Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Tasty & Beautiful Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Bold and vibrant, red chimichurri sauce elevates ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with its zesty, herb-infused profile.

This Argentine-inspired condiment bursts with intense flavors that dance across your palate, awakening taste buds with its fiery combination of ingredients.

Traditionally associated with grilled meats, this crimson-hued sauce offers versatility that extends far beyond standard expectations.

Its robust character stems from carefully balanced components that merge heat, tanginess, and aromatic herbs into a spectacular blend.

Passionate home cooks appreciate how this sauce elevates simple dishes from mundane to memorable with just a few spoonfuls.

The deep red color signals an intense flavor journey that promises to revolutionize your meal preparation approach.

Rich, complex, and utterly irresistible, this sauce represents more than a mere accompaniment—it’s a culinary statement that speaks volumes about your cooking creativity.

Red Chimichurri Sauce Full of Bold, Tangy Heat

  • Burst with Vibrant Flavors: This red chimichurri sauce delivers an explosive combination of herbs, garlic, and spices that dance on your taste buds with bold, zesty notes that elevate any grilled meat or roasted vegetable.
  • Super Quick Preparation: Whip up this sauce in just minutes using a mini food processor, making it an effortless condiment that transforms ordinary dishes into restaurant-quality meals without complicated techniques.
  • Texture Sensation: The clever blending method creates a perfect balance between smooth and chunky, allowing you to experience distinct herb fragments and a silky undertone that adds depth and visual interest to your plate.
  • Versatile Culinary Companion: Use as a marinade, dipping sauce, or finishing touch for proteins like steak, chicken, or fish, bringing a Mediterranean-inspired brightness that works across multiple cuisines and cooking styles.

Ingredients Needed for Red Chimichurri Sauce

Herbs and Aromatics:
  • Red Bell Pepper: Sweet, bright red pepper that provides the base color and fresh flavor for the sauce.
  • Garlic: Pungent and essential aromatic that adds deep, sharp flavor to the chimichurri.
  • Fresh Parsley: Classic herb that brings bright, herbaceous notes to the sauce.
  • Fresh Oregano: Earthy herb that adds complexity and traditional chimichurri character.
Acids and Liquids:
  • Red Wine Vinegar: Tangy liquid that balances the sauce and provides sharp acidity.
  • Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that helps emulsify the sauce and adds a silky texture.
Seasonings:
  • Salt: Enhances and balances all the flavors in the chimichurri.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a spicy kick and additional red color to the sauce.

How to Whip Up Red Chimichurri Sauce Quickly

Step 1: Prep Vegetables

Roughly chop red bell peppers and remove seeds. Peel garlic cloves. Roughly chop fresh parsley leaves.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

Add to food processor:
  • Chopped red bell peppers
  • Garlic cloves
  • Parsley
  • Red chili flakes
  • Salt

Pulse ingredients until finely chopped and well combined.

Step 3: Incorporate Liquids

Scrape down sides of food processor bowl with spatula. Add:
  • Olive oil
  • Red wine vinegar

Blend until sauce becomes smooth but maintains a slightly chunky texture.

Step 4: Final Seasoning

Taste sauce and adjust flavors as needed. Add extra salt or red wine vinegar to enhance flavor profile.

Step 5: Store and Serve

Transfer red chimichurri sauce to a clean jar or container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Serve as a vibrant condiment for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a zesty dipping sauce.

Tips to Balance Flavor in Red Chimichurri Sauce

  • Roast Peppers Perfectly: Char red bell peppers directly over an open flame or under the broiler until skin is completely blackened for deeper, smokier flavor.
  • Herb Selection Matters: Use fresh herbs at their peak ripeness, avoiding wilted or dried leaves to ensure vibrant, bright taste in the sauce.
  • Texture Control: Pulse ingredients in short bursts to maintain a rustic, chunky consistency instead of creating a completely smooth puree.
  • Vinegar Balance: Taste and adjust vinegar gradually, adding small amounts to prevent overwhelming the sauce's delicate herb profile.
  • Storage Secret: Store red chimichurri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing flavors to develop and intensify over time.

