chimichurri balances the richness of seared scallops.

Crab cakes – Serve chimichurri sauce alongside crab cake appetizers for dipping.
Tilapia – Give mild tilapia fillets a flavor boost by baking with a chimichurri crust.

The parsley and garlic notes in chimichurri offset any fishy flavors, while the oil and vinegar add moisture to lean fish. It can be used as a marinade, baking sauce, or table sauce for seafood.

Vegetables

Bright, fresh chimichurri also pairs wonderfully with vegetables. It can perk up grilled veggies or raw vegetables. Some nutritious ways to use chimichurri on veggies include:

Grilled vegetables – Toss sliced veggies like zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, onions, etc in chimichurri before grilling.
Baked potatoes – Top baked russet or sweet potatoes with a dollop of chimichurri sauce.

Salads – Whisk together chimichurri and olive oil for a bold salad dressing over greens, tomatoes, carrots, beans, etc.
Wraps – Spread chimichurri inside vegetable wraps made with lettuce leaves, roasted peppers, squash, etc.
Kabobs – Thread veggies like tomatoes, bell peppers, potatoes, zucchini, and onions onto skewers and brush with chimichurri before grilling.

Roasted vegetables – Toss carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc in chimichurri before roasting in the oven.

The possibilities are endless for pairing chimichurri with healthy vegetable dishes. The herby green sauce adds a flavor punch without overpowering the veggies. It can be used as a marinade, dip, salad dressing, or finishing sauce with vegetables.

Breads

In addition to proteins and vegetables, chimichurri makes a great accompaniment to various breads. Its bold flavor stands up well to hearty breads. Some ways to serve chimichurri with breads include:

Bread dip – Dip chunks of crusty bread into chimichurri sauce for an appetizer.
Bruschetta – Top grilled bread slices with chimichurri, tomato, and Parmesan for bruschetta.
Flatbreads – Spread chimichurri over flatbread dough before baking, top with veggies.

Braided bread – Weave the green sauce into braided bread dough before baking.
Garlic bread – Brush chimichurri over garlic bread alongside Italian dishes.
Rolls – Serve chimichurri sauce alongside dinner rolls or slider rolls.

The garlic and vinegar notes in chimichurri help cut through and complement bread’s richness and carbs. It can be used as a bread dip, baked into bread, spread over bread, or served alongside bread.

Sandwiches

Loaded sandwiches also get a flavor boost when paired with chimichurri sauce. Depending on the sandwich fillings, it can act as a condiment, spread, or marinade. Some tasty sandwich combos include:

Steak sandwiches – Spoon chimichurri over steak sandwich fillings.

Burgers – Spread chimichurri on burger buns or mix into burger patties.
Chicken sandwiches – Use chimichurri to marinate chicken breast before grilling and placing on sandwiches.
Veggie sandwiches – Spread chimichurri over veggie sandwich fillings like grilled eggplant, peppers, avocado, etc.

Pork sandwiches – Marinate pork tenderloin in chimichurri before grilling and slicing for sandwiches.
Fish sandwiches – Top grilled or fried fish sandwich fillings with tangy chimichurri.

From meats to vegetables, chimichurri adds a punch of flavor that takes sandwiches to the next level. Its herbaceous tang complements sandwich ingredients wonderfully.

Eggs

The brightness of chimichurri also balances beautifully with rich, protein-packed eggs. Some easy ways to incorporate the sauce with eggs include:

Frittatas – Add a spoonful of chimichurri into veggie or meat frittata mixtures before baking.
Scrambled eggs – Fold chimichurri into fluffy scrambled eggs before serving.

Fried eggs – Top sunny side up or over easy fried eggs with chimichurri sauce.
Deviled eggs – Mix chimichurri into deviled egg yolk filling for stuffed snacks.
Quiche – Spoon chimichurri over slices of veggie or meat quiche.

Omelets – Fold chimichurri into meat or veggie omelet fillings before cooking.

