Description
Flavorful and herby, this easy 10-minute basil chimichurri sauce uses fresh basil instead of parsley, making it a vibrant twist on classic chimichurri that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, seafood, and even sandwiches. Versatile, bright and garlicky, this hugely popular sauce is also naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Chop Basil: Finely chop the basil.
- Add Herbs & Spices: Add garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add Vinegar: Pour in red wine vinegar and mix.
- Drizzle in Oil: Slowly drizzle in olive oil while stirring.
- Let Sit Before Serving: Let the basil chimichurri sauce sit at least 20 minutes before serving (this is key for the flavors to blend together).
Notes
Basil: I used Italian basil (sweet basil), but you can also use whichever basil you have on hand. For instance, use Thai basil for a slightly spicier flavor, or lemon basil for a more citrusy taste.
Garlic: The pungent flavor of fresh garlic cloves is a key ingredient in this basil chimichurri, so definitely make sure to add this in. If you really love garlic like I do, you can use all 4 garlic cloves. If you don’t want such a strong garlic taste, 2 or 3 cloves will be fine.
Dried Oregano: I used dried oregano for easy, but fresh oregano will work too. If using fresh, make sure to use 2 teaspoons fresh oregano leaves.
Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes add color and a kick of heat, so definitely make sure to add it in.
Red Wine Vinegar: I used red wine vinegar, but feel free to use white wine vinegar, regular white vinegar, or even apple cider vinegar instead.
Olive Oil: Since there are so few ingredients involved, I recommend using the best-quality extra virgin olive oil you can afford.
Black Pepper: For best results, use freshly ground black pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Sauces
- Cuisine: Latin American
