Chimichurri steak, a culinary delight hailing from South America, has won the hearts of many with its unparalleled flavors. This beloved dish is a staple in Argentina and Uruguay, where tenderloin or sirloin steak is expertly paired with a tangy and aromatic chimichurri sauce that will leave you craving more.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of chimichurri sauce, exploring its essence and character.
We’ll also provide some valuable insights on what side dishes to serve alongside your chimichurri steak, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors and textures.
So sit back, relax, and get ready to embark on a gastronomic journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you eager for more.
What Is Chimichurri Sauce?
Chimichurri is a vibrant and aromatic Argentine sauce that combines the freshness of oregano, parsley, and cilantro with the tanginess of red wine vinegar. While it’s tempting to rely on food processors to streamline the chopping process, doing everything by hand allows for a unique texture that’s essential to this sauce. By finely mincing the herbs, shallots, chile, garlic, and salt together, you’ll create an intense, pungent flavor profile that pairs beautifully with medium-rare steak.
However, chimichurri is also a versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes, including lentils, roasted potatoes, fried eggs, or tofu. To allow the aromatics to soften and meld with the vinegar, it’s recommended that you let the ingredients sit for about 10 minutes before adding the herbs. This will ensure that your chimichurri is rich, complex, and full of flavor.
The Best Side Dishes For Chimichurri Steak
Now that we’ve established the basics of chimichurri, it’s easy to envision how it harmonizes with a juicy sirloin or tenderloin steak. But what about the supporting cast? No steak dinner is complete without some delicious accompaniments. As such, this article will now delve into the top sides that complement chimichurri steak perfectly.
Herby Flatbread With Whipped Feta
Elevate your meal by pairing the grilled steak with a decadent combination of soft flatbread and whipped feta. This sophisticated addition not only adds texture but also harmonizes beautifully with the tangy chimichurri sauce, creating a truly indulgent experience that will leave you wanting more.
Coleslaw
Looking for a low-carb dish that’s packed with flavor? Look no further than coleslaw. This tasty side dish is made by combining shredded carrot and cabbage with mayonnaise and various spices, creating a versatile recipe that can be tailored to your liking. Feel free to add your own unique twists, such as diced apples for added sweetness. Coleslaw pairs beautifully with grilled steak and chimichurri sauce, making it an excellent accompaniment to any meal.
Lemon Herb Cous Cous
When it comes to pairing sides with steak chimichurri, couscous is an excellent choice. Not only is it a nutritious option, but it also complements the bold flavors of the dish beautifully. To take it to the next level, try combining pearl couscous with a squeeze of lemon juice and some fresh herbs for a bright and light accompaniment. Alternatively, you can even mix in some chimichurri sauce directly into the couscous itself, adding an extra layer of flavor to your meal.
Potato Wedges
When it comes to crafting a warm and inviting meal, potatoes are an excellent choice. The combination of crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors makes for a delightful texture experience. Furthermore, the flavors of garlic and cheese meld together harmoniously, especially when paired with a tangy homemade chimichurri sauce, creating a truly satisfying culinary encounter.
Roasted Vegetables
When it comes to adding a nutritious touch to your meal, consider pairing it with a flavorful medley of roasted vegetables. To do this, simply toss your favorite veggies in oil and seasonings, then let them roast to perfection while you’re busy preparing your chimichurri sauce and steak. The end result is a harmonious blend of flavors when you drizzle the roasted veggies with the tangy goodness of your homemade chimichurri sauce.
Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes embody the essence of comfort food, making them an ideal accompaniment to any steak dish. When done right, they’re incredibly creamy and soft, with the option to add a burst of flavor by incorporating chimichurri sauce into their mashed goodness.
Potato Hash With Egg
When combining the flavors of chimichurri sauce with potatoes and eggs, it’s only natural that they’d complement each other perfectly. One skillet is all you need to prepare this simple yet satisfying potato hash with eggs. Feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices for added depth of flavor. Serve it alongside a tender steak and a bright, herby chimichurri sauce, and you won’t have time to stop and snap an Instagram-worthy shot – the flavors will be that good!