The parsley and garlic in chimichurri help cut through eggs’ richness. It can be baked into egg dishes, folded into eggs, or spooned over plated eggs.

Pasta

In addition to meats and veggies, chimichurri makes a fantastic topping for pasta dishes. Its olive oil base allows it to coat pasta beautifully. Some pasta preparations that taste amazing with chimichurri include:

Plain pasta – Toss hot pasta in chimichurri sauce for vibrant flavor.
Shrimp pasta – Sauté shrimp in chimichurri and toss with pasta.
Chicken pasta – Marinate chicken in chimichurri before sautéing and mixing into pasta.

Veggie pasta – Sauté chimichurri-coated vegetables before tossing through pasta.
Steak pasta – Thinly slice grilled steak and mix into pasta along with chimichurri.
Salmon pasta – Flake grilled chimichurri salmon over pasta.

Chimichurri coats pasta beautifully while adding tons of herby flavor. Feel free to use it as a marinade for mix-ins or a finishing sauce tossed with pasta.

Pizza

In addition to pasta, chimichurri can be incorporated into pizza recipes too. Here are some ways to add chimichurri flavor to pizza:

Pizza sauce – Mix a few spoonfuls of chimichurri into the pizza sauce.

Chicken pizza – Use chimichurri to marinate chicken before topping pizza.
Steak pizza – Drizzle chimichurri over pizza with steak strips.
Veggie pizza – Spread chimichurri over veggie pizza before adding cheese and baking.

White pizza – Substitute chimichurri for red sauce on white pizzas.
Breadsticks – Brush baked breadsticks or pizza crusts with chimichurri.

The acidity and herbs in chimichurri cut through cheese and carbs beautifully. Add it to pizza dough, marinades, or over baked pizzas for extra punch.

Rice Dishes

Chimichurri’s oil content also allows it to integrate beautifully into rice dishes. It infuses the grains with flavor. Ways to incorporate chimichurri into rice recipes include:

Fried rice – Sauté aromatics in chimichurri before adding day old rice to the wok.
Rice bowls – Drizzle chimichurri over grain bowls with veggies, meat, fried eggs, etc.

Risotto – Fold chimichurri into creamy risotto along with Parmesan cheese.
Chicken & rice – Use chimichurri as a marinade for chicken before serving over rice.
Shrimp & rice – Cook shrimp in chimichurri and mix into rice pilaf.

Stir fry rice – Add stir fried meats and vegetables seasoned with chimichurri to rice.

Chimichurri infuses rice with flavor as it cooks. You can also use it as a marinade for mix-ins or drizzle it over plated rice dishes.

Salad Dressings & Marinades

One of the easiest ways to incorporate chimichurri into a wide variety of dishes is to utilize it as a salad dressing or marinade. Here are some ideas for repurposing chimichurri:

Meat marinade – Let meats like steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, etc soak in a chimichurri dressing before cooking.
Vegetable marinade – Marinate vegetables like mushrooms, squash, zucchini, onions in chimichurri before roasting.
Salad dressing – Whisk together chimichurri, olive oil, vinegar for a hearty salad topper.

Sandwich spread – Slather chimichurri on bread before building sandwiches.
Kabob or skewer marinade – Soak skewered meats and veggies in chimichurri before grilling.
Dip – Serve chimichurri as a dip for bread, veggies, chips or as a sauce for meats.

Since chimichurri has a built-in acid, herb, and oil base, it makes an easy all-in-one marinade or salad dressing. Customize it with extra vinegar, oil, herbs etc.

Conclusion

Chimichurri’s unique flavor profile makes it highly versatile in the kitchen. Its tangy, herby flavor pairs well with grilled and roasted meats, from beef to chicken to seafood. It also livens up vegetables, grains, breads, pasta, pizza, eggs, sandwiches and more. Repurpose it as a marinade, sauce, or dressing. Add chimichurri to your repertoire to elevate everyday meals with bold, fresh flavor.