Can You Freeze Chimichurri Sauce? A Complete Guide

Chimichurri sauce is a vibrant green condiment that originated in Argentina and Uruguay. It has a tangy, herbaceous flavor from ingredients like parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and olive oil. Chimichurri sauce is commonly served with grilled meats but also makes a great marinade or dipping sauce.

If you have leftover chimichurri sauce, you may wonder if you can freeze it for longer storage. The good news is that chimichurri freezes exceptionally well. Freezing allows you to preserve the fresh flavors of chimichurri for months.

This article provides a complete guide to freezing chimichurri sauce. Learn proper freezing methods, storage times, thawing techniques, and tips for using frozen chimichurri.

Benefits of Freezing Chimichurri Sauce

Freezing offers many advantages for storing leftover chimichurri sauce, including:

• Long shelf life – Chimichurri can be kept frozen for 2-3 months.

• Maintains freshness – Freezing prevents loss of flavor, aroma, and color.

• Easy to thaw – Frozen chimichurri thaws quickly for instant use.

• Saves money – Get more mileage from a batch instead of wasting leftovers.

• Handy ingredient – Frozen chimichurri is ready whenever you need that flavor boost.

• Less food waste – Freeze excess sauce rather than having it spoil.

Freezing chimichurri is ideal if you want to make a large batch for future use. Let’s look at how to properly freeze chimichurri sauce.

How to Freeze Chimichurri Sauce

Follow these simple steps for freezing chimichurri sauce:

1. Prepare the Chimichurri Sauce

First, make a fresh batch of chimichurri sauce according to your favorite recipe. Allow it to cool completely before freezing.

2. Portion the Chimichurri

Divide the chimichurri sauce into usable portions. Good options include:

• Ice cube trays – Freeze in cubes, then transfer to a freezer bag. This allows grabbing just what you need.

• Freezer bags – Seal in Ziploc freezer bags, laying flat to save space. Press out excess air before sealing.

• Airtight containers – Spoon into labeled freezer-safe containers. Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace at the top.

3. Freeze Chimichurri

Place chimichurri bags or containers flat in the freezer. Freeze for at least 12 hours until completely solid.

4. Label and Date

Be sure to label chimichurri packages with the name and freeze date. Store frozen chimichurri in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Portioning chimichurri into ice cube trays, bags, or containers makes it easy to thaw just the amount you need.

How to Thaw Frozen Chimichurri Sauce

Thawing frozen chimichurri sauce is fast and simple:

• Refrigerator – Thaw chimichurri overnight in the refrigerator.

• Countertop – Defrost a freezer bag or storage container on the kitchen counter for 1-2 hours.

• Microwave – Microwave frozen chimichurri in 30 second bursts, stirring between each, until thawed.

• Cold water – Submerge a freezer bag in a bowl of cold water for 10-30 minutes.

Once thawed, use chimichurri sauce immediately. Avoid refreezing thawed chimichurri more than once, as this causes loss of flavor.

Tips for Using Frozen Chimichurri

Here are some tips for incorporating frozen chimichurri sauce into meals:

• Stir cubed chimichurri into soups, stews, and chilis.

• Mix into ground meat for empanadas, meatballs, or burgers.

• Toss with roasted or grilled vegetables.

• Swirl into cooked grains like rice, quinoa, or farro.

• Combine with mayo for a quick sandwich spread or dip.

• Whisk with olive oil for an easy salad dressing base.

• Puree as the base of a brick red gazpacho soup.

• Drizzle over eggs, pizza, nachos, baked potatoes, and more.

With proper freezing, chimichurri sauce retains its vibrant color and flavorful punch. It makes an easy way to add big flavor to meats, vegetables, sandwiches, dips, and Latin cuisine.

So go ahead and whip up a big batch of chimichurri! Freeze the extra in ready-to-use portions. You’ll always have this fresh, tangy sauce on hand whenever that craving for chimichurri strikes.