Garlic Scape Chimichurri Recipe Easy Homemade Sauce for Grilled Meats
A fresh, vibrant chimichurri sauce made with garlic scapes that adds a mellow garlicky flavor to grilled meats and vegetables. Quick and easy to prepare, this sauce is perfect for enhancing smoky grilled dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup (approximately 8 servings, 2 tablespoons each) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Argentinian-inspired
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped garlic scapes
- 1/2 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse about 1 cup of garlic scapes under cold water. Trim off the tough ends and roughly chop into 1-inch pieces (about 5 minutes).
- Wash and dry 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley and 1/4 cup cilantro. Remove thick stems and roughly chop the leaves to fit into your food processor (about 3 minutes).
- Add chopped garlic scapes, parsley, cilantro, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional), 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to the food processor.
- Pulse the mixture in 10-second bursts, scraping down the sides as needed, until smooth but still slightly textured and vibrant green (about 1-2 minutes).
- Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. If too thick, add a teaspoon of olive oil or water to loosen.
- Transfer the sauce to a jar or bowl. Serve fresh or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Let come to room temperature before serving if chilled.
Notes
Do not over-blend; pulse in short bursts to maintain texture. Use fresh herbs for best flavor. Let sauce chill for 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Store garlic scapes wrapped in damp paper towel in fridge and use within a few days. Sauce keeps up to 4 days refrigerated. For zestier flavor, add lemon zest or juice during blending. Variations include adding jalapeño for heat, swapping herbs, or making oil-free with vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 0.2
- Sodium: 230
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1.3
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 0.5
Keywords: garlic scape chimichurri, chimichurri sauce, grilled meat sauce, garlic scapes recipe, easy chimichurri, homemade chimichurri, fresh herb sauce