Storage Tips for Red Chimichurri Sauce That Lasts

  • Refrigerate in an airtight container to keep the red chimichurri sauce fresh for up to 5 days. Store at the bottom of the refrigerator to maintain optimal flavor and prevent cross-contamination.
  • Freeze sauce in small portions using ice cube trays for convenient future use. Once frozen, transfer cubes to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat gently by letting the sauce come to room temperature naturally or warming briefly in a microwave at low power. Stir well before serving to restore its vibrant texture and prevent separation of ingredients.

Best Pairings for Red Chimichurri Sauce

  • Pair with Grilled Steak: Red chimichurri sauce creates a perfect flavor explosion when drizzled over a juicy, medium-rare ribeye or sirloin. The tangy, herbal notes cut through the rich meat beautifully.
  • Match with Crisp Argentine Malbec: This bold red wine complements the sauce's robust profile, with its peppery undertones and fruity finish enhancing the chimichurri's vibrant character.
  • Serve alongside Crusty Sourdough: Warm, crusty bread becomes an incredible canvas for this sauce, allowing guests to soak up every delicious drop and appreciate the sauce's complex flavors.
  • Elevate Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle the red chimichurri over grilled or roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant to transform simple sides into a gourmet experience.

Chimichurri Variations with a Red Pepper Twist

  • Herb-Infused Red Chimichurri: Incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme to elevate the traditional flavor profile, adding depth and aromatic complexity to the sauce.
  • Smoky Chipotle Chimichurri: Blend in roasted chipotle peppers for a rich, smoky undertone that complements the bright red peppers and fresh herbs.
  • Citrus Zest Chimichurri: Add orange and lime zest to brighten the sauce, creating a tangy and refreshing version that pairs beautifully with grilled meats and seafood.
  • Spicy Jalapeño Chimichurri: Mix in fresh jalapeño peppers for a fiery kick that intensifies the sauce's bold character and adds a vibrant heat to your dishes.
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Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe


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4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Argentinian red chimichurri sauce brings fiery passion to grilled meats with its bold blend of roasted red peppers, herbs, and spices. Crimson and tangy, this zesty sauce elevates your culinary experience, promising to make grilled dishes unforgettable.


Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 1 cup (240 ml) roasted red pepper or 1 (8-ounce / 226 grams) jar, drained
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) loosely packed parsley leaves and tender stems (from 1 small bunch)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) packed cilantro leaves and tender stems
  • 4 medium cloves garlic, peeled

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 ¾ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Liquid Ingredients:

  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) olive oil
  • 2 ½ tablespoons (37.5 ml) red wine vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place roasted red peppers, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and salt into a compact food processor.
  2. Pulse the ingredients until they are uniformly and finely chopped, creating a textured base for the sauce.
  3. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the processor bowl, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  4. Stream in extra virgin olive oil (60 milliliters or 2 fluid ounces) and red wine vinegar (30 milliliters or 1 fluid ounce) while processing.
  5. Continue blending until the sauce develops a smooth, slightly rustic consistency with visible herb specks.
  6. Taste the chimichurri and fine-tune the flavor profile by adding additional salt or a splash of vinegar to enhance the overall balance.
  7. Transfer the red chimichurri sauce to a serving container, allowing the flavors to meld for 10-15 minutes before using.

Notes

  • Vibrant red peppers transform this classic Argentine sauce into a stunning crimson condiment with bold, zesty flavors.
  • Blending ingredients in stages helps maintain the perfect chunky-smooth texture that’s essential to authentic chimichurri.
  • Best served immediately after preparation to preserve the bright, fresh herb notes and intense color.
  • Ideal companion for grilled meats, especially steak, roasted vegetables, and as a bold sandwich spread.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
  • Pro tip: Let the sauce sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to enhance its aromatic qualities.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Argentinian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 107 kcal
  • Sugar: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 146 mg
  • Fat: 10.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 0.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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