Zesty Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe for Bold Flavor

When summer sizzles, nothing beats a vibrant red chimichurri sauce that adds zesty flair to grilled meats and veggies.

This Argentine-inspired condiment brings complex layers of tangy, herbal brightness to every bite.

Packed with robust red peppers and fresh herbs, the sauce delivers an explosion of flavor that electrifies your plate.

Bold red peppers create a stunning color that makes this chimichurri stand out from traditional green versions.

Herbs and spices combine in a symphony of taste that turns ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Simple ingredients merge to create a sauce that packs serious punch and impresses even the most discerning palate.

Dive into this recipe and transform your next meal from ordinary to unforgettable.

Utensils to Blend Chimichurri to Perfection

• Mini food processor: Essential for chopping ingredients quickly and creating smooth, chunky sauce.
• Sharp knife: Helps chop fresh herbs and vegetables finely before processing.
• Cutting board: Provides stable surface for chopping ingredients.
• Rubber spatula: Perfect for scraping down sides of processor bowl and ensuring all ingredients mix well.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
• Small serving bowl: Ideal for storing and presenting the finished chimichurri sauce.

How to Make Red Chimichurri in Minutes

• Flavor Foundation

Break down red peppers, garlic, and herbs into a vibrant base using a compact food processor. The goal is creating a rough, textured mixture that hints at the sauce’s upcoming intensity.

• Liquid Magic

Introduce olive oil and vinegar slowly while processing. These liquids will transform the chopped ingredients into a harmonious, slightly rustic sauce with visible herb fragments.

• Taste Balancing

Sample the chimichurri and enhance with additional salt or vinegar. This final touch ensures the sauce captures a perfect blend of tangy, herbal, and robust flavors that will elevate any grilled dish.

Pepper, Garlic & Herb Tweaks to Try

• Char red bell peppers directly over an open flame or under the broiler to develop a smoky, intense flavor profile before chopping them for the sauce.
• Adjust the heat by varying the type and amount of red chili peppers, from mild poblano to fiery habanero, allowing you to personalize the sauce's intensity.
• Keep the chimichurri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, with a thin layer of olive oil on top to preserve its vibrant color and prevent oxidation.
• Drizzle over grilled meats, use as a marinade for chicken or fish, spread on sandwiches, or mix into grain bowls for an instant flavor boost that transforms simple dishes into culinary experiences.

Pairing Ideas for Chimichurri on Meat or Veg

• Grill Master's Companion: Pair this vibrant red chimichurri sauce with grilled meats like steak, chicken, or lamb for an explosion of tangy, herbaceous flavor that elevates your barbecue experience.
• Versatile Dipping Delight: Use as a zesty dip for crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or as a bold spread on sandwiches and wraps to add a punch of Mediterranean-inspired freshness.
• Marinade Magic: Transform your proteins by using this sauce as a pre-grill marinade, allowing the herbs and spices to infuse deep flavor into chicken, beef, or seafood before cooking.
• Culinary Drizzle Wonder: Finish grilled dishes, salads, or roasted vegetables with a generous drizzle of this sauce to instantly brighten and enhance the overall taste profile of your meal.

Bottling, Chilling, and Saving

• Refrigeration Harmony: Store the red chimichurri sauce in an airtight glass container for up to 5-7 days, keeping its vibrant flavors and stunning color intact.
• Fresh Ingredient Impact: Always use the sauce within a week to enjoy maximum taste and nutritional quality, as herbs lose their potency over time.
• Temperature Wisdom: Keep the sauce chilled in the refrigerator, ensuring it stays away from direct light and heat sources that could compromise its delicate texture.
• Freezing Strategy: For extended storage, portion the sauce into small freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, allowing you to thaw just the amount needed for future meals without wasting any delicious sauce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 100 kcal

Servings: 9

Best Ingredients for Red Chimichurri Sauce

• Red Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and sweet, tangy depth to the sauce with a gentle crunch.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright green notes and classic chimichurri herbaceous flavor.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent undertones that give the sauce its signature bold character.
• Red Chili Pepper: Delivers a spicy kick and rich crimson color to enhance the overall sauce profile.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth, silky texture and helps marry all the ingredients together with rich Mediterranean essence.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Introduces sharp, tangy acidity that balances and brightens the sauce's complex flavor profile.

• Salt: Amplifies and harmonizes all the ingredients' natural flavors, creating a perfectly balanced chimichurri sauce.

Vibrant Red Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Red chimichurri sauce brings Argentina’s bold culinary passion to your kitchen. Herbal notes and spicy undertones combine with roasted red peppers for an irresistible condiment you cannot resist drizzling over grilled meats.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup roasted red pepper or 1 (8 oz) jar, drained
• 0.75 cup loosely packed parsley leaves and tender stems (from 1 small bunch)
• 0.25 cup packed cilantro leaves and tender stems
• 4 medium cloves garlic, peeled
• 0.33 cup olive oil
• 2.5 tbsps red wine vinegar
• 1.75 tsps smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather roasted red peppers, garlic, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar into the food processor bowl.
2. Pulse Technique: Activate the processor to create a coarse, vibrant mixture with visible herb specks and pepper fragments, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
3. Liquid Integration: Gradually stream olive oil and red wine vinegar while continuing to process, transforming the mixture into a harmonious, slightly rustic sauce with a balanced consistency.
4. Flavor Refinement: Pause the processor to taste the chimichurri, adjusting with strategic pinches of salt or additional vinegar to elevate the overall flavor profile.
5. Resting Phase: Transfer the red chimichurri to a serving vessel, allowing the complex flavors to meld and intensify for a few minutes before presenting to diners.

Notes

• Roast for Enhanced Flavor: Briefly charring red peppers before processing intensifies their smoky sweetness and deepens the sauce’s complexity.
• Balance Texture Carefully: Pulse ingredients in short bursts to maintain a rustic, chunky consistency without over-blending into a puree.
• Vinegar Matters: Use high-quality red wine vinegar to provide a sharp, bright acidity that cuts through the rich olive oil and roasted pepper notes.
• Let Flavors Develop: Allow the chimichurri to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling the herbs and spices to fully infuse and meld together.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Argentinian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg