Authentic Chimichurri Steak Recipe

This is an extremely flavorful and juicy chimichurri steak recipe. This quick sauce is a condiment originating from South America, especially Argentina, that provides tons of taste to any piece of meat you serve it with.

The best part? You'll need only simple-to-find ingredients, a nice steak, and five minutes of your time to make this easy and delicious beef recipe.

What is Chimichurri Sauce?

Chimichurri is a famous Argentinian sauce that they pair with grilled red meat but it is also great on vegetables and other proteins. It has an olive oil and red wine vinegar base that helps to infuse fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and garlic into everything you serve it with. It’s the kind of sauce that instantly brightens grilled meat and make it taste amazing.

Think of it like Argentina's version of pesto but, better! It has no nuts and it's dairy-free. It is a fresh sauce (uncooked) just like pesto.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When you just crave a lean steak for dinner, this is the go to recipe. It's simple and quick to cook yet so hearty. Chimichurri Steak Recipe starts with a really good steak that is grilled or seared in a heavy skillet. Then, top the steak with authentic homemade chimichurri sauce for a South America flair. It only take minutes to make!

It's super easy to make! Start with a good olive oil and add fresh herbs like parsley and thyme or oregano leaves then, add garlic, chili flakes and a little salt. The next ingredient is red wine vinegar for a great tangy flavor. If you make a large batch, throw everything in a food processor and pulse until the herbs are minced. If your don't have a food processor, just grab your chef knife. It's just as easy to mince by hand.

Turn this into an amazing meal with a great potato recipe. Classic creamy mashed potatoes are always a good choice or go all out with this loaded baked potato casserole .

Need a low carb side dish? Try these yummy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic.

Chimichurri Ingredients

Steak - Sirloin is my favorite cut of steak to serve with chimichurri sauce. But is also delicious with New York Strip steak or flank steak. Or, any of the suggested cuts listed below. 

Olive oil - Use a good quality, extra virgin olive oil if possible.

Red wine vinegar - It's traditional, (and I think very well worth it) but you could replace it with apple cider vinegar if desired.

Garlic - Use fresh garlic whenever possible for best results, you will really taste the difference. If you use a pre-chopped, bottled garlic, you may want to start .

Fresh parsley - Some people replace it with cilantro, but true chimichurri is fresh parsley only.

Red pepper flakes - They provide a mild spiciness to this sauce. You can use a fresh chile, if you'd like. I like to mince the chile (such as a bright red Fresno chile) buy hand instead of a food processor so that the chimichurri sauce stay a bright fresh green.

Salt - My favorites are kosher or sea salt, but any fine salt will work.

Ground black pepper - Use freshly cracked black pepper if possible.

How do I make the easiest chimichurri sauce?

In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, garlic, parsley, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Set aside so the flavors can meld.

How to Cook the Steak for Chimichurri Steak Recipe

First, Pat the steaks dry and sprinkle both sides with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Next, heat a cast iron skillet (or heavy skillet) or grill over medium heat and drizzle with a little olive oil. (See below for links to the pans I use).

Cook the steaks on both sides until they reach your preferred doneness. Remove the steaks from the heat and cover loosely with tin foil. Let the steaks rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Slice the steaks and spoon the fresh chimichurri over the top. Enjoy while warm!

What is chimichurri steak served with?

Chimichurri steak is super versatile; you can enjoy it on its own with different side dishes such as green chile potato gratin, potato fries, baked potatoes, and simple salads. Don't forget corn pudding with green chiles.

You can also thinly slice the grilled steak and serve it in a Chimichurri Steak Sandwich. The sliced steak with chimichurri sauce is also delicious rolled in fresh corn tortillas and served a carne asada taco.

If you need to choose an alcoholic drink and want to keep it authentic, Malbec wine is the most popular red wine in Argentina (where this chimichurri steak recipe comes from).

Is chimichurri steak gluten free?

Yes, chimichurri steak is naturally gluten-free! So everyone can enjoy it.

Is this steak sauce spicy?

The red pepper flakes make it mildly spicy. If you'd like a hotter kick, you can use chili pepper flakes or a fresh red chile instead.

What cut of steak is best for chimichurri?

To enjoy a juicy steak, you'll need a tender cut that cooks quickly without getting tough. The most popular options are:

• Flank steak: Lean, beefy, and soaks up chimichurri beautifully.
• Skirt steak: Juicy, well-marbled, and super flavorful—probably the #1 cut with chimichurri.
• Ribeye: Rich and tender, perfect if you like a fattier cut.
• Sirloin: Thick, juicy, and classic on the Argentine grill.

Tools You Will Need For This Recipe-

• Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy Sauté pan. A grill pan is also excellent. Here is an Amazon link to the lighter weight cast iron pan that I use. I also prefer this even lighter weight sauté pan when I'm cooking on a glass top stove.
• OR an outdoor grill is my preferred choice as long as it is not 100 degrees outside... It is the Southwest, you know. 🙂
• Chef Knife - your favorite knife will do. Here is a link to my favorite Chef Knife. It is a little pricey, here is a link to a budget friendly knife that I also use.

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