Perfect Alton Brown Chimichurri Recipe: Bold Flavors in Minutes

Alton Brown’s chimichurri transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with its vibrant, zesty personality.

This magical green sauce bursts with herbal intensity and bold flavors that dance across your palate.

Traditional Argentine cuisine inspired this remarkable condiment, which combines fresh ingredients into a punchy, bright mixture.

Bold herbs create a remarkable depth that elevates simple proteins and vegetables without overwhelming their natural taste.

Professional chefs adore this quick sauce for its remarkable versatility and intense aromatic profile.

Home cooks appreciate how easily it comes together, requiring minimal preparation and maximum flavor impact.

Whisking these ingredients unlocks a world of culinary potential that will revolutionize your meal planning: get ready to amplify every bite.

Why Alton Brown’s Chimichurri Will Take Your Grilling Game to the Next Level

• Unleash Bold Flavors: This chimichurri packs a powerful punch with garlic, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes, creating a zesty sauce that transforms ordinary vegetables into extraordinary culinary delights.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Whipped up in just 10 minutes, this recipe offers a lightning-fast solution for adding serious flavor to your meals without complicated techniques or lengthy preparation.
• Versatile Sauce Sensation: Designed as a flexible dipping sauce, this chimichurri works beautifully with grilled or roasted vegetables, giving home cooks an easy way to elevate simple side dishes with restaurant-quality taste.
• Artisan Preparation Option: By offering a traditional mortar and pestle method alongside standard mixing, the recipe allows cooking enthusiasts to connect with authentic culinary techniques while creating a fresh, vibrant sauce.

What You Need for Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Garlic: Aromatic foundation that adds sharp, pungent flavor to the chimichurri.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Provides tangy acidity that balances the sauce's rich elements.
• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend ingredients and creates silky texture.

• Parsley, Oregano: Fresh green herbs that give classic chimichurri brightness and herbaceous quality.
• Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: Spices that contribute depth, mild heat, and smoky undertones.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing and bringing together all flavor profiles in the sauce.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

Collect fresh garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, dried oregano, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and flat-leaf parsley. Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for optimal flavor blending.

• 3 cloves garlic
• Red wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Dried oregano
• Smoked paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley

Step 2: Crush and Mix Base Ingredients

In a small mixing bowl, finely mince the garlic or crush it using a mortar and pestle. Add vinegar, olive oil, salt, oregano, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Whisk or blend these ingredients until they create a smooth, fragrant base.

Step 3: Incorporate Fresh Parsley

Finely chop the parsley leaves and stems. Gently fold the parsley into the chimichurri sauce, ensuring even distribution. The sauce should have a vibrant green color and chunky texture.

Step 4: Adjust and Serve

Taste the chimichurri and adjust seasoning if needed. Use immediately as a zesty sauce for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or as a marinade. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Blend with Precision: Pulse ingredients to maintain chunky texture, avoiding over-processing.
• Rest and Marinate: Allow chimichurri to sit for 15-30 minutes, letting flavors meld together intensely.
• Temperature Matters: Serve at room temperature to maximize herb freshness and aromatic profile.
• Vinegar Selection: Opt for red wine vinegar with robust character to enhance overall brightness.
• Storage Wisdom: Refrigerate in airtight container for up to a week, keeping herbs vibrant and flavors sharp.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by transferring chimichurri to vacuum-sealed bags, removing all air to prevent oxidation. Ideal for preserving vibrant herb colors and preventing flavor degradation.
• Portion Freezing Technique: Distribute chimichurri into silicone ice cube trays for precise single-serving portions. Pop out frozen cubes and store in labeled freezer bags, allowing quick and easy defrosting for spontaneous meal preparations.
• Glass Jar Conservation: Select dark glass containers with tight-fitting lids to protect chimichurri from light exposure. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to create a protective barrier, extending refrigeration life and maintaining robust herbal flavors.

Creative Twists on Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

• Garden Fresh: Replace parsley with a mix of cilantro and fresh basil for a vibrant herbal flavor profile that adds brightness to grilled vegetables and meats.
• Spicy Southwest: Incorporate diced jalapeños and swap red pepper flakes with chipotle powder to create a smoky, intense chimichurri with a southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Blend: Substitute vinegar with lemon juice and add chopped mint leaves for a lighter, more citrusy version that pairs beautifully with grilled fish and lamb.
• Roasted Garlic Infusion: Roast garlic cloves before mixing to develop a deeper, mellower garlic flavor that adds complexity to the traditional chimichurri sauce.

A Flavor Explosion from Alton Brown’s Chimichurri

Chimichurri sauce emerges as Argentina’s culinary gem, blending robust herbs with tangy vinegar for an explosive flavor profile.

Garlic and parsley dance together, creating a zesty companion for grilled meats and roasted vegetables.

Alton Brown’s approach elevates this traditional sauce with smoky paprika and fiery red pepper flakes.

Mediterranean influences merge with South American spirit in this simple yet sophisticated condiment.

Kitchen adventurers can craft this sauce in mere minutes, transforming ordinary dishes into extraordinary experiences.

Curious palates will fall in love with its vibrant complexity – so grab those ingredients, spread the word, and let the flavor revolution begin right in your kitchen!

Alton Brown Chimichurri Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s chimichurri sauce brings Argentine zest to grilled meats with a bold, herbaceous blend of parsley, garlic, and tangy vinegar. Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a classic condiment that elevates proteins and delivers authentic South American flavor you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Components:

• ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (from about 1 bunch of parsley, coarse stems removed)

Liquid Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

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Instructions

1. Mince fresh garlic cloves finely to release their aromatic essence and enhance flavor intensity.
2. Whisk together white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, dried oregano, smoky Spanish paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes in a ceramic mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
3. Gently fold in freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, using a traditional mortar and pestle to slightly bruise herbs and release their essential oils.
4. Allow marinade to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and develop a robust, complex profile.
5. Transfer prepared sauce to a serving vessel, ensuring even distribution of herbs and spices throughout the mixture.
6. Serve immediately as a vibrant dipping condiment alongside grilled Mediterranean vegetables, roasted portobello mushrooms, or charred artisan bread.
7. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, red pepper flakes, or vinegar according to personal taste preferences, creating a customized culinary experience.

Notes

• Parsley works best when chopped super fine, creating a delicate garnish that blends seamlessly into the dish.
• Grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle releases intense flavors and creates a rustic, authentic texture that elevates home cooking.
• Spice lovers can easily adjust red pepper flakes to match personal heat preferences, making the recipe adaptable for every palate.
• Selecting premium olive oil and aged vinegar transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 207
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg