Is Chimichurri Good on Salmon? A Flavorful Pairing

Chimichurri sauce and salmon are a match made in heaven. The bright, herbaceous chimichurri complements the buttery, rich flavor of salmon perfectly. While chimichurri originated in Argentina as a steak sauce, it pairs deliciously with salmon as well. The tangy, garlicky flavor adds so much life and vibrancy to an otherwise simple piece of fish. If you’re looking for an easy way to take your salmon game up a notch, look no further than chimichurri sauce.

What is Chimichurri Sauce?

For those who don’t know, chimichurri is a thick sauce made from fresh herbs, garlic, shallots, oil, vinegar, and spices that isn’t cooked. Some versions contain parsley and oregano while others use cilantro. Because it has so much fresh garlic and vinegar, the sauce really packs a flavor punch. You can marinate meat or fish in it, dip it in it, drizzle it over fish or meat, or even dress a salad with it. Even though Argentina claims chimichurri as their own, it’s loved all over the world for its strong, addicting taste.

Why Chimichurri Works So Well with Salmon

There are a few reasons why chimichurri and salmon pair so splendidly together:

Flavor contrast – The bold pungent chimichurri sauce perfectly offsets the rich fatty salmon. The sauce’s acidity cuts through the fish’s oiliness in a pleasant way.

Fresh herbs – Salmon is a delicate, mild flavored fish so it benefits from the blast of green, herby flavor from the chimichurri. This livens up an otherwise one-note protein.

To make chimichurri sauce, just put fresh ingredients in a food processor and blend them together for a few minutes. It requires minimal cooking so you can whip up a batch quickly.

Maximum nutrition – Salmon is rich in heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids while chimichurri contains antioxidants from the fresh herbs. Together they make a nutritious pair.

Versatile – Chimichurri salmon can be served so many ways: tacos, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, you name it! It’s endlessly adaptable.

Impressive—Adding a bright green chimichurri sauce to salmon fillets makes for a classy presentation that looks like it belongs in a restaurant. It looks as great as it tastes!.

Now that you know why these two are perfect partners, let’s look at some delicious ways to serve chimichurri salmon.

Best Ways to Enjoy Chimichurri Salmon

There are so many options when it comes to cooking salmon with chimichurri Here are some of my favorite preparations

Baked Chimichurri Salmon

Baking salmon coated in chimichurri is one of the easiest, fuss-free ways to enjoy this combo. Simply rub the chimichurri all over skinless salmon fillets, pop it in the oven, and in about 10 minutes you have a flavor packed meal. The chimichurri gets slightly charred and caramelized from the oven’s heat which provides even more depth of flavor. Serve the baked salmon atop a bed of greens or roasted veggies.

Grilled Chimichurri Salmon

If you want to add a smoky char to your salmon, grilling it is the way to go. Get those nice grill marks by cooking the salmon over direct heat then brush liberally with chimichurri during the last few minutes of cooking. The charred bits combined with the chimichurri is absolute perfection. Grilled chimichurri salmon is amazing served in lettuce wrap tacos with all the fixings.

Chimichurri Salmon Salad

For a lighter, healthier salmon dish, try this protein packed salad. Cook the salmon however you prefer, flake it into bite-sized pieces then combine it with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cucumber and a lemon vinaigrette. Top with a generous drizzle of chimichurri sauce for a fresh and delicious salad that makes a perfect summer meal.

Chimichurri Salmon Rice Bowl

Rice bowls are a great way to stretch expensive salmon into a hearty, budget friendly meal. Serve your chimichurri salmon over a bed of cauliflower rice or quinoa along with sauteed veggies like peppers, broccoli and snap peas. The salmon and chimichurri pair nicely with a bit of spicy sriracha mayo too. It’s a filling, balanced meal in one bowl.

Chimichurri Salmon Tacos

For an easy taco night, just swap steak for salmon. Rub salmon fillets with chimichurri, cook until flaky then break into bite-sized chunks. Serve in corn tortillas with all your favorite taco toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime. The rich salmon and zesty chimichurri are so satisfying in taco form.

Chimichurri Salmon Recipes to Try

If you’re sold on pairing salmon with chimichurri sauce (and how could you not be?), here are two delicious chimichurri salmon recipes to try:

Easy Chimichurri Baked Salmon

This recipe from Eat Yourself Skinny combines salmon and a quick 5-minute chimichurri for a fast weeknight dinner. She bakes the fish simply with olive oil and lemon before smothering it in the fresh chimichurri sauce. It’s healthy, full of flavor and ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for busy nights. Even better, you’ll have leftover chimichurri to enjoy all week long.

Chimichurri Salmon from Brazilian Kitchen Abroad

For another take, try this chimichurri salmon recipe using cilantro instead of the traditional parsley. It adds a lovely brightness and complexity to the traditional Argentinian sauce. As with the previous recipe, this chimichurri salmon is easy to throw together using pantry staples like cilantro, garlic and olive oil. It comes out deliciously moist and infused with the flavors of the sauce.

So there you have it – all the reasons why salmon and chimichurri are better together. The pairing is fresh and lively, balanced, easy to make and endlessly versatile. While Argentina originally created chimichurri for steak, it turns out the sauce is a phenomenal match for salmon too. So do yourself a favor and serve your next salmon dinner with a generous drizzle of vibrant chimichurri sauce. Your tastebuds will thank you!