Laura Fuentes

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Eat Healthy
  • Quick Meals
  • Pancakes
  • About
  • Pasta Night
  • Best Chicken Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Eat Healthy
  • Quick Meals
  • Pancakes
  • About
  • Pasta Night
  • Best Chicken Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dressings

Cilantro Chimichurri

By Laura Fuentes Updated Apr 21, 2025

5 from 11 votes

Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy here.

This Cilantro Chimichurri is a fresh spin on the classic sauce! It makes the perfect finishing touch for meats and seafood.

This “Mexican chimichurri” adds cilantro to the mix giving it a fresh and citrusy flavor that’s simply amazing over everything!

a spoon and a bowl of cilantro chimichurri

What is Mexican Chimichurri

Mexican Chimichurri is a spin on classic chimichurri, a chunky green sauce made of cilantro and parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, and oil, mild in spice and usually served to drizzle over grilled meat.

The Mexican version adds cilantro, yielding a more tangy, citrusy, and fresh sauce. You can use it as a dressing for grilled meats and veggies, but also for tacos, salads, fried eggs, and baked potatoes.

Does Classic Chimichurri Contain Cilantro?

Classic chimichurri from Argentina doesn’t contain cilantro. While it looks green like this Mexican chimichurri, it exclusively uses parsley.

Cilantro Chimichurri Ingredients

With cilantro as the star of this show, the other ingredients add more and more delicious flavors to this amazing sauce. You don’t need anything fancy:

  • Cilantro: what makes this chimichurri so epic! 
  • Italian parsley: it’s fresh, slightly peppery and bitter.
  • Lime juice: use fresh lime juice to yield better results.
  • Olive oil: adds flavor and helps to combine the ingredients.
  • Onion: any kind. Delicious and a must!
  • Garlic cloves: aroma, flavor… it always makes things better!
  • Ground cumin: adds a slightly smoky taste.
  • Kosher salt: to enhance all the flavors.
  • Jalapeño pepper: adds some heat!

You’ll find the ingredient measurements in the printable recipe card below.

a spoon and a bowl with cilantro chimichurri

How to Make Cilantro Chimichurri 

Pulse. Pulse. And then pulse again. That’s all you need to do to turn tasty staples into irresistible homemade cilantro chimichurri. Check how ridiculously easy it is to make it:

  1. Pulse until chopped
    In a food processor, place jalapeno, garlic, onion, and pulse several times until chopped. 
  2. Add cilantro and parsley
    Add cilantro (stems are fine) and Italian parsley (again, thin stems are fine), and pulse again. 
  3. Add liquid and seasonings
    Add oil, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Pulse until combined.
  4. Refrigerate
    Transfer to an airtight container or glass jar and refrigerate up to one week.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in a glass jar or an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week. You’d better make this cilantro chimichurri in bulk because I bet the jar will be empty fast!

How to Use Cilantro Chimichurri

You can drizzle Cilantro Chimichurri over all kinds of meals but let me tell you my favorite one: Steak Tacos! They are meant to each other! Of course, this gal loves using Mexican chimichurri to top ANY taco!

And that’s just one epic idea to use it. This sauce is foundational to my chimichurri chicken thighs, perfect to serve over baked salmon, pan-seared chicken breasts, salads, fried eggs, baked sweet potatoes, and roasted veggies. What about dipping carrot fries or fish sticks? SOOO good!

Pssst, Super Mom, find this recipe on page 27 in The Taco Tuesday Cookbook!

Cilantro Chimichurri

a spoon and a bowl with cilantro chimichurri
Servings: 12 about 1 ½ cups (375g)
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins
This Cilantro Chimichurri is a fresh spin on the classic sauce! It makes the perfect finishing touch for meats and seafood.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch cilantro, about 1 cup (20 g) packed
  • 1 bunch Italian Parsley, about 1 cup (20 g) packed
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice, (1-2 limes)
  • ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
  • ¼ cup (40 g) chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ jalapeño pepper, stems removed optional

Instructions

  • In a food processor, place jalapeno, garlic, onion, and pulse several times until chopped.
  • Add cilantro (stems are fine) and Italian parsley (again, thin stems are fine), pulse again.
  • Add oil, lime juice, cumin, and salt. Pulse until combined.
  • Transfer to an airtight container or glass jar and refrigerate up to one week.

Equipment

Food Processor
Wide-Mouth Mason Jars

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tablespoon | Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 458IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

More Sauces & Dressings

  • top view of six toast with cottage cheese and different toppings
    Whipped Cottage Cheese
  • a spoonful of hot honey over a bowl with hot honey
    Hot Honey
  • a bowl of dill pickle ranch
    Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing
  • a jar of cottage cheese ranch dressing, next to a salad
    Cottage Cheese Ranch Dressing

Comments

    5 from 11 votes (7 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Ann says

    April 23, 2024 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars
    I love Cilantro, so I want to put this on everything. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. DK says

    April 23, 2024 at 3:53 pm

    5 stars
    This cilantro chimichurri was so savory! It was perfect for my steak and I also put it on my burgers!

    Reply
  3. Charah says

    April 23, 2024 at 3:45 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe, delicious and easy to make. thanks for sharing

    Reply
  4. Vicky says

    April 23, 2024 at 3:39 pm

    5 stars
    I know not everyone is a fan of cilantro, but I love it! This recipe rocks! It’s the perfect addition to grilled steak (or anything, really!)

    Reply

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

More about me →

Let's Be Social!

Facebook Pinterest Instagram YouTube
5 Secrets to Healthy(er) Family Meals

Fresh Favorites

  • large stack of fluffy pancakes with slice of butter on top
    Best Fluffy Pancakes Recipe
  • rotisserie chicken alfredo
    Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo
  • three hard shell tacos
    How to Make Taco Shells
  • 4 fillets of baked cajun salmon served with roasted potatoes and broccoli
    Baked Cajun Salmon

Trending Now

  • large stack of pancakes topped with a slice of butter. a small bottle of maple syrup behind the stack of pancakes.
    How to Make Pancakes Without Eggs
  • copycat canes nuggets and fries with texas toast and two sauces
    Copycat Cane’s Chicken Recipe with Homemade Cane’s Sauce
  • large plate of freshly baked mixed chicken pieces
    Juicy Baked Chicken Pieces
  • creamy garlic sauce in a large pot with pepper on top
    5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce

Footer

Browse

  • Start Here
  • Eat Healthy in 30 Days
  • Weekly Family Meal Plans
  • Recipe Index

Useful Links

  • Contact
  • Permissions
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2025 LAURA FUENTES · DESIGN BY FUENTES MEDIA

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.