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Keto Chimichurri

Published: · Updated: by · 8 Comments

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Say hello to our Keto Chimichurri! This flavorful and versatile keto sauce is the perfect match for your healthy diet, adding a savory burst of freshness to your meals. The best thing about this Argentine classic sauce is its adaptability—it can play any role you need! Whether it's a punchy marinade, a tangy salad dressing, or a vibrant topping, this compelling condiment will easily elevate any meal from basic to wow in just minutes!

Large Bowl of Keto Chimichurri on a wooden serving platter.
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Preparation overview

In just minutes, mince the ingredients, fold in aromatic herbs, and mix with olive oil. Within 10 minutes, you'll have a gourmet-quality sauce to rock your dishes. It's that simple and oh-so-delicious!

Chef's note

This Keto Chimichurri recipe is versatile enough for any taste. Adjust the red wine vinegar for a less tangy flavor, and swap cilantro or parsley with fresh mint or basil if desired. Make it your own and savor every delicious bite!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Rest Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 12 Servings

Ingredients for this keto chimichurri recipe

  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 Fresno chili, minced (or jalapeno or serrano)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup cilantro, minced
  • ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced
  • ¾ cup olive oil

Ingredient substitutions

Here are some alternatives if you can't find a few things from the ingredient list:

  • Shallot: A yellow or white onion is a perfect substitute. They have a similar flavor profile, although onions are slightly stronger. So use a smaller amount to avoid the dominant flavor.
  • Fresno chili: Jalapenos are a great alternative to Fresno chilies. They have a similar heat level and are also keto-friendly. Note the heat is in the seeds and ribs, so adjust according to your spice tolerance.
  • Red wine vinegar: Apple cider vinegar and keto white wine vinegar can step in if you're out of red wine vinegar. They are slightly sweeter and less harsh but work beautifully to provide that necessary acid kick.
  • Cilantro: Some people have a natural aversion to cilantro. If you're one of them, fresh parsley is an excellent substitute.

Additional ingredients

Chimichurri shines on its own, but you can easily enhance its flavor with simple ingredient tweaks. For example, you can add:

  • Lemon zest: Adding a bit of lemon zest brings a bright, citrusy note to your chimichurri.
  • Grated Parmesan: A bit of grated Parmesan adds a savory, umami touch to the sauce. Sprinkle some on top when using the sauce as a dressing or dip.
  • Crushed black pepper: For those who love a bit of a spicy kick, adding crushed black pepper does wonders.

Note: All these additions are entirely keto-friendly and can be used freely to cater to your tastes but remember to check the recipe card for detailed nutrition information.

Kitchen tools required

To make this Keto Chimichurri recipe, you will need the following tools:

  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Airtight jar

Tools substitute options

  • Whisk: No whisk? No worries! You can use a fork to blend the ingredients, though it may require a bit more effort.
  • Knife: If mincing with a knife feels like too much work, you can use a food processor to chop your ingredients. Just be careful not to over-process; we want a coarse texture, not a purée.
Keto Chimichurri being mixed in a bowl
ingredients from step one in a bowl resting

How to make Keto Chimichurri: step-by-step guide

Preparation methods

  • No-cook recipe

Assembling instructions

  1. Place the minced shallot, chili, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Allow the mixture to stand for 10 minutes to let the spices meld.
  2. After 10 minutes, whisk in the remaining ingredients, including cilantro, parsley, oregano, and olive oil. Stir until the ingredients are well combined.
  3. Let it sit for 10 minutes for the flavors to blend.
  4. Transfer the sauce into an airtight jar in the refrigerator and enjoy!

Chef's pro tip

The key to mastering this recipe is patience and finding the right balance. Many people rush the process and don't let the initial mixture sit for long enough. It's crucial to give it a 10-minute rest to allow the flavors to come together and for the vinegar's sharpness to mellow out. Skipping this step might result in a sauce that's too tangy or overpowering. So, don't skip this important step.

What to serve with Keto Chimichurri?

You can experiment with a lot of recipes with chimichurri. Use it as a sauce, topping, salad dressing, or marinade for your chicken for grilling or roasting. The possibilities are countless! Here are some serving options:

  • Grilled chicken: The zesty sauce cuts through the richness of the chicken, adding a vibrant flavor. Drizzle it over the cutlet and enjoy.
  • Grilled steak: This low-carb steak sauce goes best with a piece of flank steak. It complements any skirt steak dish perfectly with its bold flavors.
  • Keto seafood: Enjoy lobster tail, Keto Crab Cakes, or Salmon with Tomatoes and Green Beans with melted butter for the ultimate surf & turf feast.
  • Roasted vegetables: The sauce adds freshness and complexity to simple, earthy roasted veggies.
  • Fish: Chimichurri lends a fresh, tangy touch to delicate, Broiled Salmon, enhancing its flavor without overpowering it.
  • Sautéed spinach: Pour it over a bed of spinach piled high with your favorite veggies and fresh mozzarella for a refreshing crunch.
  • Carnitas: Drizzle it over Keto Carnitas; this is the perfect protein for keto as it's 75% fat and 25% protein.

How to make it healthier

Make this keto sauce healthier by focussing on the following:

  • Reducing sodium: Cut back on the added salt in the recipe. The herbs and vinegar provide a lot of flavor, so you might not miss it.
  • Organic Ingredients: Consider using organic ingredients, particularly herbs, shallot, chili, and garlic.

Time-saving tips

  • Buy pre-minced ingredients: If you can find pre-minced ingredients in your local store, purchase them and use them.
  • Leverage kitchen gadgets: Use kitchen gadgets such as a grater to mince the garlic and a food processor to mix them. Remember, you don't have to mix too much in the food processor.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Herb prep: Wash and dry your herbs in advance. This makes mincing them easier and reduces your prep time.
  • Ingredient containers: Prepare small bowls or mason jars for your sauce. Having everything prepped and at hand will make the cooking process smoother and quicker.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storing the leftover chimichurri is great for meal prepping and boosting the flavor of the meals throughout the week.

  • Refrigerator: Transfer leftovers into an airtight jar or container, pop it into the fridge, and it'll stay fresh for up to 5 days. Over time, the sauce's flavor will deepen as the ingredients continue to meld together.
  • Freezer: Freeze the sauce in ice cube trays and then transfer the cubes to a zip-top bag. You can use it for one month. Thaw a cube whenever you need a flavor boost!

Note: Before using the stored sauce, allow it to come up to room temperature and give it a good stir to let the flavors distribute evenly.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Who would've thought that just a few fresh and simple ingredients could come together to make such an amazing Keto Chimichurri sauce?! This sauce is so versatile and ready to add some zing to your meals, making your keto kitchen even more exciting.

For dinner, try it with a juicy steak, or give that dull salad a flavorful boost with our tangy chimichurri sauce. But hey, don't just take our word for it. Give it a go and see how it elevates your mealtime!

Frequently asked questions

You can, but dried herbs should be used in a pinch. Typically, the ratio is one-third dried to fresh since dried herbs have a strong flavor. So, for example, instead of ½ cup of fresh cilantro, you'd use about 2-3 tablespoons of dried cilantro.

Let it sit for a minimum of ten minutes. But letting it sit for hours or overnight will help the flavors to meld together.

Olive oil is a significant source of healthy fats, a crucial part of a ketogenic diet. However, if you're looking for a lower-fat version, try reducing its amount. Note that this will change the texture and possibly the flavor.

Absolutely! Reduce the amount of chili or even omit it entirely. The sauce will still be flavorful due to the herbs and garlic.

Blend the ingredients in a food processor to make a creamier chimichurri sauce. Be cautious not to over-blend, or you'll end up with a purée instead of a sauce.

📖 Recipe

Large Bowl of Keto Chimichurri on a wooden serving platter.

Keto Chimichurri

This Keto Chimichurri is extremely versatile as a sauce, marinade, or even a salad dressing, plus it’s super simple and only takes 10 minutes to prepare! #Easy #Recipe
5 from 3 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: basic
Cuisine: South American
Keyword: basics, easy, keto
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 128kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 Fresno chili minced (or jalapeno or serrano)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup minced cilantro
  • ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano
  • ¾ cup olive oil

Instructions

  • In a small bowl combine the shallot, chili, garlic, vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Let stand 10 minutes then whisk in the remaining ingredients.
  • Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Chimichurri
Amount Per Serving
Calories 128 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 199mg9%
Potassium 39mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 219IU4%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 17mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    How do you store chimichurri sauce and how long does it last?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Store covered (we use a jar) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

      Reply

  2. David M Bourassa says

    What is the serving size?

    Reply

    • M says

      It says this recipe makes 12 servings, so I guess we can divide the yield by 12 to figure it out? I think weighing and dividing might be easier than volume measures

      Reply

  3. Mo says

    How much is a serving?

    Reply

  4. Diane says

    5 stars
    Excellent, I am not a fan of "heat" so I left out the chilies and the pepper flakes. Worked great as a marinade on steak, I added 2 TBS Mayo and 2 TBS Sour cream (from a Martha Stewart recipe) makes a great salad dressing.

    Reply

  5. RebeccaJ says

    Speaking of lobster with drawn butter - I am now dairy free. Do you think this sauce would taste good on the lobster?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      Yes! It would be fantastic with lobster.

      Reply

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