My keto chimichurri sauce recipe is made with the freshest ingredients, like chopped parsley, garlic, olive oil, and spicy chili pepper. Serve it up with your favorite grilled steak for an acidic and herby burst of flavor!
Why you'll love this chimichurri sauce recipe
Chimichurri sauce is the best addition to grilled veggies, low-carb bread, and of course, steak!
What is chimichurri sauce, you ask?
This bright and fragrant sauce is made from fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, and spicy peppers. It is traditionally used in Mexican and South American cooking, though its acidic flavors go well with a variety of cuisines.
Today, I'm sharing how to make chimichurri with a fantastic recipe that is naturally gluten-free, sugar-free, and keto-friendly. Best of all, it only requires 10 minutes of prep time!
I'm also sharing how to best enjoy chimichurri sauce on steak recipes and other low-carb favorites.
And for more keto-friendly sauce inspiration, be sure to check out all of my low-carb sauces, dressings, and condiments.
Ingredients needed
This chimichurri recipe contains minimal, quality ingredients for an unbeatable flavor combination. Here's everything that goes into the sauce:
Chili pepper
Chimichurri is traditionally spicy, though it can vary by recipe.
In this version, I've included one spicy chili pepper for a great kick of heat! If you're a spice lover, feel free to up the heat by including more chili pepper. For a milder version, use less.
You can also use red pepper flakes if it's what you have on hand.
Garlic
Two heads of fresh garlic add a solid punch to this sauce. Because it's included raw, the garlic will give a strong, flavorful addition.
This ingredient is powerful, so try to resist the urge to add another clove!
Olive oil
For fat content, this sauce uses extra virgin olive oil. Not only is olive oil delicious, but it's also a healthy fat that keto macros go crazy for!
I don't recommend substituting for a different oil; olive oil has just the right flavor.
Apple cider vinegar
For even more acidity, this recipe calls for apple cider vinegar.
Depending on your preference or pantry staples, feel free to substitute this ingredient for red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or even lemon juice! Acidity is the main goal here.
Vinegar also helps cut the spice of your red chili pepper, preventing it from being overly hot.
Oregano
A couple of tablespoons of dried oregano really helps enhance this recipe. If you have some fresh oregano on hand, however, it will be even tastier.
I use oregano to infuse the olive oil, melding together for a dream combination.
Salt and pepper
To season, a bit of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper brings all of the ingredients together. The goal here is to highlight the quality ingredients without overshadowing them!
Parsley
While chimichurri sauce can differ slightly depending on the recipe, authentic chimichurri always contains fresh parsley.
You can either use curly or flat-leaf parsley, both providing similar flavor profiles. The key to this step is always using fresh herbs. Dried parsley has no place here!
Sauce tips
This easy, herb-filled sauce takes only ten minutes of prep time! And though it's easy, there are a few things you can do for the best results:
- Use fresh oregano for the best flavor possible!
- Allow your finished chimichurri sauce to sit for a few hours in the refrigerator before you enjoy it. This allows all of the flavors to meld together.
- Use a food processor for easy chopping and mixing.
- For later use, store your sauce in an airtight container, giving it a good shake before using.
How to make chimichurri sauce
Ready to make your delicious chimichurri sauce? Follow these quick and easy steps:
Marinate oregano
Your first step is to marinate your oregano in olive oil. This is going to infuse the olive oil with the wondrous flavors of the herb!
Finely chop your ingredients
Next, finely chop your parsley, garlic, and spicy chili pepper. Make sure to chop these ingredients super small because we won't be blending them later.
For easy chopping and a smoother texture, you can always chop these ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor.
Combine and serve your chimichurri sauce
Now, add your chopped ingredients to your infused olive oil in a medium bowl, mixing well to combine.
Finally, top your sauce with apple cider vinegar and season well with salt and black pepper. Make sure to taste your sauce before adding any additional seasoning.
Your chimichurri is ready to serve and enjoy. In other words, it's time to get grilling!
How to serve chimichurri sauce
I made this tasty chimichurri sauce with steak in mind! It would taste incredible on any cut, from flank steak to sirloin. Serve it with my air fryer steak recipe or with my keto chimichurri flank steak.
