Vibrant Alton Brown Chimichurri Recipe with Zesty Herb Punch

Alton Brown’s chimichurri ignites culinary magic, transforming mundane dishes into flavor-packed sensations with its electrifying green essence.

This Argentine-born sauce bursts with herbal intensity that makes taste buds sing and sizzle.

Bright, bold herbs mingle in a dance of zesty brilliance, creating a condiment that speaks volumes without uttering a word.

Each vibrant spoonful carries the spirit of South American cuisine, promising to elevate everything from grilled meats to roasted vegetables.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike fall in love with its simplicity and robust character.

With just a few fresh ingredients, you can unlock a world of gastronomic excitement that turns ordinary meals into memorable feasts.

Grab your whisk and prepare to embark on a flavor adventure that will forever change how you approach cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 1

What Goes into Alton Brown’s Chimichurri Recipe

• Garlic: Choose plump, firm cloves with tight, papery skin for maximum pungency.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Select a high-quality, tangy vinegar that adds bright acidity.
• Dried Oregano: Look for vibrant green herbs with intense, aromatic fragrance.
• Smoked Paprika: Pick a rich, deep-colored spice that promises smoky depth.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Opt for bright red flakes that deliver a gentle, warming heat.

• Fresh Parsley: Select crisp, vivid green leaves with no wilting or yellowing.

• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil with robust, fruity undertones.

• Salt: Use sea salt or kosher salt for clean, pure seasoning profile.

Equipment Used for Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Mortar and Pestle: Perfect for crushing garlic into a fine paste, releasing intense flavors.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Ideal for combining and whisking ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending vinegar, oil, and spices into a cohesive sauce.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for chopping fresh parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Helps finely mince garlic and chop parsley with precision.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and spice proportions.
• Airtight Container: Great for storing leftover chimichurri in the refrigerator.

Method for Making Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

Create Zesty Chimichurri Sauce

Unleash a burst of flavor with this vibrant Argentine-inspired sauce that transforms ordinary dishes into culinary masterpieces. Perfect for grilling enthusiasts and food lovers seeking a quick flavor boost.

• Prep Flavor Base

Crush fresh garlic into a fine paste using a mortar or sharp knife. Combine with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a sprinkle of spices like oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Whisk everything together until the mixture becomes a fragrant, smooth blend that promises explosive taste.

• Chop and Blend Fresh Herbs

Grab a handful of parsley and chop it roughly, including both tender leaves and sturdy stems. Fold the herbs into your sauce, creating a rustic, green-flecked mixture that looks as amazing as it tastes. The herbs should give the sauce a lively, rough texture that screams freshness.

• Taste and Serve

Give your chimichurri a quick taste test. Adjust seasonings if needed, adding a pinch of salt or extra spice. This sauce is incredibly versatile – drizzle over grilled steak, roast chicken, or use as a marinade. For best flavor, serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for a quick flavor punch within a few days.

Add-on Tips for Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Boost Flavor Intensity: Crush garlic using a mortar and pestle to release deeper, more robust aromatics that elevate the sauce's overall taste profile.
• Customize Spice Levels: Dial up or tone down red pepper flakes to match your personal heat tolerance, creating a personalized chimichurri experience that suits your palate perfectly.
• Herb Swapping Strategy: Replace parsley with cilantro for a Mexican-inspired twist or mix both herbs to create a more complex, layered herbal sensation that adds exciting depth to your sauce.
• Storage Preservation Hack: Keep chimichurri fresh by pouring a thin layer of olive oil on top before sealing the container, which creates a protective barrier and helps maintain the sauce's vibrant color and flavor for an extra day or two.

Serving Guide for Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Pair with Grilled Meats: Drizzle this vibrant chimichurri over sizzling steaks, juicy chicken, or succulent lamb chops for an explosive flavor boost that transforms ordinary grilled proteins into restaurant-quality dishes.
• Elevate Roasted Vegetables: Brush the sauce on freshly roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant to add a tangy, herbal kick that brings depth and brightness to your vegetable side dishes.
• Create Marinade Magic: Use chimichurri as a pre-grill marinade by coating your proteins for 30 minutes before cooking, allowing the robust herbs and garlic to infuse incredible Argentine-inspired taste into every bite.
• Spread on Sandwiches: Swap boring condiments and spread chimichurri on sandwiches, wraps, or crusty bread to instantly upgrade your lunch with a zesty, herbaceous punch that wakes up any simple meal.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Preserve Freshness: Keep your chimichurri sauce in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid to maintain its vibrant flavor and prevent oxidation.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the sauce in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf, where temperature remains most consistent and cool.
• Quick Consumption Guide: Enjoy your homemade chimichurri within 3-5 days for optimal taste and maximum freshness, paying attention to any color or smell changes.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Remove the sauce from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to soften and ingredients to reach room temperature, enhancing overall taste experience.

Vibrant Alton Brown Chimichurri Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

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

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Description

Alton Brown’s chimichurri sauce brings Argentinian zest to grilled meats and vegetables. Rich herbal flavors and tangy notes create a perfect condiment for you to elevate simple dishes with authentic South American flair.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (120 ml) flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (from about 1 bunch, coarse stems removed)
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) white wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Garlic Preparation: Finely mince garlic cloves to unleash their potent aromatic qualities, creating a flavor foundation for the chimichurri sauce.
2. Liquid Base Fusion: Combine white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, dried oregano, Spanish paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes in a ceramic bowl, whisking until the ingredients form a harmonious emulsion.
3. Herb Integration: Incorporate freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley into the liquid mixture, gently bruising the herbs to extract maximum flavor and essential oils, creating a vibrant green sauce with intense herbal notes.
4. Flavor Development: Let the chimichurri sauce rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, allowing the ingredients to marry and develop a complex, layered taste profile that balances acidity, heat, and herbaceous undertones.
5. Serving and Customization: Transfer the sauce to a serving vessel, taste, and adjust seasoning with additional salt, red pepper flakes, or vinegar to personal preference. Serve as a dynamic condiment alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or artisan bread, elevating the culinary experience with its bold, zesty character.

Notes

• Precise Herb Chopping: Finely mince parsley to release maximum flavor and ensure even distribution throughout the chimichurri sauce.
• Flavor Resting Time: Allow the marinade to sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature, enabling ingredients to harmonize and intensify their aromatic profile.
• Vinegar Balance: Adjust white wine vinegar carefully to achieve the perfect tangy undertone without overwhelming the herb’s delicate essence.
• Temperature Consideration: Serve immediately after preparation to capture the vibrant, fresh characteristics of the chimichurri’s complex flavor composition.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg