Mint Chimichurri Sauce Recipe

Doubling as a sauce and a marinade, this Mint Chimichurri Sauce Recipe is made with simple, nutritious ingredients full of refreshing flavor! Pair it with lamb, shrimp, chicken, and more for a refreshing touch to any dish! Vegan Option. 

Welcome to Sauce Week! Part of our Minimal Ingredient March series, we’re giving you 3 separate sauces made with simple ingredients that pack tons of flavor without the use of refined sugars or additives. Try them all or pick your favorite, and follow along for easy meals all month long! 

More Ways to Mint

Did you know that mint can be paired with more than just chocolate? Crazy, right? But it’s true! You see, when I started dating my Kiwi husband, I quickly learned that it’s commonly paired with lamb (mint sauce, mint jam, etc.) and other meats. However, they don’t just sprinkle mint pieces on top of meat. That wouldn’t be super tasty!

Instead, they combine it with other fresh herbs, spices, and oils to create an incredible sauce that’s light, refreshing, and tangy all at the same time. Turns out, it’s super delicious and the perfect sidekick to the hearty flavors of many types of meats. 

Over the years, I’ve tried my hand at creating the perfect mint chimichurri sauce recipe countless times, and it never seemed to turn out quite as good as my father-in-law’s until now! I’ve finally found the perfect combination to create an easy chimichurri sauce that doesn’t take a million ingredients or lots of time in the kitchen. It’s light, refreshing, and made with a zingy twist to elevate any meal in minutes. Even my husband approves! I like to whip up a big batch to have on hand for shrimp, salads, and more. 

What Is Chimichurri Sauce?

Traditionally, chimichurri sauce is an uncooked condiment that doubles as both a marinade and a dipping sauce. The base starts with parsley and vinegar and comes in many varieties. Most commonly, you will find traditional green chimichurri and red chimichurri. Red versions contain the same ingredients as green chimichurri sauce with the addition of roasted red peppers and smoked paprika. 

Origins: Although the exact origins of chimichurri sauce remain debated, it is widely agreed upon that the recipe derived from Argentina.

Taste: Chimichurri sauce has a very herby or fragrant taste and often packs a slight kick due to the use of peppers. 

What Is This Chimichurri Made of?  

Of course, there are endless chimichurri variations consisting of a wide variety of spices and flavors. So, feel free to experiment and add your own. However, for this mint version, we kept things short and sweet using just 8 ingredients including: 

• Parsley
  
• Mint
  
• Peppers (Serrano or Jalapeño)
  
• Garlic
  
• Lime
  
• Honey (or Agave Nectar)
  
• Olive Oil
  
• Salt & Pepper

Is this Chimichurri Sauce Recipe with Mint Authentic? 

Not quite. For this easy chimichurri sauce variation, I used traditional recipes and methods as inspiration and added my own Cotter twist! You see, truly traditional recipes are made by grinding the ingredients in a mortar and pestle. However, to speed up the process, I used a food processor. In addition, traditional chimichurri sauce does not contain mint. However, including it in the recipe has become a common variation and for good reason! It adds a refreshing element to the earthiness of the herbs.  

How to Make Mint Chimichurri Sauce

This chimichurri sauce recipe is so easy to make, it’s almost embarrassing. But, that’s what we’re all about – simple, easy, and delicious! Here’s how to make it:  

• Place the parsley, mint, peppers, lime, and honey into the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until they are well combined.
  
• With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream.
  
• Pour the blended mixture into a small bowl, and gently stir in salt and pepper to taste. 

How to Store

Keep leftover sauce in an airtight jar or container, and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

Freezer Option: Place your chimichurri sauce in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag, and store them for up to 3 months. 

Tips for the Best Taste

Okay, just because a recipe is easy doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement, right? To make sure your chimichurri sauce recipe turns out incredible every single time, follow these easy tips!

• Use Fresh Herbs. The fresher the herbs you use, the more flavor your sauce will have! Due to the high water content of fresh herbs, they tend to lose flavor much faster than their dried counterparts. So, it’s best to use them as soon as possible. 
  
• Don’t Overchop. Unlike other sauces, mint chimichurri sauce is meant to contain pieces of the herbs. They add flavor! So, be careful not to over-pulse (or chop) your herbs. 
  
• Use the Seeds. To add a bit of heat, try including a few of the seeds from your serrano or jalapeno pepper to the mix! 

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You’re not going to believe how tasty this mint chimichurri makes all your favorite recipes! If you give it a try, I would love it if you let me know in the comments below! 

Cheers, 

LC