Oil Free Chimichurri Sauce
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Resting Time
1 hr
-
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
-
Servings
8 Servings (makes approx. 1 cup)
-
Calories
8 kcal
-
Course
Condiments
-
Cuisine
South American
Oil Free Chimichurri Sauce
Description
Oil Free Chimichurri Sauce features parsley and cilantro finely chopped and mixed with garlic, dried oregano, salt, and paprika for a fresh herbal base. Instead of oil, the recipe uses lime juice and red wine vinegar to dress the herbs, creating a tangy and vibrant sauce. Processing the herbs separately before mixing with the liquids ensures a coarse texture rather than a smooth puree, offering a pleasant mouthfeel. This sauce is typically served alongside grilled foods, providing a fresh and zesty flavor contrast.
The flavor balances brightness from the lime juice and acidity from the vinegar with savory notes from dried spices and garlic. The paprika adds color and a slight smokiness, which can be adjusted depending on the type used. The preparation method calls for letting the sauce rest for an hour, allowing the flavors to meld well.
Variations include swapping cilantro for all parsley if disliked, using different vinegars like apple cider, or adding heat with cayenne or chili flakes. The sauce’s oil-free nature makes it a fresh, light alternative while retaining the herbaceous, tangy character typical of chimichurri.
Ingredients
- 1 cup flat leaf parsley tightly packed (thick stems removed)
- ½ cup cilantro tightly packed (thick stems removed, fresh
- 3-4 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked
- 1 tablespoon lime juice approx. half of a lime
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients, except the lime juice and the vinegar to your food processor. Process until finely chopped.
- Then transfer the herbs to a bowl or jar and pour in the lime juice and vinegar. Mix well and let rest for 1 hour to blend the flavours. Serve with your favourite grilled foods.
Notes
- If avoiding cilantro, replace it entirely with parsley to maintain freshness without its distinct flavor.
- White wine or apple cider vinegar can substitute red wine vinegar without altering the sauce’s fundamental tang.
- Enhance heat by adding cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to taste.
- For a smoky element, use smoked paprika instead of sweet and consider a splash of liquid smoke.
- Switch lime juice with lemon or mix citrus juices; adding orange juice introduces slight sweetness.
- Do not add liquids to the food processor before herbs are finely chopped to keep texture coarse rather than pureed.
- Alternatively, after chopping herbs finely, briefly pulse liquids in once or twice to combine without pureeing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Servings (makes approx. 1 cup)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 8 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2Tablespoons | |
| Calories | 8cal | 0% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Sodium | 151mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 65mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 828IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
