Brazilian Chimichurri: A Tasty Cilantro Chimichurri Recipe

You can’t go wrong with this tasty cilantro chimichurri recipe!

Very popular in Brazilian steak houses, this chimichurri sauce with cilantro is perfect when served with your favorite grilled meat.

While the authentic chimichurri recipe is Argentinean, I decided to try my hand at a Brazilian chimichurri recipe.

As someone who often writes about Brazilian cuisine, which is strongly characterized by dishes with meat, I felt the need to put two things that pair so well together in a recipe: chimichurri and Brazilian food!

Brazilian chimichurri: A cilantro chimichurri recipe with a twist

Many friends here in the Netherlands have asked me if the chimichurri sauce is Brazilian, and most of them were pretty surprised to learn it is not.

I think people believe it is because plenty of Brazilian steakhouses serve this flavorsome sauce. Still, it turns out the authentic chimichurri recipe is Argentinean.

In Brazil, we serve this vinaigrette salsa in barbecues or this Brazilian hot sauce to dip snacks and appetizers.

Still, because I love cilantro and chimichurri sauce so much, I decided to write my own version of it.

Note that the authentic chimichurri recipe has no cilantro in it.

Anyway, according to my husband, the recipe below is, and I quote, “the best Brazilian sauce for grilled meat, my favorite Brazilian cilantro garlic sauce recipe.”

Mind you, he finds it easier to pronounce a 4-5 word recipe name than the word chimichurri.

Anyway, let’s talk about this Brazilian chimichurri recipe now!

What does chimichurri taste like?

Chimichurri tastes tangy, thanks to vinegar, but also grassy taste due to parsley, cilantro, and oregano, a bit pungent because of the strong garlic flavor, and a tad spicy because of the red chili pepper.

In a nutshell, it’s a delicious sauce!

What is the difference between pesto and chimichurri?

The herbs that give these sauces their green are different.

Pesto is made of basil, while chimichurri is made of parsley, cilantro, and oregano – in this recipe, at least.

As for the liquid that gives both sauces the saucy texture, pesto uses only olive oil, while chimichurri also uses olive oil but with the addition of vinegar.

What is chimichurri sauce made of?

As said above, chimichurri is made of parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, red chili pepper, oregano, olive oil, and vinegar.

How to store your cilantro chimichurri

You will want to store your fresh chimichurri in a clean mason jar.

The air-tight container keeps it from spoiling, and as the days pass by, your sauce will taste much stronger.

How long does chimichurri last in the fridge?

You can store the chimichurri sauce for up to 2-3 weeks in the fridge, but if you like this sauce as we did here at home, it won’t last that long!

How to use chimichurri

You can use chimichurri not only as a sauce but also in several ways. For instance, you can make a:

• Chimichurri dipping sauce for grilled meats and veggies. It is flavorsome and boosts the flavor of your bites.
• Chimichurri marinade to marinate chicken, fish, or your favorite meat before grilling it.
• Chimichurri salad dressing for an avocado or mango salad with grilled meats.
• Chimichurri spread for a sandwich. Be sure to add some mayo to it.

My favorite dishes to serve with this Brazilian chimichurri sauce

Here are some ideas of the Brazilian dishes and drinks you could serve with this flavorsome sauce.

• Picanha – Brazilian culotte steaks
• Brazilian rice – the famous garlic rice
• Farofa – Brazilian toasted cassava flour
• Caipirinha – our national cocktail made with cachaça

Tips for preparing a perfect cilantro chimichurri sauce

• Plan ahead and make your chimichurri sauce the day before serving so that the flavors incorporate. If you don’t have that much time, make about half an hour before.
• We usually use white onions, but if they taste too sharp for you, you can use your favorite kind of onion here.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (25 grams) fresh parsley
• 1 cup (50 grams) fresh cilantro
• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
• ½ onion, peeled and quartered
• 2 small red chili
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 4 ounces (125 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 ounces (60 milliliters) fresh lime juice or red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to make a Brazilian chimichurri sauce with cilantro

This delicious Brazilian chimichurri recipe is not only rich in taste but also very easy to make.

Add all the ingredients to your food processor and pulse to chop everything up until everything is well combined, but not too smooth.

Serve with your favorite grilled meat and enjoy it! I told you it was this simple!

Did you like this recipe for cilantro chimichurri? Then share it with a friend who might like it to or save it to your Pinterest board!