Chimichurri also goes well with a variety of grilled meats, including fish, pork, and grilled chicken. Try using it as a topping to keto grilled salmon, bone-in pork chops, or grilled chicken kebabs.
Because of its bright, herby flavor, chimichurri sauce is also a natural addition to grilled vegetables and savory sides. Try it with oven-roasted vegetables, grilled shrimp and vegetable kebabs, or air fryer turnips.
Variations
You can switch up this recipe based on the ingredients you have on hand, your taste preferences, or experimental whimsy!
Here are a few variations to start:
- Depending on whether you want a super spicy or milder chimichurri sauce, adjust your red pepper usage accordingly.
- For a classic recipe, substitute red chili peppers for red pepper flakes. This swap is also pantry-friendly!
- If you don't like apple cider vinegar, try red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or lemon juice instead. Each will provide a slightly different flavor profile.
- Add a handful of chopped cilantro to your sauce for a yummy addition.
FAQs
Here are some questions people often ask about my keto chimichurri sauce recipe. If you don't see your question in this list, please leave it in the comments.
Chimichurri sauce is bright, herby, tangy, spicy, and pretty darn delicious.
This sauce is so favored because it offers a hint of tasty acidity that takes several recipes to new heights! Though ingredients may vary based on the recipe, this distinct flavor never strays.
Traditional chimichurri should definitely taste slightly spicy due to either hot chili peppers or red pepper flakes, which add a healthy dose of heat.
Chimichurri, however, also contains vinegar which helps to neutralize the
heat and leave you with a milder spice level.
Before adding a heaping spoon of chimichurri to your meal, I always suggest a little taste test beforehand. You never know if someone went a little crazy with the chili flakes!
Chimichurri is most often served with grilled meats like chicken, salmon, steak, shrimp, and pork. In truth, it enhances any plate it appears on!
This sauce would also make a great spread on a low-carb sandwich or burger, complete with a fatty cheese and acidic tomato.
For side dishes, chimichurri is a common topping to grilled vegetables like bell peppers, potato, and vegetable kebabs.
Because chimichurri has so many variations across global cuisines, naming one as authentically "Mexican" isn't an easy task!
One common ingredient in Mexican chimichurri that doesn't show up in all cuisines, however, is cilantro. It's the perfect sidekick to parsley.
Salsa verde and chimichurri look suspiciously similar, but they are totally different sauces.
Their similarities include fresh parsley, vinegar, and garlic, giving them their distinct green color, and both are used often in Mexican dishes.
However, chimichurri usually contains red pepper flakes and oregano, while salsa verde contains lemon juice, capers, and anchovies.
While the differences may seem slight, the flavors are completely different.
Chimichurri steak would pair wonderfully with a bed of keto Mexican cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or mashed turnips.
Herby chimichurri steak also goes well with a variety of veggie-focussed side dishes like roasted radishes, air fryer cauliflower, and roasted jicama with green beans.
And if you're looking for a side biscuit without the high-carb count, try low-carb cheddar biscuits, coconut flour biscuits with cheddar, or zucchini drop biscuits with cheese.
Love this chimichurri sauce recipe? Try these!
I have several low-carb sauce recipes to garnish grilled meats, pasta dishes, chopped salads, and more. Start with a few of these recipes:
- Keto Pesto Sauce is creamy, herby, and perfect for low-carb pasta dishes.
- Tzatziki Sauce with Sour Cream is super tangy and goes great with smoked meats.
- Keto Cranberry Blueberry Sauce is delicious on keto stuffing and mashed turnips.
- Avocado Mayo is an amazing low-carb sandwich spread, salad dressing, or veggie dip.
- Keto Teriyaki Sauce is made with sugar-free sweetener, garlic, and ginger.
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Recipe
How To Make Chimichurri Sauce For Steak
Ingredients
- 1 chili pepper
- 2 garlic heads
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- 30 grams fresh italian parsley
Instructions
- Marinate the oregano in olive oil.
- Finely chop the parsley, garlic, and spicy chili pepper.
- Add the chopped ingredients to the bowl with the oregano and olive oil.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of spicy chili pepper used depending on how spicy you want the dressing to be.
- This dressing tastes best when it's allowed to sit for a few hours before serving, so the flavors can meld together.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
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