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5.0 from 45 votes

Chimichurri with Grilled Venison

This recipe is really all about the sauce, so the fact that I use venison here is incidental. Beef would be traditional in Argentina, where chimichurri comes from, but lamb, goat or even pork would be fine, too. I use wild mint, but you can use whatever mint you want. You can also play with proportions, too. Hate mint? Use oregano. Use fresh herbs when you can, but when you can't find them, dried parsley, chiles and mint work fine.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 255 kcal
Course: Main Course , Condiments

Ingredients

CHIMICHURRI
  • 1-2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup fresh chopped parsley, lightly packed
  • 1 cup fresh chopped mint, lightly packed
  • 1 small hot chile, minced
  • 2-3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt and black pepper to taste
VENISON
  • 1 1/2 pounds venison backstrap in one piece
  • vegetable oil
  • salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Food processor method: Put the garlic, herbs, chile, lime juice and a little salt in the bowl of a food processor. Buzz to combine, but do not puree. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Add more salt and black pepper to taste. Let steep for an hour or so before serving.
  2. Traditional method: Mince the garlic, chile and herbs by hand and pound a little in a mortar and pestle. Add the lime juice, salt and pepper and then mix in the olive oil slowly by hand, stirring all the while. Let steep for an hour or so before serving.
  3. For the venison: Take the meat out and let it come to room temperature. Pat it dry with a paper towel, then coat with the vegetable oil. Salt it well.
  4. If you are grilling, get your grill hot and clean the grates. If you are planning on pan-roasting, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and get a large saute pan hot on your hottest burner.
  5. Grill the venison, turning occasionally until it is medium-rare, or however you like it; this should take about 10-15 minutes. If you are pan-roasting, brown the outside of the venison backstrap in the saute pan, then put the whole pan into the oven. Roast for about 8 minutes for rare. Use the finger test for doneness as your guide.
  6. Let the venison rest on a cutting board. Right before you slice and serve it, Pour any accumulated juices into the chimichurri. Pour the chimichurri over the sliced venison and serve at once.

Nutrition Information

Calories 255kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 67mg (22%) Sodium 55mg (2%) Potassium 412mg (12%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 871IU (17%) Vitamin C 14mg (16%) Calcium 29mg (3%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 255

% Daily Value*

Calories 255kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 67mg 22%
Sodium 55mg 2%
Potassium 412mg 9%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 871IU 17%
Vitamin C 14mg 16%
Calcium 29mg 3%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.