Cauliflower Mash
For those adhering to a low-carb diet or following the keto lifestyle, this innovative cauliflower mash offers a game-changing alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. By utilizing cauliflower instead of potatoes, this dish not only reduces carb intake but also boosts the overall veggie content of your meal. The resulting flavor profile is savory and aromatic, with notes of garlic that are sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Just be aware that the pungent aroma may linger, potentially making future social interactions a bit… awkward.
Goat Cheese Salad
Goat cheese salad is a delightful culinary experience that harmoniously complements a variety of dishes without overpowering them. One exceptional combination is pairing it with steak and chimichurri, where the creamy goat cheese and tangy chimichurri create an exciting flavor profile. Additionally, the inclusion of leafy greens adds a boost of essential nutrients to this already satisfying side dish.
Furthermore, drizzling chimichurri sauce over the goat cheese unlocks a depth of flavor that will leave you wondering how you ever went without it!
Homemade French Fries
The quintessential pairing of a juicy steak and crispy fries is a match made in culinary heaven. While humble french fries may be considered a simple side dish, they elevate the dining experience to new heights when served alongside a tender cut of meat. The combination of rich steak juices and creamy chimichurri sauce with these perfectly cooked fries is nothing short of sublime.
This recipe promises to reveal the secret to crafting the most mouthwatering french fries you’ve ever tasted, rendering takeout a distant memory.
Pico De Gallo
Pico De Gallo is a refreshing condiment made from a harmonious blend of fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice. Its simplicity belies its ability to elevate the classic chimichurri sauce, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats or as a standalone side dish. When you’re in the mood for something light and easy, Pico De Gallo is a perfect fit.
To take your meal to new heights, consider wrapping sliced steak in a tortilla with chimichurri, Pico De Gallo, and any other desired toppings – a delicious and portable option that’s sure to satisfy.
Honey Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Indulge in a culinary surprise: transform your perception of Brussels sprouts by trying these sweet, honey-glazed ones. When paired with steak dinner, they’ll be the perfect accompaniment, and their mild sweetness will beautifully complement the savory flavors of the meat. Moreover, feel free to add them to your chimichurri sauce, where they’ll effortlessly absorb its bold flavors, elevating the dish to a whole new level.
Lemon Dill Potato Salad
For those who crave potatoes while prioritizing their health, the lemon dill potato salad is an ideal choice. This refreshing dish boasts an aromatic and flavorful profile that harmonizes seamlessly with chimichurri sauce, perfectly complementing your grilled steak. Unlike traditional potato salads laden with mayonnaise, this recipe eschews creaminess in favor of a light, healthy alternative.
Creamed Spinach
Steak’s perfect partner in crime is creamed spinach – a harmonious blend of lightness, flavor, and comfort. This nutritious side dish packs a punch, courtesy of its healthy, leafy green foundation. With a mere 20 minutes devoted to preparation, the reward is well worth the effort. In fact, we’re confident that once you serve this culinary delight at the dinner table, your loved ones will be clamoring for more, and you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe again and again.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard offers a delightful way to boost your veggie intake with minimal prep work required. This flavorful side dish, crafted with olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper, makes for a fantastic accompaniment to steak. Its leafy greens occupy a middle ground between spinach’s tenderness and kale’s coarseness, yet are easily cooked in just a few minutes.
What’s more, Swiss chard’s versatility allows you to add your preferred vegetables or flavorings, such as peppers, cream, or cheese, making it an excellent canvas for creative experimentation.
Final Thoughts
To round off our exploration of chimichurri steak, let’s bring together two essential elements: a perfectly cooked sirloin or tenderloin steak, and its ideal companion – a tangy, aromatic chimichurri sauce. This Argentine-inspired condiment is crafted by combining finely chopped shallots, garlic, chile, parsley, cilantro, and oregano with a splash of red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
The resulting light, fragrant flavor profile effortlessly complements a wide range of dishes, including various meats, vegetables, and eggs. As we’ve previously shared, chimichurri sauce is an excellent accompaniment to the 15 delightful side dishes featured in our article, providing endless possibilities for creative meal combinations.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.